What Are Google Local Service Ads?
Google Local Service Ads are a form of pay-per-lead search engine advertisement that help local businesses promote their services at the top of search engine results pages for users in their areas who are searching relevant queries. For example, if someone in Boston searches “Pest Control”, Google will display a list of pest control companies at the top of the results page, along with some basic information about each business like their average star rating, years in business, and a phone number that users can use to contact the business. In order to appear in the Local Service Ads results, you must verify your business through Google and set a budget that operates on a pay-per-lead basis.
What’s The Difference Between Pay-Per-Click and Pay-Per-Lead?
Pay-per-lead ads like Google Local Service Ads differ from pay-per-click ads like Google Ads because with LSAs (Local Service Ads), you’ll only pay for leads that you actually receive. With traditional Google Ads (which operate on a PPC basis), you’re paying for clicks on your website, even if those clicks don’t convert into leads. The major advantage of pay-per-lead ads is that you know your budget will result in tangible leads for your business, whereas with pay-per-click ads, users may click on your advertisement and then leave your website without contacting you.
What Types of Businesses Are Eligible For LSAs?
Many different types of businesses are eligible to sign up for Google Local Service Ads, including home services, professional services, education services, care services, wellness services, and healthcare. Some of the business types that commonly advertise through Google Local Services Ads include:
- HVAC Contractors
- Exterior Contractors
- General Contractors
- Flooring Contractors
- Electricians
- Junk Removal Companies
- Landscapers
- Plumbers
- Movers
- Lawyers
- Real Estate Agents
- Preschools
- Beauty Schools
- Child Care Centers
- Pet Grooming & Boarding Businesses
- Veterinarians
- Dentists
For a complete list of the types of businesses that are eligible for Google Local Service Ads, click here to visit Google’s documentation on the subject!
What Are The Different Bidding Strategies For Google LSAs?
There are two primary bidding strategies for Google Local Service Ads: manual bidding and automated bidding. Automated bidding strategies allow Google to set your bid for you, either on the basis of getting you as many leads as possible within your budget (Maximize Leads) or on the basis of a preset target cost-per-lead, which allows you to tell Google how much you want to pay for each lead on average. Manual Bidding allows you to set your own bid limit, ensuring that you’ll never pay more for a lead than your set limit. Learn more about these bidding strategies on our blog!
Contact Boston Web Marketing!
If you have any additional questions about Google Local Services Ads or if you’d like to get started with LSAs, please contact our team at Boston Web Marketing today! Our SEO & Google Ads specialists help businesses in virtually every industry achieve higher search results and gain more leads! Give us a call today at (857) 526-0096 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!