We’re sharing some good news for those of you who run small healthcare businesses. Beginning last year, Google made LSAs (or Local Services Ads) available to the healthcare industry. The ads were originally designed for legal services and home services, but Google has been expanding them to a wide range of different industries. If you’re looking to make your business stand out when local clients search for your services, read on to learn all about Google LSAs for healthcare and how they can help with your marketing.
Google LSAs are the ads that show up at the very top of Google search results. You’ve most likely seen them before when you’ve searched something like “the best dentist near me.”
Local service ads target searchers who have transactional intent within the business’s chosen target area. Studies show that 65% of people click on ads while they’re looking to purchase something (or to book an appointment if we’re using our dentist example from above.) This means they’re making the search because they know exactly what kind of service they need.
Potential customers can see the service provider’s information, read reviews and get in touch with the business directly from the ad. Making it easy for local providers to connect with people who are searching Google for whatever services they offer.
LSAs are beneficial to healthcare businesses because they’re one of the easiest ways to get on the top of Google search results. And since Google accounts for over 80% of the global search engine market with 46% of all searches seeking local information, that’s a pretty coveted place to be for a local business. Additionally, LSAs aren’t a replacement for Google Ads, but instead work in conjunction with them. This means you’ve got two potential placements to dominate the SERP.
Another great thing about using LSAs for your healthcare ads is that you only pay for the results you’re getting. Yep, you read that right. With LSAs, you only pay for the leads you gain from the ads—not for clicks. This means you have greater control over your budget and your hard-earned money is only going toward real results.
Advertising with Google also helps build trust with your audience. A recent study showed that Local Services ads by Google receive 13.8% of local SERP clicks and they effect the number of clicks for all other SERP types. LSAs are awarded one of two badges—Google Guaranteed or Google Screened. Both let potential customers know that they’re booking with qualified, trusted professionals backed by Google.
Before January 2023, LSAs weren’t eligible for any healthcare industries until dental providers were added. Since then, Google has expanded its verticals to the following industries:
Don’t see your industry on this list? Don’t worry. As we mentioned, Google has been expanding which healthcare specialties LSAs are being offered to and will likely continue to expand even further.
Ok, now you’ve decided LSAs sound like something your business could benefit from and you’re looking to get started. The process begins by giving Google some basic info about your business—name, service type, location, etc. Next, you’ll set your monthly budget. You can adjust this whenever you need to, so don’t stress it too much at first. Then the most intensive step before going live is the screening and verification process. Google may run background, business registration, insurance and license checks. This video gives you some more info on getting started with LSAs.
Google’s expansion of LSAs to include healthcare industries is a major win for local businesses that offer those types of services. If you’re one of the eligible industries we mentioned above, we highly suggest testing the waters with Google LSAs. They can help your business stand out to local customers who are searching for your services, inspire confidence with a Google-verified badge and save you money by only paying for leads.
The only tricky part about using these types of healthcare ads is the setup. The verification process can be a lengthy one, and as a small business owner, can take time away from other vital parts of running your business. RevLocal offers a Local Services Ads plan that will take care of all the heavy lifting for you. If you’re interested in getting a Google LSA for your healthcare business, call us to see how we can help.
Mideya Kinney, Junior Content Writer
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