5 Things I Wish I knew Before Running Google Ads
Hey everyone, let's talk about Google Ads. It can be a powerful tool to grow your business, but it can also be a bit of a maze, especially if you're just starting out.
I've been using Google Ads for a while now, and along the way, I've learned a lot – mostly from my own mistakes!
So, to save you some time and money, I'm sharing five common Google Ads mistakes I made and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Blindly Trusting Google's Recommendations
Google is great at many things, but sometimes their recommendations are more about making the money, not necessarily you.
Ever see those suggestions to "Raise your bids!" or "Increase your budget!"?
Yeah, I fell for those too.
But here's the thing: blindly following Google's advice can lead to overspending without seeing the results you want.
What to do instead:
● Trust your data and intuition.
● Don't jump into automation until you have enough conversion data.
Think of it like this: you wouldn't blindly follow a salesperson's advice without doing your own research, right? The same goes for Google Ads.
2. Ignoring the Search Terms Report
The Search Terms Report is like a window into your audience's mind. It shows you exactly what people are searching for when your ads appear.
Early on, I didn't pay enough attention to this report. Big mistake!
I discovered my ads were showing up for all sorts of irrelevant searches, wasting my budget.
What to do instead:
● Make the Search Terms Report your new best friend.
● Check it regularly (at least weekly).
● Look for irrelevant searches and add them as negative keywords.
This will help you refine your targeting and make sure your ads are reaching the right people.
3. Underestimating the Power of Ad Copy
I used to spend way too much time obsessing over keywords and not enough time on my ad copy.
Turns out, compelling ad copy can be the difference between a click and a conversion.
What to do instead:
● Think beyond just stating what you offer.
● Highlight the benefits and address your audience's pain points.
● Use a strong call to action.
● Test different variations and see what performs best.
Think of your ad copy as your elevator pitch. You have a few seconds to grab attention and make people want to learn more.
4. Neglecting Landing Page Optimization
Imagine this: you create a killer ad that gets tons of clicks. People are excited to see what you offer. They click… and land on a confusing, slow-loading page. What happens next?
They bounce.
No matter how amazing your ads are, a bad landing page will kill your conversion rate.
What to do instead:
● Make sure your landing page is relevant to your ad copy.
● Keep it simple, clear, and easy to navigate.
● Optimize for fast loading times.
● Focus on the user experience.
Your landing page is the final destination, so make it a pleasant and rewarding experience.
5. Obsessing Over Quality Score
Quality Score is a metric Google uses to measure the relevance and quality of your ads. I used to think it was the be-all and end-all of Google Ads success.
While it's important, Google has admitted to manipulating bids behind the scenes, which means Quality Score isn't the only factor that determines your cost per click.
What to do instead:
● Use Quality Score as a diagnostic tool.
● Focus on improving your ad relevance, expected CTR, and landing page experience.
Don't get too hung up on the number itself. Focus on creating high-quality ads and landing pages that provide a great user experience.
Bonus Tip: Start Small and Test
Before you throw a ton of money at Google Ads, start with a smaller budget to test your targeting and strategies. This will help you validate your approach and avoid wasting money on campaigns that don't work.
Wrapping Up
Google Ads is a constantly evolving platform, so staying informed and adaptable is key. By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll be well on your way to creating successful and profitable campaigns.