For local businesses, competing in today’s digital landscape requires more than just a well-designed website. If you want to attract nearby customers and stand out from competitors, Google Ads can be a powerful tool. When executed correctly, it allows you to target local audiences, drive foot traffic, and increase sales effectively. Whether you’re a retail shop, cafe, or service provider in Perth, Google Ads can help you stand out and grow.
Here are the top 5 Google Ads strategies tailored for local businesses, helping you maximise your ad spend and achieve measurable results—even if you’re new to online advertising..
Why Use Google Ads for Your Local Business?
Google Ads helps your business appear at the top of search results, connecting you with potential customers actively searching for your products or services. Here’s why it’s essential for local businesses:
- Instant Visibility: Google Ads puts your business at the top of search results, ensuring potential customers notice you before your competitors.
- Precise Targeting: You can target audiences based on their location, search intent, and even the device they’re using.
- Budget Flexibility: Whether you have a small budget or a large one, Google Ads allows you to control how much you spend.
- Measurable Results: Google Ads provides detailed insights into how your campaigns are performing, making it easy to track ROI.
- Increased Foot Traffic: Local extensions on your ads can help drive people to your physical store by showing your address and location on Google Maps.
- Boost Brand Awareness: Even if users don’t click on your ad, seeing your business at the top of search results increases brand recognition and credibility.
For local businesses in Perth, leveraging Google Ads can bridge the gap between you and your target audience, giving you an edge over competitors.
Best Practices Local Businesses Should Follow on Google Ads
If you’re new to Google Ads or looking to refine your strategy, these best practices can help ensure success:
1. Target the Right Audience with Location-Based Ads
Location-based targeting ensures your ads are seen by customers who are most likely to visit your business. Here’s how to make it work:
- Set a Radius Around Your Business: Use Google Ads’ location settings to show your ads to people within a specific distance from your business.
- Example: If you own a restaurant in Perth, target customers within a 10 km radius.
- Exclude Unnecessary Areas: Avoid wasting your budget by excluding areas where your services aren’t available.
- Example: A plumber in Perth could target specific suburbs like Subiaco or Fremantle, excluding locations outside their service area.
- Leverage Location-Based Keywords: Include terms like “Perth,” “near me,” or specific suburb names to increase ad relevance.
Actionable Tip: Regularly review your location targeting settings and refine them based on where most of your customers come from.
2. Set Clear Campaign Goals and Objectives
Your campaign goals should guide your entire Google Ads strategy. Here’s how to set them:
- Define Your Objective: Decide what success looks like—more website visits, calls, bookings, or in-store visits.
- Example: A boutique might set a goal to increase store visits by 20% during a sale.
- Choose Relevant Campaign Types:
- Search Campaigns for showing text ads in Google search results.
- Display Campaigns for reaching potential customers through banners on partner websites.
- Local Campaigns for driving foot traffic to your store.
- Set Measurable KPIs:
- Click-through rate (CTR): How often people click your ad.
- Cost per conversion (CPC): How much it costs to gain a customer.
- Return on ad spend (ROAS): The revenue you earn for every dollar spent.
Actionable Tip: Use Google’s Smart Bidding feature to automate bids based on your campaign goals.
3. Optimise Ad Copy with Local Keywords
Incorporate city or regional terms in your ad copy to make your ads highly relevant to local customers. This improves click-through rates and increases your chances of conversions.
Writing compelling ad copy that speaks directly to your audience is key. Here’s how to do it:
- Include Location-Specific Keywords: Mention your city or neighbourhood to make your ad more relevant to local customers.
- Example: “Expert Plumbing Services in Perth – Call Today!”
- Use Urgent and Actionable Language: Encourage users to take immediate action with phrases like “Call Now” or “Book Today.”
- Example: “Don’t Wait! Get 20% Off Lawn Care Services in Perth – Offer Ends Soon.”
- Highlight Unique Selling Points (USPs): Mention what sets you apart from competitors.
- Example: “Locally Owned Café in Perth – Organic Ingredients, Freshly Brewed Coffee.”
