At this point in time, it’s rare that a business owner doesn’t know the importance of ranking in a Google search. Google searches help your ideal customers find you, boost your website’s visibility, and ensures you are accessible to your clients and customers. However, most business owners don’t have the expertise (or the time) to stay up on all the changes that Google makes to their algorithms and programs on a regular basis. That’s where working with experts like those at Pixel Fire Marketing can help you out. It’s our job to keep on top of every change Google (and Facebook and Amazon, etc. etc.) makes so you don’t have to.
One of their newer changes is a program called The Google Guaranteed Program. If you’re in a service-oriented business (a.k.a. lawn care, home cleaning, roofing), it’s a program that can be very helpful.
What is The Google Guaranteed Program?
This program was designed to help those looking for service providers to find those that are the most trustworthy and reliable. The program has already been tested and is now available for a large number of businesses in the Midwest and throughout the country. If you want to get the most online visibility for your business, you should consider the Google Guaranteed Program.
So what, exactly, does this program do for your listing? The biggest factor is that it gives an overall favorable first impression. If your business is Google Guaranteed, a green checkmark badge will appear next to your company when it comes up in a search result. This goes a long way toward instilling confidence in your prospective customer as you are approved by Google and they back your business. Those that are Google Approved also take higher priority in search listings, meaning you will come up as a result before your competitors who are not approved.
What Else Does the Program Do?
In addition to showing your customers you’re legit, the program also provides you with additional coverage if your customers are unhappy with your services. Google will actually cover any claim up to the total invoice amount if that service is booked through the Google Local Services and if the claim is submitted within 30 days of the project completion date. Though no one wants to think they’ll have unhappy customers, this coverage provides peace of mind for both you and your customers should things not go as planned.
Of course, there are some restrictions on this part of the service. There’s a lifetime maximum of $2,000 per business and some claims, such as those involving customer service, price, or damage to clients’ property, are not covered.
Why Should You Consider Getting Guaranteed?
There are two big advantages to becoming a Google Guaranteed business. First, you come up more readily in Google search results. And second, your potential customers will have more confidence in your company as they see it is backed by Google. Of course, having some claim coverage as a back-up in case a customer is not satisfied is also a perk.
How Do You Become Google Guaranteed?
There are three steps to becoming a Google Guaranteed business. The first is to sign up for their local services ads. Yes, there is a cost associated with this, but if being found online by your ideal customers is part of your marketing strategy, the cost is well worth it. The cost of these ads is determined by your location and the industry you’re in. The expert team at Pixel Fire Marketing can work with you to determine a budget and develop an ad program that will work best for you.
The second step is to have a background check. Google has a screening process for every business that applies to the program. The background check is free, but it will take some time and work as each of your employees who visit the homes of clients will need to be checked. In addition to screening your employees, Google also screens your current online reviews and ratings.
The third step involves Google verifying that you are licensed and insured. This is an easy step to complete as you simply need to provide your license number and upload your proof of insurance.
Finally, after you are approved, you just need to keep your information updated to maintain your new status. This involves telling the background check company if you have any new employees who will visit clients’ homes and keeping your payment information for the local ad service up to date.
We recommend the Google Guaranteed Program for service companies such as those in the exterior remodeling or maintenance industry (roofing, windows, lawn care) as well as those in the trades such as plumbing and electricians. There is a lot of competition in these industries and homeowners want the peace of mind that they are choosing only the most reputable companies in town when they look online for options.
Think the Google Guaranteed Program is a good addition to your online marketing plan? Reach out to the team at Pixel Fire Marketing to find out if it’s right for you.
