We all make mistakes. But some mistakes can be more costly than others – especially when it comes to running a Google Ads campaign. Here are fifteen of the most common mistakes that people make, and how to avoid them!
Mistake #1: Targeting the wrong audience
One of the most common mistakes that people make with Google Ads is to target the wrong audience. For example, say you are selling a new sunscreen product. You might think that targeting beach-goers would be a good idea because they are likely outside spending time in the sun. However, these people are unlikely to be interested in sunscreen during the colder months, so you might as well target those who spend a lot of time indoors.
Mistake #2: Not having a budget
Another common mistake is to not have a budget for your Google Ads campaign. This makes it difficult to determine key metrics such as how many conversions you’ve had, how much money you’ve spent, and so on.
Mistake #3: Setting the wrong budget
Each mistake brings us one step closer to success! This is no exception. One of the most important steps to having a successful Google Ads campaign is setting the right budget. To calculate this number, take an estimate of how much time it will take to get a conversion. For example, you might think it will take 150 hours for someone to become interested in your product and then buy it through your ad. You should then divide that number by the cost per hour of your company (the amount needed to pay all employees and overhead) to determine how much you’re willing to spend on Google Ads.
Mistake #4: Not using the Google Display Network
One of the most common mistakes people make with Google Ads is not setting up a campaign for the Google Display Network. This allows you to advertise on other websites, mobile apps, and YouTube channels, which can help you reach a much larger audience!
Mistake #5: Using too many keywords
One of the most common mistakes people make with Google Ads is not using enough keywords. This results in your ad only being shown to people who are searching for very specific things. If someone is looking for “postage stamps” and you advertise yourself as “US-based postage stamp supplier”, they will likely not click on your ad – but a competitor whose ad reads “buy postage stamps online” might have a higher click-through rate.
Mistake #6: Not using negative keywords
Another common mistake is not using negative keywords. This allows you to prevent your ad from being shown to those who are searching for things that aren’t relevant to your product, but don’t want it to be shown to people who are very similar. Affinity audiences allow you to reach a very specific demographic with your ads, so this is an invaluable tool.
Mistake #7: Not using ad extensions
One of the most common mistakes that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not using ad extensions. This allows you to show additional information about your product in the search results, along with more detailed information on the website that is being advertised.
Mistake #8: Not using sitelink extensions
Another common mistake that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not using sitelink extensions. This allows you to show additional links to different pages of your website in the search results, which can be very useful for drawing in more business.
Mistake #9: Having different landing pages
Another common mistake is having different landing pages for mobile users and desktop users. While you might not always want or need this, make sure that your mobile site is the same as your desktop page if you are using Google Ads to drive traffic to it.
Mistake #10: Not having a good call-to-action
Another common mistake that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not making it clear what the next step should be. A strong call-to-action will tell your customer exactly what they need to do and what they’ll get in return for doing it, such as “Order in 5 minutes”.
Mistake #11: Not understanding Google’s Quality Score
One of the most common mistakes people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not knowing what Google’s “Quality Score” actually means. This determines how much you’ll pay for each click that someone makes on your ad, so it is very important to know what this metric means and how it affects your campaign.
Mistake #12: Not using the right words in your ads
Another common mistake is not using the right words in your ads to make them as clear and compelling to users as possible. Use keywords, but don’t overdo it – if you write something that’s keyword-stuffed or very unclear, your ad’s Quality Score will fall. This can lead to your ads being shown much less or not at all, which is equivalent to wasting money on your campaign!
Mistake #13: Not using the keyword planner
One of the most common mistakes that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not using the Keyword Planner. This allows you to see what other related keywords are being searched for by users, so you can determine which ones to use in your campaign.
Mistake #14: Not using the Display Planner
Another common mistake that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not using the Display Planner. This tool helps you find websites that are similar to yours – these could be good places to advertise your website, since you’re looking for like-minded websites.
Mistake #15: Not using demographic targeting
One of the most common mistakes that people make with their Google Ads campaigns is not using demographic targeting. These ads allow you to show advertisements according to age group, gender and parental status. This can be extremely useful since you can show ads to people who are more likely to buy your product.
Don’t make these mistakes and you’re sure to see better results from your Google Advertising campaigns!
Conclusion
Google Ads can be an extremely powerful tool when used correctly, but many people make common mistakes that end up costing them a lot of money. In this article, we’ve outlined 15 of the most common mistakes to avoid when running a Google Ads campaign. By following these tips, you can save yourself a lot of time and money while getting better results from your campaigns.
Local Ads Mastery is here to help! We’ve put together a list of the 15 most common mistakes people make with their Google Ads campaigns, and we’ll show you how to avoid them. Feel free to contact us for a consultation!
