Imagine a mid-size community, in which each member produces some kind of goods or services. Instead of selling in their own storefront, they all supply a general store, on a partnership basis. The general store endorses and promotes the goods and services they deem to be the best, and guarantees them in case of customer dissatisfaction.

Why is this a Successful model?

This is beneficial for everyone involved; the customer gets the benefit of the general store’s research and the guarantee of satisfaction, the general store gets a portion of the profits on a wide range of goods and services that they would not otherwise be able to produce, and the individual producers get the legitimacy, reputation, and distribution that the general store is able to give them. This is what Google Guarantee aims to do, but on a global scale. Businesses that achieve certification receive a green check mark and the words “Google Guaranteed” under their name in Google’s list of search results.

What kinds of businesses will Google Guarantee?

Google will only guarantee a select few kinds of businesses, but they are continuously expanding that list. As the Google Guarantee is only applicable to their Local Services Ads, all businesses must incorporate an element of service into their business model, not just goods and products. The current list includes:

• Pet boarding
• Pet grooming
• Pet training
• Plumber
• Pool cleaner
• Pool contractor
• Preschool
• Real estate agents and brokers
• Real estate lawyer
• Roofing
• Sewage systems
• Siding services
• Snow removal
• Tax lawyer
• Tax specialist
• Traffic lawyer
• Tree service
• Tutor
• Veterinarian
• Water damage services
• Weight loss service
• Window cleaning
• Window repair
• Yoga studio

To see if your business is eligible, Google has made this easy-to-use eligibility checker. This does not automatically mean that Google Guarantee is going to be a good fit for your business, but it is a good starting point.

How Can I Get Listed in Google Guaranteed Program?

Before getting listed in the Google Guaranteed program, you have to sign into Local Service ads. All businesses that wish to get listed in the Google Guarantee Program must pass Google’s screening and verification process. The process varies by business category and location, and usually includes checks on background, business registration, insurance, and business license, and requires a minimum quantity of customer reviews.

How would Being Listed in the Google Guarantee Program benefit my business?

According to Google, there are many reasons that Google Guarantee is beneficial for your business:

• Get seen at the top of Google’s search results.
• Connect with potential customers who are searching for services you provide and are most likely to book.
• Make use of simple tools to help you get started and create a personalized profile.
• Use the mobile app to communicate with customers at any time (English only).
• Build trust with the Google Guarantee or Google Screened recognition.
• Pay only for leads related to your business and the services you offer.
• Customers choose you: You only hear from customers who have specifically selected your profile out of all the rest.

What is it going to cost me?

You can set the budget for your Local Services Ad to whatever you want, and Google will determine what your budget will afford you, depending on your location and exact service. They will charge you only for leads your ad secures you, and only as much as you have set your budget. This allows you to see exactly which areas of advertising are performing well, and focus your budget effectively. To get an estimate of what your budget should be to secure the number of leads you want, Google has provided this useful budget estimator tool.  

Conclusion

If you have a company that provides a service to the public, and you want to be found by customers, the Google Guarantee program through the Local Services Ad system is a great method that you should consider. It removes the burden of figuring out the ideal way to invest your advertising budget, and puts it in the capable digits of the Google algorithm. It’s quick to get started, easy to understand, and straightforward to use.