Google’s Local Services Ads (LSA) is an advertising platform designed for service-based businesses like plumbers, electricians, and other professionals. These ads appear at the top of Google search results when users look for specific services, helping businesses connect with potential customers.
Reserve with Google, on the other hand, is a booking service that enables users to schedule appointments directly through Google Search, Google Maps, or the Reserve with Google platform.
By integrating LSA and Reserve with Google with a CRM, businesses can not only promote their services but also allow customers to book appointments seamlessly. This integration enhances the customer experience, increases booking conversions, and helps businesses efficiently manage their appointments.
Usage Cases:
Home Service Businesses: such as cleaning, landscaping, and plumbing businesses—can leverage this integration to effectively connect with their local audience. When potential customers search for these services in their area, the business appears prominently in search results, maximizing visibility. Once a user decides to book, they can seamlessly schedule an appointment through Google, eliminating the hassle of phone calls or email exchanges. This streamlined process not only speeds up bookings but also enhances the customer experience. Additionally, the integration helps businesses efficiently manage their appointments, prevent scheduling conflicts, and maintain customer details and preferences for future convenience.
Real Estate Agencies: Real estate agencies can leverage this integration to reach a wider audience of potential buyers or sellers. Through Local Services Ads, they can advertise their services, such as property viewing, consultation, or legal paperwork assistance. When an individual is interested in a property or service, they can directly schedule a viewing or a meeting via Reserve with Google. This simplifies the user's journey from discovering a property to booking a viewing and allows agencies to manage their viewing schedules effectively.
Legal Consultation Services: Law firms can use this integration to advertise their consultation services. When users search for legal consultation in their local area, the law firm's ad will appear at the top of the search results, increasing its visibility. Potential clients can then book a consultation directly through Reserve with Google, providing a streamlined booking experience. By reducing the barriers to booking a consultation, law firms can convert more potential clients while managing their consultation schedules effectively.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
| Reserve with Google | A service provided by Google which allows customers to book appointments and services directly through Google Search and Google Maps. |
| Google My Business | A free tool that lets you manage how your local business appears across Google products, like Maps and Search. |
| Local Services Ads | A type of advertisement that promotes local businesses and their services. These ads are triggered when a potential customer in the local area searches for the services the business offers. |
| Lead | A person who has indicated an interest in a company's product or service in some way. |
| Valid Lead | A lead that has been confirmed as legitimate and fits the business's services and target audience. |
| Pay-Per-Lead | An advertising pricing model is where the advertiser pays for an explicit sign-up from a consumer interested in the advertiser's offer. |
| Dispute (Lead Dispute) | The process of challenging the validity of a lead. This can happen when a business receives a lead from Local Services Ads that they believe is invalid. |
| Manager Account | This account allows businesses to manage multiple Google Ads accounts -- including other Manager Accounts -- from a single location. |
| Customer ID (CID) | A unique number that's assigned to a Google Ads account. Each CID is unique to the account and can be used to help identify it. |
| Bulk Upload | The process of adding multiple items at once to a database or software. In the context of Google services, it refers to the ability to create and update multiple business listings at once. |
| Service Area Business | A type of Google My Business account for businesses that serve customers at their locations. |
| Vertical | An industry or group of related companies based on their primary business operations. In the context of Local Services Ads, verticals could refer to the specific industries that a business can select when setting up their ads (like locksmiths, plumbers, electricians, etc.). |
How to use this feature?
1. In your Account, go to Settings > Integrations and click "Connect" under Reserve with Google
2. Confirm the business details are correct and click "Proceed."
3. Click "Configure Calendar" to navigate to Calendar Settings
4. Create/Edit a calendar, enable "Reserve with Google", update your Business Service Category, Service Type, and Estimated price
5. Return to Settings > Integrations and click "Start Integration" to continue the integration. Confirm the instructions mentioned in the pop-up and click proceed.
6. Login and link your Google Local Services Ads account (opened in a new tab). Contact Support if you are unable to view the same screen as below.
7. Integration Status - Pending: It will take up to 48Hrs for Google to Verify the integration
Please Note:
If the status is "Not Matched", then your Business Info didn't match with your LSA Business Details. So, you will have to update Settings > Business Info and reintegrate (Delete & Integrate again).
8. Your LSA - Reserve with Google Integration is done!
How does it work?
The Appointments booked through Local Services Ads are managed in the respective Account's Calendar.
FAQs
1. How can agencies best leverage Local Services Ads for their clients?
Agencies have various ways they can leverage LSAs for their clients. Some agencies charge a setup fee, ranging from a hundred to a thousand dollars, to set up the LSA account, then a monthly maintenance fee. Others charge a percent of total revenue or even offer the setup for free to acquire new clients. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and the strategy used would depend on the agency's model and the clients they target.
2. How does the onboarding process work for agencies?
Google offers support for agencies when it comes to onboarding. If an agency has multiple accounts (10 to 1000+), there is a dedicated account management team to provide support. They also provide a phone number for general onboarding and account management support. A bulk upload process is also available for creating multiple locations at once.
3. What is the hierarchy for setting up LSAs?
When setting up LSAs, a business should create a manager account, after which they can create Customer IDs (CIDs) through the manager account flow.
4. Who qualifies for the high-level integration of LSAs?
The CRM's integration of LSAs is available to everyone, not just Pro users.
5. Can I connect different Google accounts to different businesses within the CRM?
You can log in if you can access their Local Services Ads sign-in account.
6. What requirements must a business meet to be eligible for LSAs?
The requirements for eligibility vary based on the service provided by the business. For example, if it's an HVAC business in California, Google will require a specific license and a certain amount of general liability insurance. If the business or master technician does not have the required license, they will not be eligible. Furthermore, background checks are required in specific verticals. If a business does not pass these checks, it won't be eligible for LSAs.
7. What is the usual turnaround time for getting approved for LSAs?
If a business can submit all the required documentation within 24-48 hours, approval may take one to two weeks. However, this varies based on the volume of applications and can be affected by other external factors. If a business has many employees who need to submit background checks, the process can take three to four weeks.
8. How does the pricing structure of LSA work?
The pricing for Local Services Ads is based on a pay-per-lead model. Businesses only pay for valid leads and specific services related to their business. However, the cost per lead varies by job type, region, and lead type.
9. What types of leads does LSA include?
Local Services Ads can include a range of leads such as phone calls, messages, bookings, and more. The exact types of leads a business will be charged for depending on their service.
10. What happens when a business receives a lead from LSA?
When a business receives a lead, it can review the lead details. They can dispute the lead within the LSA dashboard if they believe it's invalid. They won't be charged for invalid leads.
11. How can I get the integration for Local Services Ads on the CRM?
While the integration is currently live behind the scenes at the CRM, it's only visible to specific users as the CRM awaits Google's approval for broader use. Once Google gives the thumbs-up, the integration will be flipped on for everybody.
12. Can I accept Payments through Reserve with Google?
No, Reserve with Google currently does not support payments. Despite enabling the 'Accept Payment' option on a calendar, payments cannot be completed for bookings made through Reserve with Google.