Help! My Google Business Profile Was Suspended!

99 Calls has helped many clients with their GBP reinstatements.

Imagine waking up one morning, and upon checking your emails, you find an email with the subject, “Company Name, your profile has been suspended”. The one free marketing tool that’s been a lifeline for your online presence and customer engagement has suddenly disappeared without warning. Unfortunately, this nightmare is far too real for so many business owners, including some of our clients. In this blog, we’ll showcase real-life incidents with our clients and their GBP suspensions.

Total Restoration LLC

Alex Mendoza of Total Restoration LLC, a damage restoration contractor in Nottingham, MD partnered with 99 Calls for organic SEO last year after his GBP was suspended while being managed by another marketing agency. We spoke with Alex and asked a few questions about his GBP. Here’s what he had to say.

Dipa: Can you tell us why it was so important for you to have a Google Business Profile and how the suspension affected your business? 

Alex: Important because to get views and to be out in the world, on the internet. It affected my business pretty well. I wasn’t getting calls. I wasn’t getting on the search engines, and it slowed down my jobs and my workflow and that’s why I was so anxious to get it back and in order. 

Dipa: How did 99 Calls help you get it reinstated?

Alex: They were 100% honest. It took a little bit but they finally got it back in order and I’m so thankful for them. Y’all one of the honest companies out there, for real!

Dipa: Has your lead volume improved since the GBP was reinstated?

Alex: Tremendously! I’m getting my calls back, steady workflow, and visual on Google search engine. Things are back in order.

You can play the audio file of the conversation here:

Value Garage Door LLC

Cristian Aleman, owner of Value Garage Door LLC in New Caney, TX, is a garage door service contractor. Garage door companies are service area businesses considered to be a duress category by Google. Cristian partnered with 99 Calls at the beginning of this year, January 2024, to grow his business through organic SEO. However, his GBP was suspended, so one of the first actions taken to help him succeed was to get his GBP reinstated. “I believe getting GBP reinstated is very important because it helps to be present and build your reputation on Google,” says Cristian. Through our partnership and collective efforts, we were able to appeal for reinstatement and restore the profile and Value Garage Door’s online presence within 20 days.  

305 Home Improvement

Yoav Artman of 305 Home Improvement, a flooring contractor in FL, is yet another client who partnered with 99 Calls after his GBP was suspended. Yoav had 20+ reviews on his GBP and he was concerned about losing them after his profile was suspended. Luckily, through collaborative efforts, we got his profile reinstated along with his 29 reviews after a couple of weeks.

Affordable Glass Protection Services Inc

Our most recent GBP suspension incident occurred with Chris Bens of Affordable Glass Protection Services Inc., a window tinting service in Land O Lakes FL. Chris partnered with 99 Calls back in 2018, and through our help and his GBP presence, his business has grown tremendously. Unfortunately, Chris and the team at 99 Calls were devastated to see the email from Google stating his profile was disabled. Chris had worked so hard to gain so many great reviews, he was frantic to see his GBP and all the reviews disappear. However, Chris provided ample proof of business, allowing us to get his GBP reinstated and back on track within just a couple of days.

Understanding the complexities of managing a Google Business Profile is crucial in maintaining its visibility and staying within Google’s guidelines. By trusting experts and hiring professionals to optimize and manage your GBP, not only do you ensure compliance but also ensure swift action, if and when issues do occur with the GBP, like suspensions. It’s also essential to partner with a team that stays up to date with the latest enhancements with Google and at 99 Calls, we are committed to staying on top of these updates, allowing us to provide our clients with effective solutions.

Learn more about GBP ManagemeNt Services

Rising Online Marketing Costs & Business Tools That Help

The team at 99 Calls recently conducted an in-person meeting and regional review with Sabrina’s Window Cleaning. Sabrina’s is a multi-location window cleaning franchise and long-time client. During this collaborative session, we delved into various challenges facing the franchise, including the rising cost per lead, operational complexities, and market shifts in Florida. These issues are impacting many clients around the United States and we want to highlight some of these concerns and how we’re approaching these concerns as we move through 2024.

First, we’ll give a little background on Sabrina’s. Since 1989, Sabrina’s Window Cleaning has delivered top-tier window cleaning and pressure washing services across Florida’s Gulf Coast and Atlantic regions. Their mission is simple; to prioritize exceptional customer service and quality workmanship at competitive rates. A family-owned business headquartered in Bradenton, FL, they clean windows from Marion County to Miami-Dade, spanning both sides of the state. If you want to learn more about these incredible Florida-based businesses, you can read the spotlight on them here. 

