If you search for a locksmith, plumber or electrician in the USA or Canada, you’ll be presented with a very different layout in comparison to a regular search. Google USA has a system called Local Services for certain industries including window cleaners, photographers and a lot more. Local Services Ads are a section which will pop up if you make a relevant search.

Another big difference is that sitting next to some businesses listings is a very small green badge with a tick – the Google Guaranteed badge. Although restricted to Local Services, Google is now offering the Google Guaranteed badge for Google My Business profiles.

Although this roll out has not been officially announced, it could be very soon, if early testing is successful. If it is, then we may even begin to see these services being introduced for online businesses and other small businesses in the UK.

What is the green badge about?

If you’ve ever received poor service from a plumber or painter, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. There are millions of businesses listed on the internet, and it can be a hard task sorting the professionals from the cowboys.

The idea behind Google Guarantee is help customers identify the trustworthy businesses that are on Google listings. If people can see a small green badge, they will know for sure that they will be getting top quality work. The badge will also be a help to small ecommerce website designs whose products, while high in quality, simply never receive the same exposure as those listed on Amazon. 

How does Google Guarantee work?

There is some real substance behind Google Guarantee. If a customer is unhappy with the work they have been provided with, Google will reimburse the customer by as much as $2000. This is a serious commitment, so this will only reimburse work carried out through Google Local Services. The $2000 is also capped so people can’t start claiming compensation against every company they see with a green badge.

How does a business get a green badge?

After signing up for Google’s Local Services, Google will require every employee to undergo a background check. This will include all employees, contractors and anyone who may visit a customer’s location. 

If you employ a lot of people, this could be quite an aggravation. However, the good news is that it won’t cost anything. Also, if there are any problems and you don’t pass, Google will tell you why your business didn’t make it through any checks.

How beneficial is the green badge?

Google hasn’t released any figures as of yet, however it’s likely that the green badge will make a difference to click through rates. Customers will be more likely to pick one business over another if they know that they will be reimbursed some money in the event of unsatisfactory work.

How much will the badge cost?

Google is looking at new ways of monetising local listings from businesses who resist Google Ads or who have tried Google Ads and decided it’s not for them, which is often the case for website designs, whose emphasis is mainly on SEO. To give you an idea of the costs involved if it is introduced over here, the cost of the green badge in the USA is currently $600 but can also be paid monthly in $50 instalments. If you get a substantial increase in customer leads, this may be a small price to pay in the long run.

If Google Local Services and Google Guaranteed does get introduced over here, DotGO will be the first ones to let you know. For more news regarding Google and search engines, check back regularly. Alternatively, if you are looking for an affordable business website design, get in touch with us at DotGO and find out what we can do for you.