Introduction

Google Ads is one of the most powerful tools for driving traffic, generating leads, and increasing sales. When done right, it can provide an excellent return on investment (ROI) for businesses of all sizes. However, many businesses—especially small ones—make common mistakes that lead to wasted budgets and poor results.

If you’ve been running Google Ads but aren’t seeing the results you expected, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll go over five common Google Ads mistakes and how you can avoid them to get the most out of your advertising budget.

1. Not Using the Right Keywords

One of the biggest mistakes in Google Ads is targeting the wrong keywords. Many businesses either use overly broad terms that bring in irrelevant traffic or too many highly competitive keywords that drain their budget quickly.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Use long-tail keywords: Instead of bidding on broad terms like “car rental,” try something more specific like “affordable car rental in Winnipeg” or “best car rental near Winnipeg airport.” These long-tail keywords attract more relevant traffic and have lower competition.
• Research search intent: Make sure your keywords align with what users are actually searching for. If someone searches for “cheap car rental deals,” they are likely price-sensitive and looking for a discount, so tailor your ads accordingly.
• Use negative keywords: This prevents your ads from showing for irrelevant searches. For example, if you rent only luxury cars, you can add “cheap” or “budget” as negative keywords to filter out the wrong audience.

2. Ignoring Ad Copy Quality

Your ad copy is the first thing potential customers see, and if it’s not compelling, they won’t click. Many businesses make the mistake of writing generic, uninspiring ads that don’t stand out from the competition.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Make your headlines catchy: Your ad headline should immediately grab attention. Instead of “Car Rental in Winnipeg,” try “Affordable Car Rentals – No Hidden Fees!”
• Highlight your unique selling points (USPs): What makes your business different? Whether it’s free delivery, 24/7 customer support, or exclusive discounts, mention it in your ad.
• Include a strong call-to-action (CTA): Tell users what to do next, whether it’s “Book Now,” “Get a Free Quote,” or “Call for a Special Offer.”

3. Not Optimizing Landing Pages

A common mistake is sending users to a generic homepage instead of a dedicated landing page that matches the ad. This confuses visitors and increases bounce rates, reducing your chances of conversions.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Create targeted landing pages: If your ad is about “car rentals near Winnipeg Airport,” your landing page should be specifically about airport rentals, not just a general car rental page.
• Ensure fast loading speed: If your landing page takes too long to load, users will leave before even seeing your offer. Aim for a loading time of under 3 seconds.
• Make it mobile-friendly: A large percentage of users browse on mobile devices, so make sure your landing page is easy to navigate on a smartphone.
• Include clear CTAs: Make it easy for visitors to take action by having visible buttons like “Reserve Now” or “Get a Quote.”

4. Not Tracking Conversions

Many businesses set up Google Ads campaigns but fail to track conversions properly. Without tracking, you won’t know what’s working and what’s not, leading to wasted ad spend.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Set up Google Ads conversion tracking: This allows you to track actions like form submissions, phone calls, and purchases.
• Use Google Analytics: Connect your ads with Google Analytics to get deeper insights into user behavior.
• Monitor key metrics: Keep an eye on your click-through rate (CTR), cost per conversion, and quality score to ensure your campaign is performing well.

5. Not Adjusting Campaigns Based on Data

Google Ads is not a “set-it-and-forget-it” platform. Many businesses make the mistake of running ads without regularly analyzing their performance and making necessary adjustments.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Check performance regularly: Review your campaign data at least once a week to see what’s working and what needs improvement.
• A/B test your ads: Run different versions of your ads to see which one performs better. Test different headlines, descriptions, and CTAs.
• Adjust your bidding strategy: If certain keywords are converting well, consider increasing your bid for them. If others aren’t performing, pause them or adjust the ad copy.
• Reallocate your budget: If you notice that certain campaigns are driving more conversions, shift more budget towards them while cutting back on underperforming ones.

Conclusion

Google Ads can be a game-changer for businesses when done correctly, but simple mistakes can lead to wasted money and poor results. By choosing the right keywords, writing compelling ad copy, optimizing your landing pages, tracking conversions, and continuously improving your campaigns, you can maximize your advertising budget and see real growth.

Need Help with Google Ads?

At MidasClick, we specialize in helping businesses in Winnipeg and across Canada get the most out of their Google Ads campaigns. Whether you’re looking to boost leads, drive more traffic, or increase sales, we can create and manage a strategy tailored to your business goals.

Contact us today to start optimizing your Google Ads and get better results!