Operationally, as a sizable window cleaning operation, they possess advantages. With a substantial workforce and administrative staff, they can promptly address errors, service large regions, and maintain competitive pricing. However, such operations require a consistent and substantial flow of leads

Each Florida market offers distinct opportunities and challenges. There has been a notable influx of permanent residents in Florida favorably impacting Sabrina’s recurring revenue streams. Southwest Florida, encompassing Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, and neighboring areas, has witnessed substantial population growth, presenting a new market prospect. However, rising costs per click from Google Ads, particularly in major metro areas like Tampa, have led to higher costs per lead.

Rising Cost of Google Ads

Many of our clients across the United States are grappling with rising lead costs that directly impact their bottom line. This trend is evident nationwide, with numerous instances where our ad performance remains consistent or even improves compared to a year ago, yet the cost per click in these markets has surged, often doubling or tripling. For instance, plumbing leads in North Carolina that were $80 last year now cost $150, while painting leads in Arizona have risen from $70 to $110. These increases are not merely seasonal or regional shifts but represent the most significant spike in click costs we’ve observed over 12 months in recent years. Our team has already been closely monitoring and keeping our clients updated on how inflation affects advertising costs. 

In this instance, we’re specifically examining Sabrina’s, which operates five campaigns across different Florida regions. In order to produce the best value for our client, we’ve examined the most cost-effective markets and concentrated our resources accordingly. For instance, in Tampa, click costs have risen more sharply than in other areas. From January to March 2023, the average cost per click for window cleaning services was $9.73, yielding leads at an average cost of $36.48. However, during the same period in 2024, the click cost surged to $16.55, marking a $7 increase per click and resulting in a $35 rise in lead costs. Leads that previously cost $36 now hover around $70.

Tools That Reduce Lead Cost

How do we address these rising costs? By reassessing target markets, leveraging automation, prioritizing Local Service Ads, and embracing our new Total Business Solutions approach. These tools help us optimize lead conversion, capitalize on lost opportunities, and enhance operational efficiency and quality of service. They are essential for maximizing lead generation during the spring and summer seasons.

Some of the benefits of these tools: 

• Never miss a call with an automated missed call text back
• Improve your response time with 2-way texting and chat
• Inexpensive conversions through database reactivation 
• Stay top of mind with email marketing campaigns
• Manage your online reputation with the click of a button
• Operational advantages of using AI 
• Automating tasks that save you time
• Organized contact with a savvy CRM

For Sabrina’s, we implemented Database reactivation to combat the increasing cost of leads. The results from the database reactivation campaign were impressive, yielding many appointments from prior contacts and a faction of the cost associated with generating a new lead.

The team at Sabrina’s shared 60,000 contacts with us. 99 Calls developed a texting and emailing campaign to gain attention and facilitate appointment bookings. We were able to reach 63% of the contacts, securing 100 positive responses. This strategy proved to be very cost effective, as leads were just under $5 each. Even with a smaller database, small businesses can find untapped revenue potential by trying database reactivation. Click the link to explore the benefits of database reactivation further, check out this piece from our team.

So What’s Next? 

For many of our clients, we know that automation is top of mind. Ease of operations and workflow structure are some of their biggest challenges and concerns moving forward. When asked what are the future goals for Sabrina’s Frank states, “I’d like to keep working, keep growing. I want to increase efficiency, automate processes and make our operations more streamlined”. The lead generation industry is changing, and so is the way businesses operate. 

Are you having trouble managing your Google Ads? Has the increased cost per lead impacted your business negatively? Contact us today to learn more about our various solutions and options for your business. 

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Interview with a Google Business Profile Gold Product Expert

Dipa Gandhi has been working for 99 Calls since 2011 and has grown in her role through the years. She serves as the Director of SEO and has recently earned her Gold badge as a GBP Product Expert.

Dipa was raised in Chicago and moved to Massachusetts after graduating from college. She has a degree in biology, and although the field is very different from search engine optimization work, the skill set to perform in both fields is similar. Dipa’s ability to conduct research and quest for knowledge have been tremendous assets during her transition into learning best practices for SEO.

A few years ago, Dipa began to focus on honing her skills around Google Business Profiles, which have become instrumental in increasing a business’s online presence. She then participated in the Google Business Profile Product Expert program where she achieved her Gold level badge.

In this exchange, Diane interviews Dipa about her experience as a Google Product Expert.

Diane: Dipa, what is the Google Product Expert program, and how does it work?

Dipa: Before diving into how the product expert program works, we’ll describe the Google community help forum. Google has so many products, such as Google Ads, Google Nest, and YouTube, and with all of their products, there’s a community help forum. So anyone, a product user, who has questions, issues, or needs help with any of these products, goes to that specific forum and can ask their question. Then any Google user can post a response to that question. So you’re basically helping business owners of all sorts, small businesses, large businesses, agencies. You’re expanding your knowledge and helping other businesses try to solve the issues they’re having. The more questions you answer on the forum, the more points you earn, then once you earn a certain number of points, you start earning badges. You go from having no badge to Bronze level to silver level, then gold, and so on. So that’s how you become a product expert within one specific product. I have the Google Business Profile gold-level product expert badge.

Diane: Tell us how you began your journey to become a Google Product Expert.

Dipa: It was a struggle at the beginning since I had started helping on the community forum and achieved my Bronze badge, but then I made one little mistake and my account was suspended, so I lost my status. Then I had to start from scratch and I’ve been regularly volunteering on the forum, helping so many types of businesses, and I went from no badge to earning my Gold badge. 

Diane: Can you share your goals as you learned more about GBPs and the process you took to achieve Gold Product Expert status? 

Dipa: After I restarted volunteering in the community under a different account, I started with smaller goals, like learning best practices to avoid getting my account suspended, then earning the next badge, and the badge after that. Once I earned my Gold status, my goal was to attend a live PE summit which is by invitation only for Gold-level PEs, and not for all Gold PEs. As a company, my goal was, and still is, to minimize GBP suspensions, and if and when they do happen, to have a 90% or higher reinstatement rate.

Diane: What stands out as a couple of the more interesting or surprising things you’ve learned about GBPs?

Dipa: I would say the most interesting thing about the GBP’s is that even though it seems like such an easy straightforward tool, there are so many little details and intricacies that go into optimizing it, keeping it active, and problems that can happen. By participating on the forum, there are many common questions or issues users encounter, however, there are so many questions or issues that are brand new…..sometimes things you wouldn’t think to ask or haven’t been asked before. So even though it’s such a simple tool, there are many little details that go into properly managing it.

Diane: How has this training helped you guide the SEO work we do here at 99 Calls?

Dipa: Because of the program and my Gold level badge, I’ve gained access to many other product experts with similar or higher badge levels. I also gained access to private discussion groups and meetings with Google product managers who keep us apprised of the latest issues, current bugs with their systems, or even upcoming changes. Once you’re at a higher level, like Platinum or Diamond, you have the opportunity to help the product managers test out new enhancements before they roll out to the public.

99 Calls manages GBPs for clients utilizing our organic lead generation service. Having early access to updates, and knowing the current problems and bugs helps us manage the GBPs better. When there is an issue with a specific GBP, like a suspension, being a Gold product expert gives me an advantage as I work to get profiles reinstated. In the case of denials, I have access to Google’s back team to have it escalated further. 

This expert knowledge has led 99 Calls to offer GBP management as a stand-alone service. Our clients are in excellent hands, even if they are experiencing complicated GBP issues.

Learn More About Google business profile Services

A Squeegee and a Dream: How a Window Cleaner Built a Thriving Multi-Location Business in Florida

Today We Shine The Spotlight on Sabrina’s Window Cleaning

Sabrina’s Window Cleaning isn’t your average window washing company. This Southwest Florida success story started in the 1980s, not with high-rise offices, but with a trailer park. Founder Sabrina and her brother, with nothing but a squeegee and hustle, built a business on the idea that everyone deserves a sparkling view. Now her husband, Frank, and daughter, Paige, run the family business. 

Building Trust One Window at a Time

Sabrina’s secret weapon? Genuine care. They prioritize answering calls directly, building friendly relationships with clients, and denounce price gouging. It’s no surprise their reviews rave about their local reputation and consistent quality. Their story about a client in Sun City Center perfectly exemplifies this philosophy. The cleaning crew heard the smoke alarm chirping as they cleaned windows for an older client. Going beyond window cleaning, they changed her smoke alarm batteries, demonstrating that service is about more than just a paycheck. They genuinely care about the safety of their customers. 

