Running a Google Ads campaign is one thing, but knowing whether it’s delivering results is another. If you’re spending money on ads, you want to ensure they are bringing in leads, sales, or at least meaningful traffic. Here’s how you can determine whether your Google Ads campaign is working.
1. Tracking Conversions: Are People Taking Action?
One of the most effective ways to measure your Google Ads campaign’s success is by tracking conversions. Conversions are actions you want users to take after clicking your ad, such as:
- Phone calls from the ad
- Form submissions on your website
- Online purchases
- Appointment bookings
- Downloads of a lead magnet (eBook, guide, etc.)
To track these, set up Google Ads conversion tracking or integrate with Google Analytics. If you’re not seeing conversions, it might be time to tweak your ad copy, landing page, or targeting.
How to check conversions:
- Go to Google Ads Dashboard > Click on Tools & Settings > Select Conversions.
- Look at the number of completed conversions and cost per conversion.
If you’re getting clicks but no conversions, your landing page may need improvement.
2. Click-Through Rate (CTR): Are People Clicking Your Ads?
CTR is the percentage of people who see your ad and actually click on it. A low CTR means your ad might not be appealing to your audience, while a high CTR indicates strong engagement.
A good CTR depends on your industry, but in general:
- Search ads: 3%–5% is solid.
- Display ads: 0.5%–1% is decent.
If your CTR is low, you may need to:
- Adjust your ad copy (make it more engaging or action-driven).
- Use more specific keywords.
- Refine audience targeting to reach the right people.
3. Quality Score: Are Your Ads Relevant?
Google assigns each of your ads a Quality Score, which affects how often your ads are shown and how much you pay per click. The higher your Quality Score (1-10 scale), the lower your ad costs.
Google determines your Quality Score based on:
- Ad relevance (Does your ad match the user’s search intent?)
- Landing page experience (Is your page user-friendly and relevant?)
- Expected CTR (How likely is someone to click?)
How to check Quality Score:
- Go to Google Ads Dashboard > Select Keywords > Look for the Quality Score column.
If your score is below 6/10, you may need to:
- Improve landing page experience (faster load times, better UX).
- Make sure your keywords match your ad copy.
- Use negative keywords to filter out irrelevant traffic.
4. Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Conversion: Are You Spending Wisely?
Spending money on ads is necessary, but overspending without getting results is a waste. Two key metrics to monitor:
- Cost Per Click (CPC) – How much you’re paying per click.
- Cost Per Conversion (CPA) – How much you’re paying to get a lead/sale.
How to check CPC & CPA:
- Go to Google Ads Dashboard > Select Campaigns > Look at Avg. CPC and Cost/Conv.
A high CPC without conversions may indicate poor targeting. If your Cost Per Conversion is higher than the value of a customer, you need to adjust your campaign.
5. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): Are You Profitable?
The ultimate measure of success is Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), which tells you how much revenue your ads generate for every dollar spent.
How DMN8 Partners Can Help Optimize Your Google Ads
Running a Google Ads campaign requires constant optimization to ensure you’re not wasting money. DMN8 Partners specializes in Google Ads management, helping businesses get more leads while lowering ad costs. Call (859) 757-2252 or visit DMN8 Partners to get started with a high-performance Google Ads strategy.