Online advertising is more important than ever in this digitally connected world. This is why it’s important to consider various types of online ads, such as Google Ads as part of your marketing strategy. Two popular options Google offers are Local Service Ads and Google Search Ads. While these two types of ads may seem similar at first, they both serve their own purposes and have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will explain in this article so you can make the best decision for your advertising campaigns.
Local Service Ads
Local Service Ads are useful for local businesses that perform a service, such as trades, dentists, doctors, and more. These ads are often shown above regular Google Search Ads so they can be pretty powerful. They are also exclusively for local businesses, so if your company operates nationally, you may have to choose another advertising option, such as Google Search Ads. Here is an example after searching “great plumbers near me” how these ads appear.
If you notice from this image, some of these listings also have a green checkmark that says “Google Guaranteed.” Depending on the category of your business, you will either receive a “Google Guaranteed” under your name, “Google Screened,” or “License Screened by Google.” If your business is eligible for one of these badges, you should sign up so you can be seen as a more reputable business by both Google and your potential customers! You can be verified in the following categories:
- Home services
- Business services
- Health services
- Learning services
- Care services
- Wellness services
One benefit of Local Service Ads is that they allow you to set a specific budget of your choice. You put in the exact amount you want to spend and you’ll only pay when a lead comes in. Google even has a budget tool, which you can check out here.
Another benefit of Local Service Ads is that they appear at the right times when potential customers search for similar services, so you don’t have to worry about your ad appearing for random phrases!
Google Search Ads
Google Search Ads are shown at the top of the Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) and appear when someone searches relevant keywords or phrases. Once clicked, these ads usually take you to either a landing page or a specific page on a website. Examples of one of these ads are shown below after searching “women’s sandals for sale near me.”
Google Search Ads are perfect for many types of businesses. They can have broader geographic reach so you can target people locally, nationally, or worldwide! You also don’t have to be in a specific industry to utilize search ads, so if you aren’t a service-based business such as a plumber or electrician, you can still use them.
Search Ads also allow you to add extensions, which are additions to your ads that can provide more information for viewers. Some examples of these extensions are call extensions, sitelink extensions, structured snippets, and more. Through extensions you can add phone numbers, showcase extra pages of your website, and more, which can increase conversions!
Conclusion
When choosing your Google Ad type, you have two main options, Google Local Service Ads and Google Search Ads. While Local Service Ads work well for local service-based businesses, Google Search Ads are broader and can be for any industry. Understanding the differences between these two can help you make the right advertising choice for your business, whether it be one type or another or both.
If your business needs guidance, let our team at The Digital People help you navigate online advertising and succeed! Contact us today at 318-322-1914 for more information.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out “3 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website!“
