Solved: Google Ads Showing 0 Conversions Despite Setup

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out with your questions about your Google Search Ads campaign for your appliance repair business. I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance based on what you've shared.

From what I understand, you're currently running Google Search Ads targeting exact match keywords in specific postcodes for washing machine repairs, with the goal of driving phone calls. You're working with a £300 monthly budget and seeing an average CPC of around £3. You've got conversion tracking set up in GTM, but Google Ads isn't showing any conversions yet. You're also wondering if focusing solely on washing machine repairs is the right approach.

A Quick Overview of Recommended Actions

Here’s a quick summary table with actionable things for you to implement right away:

We'll expand on each of these areas below.

I'd say you need to give it more time...

£300 budget / £3 CPC = 100 clicks. As a starting point, you've got a very small sample size to work with. If your conversion rate is, say, 1%, you'll need 100 clicks for 1 conversion. Conversion rates for local services can be difficult to predict without historical data. You might not get a conversion for a few weeks yet. Don't make knee-jerk reactions too early on.

It's difficult to make informed decisions or optimise effectively. A couple of weeks will not be enough time. You might have to run the campaign longer to gather more data, and you might have to accept that you will have a smaller number of conversions in this time.

And, the algorithm needs time to work its magic, too. It learns from conversions. No conversions = limited learning.

You're sending all traffic to a single landing page...

Your landing page is specifically for washing machine repairs. However, people might also be searching for repairs for other appliances. Consider creating separate, dedicated landing pages for each appliance type you service. This will improve the relevance of your ads and landing pages, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.

Also, it looks like your phone number isn't immediately visible on the landing page. Make sure it's prominently displayed and clickable on mobile devices so people can easily call you.

A landing page doesn't need to be fancy, just to be relevant to the search query.

We'll need to look at traffic quality and your website...

A £3 CPC does sound a bit on the high side for exact match keywords in the UK, especially if you're only targeting postcodes where you're already popular. This suggests there might be some issues with your traffic quality, keyword choices, or competition in your area. Also are you sure that this is the right target audience for your business? If you're only targeting the postcodes where you're already popular, you may not be able to drive enough new leads.

Do some keyword research to explore other relevant keywords and long-tail variations that might be less competitive. Consider using keyword tools to identify search volume and competition levels in your target postcodes.

This is worth taking the time to dig into, as this might significantly improve the quality of your traffic.

You could also test out broad match keywords with tCPA, as the google ads algorithm is pretty good at finding traffic these days.

I'd double check your conversion tracking setup in GTM and Google Ads...

It's crucial to ensure your conversion tracking is working correctly. You mentioned your GTM tags are firing fine, but Google Ads still shows 0 conversions. Double-check that your GTM tags are properly linked to your Google Ads account and that the conversion actions are set up correctly in Google Ads. Focus on tracking phone call clicks (via tel: links) and form submissions as your primary conversion goals. I wouldn't really track 75% scroll, I'd focus on form submissions and phone calls.

I'd also look at how Google is tracking the clicks. Has it set up correctly, or is it missing conversions? Is Google configured to track conversions? You might need to double check these settings.

I'd recommend Local Service Ads if you can get VAT registered...

I know it's a hassle, but seriously consider getting VAT registered so you can use Local Service Ads. With Local Service Ads, you only pay for qualified leads, which can be a more cost-effective way to generate business. This can really improve the ROI of your ad spend, instead of paying for unqualified traffic.

Why you might want an expert to help you.

Running effective Google Ads campaigns requires continuous monitoring, testing, and optimisation. It can be time-consuming, especially when you're also running a business. The learning curve can be steep at first. If you're struggling to get results or feel like you're wasting money, it might be worth considering getting help from a paid advertising expert.

We've run quite a few campaigns for local businesses like yours, and we can help you optimise your campaigns, improve your landing pages, and get the most out of your ad spend. We know how to get the best results for companies such as yours, and our team will know how to deliver results for your business.

I hope these initial thoughts are helpful. I’m happy to help more if you'd like to book in a free consultation. We can then discuss your campaign in more detail and see how we can help you achieve your business goals.

Regards, Team @ Lukas Holschuh