5 Google Ads Mistakes That Cost You Money

Running Google Ads can feel like navigating a minefield. One wrong step and you're burning through budget faster than you can say "cost-per-click." But here's the thing - most businesses make the same mistakes over and over.

Let's fix that.

1. Ignoring Negative Keywords

This is the number one budget killer we see. Without negative keywords, your ads show for irrelevant searches.

For example, if you're a premium web design agency, you don't want to show up for "free web design" or "cheap web design templates."

The Fix: Add at least 50-100 negative keywords before launching any campaign. Update them weekly based on search term reports.

2. Using Broad Match Without Strategy

Broad match keywords cast a wide net - sometimes too wide. Google's algorithm has improved, but it's still not perfect.

We've seen plumbers bidding on "Mario Bros plumbing" because they used broad match "plumber" without controls.

The Fix: Start with phrase match or exact match. Only use broad match with:

• Strong negative keyword lists
• Tight geographic targeting
• Smart bidding strategies

3. Set It and Forget It Mentality

Google Ads isn't a slow cooker. You can't set it and walk away for weeks.

The algorithm needs data to optimize, but it also needs human intelligence to guide it.

The Fix: Schedule weekly optimization sessions:

• Monday: Review weekend performance
• Wednesday: Adjust bids and budgets
• Friday: Add negative keywords and pause poor performers

4. Weak Landing Pages

Your ads can be perfect, but if they lead to a generic homepage, you're wasting money.

Landing pages need to:

• Match the ad's promise
• Load in under 3 seconds
• Have one clear call-to-action
• Work flawlessly on mobile

The Fix: Create dedicated landing pages for each campaign. Yes, it's more work. Yes, it's worth it.

5. Ignoring Quality Score

Quality Score directly impacts your costs. A score of 8-10 can reduce your cost-per-click by 50% compared to a score of 1-3.

Three factors matter:

1. Ad relevance - Does your ad match the search intent?
2. Landing page experience - Is it fast, relevant, and mobile-friendly?
3. Expected CTR - Will people actually click your ad?

The Fix: Focus on relevance above all else. Write ads that speak directly to the searcher's intent.

The Bottom Line

Google Ads isn't complicated - it's just detailed. Fix these five mistakes and you'll see immediate improvements in your ROI.

Need help implementing these fixes? We manage Google Ads campaigns for local businesses across the UK. Get in touch for a free account audit.

Want more Google Ads tips? Download our free Google Ads Starter Guide - no email required.