All posts by Local Splash

If you thought business cards were a thing of the past, you may want to reconsider. With everything from meetings to marketing happening online, it’s understandable to feel that way. But if you’re a local business owner trying to get verified on Google, a digital or paper business card might be exactly what you need to prove you’re the real deal.

At Local Splash, we help local service providers claim and optimize their Google Business Profiles. And increasingly, we’re seeing Google ask for one surprising item during video verification: a business card. Yes, a professionally branded business card can be the difference between a pending profile and a verified one. That’s why we now offer custom-designed digital business cards as part of our GBP service, completely free of charge.

Let’s break down why business cards have become part of the Google verification process, and how we’re making it simple for you to check this box with confidence.

What Is Google Video Verification, and Why Is It Strict?

If you’ve recently tried to claim your Google Business Profile (GBP), you may have been asked to complete something called Google Video Verification. This step is often triggered when Google’s automated systems want extra assurance that your business is legitimate and physically operates at the location you’ve listed.

The process is pretty straightforward: Google asks you to record and submit a short video showing visual proof that your business exists. That can include your storefront or workspace, your tools or vehicle, any licenses or signage you have – and yes, even your business card.

To a lot of business owners, this request feels random or excessive. But it’s really not. Google is trying to weed out fake listings, scammers, and lead generation schemes. A business card with your name, business name, and contact info reinforces that there’s a real person behind the listing. I.e. someone who cares enough to present themselves professionally.

Digital Business Cards for Google

It often catches people off guard when Google asks for something as simple as a business card in the video you record for verification. It’s not something everyone has on hand anymore so it’s easy to get caught off-guard. That’s exactly why we started offering custom digital business cards that are specifically designed for this situation.

We’ve made the process simple: once we have your business name, contact info, and basic details, our design team will send you a clean, professional card you can use right away. These aren’t generic templates either. Each card is made to look like it came from your business, not one of those quick online generators.

We offer design styles that are modern, sharp, and traditional. If you prefer clean lines or something a little bolder, we’ll match the look to your industry and personality. You don’t need to stress over design decisions! We’ll guide you.

You’ll receive the final version as a digital file you can open on your phone or laptop. That way, when Google asks to see it, it’s ready to go. And if you want a physical copy, it’s formatted for easy printing too.

Why Google Cares About Small Details Like Business Cards

It might seem odd that a tech giant like Google still asks to see something as old-school as a business card. But there’s a reason behind it.

Think of video verification like a virtual tour. Google’s trying to confirm that your business is real. They’re looking for real-world details that connect the dots – things like your workspace, equipment, signage, or even a business card with your branding on it.

From Google’s perspective, having a business card signals that you’re serious about your business – it reflects intention, planning, and presence. That goes a long way in helping your profile get verified without hiccups.

It also helps build trust with customers. The same card you use in the verification process can later be used on your website, in email signatures, or shared in person. It’s one of those small things that quietly reinforces that your business is professional and real.

How to Get Your Business Card from Local Splash

If you’re already a Local Splash client, the process is quick. Just contact your rep and let them know you’d like a business card for Google verification. We’ll grab a few details, show you some layout options, and get a version back to you quickly – usually within a day or two.

Not working with us yet? No problem. Let us know what you need help with – whether it’s the card, the Google verification itself, or getting your profile set up from scratch. We’ve worked with thousands of local businesses and can walk you through what to expect.

And if you’re wondering how to use the card during your video call: keep it nearby. Hold it up during the call, or have it visible on your desk or in your workspace. You don’t have to overthink it. It’s just one more detail that helps check the right boxes.

Need Help With Google Video Verification or GBP Setup?

Verification can feel intimidating, especially when you’re juggling a dozen other things to run your business. That’s exactly why we built our Google Business Profile service to handle these small-but-crucial details for you.

From designing your business card to coaching you through the verification steps, Local Splash is here to help you make progress and not get stuck in the Google rabbit hole. Our team understands Google’s process and knows what visual elements can make a difference.

So whether you’re brand new to GBP or stuck mid-verification, don’t hesitate to reach out. The sooner you’re verified, the sooner your customers can start finding you online.

Let’s Get You Verified

A well-designed business card might seem like a minor thing – but when Google is watching, it can make a major difference. And with Local Splash, it’s one less thing you have to worry about. 

Contact your Local Splash team today to:

1. Get your Google Business Profile set up or verified
2. Request your own digital business card
3. Get help preparing for your Google Video Verification

We’ll handle the design. You handle the business.

Turning leads into paying customers comes down to what happens after the phone rings or the form gets filled out, and that’s where many service providers unknowingly lose momentum. If even one out of every five missed leads could have become a job, that’s thousands left on the table each month.

