How Much Does Google Ads Cost Per Month?

Google Ads can be a powerful tool to drive traffic to your website and generate leads or sales. But one of the first questions businesses ask is, “How much does Google Ads cost per month?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your Google Ads costs can vary wildly depending on a range of factors, including:

• Your industry: Competitive industries (like finance or legal) often have higher costs-per-click (CPC).
• Your target keywords: Highly sought-after keywords will be more expensive to bid on.
• Your campaign settings: Targeting options, ad scheduling, and bidding strategies all influence your spend.
• Your ad quality: High-quality ads with relevant keywords and compelling copy can lead to lower costs and better results.
• Your landing page experience: A well-designed, user-friendly landing page can improve your Quality Score and reduce costs.

Should You Manage Google Ads Yourself, or Hire an Expert?

While you can manage Google Ads yourself, many businesses find it more cost-effective to partner with a Google Ads consultant or agency. Here’s why:

Expertise and Experience: Google Ads is complex. Experienced professionals understand the intricacies of campaign setup, keyword research, bid management, ad copywriting, and conversion optimisation. They can help you avoid costly mistakes and maximise your return on investment (ROI).

Time Savings: Managing Google Ads effectively takes time and dedication. An agency frees up your time to focus on what you do best – running your business.

Access to Advanced Tools and Strategies: Agencies often have access to advanced tools and strategies that can improve campaign performance and efficiency.

Accountability and Reporting: A good agency will provide regular reports on your campaign performance, offering transparency and insights into your ad spend.

What to Expect from a Google Ads Agency:

Fees: Most agencies charge a monthly management fee, often with a minimum spend. Fees can range from £750 per month for smaller accounts to 10% of ad spend for larger budgets.

Performance-Based Pricing: Ideally, look for an agency that structures its fees based on your ad spend. This ensures their incentives are aligned with yours – to grow your revenue profitably.

Early Results: While long-term success is the goal, you should see positive results within the first three months. This could include increased website traffic, leads, or sales.

Ongoing Optimisation: A good agency will continuously monitor and optimise your campaigns to improve performance and increase your ROI.

Transparency and Communication: Expect clear communication and regular reporting on your campaign’s progress.

Finding the Right Google Ads Partner:

Beware of Low Fees: Agencies offering significantly lower fees than the industry average may be cutting corners or lacking the necessary expertise. They might be inexperienced, or even outsourcing work overseas to reduce costs.

Look for Commercial Awareness: Choose an agency that understands your business goals and can develop a strategy to achieve them. They should be focused on driving profitable growth, not just increasing your ad spend.

Seek Experience and Expertise: Look for an agency with a proven track record of success. Check their case studies and testimonials. Ideally, they should have a team of specialists with expertise in different areas of Google Ads.

Prioritise Communication and Reporting: Ensure the agency provides clear and regular communication, including detailed reports on your campaign performance.

The Importance of Understanding the Numbers:

Many businesses view Google Ads as an overhead. However, to truly succeed with Google Ads, you need to understand the key metrics:

• Cost per Acquisition (CPA): How much does it cost you to acquire a new customer or lead?
• Conversion Rate: What percentage of website visitors take a desired action (e.g., make a purchase, fill out a form)?
• Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): For every pound spent on advertising, how much revenue are you generating?

By tracking these metrics and working with a knowledgeable agency, you can optimise your campaigns for profitability and scale your business effectively.

Scaling Your Google Ads Campaigns:

As your campaigns become profitable, you can gradually increase your ad spend to drive further growth. A good agency will help you scale your campaigns strategically, ensuring you remain profitable while maximising your reach and impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Google Ads costs vary depending on numerous factors.
• Hiring a Google Ads expert can save you time and money in the long run.
• Look for an agency with experience, expertise, and a focus on commercial awareness.
• Understand the key metrics to track your campaign’s performance and ensure profitability.
• Scale your campaigns strategically to maximise your ROI and achieve your business goals.

By partnering with the right Google Ads agency and understanding the key principles of successful campaign management, you can leverage the power of Google Ads to drive significant growth for your business.

Need help with your Google Ads strategy?

If you’re not getting the results you expect from your Google Ads strategy or can’t achieve profitable ROAS, speak to our PPC team by calling 0121 231 015 or fill in a form on the website requesting a free consultation.