Frequently Asked Questions.
Google My Business (GMB)
How often should my Google My Business profile be updated?
Your GMB profile should be updated at least weekly with fresh posts, photos, or business updates. Business hours need immediate updates for holidays or closures, and reviews should be responded to within 24-48 hours. At Social 1st Marketing, we keep your GMB profile consistently updated as part of our Local Service Ads management.
Can someone else manage my Google Business Profile for me?
Yes! You can grant management access to a marketing professional like Social 1st Marketing. We handle everything from updating information and responding to reviews to posting updates and monitoring insights. With shared cloud access, you can seamlessly upload new content like photos or project updates, and we'll ensure it's posted appropriately to your profile. You retain ownership while we handle day-to-day management.
Why isn't my Google My Business listing showing up in search results?
Common issues include incomplete profile information, lack of verification, inconsistent business information across the web, limited reviews, infrequent updates, or high competition. Our consulting services include a thorough audit to identify exactly why your listing is underperforming and provide specific recommendations to improve visibility.
How do I get more Google reviews for my local business?
Send customers a direct review link within 24-48 hours after service completion. Train your team to naturally request reviews during positive interactions. Never offer incentives, which violates Google's policies. We help you incorporate review request systems that your CRM may already offer but you're not aware of, or we can create custom Google review business cards with your branding and a QR code to hand clients once a job is finished. We implement proven review generation strategies that work within Google's guidelines to showcase your work and build credibility.
How long does it take to see results from Google My Business optimization?
Initial results appear within 2-4 weeks, but significant improvements typically take 2-3 months. Quick wins include increased profile views and direction requests after completing your profile. However, moving up in local pack rankings against established competitors takes sustained effort over several months.
Google Local Service Ads
How much do Google Local Service Ads cost per month?
LSA works on pay-per-lead pricing; you only pay when valid customers contact you. Costs vary by industry: $15-$50 for home services, $50-$150 for professional services, and $30-$100 for wellness/beauty. You set a weekly budget to control spending. We have spend techniques that will maximize your budget within your given industry, along with ongoing monitoring and optimization to maximize ROI.
What businesses qualify for Google Local Services Ads?
LSA is available for health & wellness providers (dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists, dermatologists, primary care physicians, plastic surgeons, fitness studios), home services & contractors (plumbers, electricians, HVAC, house cleaning, landscaping, roofing, painting, appliance repair, bathroom/kitchen remodeling, garage doors, pest control, pool services), legal services (family law, criminal defense, personal injury, real estate, business law, estate planning), and financial & professional services (financial planners, real estate agents, tax services, funeral homes). Each category requires specific verification and background checks.
Why are my Google Local Service Ads not getting leads?
Common issues include uncompetitive pricing, low-quality or few reviews, narrow service area settings, incorrect service selections, poor ad scheduling, inadequate weekly budget, or slow response times. We specialize in diagnosing LSA performance issues and implementing strategic optimizations to get you in front of the right customers. Our AI systems respond to message leads within 1 minute, which helps you outrank your competition, along with call routing systems to ensure at least someone on your team can answer the phone during business hours.
What's the difference between Google Local Service Ads and Google Ads?
LSA appears at the very top with a Google Guaranteed/Screened badge and you only pay for actual leads (calls, messages, bookings). Google Ads appear below LSA, you pay per click, and there's no verification badge. LSA is specifically for local service businesses. We often recommend using both strategically, LSA for trust and qualified leads, and Google Ads for broader reach.
Do I need Google Local Service Ads if I already have a Google My Business profile?
Yes, use both! GMB is free and essential for local search visibility. LSA puts you at the very top of search results with a trust badge that dramatically increases customer confidence. Think of GMB as your foundation and LSA as your competitive advantage. We optimize both together for maximum visibility.
Google Ads
What's included in Google Ads management services?
Our service includes initial campaign setup, strategic keyword research, compelling ad copy development, ongoing campaign monitoring, continuous optimization, monthly strategy calls with you, regular reporting, and conversion tracking. We're available to respond whenever you have questions throughout the month. For 501(c)(3) nonprofits qualifying for Google Ad Grants, we handle all compliance requirements to maximize your $10,000 monthly grant usage.
How long does it take for Google Ads to start working?
Ads generate clicks within hours, but meaningful results typically take 2-3 months. Weeks 1-2 generate initial data, weeks 2-4 involve optimization based on early data, and months 2-3 see consistent qualified leads. We actively monitor and optimize from day one to accelerate results and ensure efficient spending.
Do I need to hire someone to manage my Google Ads?
Professional management typically delivers significantly better ROI. Google Ads is complex and without experience, businesses often waste budget on poor keywords, ineffective ads, or wrong targeting. We bring specialized expertise for local service businesses, reduce wasted spend, improve conversion rates, and continuously optimize so you get more leads at lower costs.
Local/Small Business
How can my local business compete with big companies online?
Dominate local search with an optimized Google Business Profile, use Google Local Service Ads for top placement with trust badges, and target highly specific local keywords in Google Ads. Showcase your community involvement and genuine customer relationships. Our mission is helping quality local businesses compete with larger companies through smart Google strategies.
What marketing services do local contractors need?
Essential services include a strong Google Business Profile, Google Local Service Ads to capture high-intent customers with the Google Guaranteed badge, targeted Google Ads, review generation, consistent GMB updates, and daily monitoring to catch missed leads. We provide exactly what contractors need for consistent, quality lead generation.
Should I focus on Google Ads or Google My Business first?
Start with GMB, it's free and foundational. Get your profile claimed, verified, and optimized with reviews. Once solid, add Google Local Service Ads if eligible, then layer in traditional Google Ads. However, the best approach is to manage all three together strategically for maximum visibility and lead generation.