With the resources from Local Splash, you’re already getting leads thanks to strong Google visibility and smart local marketing. Whether those leads convert is in your hands. The good news? With just a few changes to your follow-up process, you can close more jobs and land better clients. 

Here are five simple but powerful ways to make sure the leads you’re already receiving turn into paid work.

#1 Respond Fast –Speed Wins

The single biggest advantage you have when it comes to closing a lead is time. People searching for a contractor or service provider are often contacting multiple businesses at once. And more often than not, they go with the first one that replies. That means every minute counts.

Even if you’re in the middle of a job and can’t make a full phone call, send a quick text:
“Thanks for reaching out. I’ll follow up shortly to learn more about your project.”

This small step alone immediately separates you from slower competitors and shows you’re engaged and professional. Since Local Splash delivers leads in real time through call, form, or text, you’re already set up for speed. The key is to capitalize on that timing and make that initial contact count.

#2 Send Clean, Clear Estimates

Once the conversation is underway, the next impression you make is through your estimate. A rushed or confusing quote with vague pricing and unclear terms can make people feel like the final price might change later, and it erodes trust. 

On the other hand, a clear, well-organized estimate signals that you’re serious, experienced, and detail-oriented. It reassures them you’re transparent and fair.

Break your estimate into easy-to-understand sections: labor, materials, projected timeline, and payment terms. This gives the client clarity and reduces friction when it’s time to make a decision. You don’t need fancy software – even a simple email or PDF that’s visually clean and free of jargon does the trick.

It also helps to include a short message alongside your quote that reiterates your understanding of their needs and invites questions. That kind of clear communication makes you memorable and hireable.

#3 Show Social Proof

In today’s world, people trust people. Before they hire you, they want to know others were happy they hired you. You’ll always want to ask happy clients for a quick review or to snap a photo after a job; most are glad to help if you ask. 

Social proof gives your potential client a reason to feel confident in their decision.

This can take a few forms:

• Before-and-after photos of past work
• Google reviews (especially recent ones)
• Any certifications, awards, or years in business that build credibility

You don’t need to send your entire portfolio. Just share one or two relevant examples in your message or estimate follow-up. It might be a photo from a similar job or a link to your reviews. 

Since Local Splash helps your business stand out in local search, there’s a good chance your leads have already seen your good reviews. Reinforcing that trust during the sales process is what turns interest into action. 

#4 Follow Up Without Being Pushy

Not every customer will respond right away, and that’s normal. In fact, most of your competitors won’t follow up at all, which means a well-timed, friendly check-in gives you a huge edge.

The key is tone and timing. A good rule of thumb is to follow up 24 to 48 hours after sending a quote, and again a few days later if you still haven’t heard back. Keep the tone light and helpful:

“Hi [Name], just following up on the estimate I sent over. Let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like to discuss the project further.”

Here’s a pro tip: in most cases, respond using the same communication channel they used. They are giving you their preferred method of contact (phone call, text or email), so match that if possible. 

You’re not trying to force a sale. You’re keeping the door open. And if a customer isn’t quite ready to commit, your professionalism and consistency will likely bring them back when they are.

#5 Say What Makes You Different

When potential clients are comparing multiple contractors, they’re not just comparing prices – they’re comparing people. The more clearly you can articulate what sets you apart, the more likely you are to get the job.

So what’s your edge? Maybe you finish jobs faster than others. Maybe you communicate better. Maybe your team leaves the job site cleaner than anyone else. Whatever it is, don’t assume your lead will just figure it out. You need to tell them.

Try saying something like:

“One thing our clients really appreciate is that we send daily project updates so you’re never left wondering what’s going on.”

Another way to say it might be: “We might not always be the cheapest, but we’re the team that gets it done right the first time, and that saves money in the long run.” 

Statements like this give your lead confidence that they’re making a smart, long-term decision, not just going with the lowest price.

Neither approach is bragging; it’s giving your potential customer a reason to choose you over someone else. And the more consistent you are in sharing this difference, the more it becomes part of your brand.

Next Step

These five steps aren’t complicated but they will make a real difference. The leads you’re getting through Local Splash already show buying intent. They’re looking for someone to help with a specific problem, right now. What you do in those crucial first moments – how fast you respond, how clearly you communicate, and how well you follow through – determines whether that lead turns into real revenue.

If you’d like help refining your process or want tips on how to make your follow-ups more effective, reach out to your team at Local Splash. We’re here to help you get the most out of every lead you receive.

For a long time, getting found online meant one thing: show up on Google. You’d focus on keywords, keep your website clean and quick, and cross your fingers that the search gods smiled on your business. But lately, something’s shifted. More people are skipping the search bar and going straight to apps like ChatGPT to ask for help.