The Secret to a Spotless Shine

What separated Sabrina from the competition? Their commitment to a flawless clean. Their motto? “If you can see them, they are not clean. Windows are not meant to be seen, but to be seen through.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Sabrina’s Window Cleaning isn’t resting on its laurels. They’re constantly striving for improvement. Their 10-year plan involves automating processes to increase efficiency and expand their reach with more recurring clients. One way they see this happening is by continuing their partnership with 99 Calls to manage their Google Ads and their SEO websites. 

Lessons Learned

Frank and his team believe in continuous learning and mentorship. Partnering with SCORE Manasota, a business mentoring program, has been instrumental in their development. Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Focus on building goodwill, honesty, and referrals. 

The Power of Partnership

Sabrina’s credits 99 Calls and its Google Ads management team with propelling their business forward. In 2023, they utilized 99 Call’s marketing team to implement a powerful database reactivation campaign. This additional revenue channel allowed them to reconnect with past contacts and book considerably more jobs. They’re always looking to innovate and appreciate the ongoing customer support that 99 Calls offers. 

Sabrina’s Window Cleaning is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a genuine desire to serve the community. Their story is a shining example of how a squeegee, a dream, and a whole lot of heart can wash away the competition. 

learn about growing Your multi-location business

Explosive Growth Projections for Service Industry Careers

Career choices are quickly evolving as AI is playing a larger role in so many business functions. A significant shift is underway, one that’s reshaping the narrative around traditional education and career paths. Gone are the days when success was solely measured by a four-year college degree. More and more young people are attending vocational high schools or technical colleges rather than heading to a four-year college or university. Many factors are driving this shift, and the most prevalent are the rising costs of college and the rising wages of trade professions.  One is pushing people away and the other is looking more and more enticing. This is an exciting time for those entering the service industry, especially if they intend to start and run their own businesses.

Better Pay, Job Security Entice Youth

Today, lucrative opportunities abound in service industries such as plumbing, remodeling, carpenters, HVAC, solar installers, cleaning, property management, landscaping, and other home and business services. Contrary to conventional wisdom, entry-level positions in these trades are not just financially rewarding but are increasingly surpassing the salaries of their white-collar counterparts. The average salary for a plumber in the US has topped $63,000.

This paradigm shift is further propelled by advancements in technology, particularly the rise of AI. While automation threatens certain sectors, blue-collar jobs remain resilient. After all, no algorithm can replace the hands-on expertise required to fix a leaky pipe or install a new HVAC system. As AI reshapes the workforce, it’s evident that skilled trade professionals will continue to be in high demand, offering unparalleled job security.

Industry Skills Alone Do Not Make an Entrepreneur

Opportunities are boundless for those entering the service industry, especially if they possess both technical skills and entrepreneurial acumen. Whether you’re a plumber, painter, or cleaning service provider, the path to success lies in harnessing your expertise and leveraging modern business solutions. One mistake that we frequently see budding entrepreneurs make is failing to get adequate training in opening and running a business. Even if you are an expert in your trade, you will require some training in becoming a business owner. 

Form Strategic Partnerships

Playing to strengths is key to starting a service business. Do what you do best and hire the rest. If your skills are honed to provide superior remodeling services, don’t spend excessive time figuring out high-level accounting. Understanding bookkeeping basics is necessary to detect issues, but leave the time-consuming number crunching to an accountant or bookkeeper.

This is true for marketing as well. Implementing a digital marketing program or lead generation strategy such as Google Ads will consume you and can waste thousands of dollars. This is where companies like 99 Calls come into play.  Partnering with a marketing business that helps service contractors can fast-track your success. The marketing partner provides support functions ranging from CRM solutions, website building, lead generation, and email nurturing, allowing you to focus on your core contributions. By entrusting an online marketing partner to provide inbound leads needed to build and grow your business, you can focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional service, managing your team, and exceeding customer expectations.

Securing a Path to Success

In essence, the future belongs to those who dare to embrace change and adapt to evolving trends. As the workforce evolves, service contractors are in a unique position to seize new opportunities that are presented. By investing in vocational education, honing your craft, and leveraging the right resources, you can carve a path to success in the thriving service industry.

The era of vocational education and blue-collar entrepreneurship is upon us. Embrace the shift, seize the opportunities, and chart a course toward a prosperous future in the service industry. 

The Importance of Registering Your Business With Your State

Registering your business with your state may not be a high-priority item on your list, especially when your state may not require you to be registered to provide services. However, whether your business is a sole proprietorship or an incorporated entity, formally registering your business should move to the top of your list since there are many benefits.

