INSIGHTS:

Google has a new category of ads that promises some strong benefits for service companies with targeted local customer bases.

Google’s Local Services ads are designed to carefully target specific geographic areas, becoming visible only to customers in the service area. And businesses only pay if a customer calls or messages them directly through the ad.

Here’s how it works: You fill out a business profile with Google, providing business name, services provided, location, and select other information. You set an ad budget, which you can change any time.

Then Google will review your information and verify your business. For different business categories, this verification can earn you a Google “badge” that lets customers know your company has been reviewed and vetted.

This is where it gets interesting. For certain business categories (like a painter, say), the “Google Guarantee” badge will back your services, and possibly pay refunds if there are unsatisfied customers. If a customer is unhappy with the quality of your work, Google may refund up to the amount paid for jobs booked through Local Services Ads, with a lifetime cap for coverage.

For other services, like a lawyer, the “Google Screened” badge verifies that Google has vetted your background and backs your expertise.

A Local Services ad include a call or message button so customers and clients can reach you quickly for appointments, quotes, and consultations.

To learn more about this new Google ad product, and to see if it’s a good fit for your business, reach out to us at RTL Digital Media. We’ll tell you more about Google Local Services ads, help you calculate budgets, and guide you through the profile process so you can begin welcoming new business quickly.

• Increase dog training course sales by over $200K a year
• Increase medspa billable sales $700K in year one
• Increase eye practice sales by over $500K

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