Key Indicators to Watch

Establishing a niche for your home services business requires a comprehensive online marketing strategy. This strategy should encompass a strong online presence, optimized listings, a user-friendly website, targeted advertising, and active social media engagement. 

Effective marketing increases brand visibility, builds trust with potential customers, and positions your business prominently in search results, particularly through Google Local Services Ads. These efforts collectively enhance brand awareness and provide a competitive advantage in a saturated market.

Listings

When building a successful online marketing campaign for your home services business, having up-to-date business listings is a critical component. Think of these listings as the digital equivalent of a phone book entry, but with more dynamic content and the ability to influence how your business appears in local search results.

1. Start with your NAP – Name, Address, and Phone number. Ensure this information is consistent across all platforms to boost your local SEO. This consistency helps search engines trust your business’s legitimacy, which can improve your ranking in search results.
2. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) profile. GBP is a powerful tool that allows customers to find, contact, and review your business directly from Google’s search results. Fill out every detail:
   • Business category and description.
   • Service areas.
   • Hours of operation.
   • Contact information.
3. Add photos of your work, team, and before/after comparisons to give a personal touch and showcase your quality. This visual appeal can have a substantial effect on potential customers searching for home services.
4. Encourage customer reviews and respond to them, demonstrating your engagement and customer service level. Positive reviews boost your credibility in the local search landscape.

Pro Tip: Local Splash prioritizes high-value listings over scattering efforts across numerous low-performing directories. Focusing on platforms that deliver the highest return on investment, such as Google Business Profile (GBP), Yelp, Facebook, and Bing, ensures that your business is prominently featured where it matters most. This targeted approach enhances visibility and drives more qualified leads to your services.

Remember: Regularly check your listings for accuracy, as outdated information can lead to lost opportunities and diminish trust with potential clients. Keep your listings updated with any changes in your business, such as new services or hours of operation. This attention to detail in your local listings can play a significant role in the overall success of your online marketing efforts.

Website

When considering your website design, it’s crucial that it looks professional and ranks well on search engines. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) should be at the forefront of your design process to ensure your website is visible to potential customers looking for your services online.

• Create a User-Friendly Website: Your website’s usability is key. It should be easy to navigate, fast-loading, and mobile-responsive to cater to the increasing number of users who access the internet via smartphones.
• Online Presence: A strong online presence is established through a combination of well-executed web design and ongoing SEO efforts. Your website content needs to be informative, relevant, and updated regularly to maintain its search rankings.

As Provided by Local Splash

Your website is the digital face of your home services business, and with Local Splash’s MySite service, it can stand out impressively. MySite offers customizable, SEO-optimized web designs that are mobile-friendly and fully secure, ensuring your business shines online. 

From easy-to-use chat and scheduling options to integrated payment systems, MySite equips your site with the tools needed for success. Embrace the convenience of updating your website with no coding required, and let Local Splash’s expertise drive your online presence to new heights.

Key Elements of Your Website:

1. Homepage: Introduce your services and unique selling proposition.
2. About Page: Share the story behind your business and crew.
3. Services Page: Clearly list the services you provide with detailed descriptions.
4. Contact Page: Include an easy-to-use contact form and alternative contact methods.
5. Blog or Resource Section: Offer valuable advice and tips related to your in-home services to help your SEO and provide value to visitors.

Ensure that your website reflects the quality of your work – make it as impeccable, approachable, and professional as your services.

Ads & Social

Navigating the world of online advertising can be overwhelming, but mastering platforms like Google Ads and social media can lead to significant growth for your home services business. By harnessing the power of paid ads and effective social messaging, you can connect with your ideal customers and increase your leads and revenues.

Google Ads PPC

With Google Adwords, you’re investing in visibility at the top of search engine results, directly above organic listings. This pay-per-click model ensures you only pay when potential customers click through to your website. 

To optimize your Google Adwords campaign:

• Tailor Your Ads: Create ads specific to home services that resonate with your target audience.
• Set a Budget: Google Ads allows for flexible budgeting, making it a cost-effective choice for all sizes of businesses.
• Track and Analyze: Use Google’s robust tracking tools to monitor your conversion rate and adjust for the best ROI.

FB and Google Business Profile Post Generator

Effective use of social media starts with engaging content. Both Facebook and Google Business Profile offer post generators that can enhance your content marketing strategy.