Benefits of Registering Your Business

Potential Legal Protection: When you register your business as a corporation (S-Corp, C-Corp or LLC) the corporate identity created can protect you by limiting your personal liability. This is not the case if you register a sole proprietorship, but there are many benefits to registering your business if you maintain sole-proprietor status.

Tax Compliance: When registering your business, you get to decide whether you will structure it as a sole proprietorship, an incorporated entity, or a partnership corporation. Corporations are issued EINs, which enforces the legitimacy of your business, allows your to hire employees, and makes you eligible for tax benefits. Sole proprietors do not need to establish an EIN unless they will have employees but it is recommended if you will be doing online marketing.

Brand Identity and Protection: Registering your business name opens doors to grants, loans, or other resources reserved for registered businesses. It also trademarks your business, preventing others from using the same names or logos.

Establishes Trust: Registering your business tells your customers that you are a legitimate business and you are here for the long haul, significantly improving your business’s reputation.

Compliance With Regulations: Registering your business ensures you meet local, state, and federal regulations, including employment and labor laws.

How others perceive your business in today’s world is crucial, and registering your business demonstrates stability, and credibility, and instills confidence in customers. However, these are just general benefits of registering your business. 

Registering your business is just as important from a marketing perspective. 

How does a registered business help with search engine optimization (SEO) and multi-channel marketing (MCM)?

SEO and MCM are cornerstones of a business’s growth strategy. Marketers use SEO techniques used to improve a website’s visibility and increase organic traffic. They use MCM to leverage various marketing channels to engage customers, promote your business’s visibility, and increase revenue and growth. Though not required, a business registered with the state has several benefits in using these channels.

Google Business Profile: This is a free platform by Google to promote your business and improve visibility. Google now requires official documentation to complete a verification process for your Google Business Profile to go live. One acceptable form of documentation is your business’s registration. Additionally, in the unfortunate case where your Google Business Profile is suspended, Google requires official documentation to prove the legitimacy of your business, and a state registration is acceptable proof.

Access to DUNS: A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit number that is used to identify a registered business. Businesses that intend to bid on Government jobs will need a DUNS number. Any business owner, whether a sole proprietor or a corporation owner, is eligible to register for a free DUNS number.

Google Ads/PPC: Though Google does not require your business to be registered to run an Ads/PPC campaign, it does help. When a business is registered, it becomes easier to look up their D-U-N-S number, which is required to complete the advertiser verification on the account, which is being required more and more frequently.

Brand Recognition: Registering your business means you maintain a consistent business identity across various channels, making you more credible and trustworthy, leading to brand recognition. 

Conclusion

Whether you’re a sole proprietorship or an incorporated entity, the decision to register your business is an essential first step in getting your business of the ground. It protects you from future complications, builds trust and confidence among customers, and helps with multi-channel marketing. Registering your business lays the groundwork for using various digital marketing strategies, allowing the business to reach its target audience, build brand awareness, and attract visitors to the website leading to conversions, and ultimately increasing revenue and growth.

Google Business Profile (GBP): The New Manage Appeals Tool (MAT) for Suspended Profiles

There’s been quite a bit of chatter in the SEO community about a new appeals tool for suspended Google Business Profiles. This new tool has officially been rolled out globally and is expected to make the process smoother, and more efficient, and will provide a bit more insight on suspended profiles than the previous method.

Before we dive into the new MAT for GBP suspensions, let’s briefly review the possible reasons for your profile to be suspended.

If your Google My Business listing was suspended, you’ll want to ask yourself if you are following all of Google’s guidelines. The number one reason a listing is suspended is because of Google’s policy violations. Some of the most common violations include:

• Your address is a P.O. Box or mailing facility
• Keyword stuffing – Your business name is stuffed with keywords and not simply your business name
• You are a service area business but haven’t listed yourself as a service area business
• There’s already another business or multiple businesses at the address you’ve provided
• Your listing has a website which is a forwarded URL
• You have multiple listings for the same business within close proximity
• You’ve had several recent changes to your business listing
• You’ve made multiple field edits at once
• Simply because you’re a “high-risk” industry which seems to many spammy listings such as Garage Door Contractors, Locksmiths, Plumbers, or other home-based, service-providing businesses
• You changed your business address from one state to another
• You have too many unnecessary capitalizations or other characters in one of the fields in your profile
• Your hours of business are listed as 24/7 but you’re not actually a 24/7 business
• A user on your profile had their account suspended

To avoid suspensions, be sure to follow Google’s guidelines when creating your listing, make only necessary changes to your profile, and avoid having too many users on your profile.

