Google Ads
Google's pay-per-click advertising platform for Search, Display, Shopping, and YouTube.
What is Google Ads?
Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) is Google's online advertising platform where businesses pay to display ads in Google search results, on YouTube, across millions of websites, and in mobile apps.
Main campaign types: Search (text ads on Google search results), Display (image/video ads on websites), Shopping (product listings), Video (YouTube ads), and Performance Max (automated across all properties).
Google Ads works on auction-based system. You bid on keywords, and ads are shown based on bid amount, Quality Score, and ad relevance. You pay per click (CPC) or per thousand impressions (CPM).
Success requires: proper keyword research, compelling ad copy, relevant landing pages, conversion tracking, ongoing optimization, and sufficient budget for testing and learning.
Google Ads in New Zealand
Google dominates NZ search with 95%+ market share, making Google Ads essential for NZ businesses seeking online visibility.
NZ-specific best practices: use location targeting (target NZ, exclude Australia), bid on NZ spellings (colour vs color), and use local extensions (NZ phone number, Auckland address).
Budget considerations: Start with $30-50/day minimum for Search campaigns. Lower budgets limit learning and delivery, especially in competitive NZ markets like Auckland.
NZ Business Examples
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A Dunedin plumber runs Search ads for "emergency plumber Dunedin", paying $4.20 CPC and generating leads at $35 CPL -
A Wellington law firm uses Search ads for "employment lawyer Wellington" at $12 CPC, achieving $450 CPA with $15,000 average case value -
An Auckland e-commerce store runs Shopping ads showcasing products, achieving 4.8:1 ROAS
Real-World Industry Examples
Home Services
A HVAC company targets "heat pump installation [city]" across NZ
Search campaigns generate 85 leads monthly at $42 CPL with 22% converting to $4,500 average jobs
E-commerce
An online electronics retailer runs Shopping campaigns with product feed
Achieves 5.2:1 ROAS, with Performance Max adding additional 30% revenue across Display and YouTube
Professional Services
An accounting firm bids on tax and accounting keywords during March-April tax season
Seasonal campaign generates 120 client leads at $95 CPA, with 65% converting to ongoing clients
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Google Ads cost in NZ?
CPC in NZ ranges from $0.50 to $10+ depending on competition. Most businesses spend $1,000-$5,000/month. Start with at least $30-50/day for meaningful results. Costs vary by industry - legal and finance have higher CPCs.
Is Google Ads worth it for small NZ businesses?
Yes, if: you have a clear offer, profitable unit economics (can afford CPA), decent website/landing page, and ability to handle increased enquiries. Start small, track results, and scale what works.
How long before Google Ads work?
You can get clicks immediately, but meaningful results take 30-90 days. Allow time for: campaign learning, conversion tracking validation, data accumulation, and optimization. Don't judge performance in week one.
Need Help With Your Paid Advertising?
Our team specializes in delivering 30 qualified leads in 30 days for NZ service businesses. We handle the strategy, execution, and optimization - you handle the sales.