• For Facebook:
  • Ensure your content appeals to the local services ads market and utilizes Facebook’s extensive advertising strategies.
  • Engage with your community using posts that highlight customer testimonials and examples of your work.
• For Google Business Profile:
  • Take advantage of this free tool to appear in local search results and connect with those seeking home services.
  • Regular posts about promotions or new services can improve your lead generation and keep your business top-of-mind.

The key is consistent, clear communication across these platforms, making sure your message aligns with your overall marketing campaigns. Use these spaces not just for advertising, but for building relationships with your audience.

LSA by Google

Local Services Ads (LSA) by Google have revolutionized the promotion of home service businesses online. These ads serve as an economical bridge, linking your business directly with potential clients who are in immediate need of the services you provide. Positioned at the very top of Google search results, LSAs ensure your business stands out prominently.

The Google Guarantee enhances this service by adding a layer of confidence for both you and your customers. In instances where customers, who found your business through LSAs, are not satisfied with the work quality, Google may step in. 

The company holds the discretion to provide reimbursements to the customer for the amount spent on the initial service, with this safety net being subject to a cumulative cap throughout the life of the guarantee.

How LSAs Work:

• Targeted Exposure: LSAs help you appear to local customers based on their search queries.
• Pay Per Lead: You only pay when someone contacts you through the ad, making it a budget-friendly option.

Creating a Winning LSA Campaign:

1. Verification: Ensure your business is properly vetted by Google to build trust with customers.
2. Accurate Information: Input your business hours, services, and any required licenses.
3. Budget Management: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on leads each week to control costs.

Benefits for Home Services:

• High Intent Leads: LSAs connect you with users who are ready to book a service, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
• Reviews and Ratings: Showcasing your positive reviews from satisfied customers can enhance your credibility.

By optimizing your LSA profile and managing your budget, you can develop an advertising strategy that boosts your visibility and is aligned with your financial goals. The key is to maintain an updated and detailed profile to maximize your lead generation efforts.

Tip: In the Local Splash client dashboard, you’ll find FBAds leads and LSA leads under the “Leads” tab. 

Partner with Local Splash 

To succeed in online marketing for your home services business, you need to establish a strong digital presence. This includes having optimized listings, a user-friendly website, strategic advertising, and active social media engagement.

With tools like Google Local Services Ads and effective use of platforms like Google Ads and Facebook, you can connect with potential customers and grow your business. 

Local Splash stands ready to guide you through these complexities, ensuring that you can focus on what you do best – running your business. For a tailored approach to online marketing success, reach out to us today and discover how having the right partner makes all the difference!

Chat and Call History Are Changing in Google Business Profile

Google has announced the discontinuation of the chat and call history within Google Business Profile. These changes take effect July 15th for chat and July 31st for call history. 

Key Dates to Remember: 

• After July 15th, 2024, new chat conversations will not be possible, but you can still continue existing chats for a few weeks.
• On July 31st, 2024, Google Business Profile will remove the chat button, and call history will no longer be available.

We understand these features have been valuable tools for many of our clients in managing customer inquiries and maintaining seamless communication. 

Despite these updates, Local Splash is dedicated to supporting your business with top-tier digital marketing solutions.

How to Save Your Google Business Profile Chat and Call History

Until August 30, you can download your chat and call history to maintain access to past interactions. Simply visit Google Takeout, sign in with your Google account, and select the data you wish to download, ensuring you include your Google Business Profile chat and call history. Follow the prompts to download and securely save your data on your computer.

Understanding the Impact on Your Business

Adapting to your customers’ behavior, rather than trying to change it, will better position you to handle the discontinuation of features on Google’s platform.

To understand how the discontinuation of chat and call history features might affect your business operations, analyze your current customer interaction data. This analysis will help you gauge the potential impact and plan accordingly.

Maintaining Communication with Your Customers

Even though chat and call history features are being phased out, your business will still be easily found through Google Search and Maps. 

Customers can continue to contact you directly through calls from your business profile. Here are some steps to maintain effective communication:

1. Update Your Contact Details: Check that your contact information is current and accurate in your Client Dashboard at https://my.localsplash.com/.
2. Enhance Your Google Listing: Enable features like Google Q&A or Google Offers to further engage with your audience. Ask us how today. 
3. Consider Other Communication Tools: Evaluate other tools and methods to maintain and enhance customer engagement. If you’re using MySite with Local Splash, you can take advantage of the Live Chat feature for real-time visitor interaction. 

Update Your Welcome Message in Google Business Profile

You’ll also want to make your customers aware that Google Chat has been discontinued, and provide alternative communication methods — like calling your business directly or using Live Chat on MySite.

