Category Archives: Blog

A Practical Tool for Service-Based Businesses

We’re excited to share the Local Splash App, a new way to manage the key parts of your business all in one place. This app was built specifically for service-based businesses to help you connect with new customers, keep track of leads, and handle day-to-day tasks without extra hassle.

For more than 20 years, we’ve worked with local owners to help them grow their business. With over 10,000 satisfied clients and an impressive 4.9/5 customer satisfaction rating, we offer a foundation of trust and proven results which The Local Splash App builds upon. For the first time, we’re putting a tool into your hand that can save time and drive results.

Why We Built the Local Splash App

If you’re like most small business owners, your to-do list is never-ending. You’re answering calls, following up on leads, running ads, and trying to stay organized — all while serving your customers.

How many times have you missed a lead because you couldn’t get to your phone fast enough?

We’ve seen many of the same issues come up again and again:

• Missed Leads: When calls or inquiries pile up, it’s easy for some to fall through the cracks.
• Unclear Results: You know you’re spending money on ads, but it’s hard to see if they’re working.
• Too Many Tools: Switching constantly from one app or platform to another just slows you down, it doesn’t help.
• Being Tied to a Desk: Running your business shouldn’t mean being stuck in the office all day.

That’s where the Local Splash App comes in. We built it to solve these problems and give you back some of your time.

How the Local Splash App Makes a Difference

Stay Connected

The app includes a dedicated business phone line, so you can make calls or send texts without using your personal number. Whether you’re in the office or on the go, you can stay organized.

Respond to Every Lead

Leads are tracked in real-time, so you always know when someone has reached out. You’ll get notifications right away, making it easy to follow up before they move on to someone else.

See What’s Working

The app shows clear, easy-to-read data about your ads. You’ll know which ones are bringing in calls or inquiries and where you’re getting the best results. This kind of information helps you make smarter decisions without wasting time or money. The built-in Client Dashboard provides real-time tracking of campaign results, helping you measure performance and adjust strategies from one easy-to-use interface.

Work Anywhere

You don’t need to be at your desk to keep your business moving. With the app, you can update your information, check on your campaigns, and take care of important tasks no matter where you are.

Features Designed for Busy Business Owners

Business Phone Line

Keep your personal and business communications separate with a dedicated business phone line built right into the app. Whether you’re making calls or sending texts, everything stays professional and organized. For instance, if a client calls while you’re out, the app logs the call, so you can easily follow up later without losing track.

Lead Tracking

Leads are tracked in real-time, giving you instant visibility into who’s reaching out and what they need. Imagine receiving a notification as soon as a customer submits an inquiry. You can respond promptly, showing them they’re a priority. No more hunting through emails or sticky notes to find a potential lead.

Advertising Insights

With the advertising insights feature, you can see exactly how many calls and inquiries each ad generates. This means you can stop guessing and start focusing your budget on the ads that actually work. For example, if you notice a click-to-call ad is bringing in twice as many leads as another campaign, you can quickly allocate more budget to maximize results.Click-to-call ads are easily integrated into the app, enabling potential customers to connect with you instantly. 

Mobile-Friendly Tools

Running a business often means being on the move. The app lets you update business information, check campaign performance, and handle daily tasks wherever you are. Whether you’re between appointments or working from home, you can manage everything right from your phone. Picture yourself updating your holiday hours while waiting for a client—it’s that convenient.

Straightforward Design

The app was created with busy business owners in mind, so you won’t need a tutorial to get started. All the tools are intuitive and easy to use, so you can jump in and manage your business right away. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll find the design straightforward and frustration-free.

Helping You Focus on What Matters

We understand the challenges of running a small business because we’ve worked with thousands of them. The Local Splash App was built to handle the busywork so you can focus on growing your business and serving your customers. The app’s bespoke lead generation tools are specifically tailored to help you capture and convert inquiries efficiently.

The Local Splash App – Where to Download 

You can download the Local Splash App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. ake the first step to a more manageable, organized business today.

Turning Missed Opportunities Into Growth for Your Business

As a local service business owner, you probably know the frustration of an unanswered call. But did you know that 85% of people whose calls are not answered will never call back? For service-based businesses, where every customer inquiry could turn into revenue, a missed call isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a missed opportunity.

Answering your phone consistently is simply good customer service. Moreover, it’s a way to stand out from competitors and win customer trust. Let’s explore the financial cost of missed calls, why answering every call matters, and how you can manage this challenge without feeling overwhelmed.

Across the United States, 33.2 million businesses are in operation, with 99.9% of them classified as small businesses (Source: ClearPayments). For many of these businesses, the phone is a lifeline for leads, bookings, and customer inquiries. 

How Much Are Missed Calls Really Costing Your Business?

Missed calls can have tangible financial consequences. Research shows that the average business loses $126,360 annually due to unanswered calls. Imagine what even a small slice of that revenue could do for your business – whether it’s hiring additional staff, upgrading equipment, or launching new marketing initiatives.