Actionable Tip: Test multiple headlines and descriptions with Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) to find the most effective combinations.
Example of a Responsive Search Ad (RSA):
- Headline 1: “Top Digital Marketing Agency in Perth”
- Headline 2: “Expert Google Ads Management Perth”
- Headline 3: “Boost Your Local Business with Google Ads”
- Description 1: “Looking for expert Google Ads services in Perth? Get tailored strategies for local businesses to grow online. Contact us today!”
- Description 2: “Drive more traffic and conversions with our Google Ads management in Perth. Results-driven campaigns designed for your success.”
4. Use Ad Extensions to Your Advantage
Ad extensions provide additional information about your business, making your ad more engaging and useful.
- Location Extensions: Display your address, phone number, and a link to Google Maps to make it easy for customers to find you.
- Example: “123 Main Street, Perth – Open 9 AM to 5 PM.”
- Call Extensions: Add a click-to-call button to your ad so customers can contact you directly.
- Example: “Call Us Now for a Free Estimate – (08) 1234 5678.”
- Promotion Extensions: Highlight special offers or discounts to attract attention.
- Example: “Limited Time Offer – 20% Off for New Customers in Perth.”
Actionable Tip: Monitor extension performance in your Google Ads dashboard to see which ones drive the most engagement.
5. Create Landing Pages That Match Your Ads
Your ad’s landing page is just as important as the ad itself. A well-designed landing page ensures a seamless experience for customers and increases conversions.
- Match the Message: Ensure the content on your landing page aligns with your ad copy.
- Example: If your ad offers “Free Quotes for Perth Residents,” your landing page should prominently feature that offer.
- Use Localised Content: Include Perth-specific details, such as testimonials from local customers or photos of your team in the community.
- Keep It Simple: Make it easy for visitors to take action with clear calls-to-action (CTAs), such as “Call Now,” “Book Online,” or “Get a Quote.”
- Optimise for Mobile: Ensure your landing page loads quickly and is easy to navigate on smartphones, as most users browse on mobile devices.
Actionable Tip: Use tools like Google Optimize to A/B test different landing page designs and identify what works best.
Optimise Ad Copy with Local Keywords
Writing effective ad copy is an art, but using local keywords ensures your ads resonate with your target audience. Here are a few tips to make your copy stand out:
- Use Customer-Centric Language: Speak directly to the customer’s needs and include solutions they’re looking for.
- Example: “Need SEO and Google Ads Management in Perth? Get results with our tailored strategies!”
- Add Urgency and Action-Oriented Words: Encourage users to take action immediately.
- Example: “Boost your local business today! Call us for a free consultation in Perth.”
- Match Search Intent: Ensure your headlines and descriptions align with what customers are searching for.
- Example: If a user searches for “Google Ads for local businesses,” your ad should include terms like “Expert Google Ads Management for Perth Businesses.”
Secondary Strategies for Success
Targeting the Right Audience with Location-Based Ads
The ability to target customers based on their geographic location is one of Google Ads’ greatest strengths. Use radius targeting to define a specific area, or select zip codes, suburbs, or cities where you want your ads to appear. For Perth-based businesses, targeting nearby suburbs ensures your ads reach relevant audiences without wasting your budget.
Set Clear Campaign Goals and Objectives
Your campaign goals should drive every aspect of your strategy. For instance, a retail shop in Perth might focus on driving in-store visits, while an online service provider might aim to increase website conversions. Defining clear KPIs ensures you measure your campaign’s success effectively.
Why Choose Google Ads Management in Perth?
Managing Google Ads campaigns can be time-consuming and complex, especially for local businesses. By partnering with a professional agency, you gain access to:
- Expert strategy and execution tailored to your business.
- Ongoing optimisation to maximise ROI.
- Comprehensive reporting to track your campaign’s performance.
At The Search Republic, we specialise in Google Ads management in Perth, helping local businesses achieve measurable success.
Ready to dominate your local market? Contact The Search Republic today for expert Google Ads management in Perth, and let us help you craft a winning strategy tailored to your business needs.