To do that, update your welcome message on Google Business Profile. Sign into GBP and navigate to the welcome message settings. Edit the text to direct your customer to the new ways to reach you. Google provides detailed instructions — click here.

Introducing Live Chat Integration with MySite

We’re excited to introduce Live Chat for MySite users, making it easier to engage with your visitors in real-time. 

Live Chat benefits include:

• Real-Time Engagement: Seamlessly engage with website visitors in real-time.
• Instant Support: Provide instant support and address customer inquiries promptly.
• Lead Capture: Capture leads and convert website traffic into valuable customers.

Implement Live Chat on MySite

To integrate Live Chat on your MySite, simply contact our support team for assistance. You can reach Client Support by calling (877) 635-6225 or visiting our client support page. Our team will help you customize the chat settings to fit your business needs and provide training to enable your team to use Live Chat effectively. 

Please note that while Live Chat is included for single users, a paid upgrade is available if you wish to include your entire team.

Additional Steps You Can Take to Improve Online Customer Engagement

To make the most of your online presence and customer interactions, consider these best practices:

• Respond Promptly: Whether through Google Q&A, emails, or Live Chat, timely responses show customers you value their inquiries.
• Personalize Your Interactions: Use customer names and reference previous interactions to create a more personalized experience.
• Gather Feedback: Regularly ask for and review customer feedback to improve your services and address any issues.

​​Google Q&A

Google Q&A allows businesses to answer questions directly on their Google Business Profile, providing valuable information to potential customers. To set it up, complete the following:

• Open your Google Business Profile.
• Click on the “Questions & answers” tab: This will take you to the section where you can add and manage the Q&A section of your profile

Google Offers

Google Offers enables businesses to create promotional offers and deals that appear on their Google Business Profile. This can help attract more customers and increase engagement. Here’s how to add it to your Business Profile in Google:

• Log in to your Google Business Profile 
• Click “Add Update” 
• Click “Add Offer”
• Enter a headline, start date, end date, and any terms or conditions
• Click Preview – if all looks good, click Post 

The Solution to More Powerful Content Marketing

Local Splash’s client dashboard is packed with tools that allow you to publish easily and attract more attention to MySite. Here’s how you can create engaging posts right from your client dashboard:

1. Log into your Local Splash Dashboard at https://my.localsplash.com.
2. Click on the “Posts” tab.
3. Click on “Create New Post”.
4. Choose Your Post Type: Choose “What’s New” or “Offer,” depending on the type of post you want to share.
5. Add Your Content: Upload an image and write a description. We include an AI assistant to help you write the perfect message.
6. Schedule Your Post: Pick the perfect time for your post to go live, so it reaches your audience when they’re most active.* 
7. Add a Button: Make your post more interactive by adding a call-to-action button like “Learn More” or “Shop Now.”
8. Publish: Review your post, and when you’re happy with it, hit the “Publish” button to share it with your followers.

*The scheduling feature is a significant advantage over Google Business Profile, which requires third-party tools to schedule content. The result? You deliver updates exactly when your audience looks for them. 

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to turning your MySite into a powerful content marketing tool that attracts and engages customers. 

Alternative Communication Strategies

In addition to LiveChat on MySite and Google Business Profile, explore other communication channels to provide your customers with easy ways to reach you. This may include social media messaging, email marketing, and customer service hotlines.

We’re Here to Support You

We understand that adapting to Google’s changes may pose challenges, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to empower you with innovative solutions that minimize the impact of Google’s updates, plus elevate your online presence and customer engagement strategies.

If you have any questions or need assistance in implementing Live Chat on your MySite, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to support you and help you make the most of your digital marketing efforts.

Thank you for choosing Local Splash as your trusted partner in driving online success. Together, we’ll continue to adapt, innovate, and succeed in business.

Initiating a Facebook ad campaign? The key to boosting customer engagement and conversion lies in choosing the perfect Call to Action (CTA). Think of your CTA as the crucial link that moves potential customers from curiosity to decisive action.

Each CTA is designed with a unique goal in mind, whether it’s to attract new leads, foster direct customer interactions, or prompt immediate responses.

What Call to Action Do You Want for Your Ad Campaign?

Selecting the perfect Call to Action (CTA) affects how viewers engage with your advertisement and ultimately, determines the effectiveness of your campaign.

For businesses providing local services, choosing a CTA that prompts swift and relevant action aligns perfectly with the immediate needs of prospective clients. If you begin by thinking about your customers’ needs, you will place yourself ahead of competing advertisers in your market.  

