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Google Home Services providers can expect a boost to local visibility on the Internet with Google’s AdWords Express home service ads, currently in beta since 2015. The service allows locksmiths, plumbers, handymen, house cleaners and other home services providers to appear prominently in Google search results as qualified companies with phone numbers and ratings.
Google Home Service Ads are in beta now and only available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Stockton, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
According to their help pages, Google says, “Here’s how home service ads work. Let’s say you own a home cleaning business in San Jose. Simply tell us about your business, get qualified, and we’ll take care of the rest. Google will organize the information you give us into a polished profile page for your business, which includes a professional photo. When someone in your service area searches for ‘house cleaners’ or other related terms, we’ll show your profile within an expandable listing at the top of Google search results.”
“Customers can read detailed reviews, submit a service request, or call your business directly for more information,” the company adds. “And to help ensure that you and your customers receive the best experience possible, home service ads are only available to businesses that have been screened and qualified.”
With this new option, you can advertise your business on Google, and you will receive service requests directly from customers looking for qualified professionals. You will see the request through the Home Service ads mobile app and desktop application. You can reply, schedule appointments, and manage each request through the apps.
When you run a Home Service ad campaign, the ad will be placed at the top of a Google search page as potential customers check for service providers in your area. They can either call you directly or send you a message by clicking through the ad. You will receive an email notification through the app, and you can then choose to accept, not accept, or ask for additional information about the request.
Factors than can positively or negatively impact your ranking will include your proximity to the customer, the number of reviews you receive, your review score, your business hours, your responsiveness to customer requests and inquiries, and any serious or repeat complaints about your service.
Google encourages business owners to respond to each message, even if the response is to decline the job. By failing to respond to requests, you may lose the option that allows customers to message you through the app. Even so, this is most likely destined to become the primary way local providers advertise over the Internet, since this service is much more precise than blasting ad campaigns across areas you don’t serve.
Right now, Home Service ads are invitation only in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, Greater Los Angeles, Stockton, and Greater San Diego. If you are interested in participating in the beta version, you will need to contact a Google account manager to get started. If you are invited to participate, a Google representative will contact you about details regarding your business to create your ad. They will also complete a background check including any required licensing and insurance. You will be asked to watch a short tutorial as well.
This is an opportunity to gain greater exposure to customers who are close by and likely to use your service. In addition, this may easily become a great way to manage your daily appointment calendar as well as communicating with clients. As the product expands outside of California, NOYO Web Development expects Google to expand the service to other types of businesses as well.
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