Imagine this: You run a local business—maybe a plumbing service, a law firm, or a home cleaning company. People need your services, but the calls aren’t coming in.
That’s where Local Service Ads (LSAs) come in. These ads put your business right at the top of Google, above traditional search results, and only charge you for actual leads, not just clicks. Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch: Not everyone gets results.
So, how do you maximize your leads with LSAs? Let’s dive into seven proven strategies to take your local business to the next level.
1. Get Google Screened or Guaranteed
Google prioritizes trust when showing Local Service Ads. That’s why businesses that go through Google’s verification process (Google Screened for professional services like lawyers and Google Guaranteed for home services like plumbers) get a badge of trust.
Why does this matter?
✅ Customers trust verified businesses more
✅ You get a higher ranking in LSA results
✅ You qualify for Google’s money-back guarantee (if a customer is unsatisfied)
If you haven’t completed Google’s screening process, do it ASAP—it’s the fastest way to boost your ad’s visibility.
2. Optimize Your Business Profile
Your LSA profile is like your digital storefront. If it’s incomplete or unappealing, potential customers will scroll past you.
Here’s how to optimize your profile:
✔ Use high-quality images of your business and services
✔ Make sure your business hours are accurate
✔ Add a detailed business description with relevant keywords
✔ List all services you provide (so you show up for more searches)
A well-optimized profile converts more visitors into leads.
3. Get More 5-Star Reviews (And Respond to Them!)
Google favors businesses with high ratings. If your competitor has a 4.8-star rating and you have a 3.5-star rating, guess who’s getting the lead?
How to get more reviews:
➡ Ask happy customers to leave a Google review
➡ Send follow-up emails after the service with a review link
➡ Offer incentives (like discounts) for reviews
Most importantly, respond to every review.
Even negative ones! This shows potential customers that you care about your reputation.
To learn more, please visit how to get more reviews for your business.
4. Choose the Right Service Areas
When setting up your LSAs, you choose the cities or zip codes where your ads will appear.
✅ If you target too many areas, your budget will be stretched thin, and you may not rank well anywhere.
✅ If you go too narrow, you might miss out on valuable leads.
Best strategy? Start with your most substantial local market, analyze performance, and expand strategically.
5. Set a Competitive Budget
LSAs work on a pay-per-lead basis. That means you only pay when a potential customer contacts you, but not all leads are created equal.
➡ High-demand industries (like legal services) may require higher budgets to stay competitive.
➡ Low-budget campaigns may get fewer leads, causing slower growth.
🔹 Tip: Start with a mid-range budget, analyze cost-per-lead, and increase spending on high-converting areas.
6. Improve Your Lead Response Time
Here’s a fact: The faster you respond, the more leads you will convert.
Google tracks your response time, and businesses that respond quickly get a ranking boost.
How to improve response time?
✔ Enable instant notifications for new leads
✔ Assign a dedicated team member to handle calls
✔ Use automated responses for quick replies
Speed matters—customers won’t wait hours for a reply when your competitor answers instantly.
7. Track & Optimize Your Performance
Local Service Ads come with performance insights—use them!
✅ Check which keywords and areas are bringing the most leads
✅ Adjust your budget based on high-performing times
✅ Monitor your lead quality (Are they turning into real customers?)
By tracking data and optimizing, you can increase your ROI and get more leads for less money.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Investing in LSAs?
If done right, Local Service Ads can supercharge your business. They put you at the top of Google, generate high-quality leads, and only charge for actual results.
However, just running LSAs isn’t enough—you need optimization to get the most out of it.
🚀 Want expert help with Local SEO & LSAs? Check out Websfirm Technologies for affordable SEO services that drive actual results.