Business owners have three distinct CTA options to integrate into their campaigns: Facebook Form Fill, Calls, or Facebook Messenger. Each option is tailored for different facets of customer interaction and lead generation:

• Facebook Form Fill focuses on gathering lead data efficiently.
• Calls facilitate immediate voice contact.
• Facebook Messenger offers a dynamic platform for instant messaging and engagement.

Understanding how each CTA works and its advantages will help you tailor your Facebook ads to meet your business objectives and enhance customer interaction. Let’s explore how each option can optimize your campaign’s impact:

If Facebook Form Fill is Selected

Choosing the Facebook Form Fill option allows you to collect information directly through your ad. When a potential customer fills out a form embedded in your Facebook Ad, their contact details are sent directly to you via email and SMS. This real-time information allows you to promptly follow-up. 

We recommend reaching out to these potential customers as quickly as possible to maximize conversion opportunities. All collected leads are conveniently stored under the ‘Leads’ tab on your client dashboard in Local Splash, ensuring you never miss out on a prospect!

Best Practices (FB Form Fill):

• Data Collection: There are four essential fields in the form (services you are looking for, your name, phone number, and city). 
• Follow-Up Strategy: Set up automated responses to acknowledge receipt of the form submission and have a clear plan for follow-up contacts – ideally within 24 hours – to capitalize on the lead’s interest.
• Graphic Suggestion: A flowchart showing the step-by-step process from form submission to follow-up.

If Calls are Selected

If direct communication is your goal, selecting ‘Calls’ as your CTA will enable customers to contact you immediately. When a potential customer clicks your ad’s ‘Call Now’ button, it initiates a phone call to your business. 

This option is ideal for service-based businesses benefitting from real-time conversations, such as emergency repairs or consultations. Please note that while you can track the volume of calls in your client dashboard under the Facebook Ads tab, Facebook does not provide caller ID or further details about the callers. Please note, Facebook defines the call volume as estimated and in development. 

Best Practices (Calls):

• Preparation for Call Volume: Ensure your team is ready to handle an increased call volume. Consider using a dedicated line for Facebook leads to track performance and responsiveness.
• Training: Train staff on handling calls effectively, ensuring they can convert calls into appointments or sales by being knowledgeable about your services and promotions.
• Graphic Suggestion: A checklist of preparation steps or a diagram of the call handling process.

If Facebook Messenger is Selected

Real Messenger Lead

The Facebook Messenger option is optimal if your goal is to enhance customer interaction and service. Ensure that you have the Messenger app downloaded to your smartphone to manage communications effectively. 

This CTA allows potential customers to message you directly from the ad, facilitating a faster and more personalized response. To comply with Facebook’s messaging policy, reply to these messages within 24 hours. This approach ensures you never miss a business inquiry and helps build strong customer relationships.

A Facebook Messenger campaign opens with a dialogue to the prospect, and asks automated questions that Local Splash sets up. These questions include by default: 

• What services are you looking for? 
• What is your phone number? 
• What is your city? 

At least one question is required for Facebook to publish the ad.  

Best Practices (FB Messenger):

• Quick Response: Since timeliness is essential, consider setting up automated greetings and responses for common inquiries to maintain engagement until a human can respond.
• Messenger Management: Regularly update your Messenger settings to manage expectations, such as setting office hours or automated messages for off-hours. Ask us how your ads can be scheduled to run during business hours.
• Graphic Suggestion: An example chat showing the practical use of automated messages and human interaction.

Crafting Your Facebook Ad Campaign

Facebook Ads Tab Dashboard

When setting up your Facebook ad, choose the right visuals and copy that resonate with your target audience. The ad should catch the eye and communicate the value of your offer, compelling the viewer to take action through your well-chosen CTA.

Selecting the best CTA is more strategic than simply adding a button to your ad; it’s about understanding and aligning with the needs and behaviors of your target demographic. 

By tailoring your CTAs to fit your campaign objectives, you can effectively guide potential customers through their journey from awareness to action, optimizing engagement and conversions for your business.

Incorporating the right Call to Action in your Facebook ads will maximize engagement and drive conversions. By understanding and implementing these best practices tailored to each type of Facebook ad CTA, you can enhance your campaign’s effectiveness and better connect with your target audience. 

For more detailed guidance or to explore how LocalSplash can help optimize your Facebook advertising, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to support your business’s growth and ensure you get the most out of your advertising efforts.