Stop Using this 'Automation' Tool in Google Ads!

As I continue to build my Google Ads client base, I have taken on a lot of already-existing accounts, some that have been up and running for years. Often, I am hired because the account quality and performance drops, either all at once or over the course of many months. One day, many business owners realize they do not know how to effectively run their ads, and it begins to show in the results.

As Google realized this - the presence of a lot of business owners who want ads but do not know how to manage them - they started to provide calls with ‘experts’ to diagnose issues and ‘optimize accounts.’ I decided to hop on a call with one of these experts, and I personally was less than impressed. On the one hand, I’m sure they have a lot of ads knowledge, and have been trained by Google…but on the other hand, they do not know YOUR business or YOUR goals, so any advice should be taken with a grain of salt.

One thing they will advise in a lot of cases is to use the ‘Auto-Apply’ feature under Recommendations. Please, do not use auto-apply in Google Ads. Here’s why.

Google AdsMaria Grace PhotographyDecember 8, 2023google ads mistakes, google ads, google ads tips

Case Study: Meta vs. Google Ads (Which is better?)

When I talk to a new client, the first thing I do is spend some time on the phone with them to get to know their business a little better, and to try and determine the best approach to begin. I say that very intentionally. Most of the time I get the strategy right, but not always…and that’s where testing and figuring out the best approach comes in. While I don’t make clients sign long-term contracts - small business owners don’t need more stress on their plates! - I do recommend sticking with my services for at least 3 months to see if they’re actually working, because nobody bats 1000 from the very beginning.

I met Joanna of Land Income at a business networking event with the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, and she mentioned the possibility of marketing her business. When she explained to me what she and her husband do, however, I was hesitant at first since I had never advertised in that space before. Land Income sells farmland investments that provide long-term growth and gains for their investors. This was all new to me, and I never promise to help someone if I don’t truly believe I can…

Case Study: Google Ads Setup + Management for Wellness & Co.

One thing I love is seeing so many people start, grow, and run successful small businesses. In the years following my graduation from Virginia Tech I lost touch with a lot of my former classmates, as is fairly normal when everyone charts their own path and moves around the country.

This summer, I had the absolute joy of reconnecting with my friend Dr. Kendra O’Hora, who owns a therapeutic and educational practice based in Bel Air, Maryland, called Wellness & Co. The mission at Wellness & Co. is to provide top-notch wellness services from a place of passion and purpose. Their team of qualified and compassionate therapists meets the needs of couples both local to Hanford County, Maryland, and virtually all across the country.

When Dr. O’Hora contacted me, she just had a few basic questions about Google Ads…

Google AdsMaria Grace PhotographyApril 10, 2023google ads mistakes, google ads, google ads tips

Case Study: Google Ads Campaign for The Plush Flush

Back in 2022, the owner of The Plush Flush contacted me for marketing help. His company rents and delivers luxury, portable bathroom trailers for weddings, corporate events, and other private functions when bathrooms are not readily accessible or the available options are less than the high standards desired by his clients. At the time, his company was running some Google Ads with limited success, and he wanted to improve his ads results as well as the overall search engine visibility of the website.

Here is what I did, as well as the results and how I was able to help the business’ online presence.

How to Improve your Google Ads Keywords

Running Google ads is anything but easy, even if Google tries to make it simple to set them up in the first place. I covered in my last blog what exactly a Google Ads manager does, but if you aren’t yet ready to take the leap, here is one simple way to improve your ads on Google and increase your clicks without straining your budget…

What Does a Google Ads Manager Actually Do?

In a lot of ways, Google’s number one goal is to make people’s lives easier. Sit with that for a minute and think about how true that statement is. How much more difficult would it be to fix things, look up that fact you forgot, find the information for the service you want, eat at a restaurant, or go about your life without being able to quickly and easily look it up on the internet first?

This concept applies to the average user as well as business owners, and when Google rolled out Smart Campaigns, one of its biggest selling points is that literally anyone can set up a Google Ads campaign - even if you know nothing about the platform in the first place! I won’t go into all the details of how to create a Smart Campaign (you can read more about them here), but let’s just say it takes about 5 minutes and a credit card number before your ads are rolling.

Easy, however, does not always mean better - or even good…

How to Improve Your Google Ads

It’s the age old question: how can you optimize Google Ads to get the most amount of qualified traffic while spending the least amount of money possible? Of course every account will have major differences: timing, budget, industry, keywords, etc., but there are a few things every advertiser can do to improve their performance while advertising on Google.

The first recommendation I would make is..

Google AdsMaria Grace PhotographyJanuary 10, 2022google ads, google ads mistakes, google ads tips, google help

The Top Google Ads Mistake

A lot of small business owners, once they are established, begin to look at running ads to drive traffic to their website or social media pages - and why not? Online advertising can be extremely effective, generates interest from a new audience, and can reinforce a brand to an already-existing customer. In the past few years, platforms like Google and Facebook have made the ad setup process user friendly to even the most inexperienced marketers, so it’s easy to hit ‘Boost Post’ (here’s my warning against that!) or create a Google Ad.

The problem, of course, is that advertising done without knowledge and purpose can be a waste of time and money. I have heard over and over again from business owners who set up an online ad, only to be frustrated by the high costs and lack of return on investment. This is completely understandable. Smart business owners should know their numbers and be able to tell whether or not their marketing dollar are being put to good use or not - which often they are not, because an easy setup does not mean an effective ad will be created.

Maria Grace, LLC
Online Marketing Solutions for Small Businesses
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm

Copyright 2023 Maria Grace, LLC

Maria Grace, LLCOnline Marketing Solutions for Small BusinessesHours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm

Maria Grace, LLC
Online Marketing Solutions for Small Businesses
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm