Don’t fall into the “PITFALLS” of Google. How do you avoid this?
Watch out for these Google Ads pitfalls
Google Ads sounds like the perfect marketing tool: you pay, Google delivers customers. Right?
That’s exactly what many entrepreneurs think when they set up their first campaigns.
But what Google doesn’t tell you is that without knowledge and strategy, you can waste tons of money — and see absolutely nothing in return.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the pitfalls no one warns you about.
Consider yourself warned!!
1. Google ‘automatically’ steers you in the wrong direction
When you set up a new campaign, Google automatically suggests settings that are not always in your best interest. Think of broad keywords, automated bidding strategies, and Performance Max campaigns with no data.
Hey, Google wants to make money too, right? You’re not getting customers for free!
What you really need to know:
- Default settings are designed for convenience, not profit.
- Start with manual control over bidding and targeting.
- Don’t blindly use Broad Match keywords everywhere.
2. You pay for clicks that will never become customers
Google shows your ads based on your keywords — even if the searches are slightly different.
Sounds useful, but in practice you often end up paying for visitors who aren’t a match for your offer.
Or for visitors who aren’t even sure yet whether they want the product.
What you really need to know:
- Analyze your search terms report every week.
- Add negative keywords like “free,” “training,” or “vacancy” if they’re irrelevant.
- Make sure your ad copy clearly states what you do and do NOT offer.
3. You send visitors to a page that does nothing
Many entrepreneurs send visitors from their ads to their general homepage or an overloaded product page. It seems logical — after all, that page contains all the information. But for a new visitor with no context, it’s overwhelming, confusing, or simply not relevant. There is no clear flow from click to action. No focus. No persuasion. And therefore… no conversion. People drop off before they even understand what you offer or why they should take action.
What you really need to know:
Your landing page must match your ad.
One clear CTA: for example, “Request a quote” or “Book now.”
Keep it simple, fast, and mobile-friendly.
4. Conversions? Oh yeah… forgot to set those up
Your campaign is running, clicks are coming in — but you have no idea what happens afterward.
Are those clicks bringing results? Are they becoming customers? Or is it just traffic?
Without conversion tracking, you’re completely in the dark.
You can’t see which ads perform well, which keywords generate the most value, or where people drop off.
This forces you to work on gut feeling instead of data — which is a recipe for wasted budget.
What you really need to know:
- Track what matters: contact forms, purchases, calls, downloads, clicks, scrolls. Make sure everything is measurable.
- Use Google Tag Manager to track everything properly.
- Don’t be fooled by clicks alone.
5. You think: “I’ll just let it run” — and then don’t check for weeks
Google Ads is not a “set it and forget it” tool. Yet this is exactly what many entrepreneurs do: they set up their campaigns, click ‘activate,’ and assume the system will take care of the rest. But without regular maintenance, your campaign will slowly but surely go off track. Budgets get wasted on irrelevant search queries, ads continue running even though they have long been outperformed by alternatives, and new opportunities are missed. Meanwhile, your competitors are optimizing — resulting in better performance and lower costs. Without weekly attention, you miss out on insights, conversions, and growth.
What you really need to know:
Optimization is key: check, test, and adjust every week.
Keep testing new ad variations.
Make sure you don’t just look at clicks, but at actual conversions.
Ready to advertise without falling into these traps?
Want to use Google Ads smartly and avoid Google’s built-in traps?
You can hire an agency (like us ahem) with experience.
Or you can do it yourself.
But do us—and yourself—a favor:
Download our FREE Ultimate Google Ads Starter Guide and learn how to set up your campaigns the right way from day one.
In this guide, you’ll find practical tips for campaign setup, plus explanations about strategy, targeting, budgets, and conversions.
It’s the guide you need to avoid waste, recognize mistakes, and take steps toward better results — whether you’re just starting or have been running ads for a while.
And if you still mess things up?
A phone call is faster.
