For this installment of “Meet Apsos” we moved mountains, crossed oceans and traveled halfway around the globe to gain exclusive access to the man himself: Apsos Media’s founder and CEO, Matthew Apsokardu. Okay okay, so the whole mountains and oceans thing is...
Google Local Services
Make Your Phone Ring.
Activate Google Local Services for Your Business
Google Local Services Management
From: $350.00 / month
($350 / Month + Desired Ad Spend)
Your Potential Customers are Searching Right Now.
%
%
That means you’ve got a chance to make the first impression before potential customers make up their minds using Google Local Services.
Just the Facts:
Google Local Services Edition
- Potential customers search Google for relevant services in your area
- They see your listing (ideally before they see your competitors)
- They call the tracking number supplied by Google
- Your administrative staff receives the lead and mark it as either “Accepted” or “Rejected” in the GLS system
- Google charges you $23-$27 (on average) for the lead
Why They Matter:
Google is making a strong effort to replace services like Home Advisor with their own superior service. That means Google cares about the quality of leads you get and your level of success within GLS. This is currently the best way to increase phone calls into your business.
Activate GLS If...
- You need customers/sales now
- You need trackable data to prove how much it is costing you per conversion
- You have someone on your staff that can monitor leads via the GLS interface
- You are comfortable putting yourself and some team members through background checks
- You have a prompt phone answering strategy (either through yourself or a front desk admin)
Avoid GLS If...
- You have a budget less than $500 a month
- You tend to send most calls to voicemail
- You don’t have anyone on staff who can monitor the online interface (consider google ads instead)
- You or your technicians/workers won’t pass a basic background check
- You don’t require immediate conversions and would prefer to build brand awareness (see: facebook ads)
Service Deep Dive
Curious about the finer aspects of this service and how it delivers value? Investigate below!
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How does the bidding system work?
Google Local Services is pay-per-lead, which means the range you pay per call is somewhat limited. However, GLS is beginning to institute a rudimentary system where you can bid more to increase the amount of time you spend in the top 3 results. The top 3 is critical because those are the results users see without clicking into Google Local Services to learn more.
You can expect to spend somewhere in the $23-$30 range per call.
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What is the Apsos Setup Service?
We provide a quick Q&A to get your pertinent company data
We set up your initial GLS profile and put you on the fastest track to approval
We setup your profile for background checks and lead your team through the process
We develop your primary geographic areas and services
We launch the program and instruct your administrators on how to use it
We provide monthly maintenance and upkeep. If you utilize our review building system, we can also manage your “verified reviews” in GLS which helps your GLS rank.
DO NOT DELETE
What’s the Deal with the GLS Interface?
In order to stay in good standing with GLS and continue to receive calls you have to manage the GLS interface. Apsos can help get you set up and stay compliant but someone on your staff has to manually move calls from the “new” category to “accepted” or “Archived”. Ideally, you’ll want your staff member doing this every day, but once every 2-3 days is also acceptable.
The interface is extremely easy to learn and use but it does take consistency to really get maximum value out of it.
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What is the sign up process like?
Getting started in GLS is a bit more complex than something like Google Ads. If you don’t like the idea of background checks or maintaining leads in the GLS interface, we recommend Ads instead.
The key factors in signing up for GLS include:
Having a license number and insurance documentation
Having you and your technicians/workers fill out a brief background check
Determining a max amount of budget per month
Determining which geographic areas are most important to you
DO NOT DELETE
What Does Apsos On-Going Support Provide?
Google Local Services is a relatively new platform by Google. As such, they are constantly shifting, improving, and tweaking their behavior and interface. For example, Google recently changed the company that executes their background checks, making the process of on-boarding different and potentially confusing for users. Our on-going service provides oversight and support to ensure you are getting the most out of GLS and never getting lost in the shuffle. Our support includes:
Additions or subtractions to your desired geography for calls
Changes to work hours or business details as needed
Monitoring of listing behavior and making corrections where needed
Direct phone connection to GLS support if problems arise
Utilization of GLS Verified Reviews (when used in conjunction with our review building service)
Alerts if too many calls are being missed or remaining stagnant in the “active” column
Monitoring of budget and recommendations in order to improve overall lead generation. Budget changes conducted whenever needed.
Support from Apsos Google Specialists whenever questions arise
DO NOT DELETE
Are Google Ads different than GLS?
DO NOT DELETE
How does the bidding system work?
Google Local Services is pay-per-lead, which means the range you pay per call is somewhat limited. However, GLS is beginning to institute a rudimentary system where you can bid more to increase the amount of time you spend in the top 3 results. The top 3 is critical because those are the results users see without clicking into Google Local Services to learn more.
You can expect to spend somewhere in the $23-$30 range per call.
DO NOT DELETE
What is the sign up process like?
Getting started in GLS is a bit more complex than something like Google Ads. If you don’t like the idea of background checks or maintaining leads in the GLS interface, we recommend Ads instead.
The key factors in signing up for GLS include:
- Having a license number and insurance documentation
- Having you and your technicians/workers fill out a brief background check
- Determining a max amount of budget per month
- Determining which geographic areas are most important to you
DO NOT DELETE
What is the Apsos Setup Service?
- We provide a quick Q&A to get your pertinent company data
- We set up your initial GLS profile and put you on the fastest track to approval
- We setup your profile for background checks and lead your team through the process
- We develop your primary geographic areas and services
- We launch the program and instruct your administrators on how to use it
- We provide monthly maintenance and upkeep. If you utilize our review building system, we can also manage your “verified reviews· in GLS which helps your GLS rank.
DO NOT DELETE
What Does Apsos On-Going Support Provide?
Google Local Services is a relatively new platform by Google. As such, they are constantly shifting, improving, and tweaking their behavior and interface. For example, Google recently changed the company that executes their background checks, making the process of on-boarding different and potentially confusing for users. Our on-going service provides oversight and support to ensure you are getting the most out of GLS and never getting lost in the shuffle. Our support includes:
- Additions or subtractions to your desired geography for calls
- Changes to work hours or business details as needed
- Monitoring of listing behavior and making corrections where needed
- Direct phone connection to GLS support if problems arise
- Utilization of GLS Verified Reviews ( when used in conjunction with our review building service)
- Alerts if too many calls are being missed or remaining stagnant in the
“active” column - Monitoring of budget and recommendations in order to improve overall lead generation. Budget changes conducted whenever needed.
- Support from Apsos Google Specialists whenever questions arise
DO NOT DELETE
What’s the Deal with the GLS Interface?
In order to stay in good standing with GLS and continue to receive calls you have to manage the GLS interface. Apsos can help get you set up and stay compliant but someone on your staff has to manually move calls from the “new” category to “accepted” or “Archived”. Ideally, you’ll want your staff member doing this every day, but once every 2-3 days is also acceptable.
The interface is extremely easy to learn and use but it does take consistency to really get maximum value out of it.
DO NOT DELETE
Are Google Ads different than GLS?
Activate Google Local Services for Your Business
Google Local Services Management
From: $350.00 / month