And the numbers back it up. Search engine use is actually starting to decline, while AI tools are becoming the go-to for answers. (source: Business Insider)

If you’re a contractor, plumber, electrician, or any kind of local service provider, this shift matters. Because if the way people ask for services is changing, the way you show up needs to change too.

What’s AI SEO – and Why Should It Be on Your Radar?

AI SEO is a newer spin on an old goal: helping people find your business online. But instead of showing up on Google’s search page, you’re trying to appear in the responses people get when they ask chat apps or voice tools for advice. For example, “Who installs tankless water heaters near me?” or “Best electrician in [your city]?”

You might also hear it called GEO (short for Generative Engine Optimization) or AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). Don’t get hung up on the jargon. What matters is this: people are asking questions, and these platforms are answering by pulling from what’s out there on the web. If your information is clear and helpful, you stand a better chance of being part of the answer.

This isn’t a tech gimmick. It’s a new lane in the same game. If more people are asking smart tools for help, you want your name in that mix.

How Do These Chat Tools Actually Learn About Your Business?

Here’s the short version: they read the internet.

Not in real time like Google’s search bots, but they’ve been trained on a mountain of online content. Websites. Business listings. Articles. Reviews. FAQs. All of it. That information gets baked into how they respond to questions.

So if your website explains what you do, where you work, and answers the kinds of questions your customers are already asking, then you’re giving these systems something useful to work with.

Want to Show Up in Chat Results? Here’s What to Focus On

If you’ve already done basic SEO, you’re ahead of the game. But showing up in answers from ChatGPT or similar platforms means thinking a bit differently about how your site presents itself.

Ask yourself: If someone who’s never heard of me lands on my site, would they know what I do, where I work, and how to get in touch? If the answer isn’t a quick yes, you’ve got room to tighten things up.

Here’s how to get your site working harder for you:

Say what you do and where you do it.

Make it obvious. “Licensed electrician serving Mesa and Chandler” is a lot better than “Full-service contractor” buried halfway down the page.

Write like you talk.

Think about the questions your customers ask you. What’s it cost? Do you offer emergency service? How long does it take? Put those questions on your site. Then answer them like you would if someone asked you face to face.

Structure matters, too.

Using subheadings for those questions, and answering clearly right underneath, makes it easier for people and smart systems to pick up what you’re saying.

Help the tech help you.

There’s something called structured data (also known as schema markup) that lets you tag parts of your site (like your hours, reviews, services, and FAQs) so they’re easier for search engines and smart assistants to understand. You don’t need to be a coder. Free tools can generate it for you.

Be local, and say so.

Don’t just say “we serve the area.” Mention towns, zip codes, landmarks – anything that gives your content some local color.

Let your reputation speak up.

Reviews still count. These platforms are learning from what people write about you – on your site and across the web. Keep your feedback fresh and your tone real.

Don’t Outsmart the Algorithm – Just Let them Find You

Forget the tech lingo for a second. You don’t need to hack the system or chase every trend. You just need to show up like the pro you already are.

Think about it from your customer’s perspective: they’ve got a leaky pipe or a broken panel or a hot attic they can’t stand to be in, and they need help. Fast. Whether they ask a search engine, a voice assistant, or some chat app on their phone, the goal’s the same: get found, get trusted, get hired.

Your job is to make sure your website answers the right questions, speaks to the right location, and shows why you’re the one to call. Keep it honest. Keep it useful. Keep it human.

That’s what these smart systems are really looking for anyway.

Tech Tip FAQ: Do I Need to Use Schema Markup?

Q: Is writing out a list of questions and answers on my site good enough?

Absolutely. A plain FAQ section, written in clear language, is already helpful for your visitors and for chat-based platforms.

Q: So what’s the point of schema markup then?

Think of it like labeling your tools. Schema helps search and smart tech understand exactly what your content is. It’s not required, but it can boost your visibility and make your info easier to reference.

Q: Do I need a developer to set this up?

Nope. You can use free tools like the Solis Schema Markup Generator to create the code, and then copy it into your site. Test it with Google’s Rich Results tester to make sure it’s working.

Need a Hand?

You can absolutely take a crack at this yourself. There are free tools out there, and we’ve linked a few in this article. But free still costs time, and for most busy business owners, that’s in short supply.

If you’d rather skip the guesswork and get things done right, Local Splash is here to help. We specialize in making service businesses like yours stand out – whether someone is searching the old way or asking the latest AI assistant.

One more thing we’re doing across all our sites: a new file called llms.txt. It works alongside your robots.txt file, and it’s designed to guide how Language Learning Models (LLMs) interact with your content. It might seem like a small detail now, but it’s a forward-looking move that helps future-proof your site as these systems evolve.

Talk to Local Splash and let’s get your business in front of the people already looking for it.