If your GBP’s been suspended, what do you do now and how do you appeal for reinstatement?

A few weeks ago, Google rolled out a new tool to appeal for suspension, the Manage Appeals Tool (MAT). As mentioned, this new tool is designed to streamline the process and make the suspensions a bit more transparent.

Here’s how it works and what you should do……

The below screenshot is an example of what you’ll see when your profile has been suspended, 

When you click on “Learn More” it’ll take you to the screen below, where you’ll see the possible reason for the suspension. In this example below, the reason is Deceptive content, and when you click on the little arrow next to it, you’ll be taken to Google’s Prohibited & Restricted Content page which will explain what this means. 

Another good piece of information from this screenshot is that the profile is eligible for appeal, so your chances of reinstatement are still good.

At this point, before you proceed, you want to double-check, or even triple check that your GBP is compliant. Make sure all of the fields are accurate, and make edits where necessary. Also, be sure to have at least two official documents with the business name and address visible on the docs exactly as they were entered on your GBP. If you do not have this paperwork, do not proceed. You will be given one chance to have the necessary information and to have it accurate.

These are some acceptable documents:

• A scanned copy or a link to your business registration showing your business address. 
• A business license showing your business address. 
• A utility bill showing your business address.
• IRS document showing your business name and address.

Once you have your documents uploaded on your computer, you may proceed by selecting the profile on the left and clicking the Continue button in the bottom right corner in the above screenshot.

The next screen (screenshot below) will inform you that evidence will be required and will need to be submitted within 60 minutes of your beginning the process. Since you already have your paperwork ready, you can click on Submit.

Once you click Submit, you’ll be taken to the next screen which is the official appeals form. Most of the fields should already be completed with the correct information, but double-check them. In the Choose File field, click on each one and submit your evidence here. In the next box, you can provide additional information about the changes you made to your profile to make it compliant, why you think your profile was suspended, and let them know you’ve included proof of business. Finally, it’s most likely you’re appealing for just one location, so select the next field accordingly. Then “ Submit” the form.

Once you’ve submitted the form for your appeal, the below screen is what you should see.

To double-check your submission, you can go back to the MAT, select your business, and you should see the Details column changed from “eligible for appeal” to “submitted”.

You can check the appeals tool often to see if it changes to either “approved” or “not approved”.

Currently, you will have one shot to appeal. If “not approved”, and you believe all of your paperwork is in order, your profile is compliant, and no users on the account have suspended accounts, then you may raise your issue to the Google Business Profile community forum, including a Google Drive of your documents and a screenshot of your GBP where someone on the forum might be able to help you and escalate it further if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the introduction of the Manage Appeals Tool (MAT) within Google Business Profile emphasizes the constant changes and improvements Google implements in streamlining the processes for businesses, in this case, suspended profiles. With its user-friendly interface and guided steps, MAT allows business owners to navigate suspension appeals efficiently, ensuring transparency and fairness in the resolution process. As Google continues to innovate tools like MAT, it reinforces its commitment to supporting businesses and promoting an easier-to-use, responsive digital environment.

click here for help with creating, managing or reinstating your google business profile

Don’t Get Left Behind: Why Local Home Service Businesses Need LSAs and Google Ads Campaigns In Conjunction with SEO to Grow

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, there’s been a seismic shift in the last five years.

Remember SEO, the old king of getting free website traffic from search engines? It’s still around, but for local home service businesses (roofers, painters, plumbers, cleaners and more), Local Search Ads (LSAs) and Google Ads are the new game changers.

Why the big switch? Let’s break it down.

SEO: The Slow and Steady Strategy

SEO is all about optimizing your website to attract free, organic traffic from search engines. It’s great for long-term growth, improving user experience, and boosting your search ranking. But here’s the catch: it’s a slow game. It takes consistent effort and time to see real results. It’s an ongoing process that requires adaptation to the evolving search engine algorithms. By optimizing your site and staying up-to-date with algorithms, you can steadily climb the search rankings and build credibility.

LSAs & Google Ads: Get Noticed Now

These are paid advertising options that put your business right in front of potential customers when they’re actively searching for what you offer. Imagine a homeowner desperate for a plumber – your ad pops up at the perfect moment! 

Here’s why paid advertising works:

Immediate Visibility: The results at the top from any search query, especially pertaining to home services, are the LSAs and Google Ads, increasing the chances of users clicking on them.

