What Are Google Local Services Ads? (And Should Your Small Business Be Using Them?)

Google Local Services Ads

As a small business owner, you're always looking for new ways to get your business in front of potential customers. With Google local services ads, you can do just that. But what are they, and are they right for your business? Let's take a closer look.

Google local services ads are paid advertisements that appear at the top of the search results when someone searches for a local service in their area. For example, if someone in Los Angeles searches for "plumbers," they'll see a list of plumbers near them along with reviews, pricing, and other information. This is a type of Pay-per-click Campaign or PPC campaign.

What's great about these ads is that they allow potential customers to quickly and easily find the businesses that meet their needs. And since they only appear when someone is specifically searching for a local service, you can be confident that you're only paying for ads that will be seen by people who are actually interested in what you have to offer.

Now that we've answered the question "what are Google local services ads?" let's take a look at whether or not they're right for your small business.

Are Google Local Services Ads Right for Your Small Business?

As with any marketing decision, it's important to consider the pros and cons of Google local services ads before deciding if they're right for your business. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Pros:

• Increased visibility: These ads put your business at the top of the search results, which means more people are likely to see and click on your ad.
• Qualified leads: Since these ads only appear when someone is specifically searching for a local service, you can be confident that the leads you're getting are high-quality and relevant to your business.
• Easy to set up and track: Setting up a Google local services ad is quick and easy, and you'll be able to track how your ad is performing with detailed reports.

Cons:

• Cost: Google local services ads can be pricey, so it's important to make sure you're getting a good return on investment before investing too much money into this form of advertising.
• Not available in all areas: Currently, these ads are only available in select markets across the United States. So if you're not located in one of these markets, you won't be able to use this form of advertising.
• Requires certification: In order to run Google local services ads, your business must be certified by Google. This process requires passing a background check and providing proof of insurance, among other things. While it's not overly complicated, it is something to keep in mind before deciding if these ads are right for your business.

Google local services ads can be a great way to increase visibility and qualified leads for your small business—but they're not right for everyone. Before investing in this form of advertising, consider the pros and cons carefully to ensure it's the right decision for your business.