Beyond the immediate loss, unanswered calls mean missed opportunities to build long-term relationships with customers. When you don’t pick up, you’re not just losing one potential sale – you could be forfeiting lifetime customer value. 

In a market where 62% of calls to small businesses go unanswered, being the business that picks up the phone gives you an edge over competitors.

Why Local Businesses Shouldn’t Ignore Unknown Numbers

It’s easy to assume that every unknown number is a robocall or spam. But while spam calls are common, dismissing all unfamiliar numbers outright could cost you. Consider this:

• New customers often call from personal or unlisted numbers.
• Referral customers might call without providing prior notice.
• Lead generation efforts or marketing campaigns might bring in calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

Three-quarters of consumers prefer calling a business over other methods of contact, making every call an opportunity to build trust and earn their business. When you ignore these calls, you’re effectively closing the door on potential revenue. And given that the vast majority of callers won’t try again, the stakes are high.

All Calls Matter – Even Out-of-State Area Codes

It’s natural to assume that an unfamiliar area code means the caller is out of state and likely irrelevant to your business. But that assumption could be costing you real customers. In today’s mobile-first world, many people keep their original phone numbers even after moving — and the numbers prove it.

According to Pew Research, as of 2016, 10% of U.S. adults had a cellphone number that didn’t match the state they lived in. In some urban markets like Washington D.C., that percentage climbed to MORE THAN HALF!

The reason? People move more often than they change their phone numbers. A customer who now lives just down the street might still have a number from New York, Texas, or Arizona.

This creates a blind spot for local businesses. If you’re in California and ignoring (212) numbers because they “must be from New York,” you could be declining calls from real, local prospects.

These out-of-area callers might include:

• New residents who’ve just relocated to your region but haven’t updated their number.
• Returning locals who moved away and came back.
• Referral customers calling on a recommendation, even if they live out of town but are booking for someone local (e.g., aging parents, college students, vacation rentals).
• Remote professionals who live locally but work for companies based elsewhere — and keep that area code for professional continuity.

The takeaway? Geographic area codes no longer guarantee geographic location. Mobile phone habits have evolved, but many small businesses haven’t updated their mindset accordingly. When you use caller ID as a filter for who’s “worth” answering, you risk turning away legitimate leads and future loyal customers.

The solution is simple but powerful: treat every call like it matters, regardless of the number’s origin. Over time, this mindset shift can help you capture more opportunities, build better rapport, and stop leaving money on the table.

Balancing Accessibility and Time Management

We get it – answering every call can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already juggling the demands of running a business. However, there are ways to stay accessible without losing your day:

1. Invest in Reception Services or Tools: Hiring a virtual receptionist or outsourcing your calls can ensure every customer gets a response.
2. Use Call-Tracking Solutions: Call tracking helps you understand where your calls are coming from, which marketing efforts are driving them, and which calls hold the most value. Local Splash’s Call Tracking service is an excellent example of how technology can simplify this process.
3. Use Call-Forwarding Tools: Set up your phone system to forward calls to team members or even your own mobile device when necessary.
4. Leverage Smart Apps: Tools like the Local Splash app make managing high call volumes easier, allowing you to balance customer inquiries with your other responsibilities.
5. Establish Clear Protocols: Train your team (or yourself) on how to handle calls efficiently, including setting voicemail messages that encourage callers to leave detailed information.

These tools aren’t just conveniences – they’re game-changers for small businesses trying to capture every opportunity while staying productive.

Turning Missed Calls Into Growth Opportunities

Missed calls aren’t just lost opportunities; they’re also lessons in how to improve your business operations. By addressing the reasons calls go unanswered and implementing strategies to stay accessible, you can turn those missed moments into touchpoints for growth. For example:

• Respond promptly to missed voicemails or follow-ups.
• Track patterns in call volume and consider adjusting staffing or schedules accordingly.
• Use customer relationship management (CRM) tools to monitor leads and inquiries.

Incorporating these strategies doesn’t just prevent lost revenue – it positions your business as reliable and professional in the eyes of your customers.

The Bottom Line: Missed Calls Are Missed Opportunities

The numbers don’t lie. Every year, countless businesses lose money simply because they don’t answer their phones. With nearly two-thirds of calls going unanswered and the average business losing over $126,000 annually, it’s clear that missed calls are a problem worth solving.

But there’s good news: by taking proactive steps, you can not only ensure that every call counts but also stand out in your market. In a landscape where most businesses fail to answer the phone consistently, simply being available gives you a significant edge over competitors. 

Customers value responsiveness, and the business that picks up the phone is the one they’re more likely to trust and choose.

From a pragmatic level, making call answering a priority – whether through call-management tools, hiring additional support, or refining your process – can lead to growth. Small changes create lasting impressions and meaningful results.

If you’re looking for ways to make call management more effective and streamlined, Local Splash offers solutions like Call Tracking and the Local Splash app. These are among the tools that help small businesses like yours capture more leads, improve response rates, and ultimately grow.

Start answering your calls today – and watch the opportunities roll in.