Targeted Reach: LSAs and Google Ads allow businesses to target specific geographic locations and keywords relevant to their services. This targeting ensures that their ads are shown to users who are most likely to be interested in their services, increasing the chances of conversions.

Increased Credibility: LSAs, in particular, come with a stringent verification process, including a background check, which adds credibility to the business. Customers are more likely to trust businesses that are verified by Google, leading to higher click-through rates and conversions.

Diversified Marketing Strategy: By using LSAs, Google Ads, and SEO together, businesses create a diversified marketing strategy that reaches potential customers through multiple channels.

Data-Driven Optimization: Both LSAs and Google Ads provide detailed analytics that allow businesses to track the performance of their ads in real-time.

Flexible Budget: LSAs and Google Ads allow businesses to set flexible budgets based on their advertising goals and financial capabilities.

Competitive Advantage: In competitive markets, utilizing LSAs, Google Ads, and SEO together can give businesses a competitive advantage by increasing their visibility and chances of one of their marketing channels getting found and clicked on.

SEO is still valuable, but for immediate impact and laser-focused marketing, LSAs and/or Google Ads are a must-have. They’re dynamic, adaptable, and put you directly in front of potential customers who are ready to buy. You may choose to run both LSA and Google Ads, or just one or the other, but it’s important to run at least one of them in conjunction with SEO, and to understand the differences between the two Google paid channels.

The key takeaway? 

Don’t get stuck in the past. Embrace the new marketing landscape and incorporate a wide range of channels in your marketing strategy for highest ROI. The most successful strategy uses a powerful combination of SEO, LSAs, and Google Ads. It’s not about choosing one – it’s about finding the perfect balance to achieve your business goals and keep your phone ringing.

Benefits of Hiring Professionals to Manage Your Google Business Profile

Business owners are increasingly aware that establishing a strong online presence is vital in competitive markets. A crucial aspect of building an online presence is managing your Google Business Profile (GBP). While it may seem straightforward at first glance, the reality is that effectively managing a GBP involves complexities that can significantly impact your business’s success. Professional SEO services offer expertise in optimizing and managing GBPs to ensure maximum benefits for your business.

by Devon Osborne and Diane Lovine

The Significance of Google Business Profiles

Your Google Business Profile is not just a listing; it serves as the digital face of your company and provides your first impression on potential customers searching online for your services. Optimizing your GBP is essential for standing out in local search results and attracting your target audience. However, achieving this requires more than just entering basic information. It involves meticulous attention to detail, adherence to Google’s best practices, and continuous optimization efforts.

The Challenges of Managing Google Business Profiles

1. Optimization Complexity

Setting up a GBP involves various intricacies, such as selecting relevant categories, uploading quality photos, and crafting compelling descriptions. Ensuring compliance with Google’s guidelines and keeping up with algorithm changes can be daunting for those unfamiliar with online marketing or Google’s best practices.

2. Reputation Building and Management

Handling customer reviews and maintaining a positive online reputation is crucial for building credibility. Negative reviews or inaccuracies in information can deter potential customers and tarnish your brand image if not managed effectively. Responding quickly to reviews is important as you work to achieve high standings within your community.

3. Active Engagement

Regular updates, posts, offers, and event announcements are essential for keeping your GBP active and engaging with your audience. Consistency is key to staying relevant in local search results and capturing the attention of potential customers.

4. Time Investment

Managing a GBP can be time-consuming, diverting your attention from core business activities. For busy entrepreneurs, outsourcing this task to professionals can free up valuable time and ensure that the profile receives the attention it deserves.

5. Duplicate Listings and Suspensions

One of the most frustrating aspects of manage a GBP is working through the ever increasing issues associated with Google auto-creating a duplicate listing and attempting to have it removed or worse, having your listing suspended. There are no guarantees that your listing will be reinstated, even after multiple appeals. This is an area where working with a professional company can literally save your reputation.

The Benefits of Professional Google Profile Management

Hiring a professional service like 99 Calls for GBP management offers several advantages:

• Optimized Visibility: Experts ensure that your profile ranks higher in local search results, increasing visibility and attracting more potential customers.
• Reputation Management: Skilled professionals handle customer reviews and maintain a positive online reputation, enhancing your brand credibility.
• Active Audience Engagement: Regular updates and posts keep your profile active and engaging, improving visibility and customer engagement.
• Time Efficiency and Value: Outsourcing GBP management saves time, allowing you to focus on core business activities.
• Removal of Duplicate Listings: There are times when Google as auto-generated a listing, or another marketing company has created a listing for you that you no longer have access to. Professionals can help get them removed.
• Reinstatement of Suspended GBPs: This is reported as the most challenging aspect of managing a GBP and often requires a professional with extensive knowledge and experience.
• Increased Leads: A well-optimized GBP attracts more leads and converts them into customers through compelling offers and promotions.

