Google Ads Not Getting Leads? 9 Fixes to Try First
Spending on Google Ads but getting few enquiries – or the wrong ones? In most accounts we audit, the problem is one of a handful of fixable issues. Work through these nine before you raise your budget.
- Conversion tracking is missing or wrong. If Google can’t see calls, forms and WhatsApp clicks, it can’t optimise for them. Fix this first.
- Broad keywords with no negatives. Check the search terms report and add negatives for jobs, free, DIY, courses and irrelevant services.
- Clicks go to the homepage. Send each ad group to a page that matches the search.
- Targeting areas you don’t serve. Tighten location targeting to “presence” in the areas you actually cover.
- Weak ad copy. Include the service, location, a reason to choose you and a clear next step.
- Slow, cluttered landing pages. Speed and a visible call button matter, especially on mobile.
- Budget spread too thin. Focus spend on your best-converting services before expanding.
- Wrong bidding strategy for your data. Smart bidding needs reliable conversion data; start simpler if you have little.
- Slow follow-up. Leads go cold fast. Reply to enquiries within minutes, not hours.
Want a second opinion?
Our Google Ads Account Audit reviews your search terms, structure, bidding and tracking and gives you a prioritised fix list. See our Google Ads management for Mumbai and Google Ads for US small businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I give a new Google Ads campaign?
Give it a few weeks to gather data, but review search terms from the first week to cut obvious waste.
Is Performance Max better than Search?
For most service businesses, start with Search for control and add Performance Max once tracking is reliable.
Should I increase my budget to get more leads?
Only after fixing tracking, targeting and landing pages. More budget on a broken setup just costs more.
