Nobody starts a septic service business hoping to sit around waiting for the phone to ring. But too many septic business owners struggle with slow seasons, unpredictable cash flow, and the constant stress of not knowing where the next job is coming from. Relying on word-of-mouth and referrals isn’t enough anymore. If you’re tired of waiting for leads that may never come, you need a system that works 24/7 to bring in customers actively searching for your services. The good news? This video is going to show you exactly how to do that with Google Search Ads—and why they’re a better choice than Local Service Ads if you want more control, better targeting, and bigger results.

In this blog post, I’m going to share why Google Search Ads give you more power over your septic service business than Local Service Ads ever could. You’ll learn three key things: What exactly are Local Service Ads, and how do they work? What are the biggest drawbacks of relying on LSAs for your septic business? And most importantly, why Google Search Ads give you more control, better targeting, and a steady stream of high-quality leads. If you’ve ever wondered whether LSAs or Google Ads are the right move for your business, stick around, because I’m going to break it all down for you.

Imagine you’re running a billboard ad for your septic service. You’ve got a big, bold sign on the highway that says, ‘We Pump Septic Tanks!’ Sounds great, right? But what if I told you that you had no say in where the billboard is placed, no control over who sees it, and you only get charged when someone picks up the phone—whether they’re a real customer or just a random caller? That’s kind of how Local Service Ads work. Now, compare that to Google Search Ads, where you get to pick exactly who sees your ad, what it says, and how much you’re willing to spend for each potential customer. Wouldn’t you rather have that level of control? That’s why Google Search Ads win, and I’ll explain why in just a second.

So first, what are Local Service Ads, and how do they work? LSAs, also known as Google Guaranteed ads, are designed specifically for service-area businesses. They show up at the very top of Google when people search for septic services in your area. Instead of paying per click, you pay per lead—meaning you only get charged when someone calls or messages you through the ad. On paper, this sounds great, and for some businesses, it works. Plus, LSAs come with a Google Guaranteed badge, which adds credibility. But here’s the problem—LSAs put Google in charge of your leads, not you.

That leads us to the biggest downside of Local Service Ads. You don’t get to control who sees your ad. LSAs decide which searches trigger your listing, and you don’t get to choose specific keywords. That means you might get calls from people who aren’t the right fit for your business, and while you can dispute bad leads, it’s not a perfect system. Worse yet, LSAs are limited to certain service categories, and not every septic business qualifies. If Google decides to stop offering LSAs for septic services or if competition drives the cost per lead too high, you’re out of luck. You’re putting all your eggs in one basket, and that’s risky. And here’s another big problem—you’re lost in a sea of sameness. Every LSA looks exactly the same. You don’t get to stand out with unique ad copy, compelling offers, or eye-catching visuals. Your business is just another listing among competitors, making it hard to differentiate yourself and attract the best leads.

Now, let’s talk about why Google Search Ads give you the upper hand. With Google Ads, you’re in the driver’s seat. You pick the keywords that bring in the best customers—like ‘septic pumping near me’ or ‘emergency septic repair.’ You decide how much you want to bid for each click, and you can track exactly which ads are making you money. Unlike LSAs, which only allow basic customization, Google Ads give you full control over your message, your audience, and your budget. You can even use advanced targeting to reach homeowners in specific neighborhoods or people searching from mobile devices. That kind of precision means you’re not wasting money on bad leads—you’re attracting the right customers at the right time.

If you want a steady flow of high-quality leads and the ability to fine-tune your marketing for the best results, Google Search Ads are the way to go. And if you want more expert tips on making Google Ads work for your septic service business, check out my other blog posts. I’ve got more strategies that will help you turn clicks into customers, so don’t miss out. See you in the next video!