Why Choose 99 Calls?

99 Calls offers comprehensive GBP management services backed by:

• Local SEO Expertise: A team of professionals, including a Google gold-Level product expert  with extensive experience in GBP setup and management.
• Proactive Approach: Ensuring that your profile remains optimized for your business success with frequent updates and compliance with Google’s best practices.
• Results-Driven Strategies: Focused on delivering tangible results, whether it’s getting a suspended GBP reinstated, generating more leads or improving online reputation.
• Clear Communication: Transparent reports and regular consultations keep you informed every step of the way.
• Providing Value: Affordable pricing at just $49 per month, makes professional GBP management accessible to businesses of all sizes.

In conclusion, managing a Google Business Profile involves complexities that require expertise and continuous effort. By entrusting this task to professionals like 99 Calls, businesses can maximize the benefits of their GBP investment and stay ahead in today’s competitive digital landscape.

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Unlock The Power of Email Nurturing

There’s a famous saying in the business world: “The fortune is in the follow-up.” This adage underscores the profound importance of staying connected with your audience, and there’s no better tool for this task than email marketing. With a staggering 99% of email users checking their inbox daily, the potential reach and impact of this medium are unparalleled.

Build Relationships

One of the primary strengths of email marketing lies in its ability to nurture and strengthen relationships with your audience. By delivering content that is specific to their interests and needs, recipients feel appreciated and valued. This personalized approach fosters a sense of connection, encouraging them to continue the conversation and ultimately increasing the likelihood of conversions. Consistent re-engagement through email campaigns serves to reinforce this relationship, making the customer confident in choosing your brand over competitors.

Raise Awareness & Demonstrate Value

Beyond relationship-building, email marketing also plays a crucial role in raising awareness and educating your audience. By staying top-of-mind through regular communication, you ensure that your brand remains front and center when they are ready to make a purchase decision.

Moreover, through informative content and valuable insights, you can educate your subscribers about your products or services, addressing their pain points and demonstrating how your offerings can solve their challenges. This not only builds trust but also positions your brand as a reliable source of information and expertise in your industry. Even a momentary lapse in your email marketing strategy can have significant consequences. For instance, when one business’s short-term nurturing sequence was disabled, a sharp decline in first-time subscriber rates, plummeted by roughly 40%. This glaring example highlights the pivotal role that email marketing plays in engaging and retaining subscribers.

Email marketing is a powerful tool for brand building. Through carefully crafted campaigns, you can reinforce your brand identity, messaging, and values, thereby solidifying your position in the minds of your audience. Furthermore, by consistently providing value-added content such as tips, guides, and exclusive offers, you demonstrate your commitment to serving your subscribers beyond mere sales pitches. This value-centric approach fosters goodwill and loyalty, driving long-term customer engagement and retention.

Cost-Effective Marketing

One of the most compelling advantages of email marketing is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to traditional marketing channels such as print or television advertising, email campaigns require minimal investment while offering potentially high returns. With automation tools readily available, you can streamline the process, saving time and resources while reaching a large number of people with targeted messaging.

Highly Accessible

Additionally, email marketing’s accessibility ensures that your messages can reach recipients across various devices and platforms, maximizing your reach and engagement potential.

In conclusion, email marketing is a versatile and indispensable tool for modern businesses. From building meaningful relationships and driving conversions to raising brand awareness and providing value, its benefits are manifold. By harnessing the power of email marketing effectively, businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth and success in today’s competitive landscape.

How 99 Calls Can Help

We make email marketing a breeze by eliminating the hassle of having to build and manage these campaigns in-house. As part of our Total Business Solutions package, 99 Calls can help you stay at the top of your customer’s minds with effective short and long-term email nurturing campaigns. Our email nurturing campaigns ensure that even if a lead doesn’t close after the first correspondence your business doesn’t disappear from their minds. By continuing to share valuable information over time, you nurture the relationship further. Each follow-up email reminds leads of why they were initially interested in choosing your services. Call today to learn more and take the next step in growing your business.

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