# Ep26. Google Ads for Local Businesses. Avoid costly mistakes.

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-script-show-6719676/ep26-google-ads-for-local-businesses-avoid-costly-mistakes
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-script-show-6719676/ep26-google-ads-for-local-businesses-avoid-costly-mistakes.md
Podcast: [No Script Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-script-show-6719676)
Published: 2025-11-29T06:35:07+00:00
Episode link: https://listen.hubhopper.com/episode/ep26-google-ads-for-local-businesses-avoid-costly-mistakes/32956590
Audio file: https://play.hubhopper.com/dc9a55c85854b37c13de99227521b95f.mp3?s=rss-feed&v=17d797bbef90
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/no-script-show-6719676/episodes/ep26-google-ads-for-local-businesses-avoid-costly-mistakes
Duration seconds: 2483

## Resource

On the podcast today we have David Waumsley and Nathan Wrigley. David and Nathan have been helping local businesses build websites for years, gaining insight into the world of digital marketing and the challenges faced by small business owners, from vets and accountants to electricians and therapists. In this episode, they turn their attention to Google Ads, demystifying pay-per-click advertising for those new to it. With the rapid shift from traditional marketing, think local papers and radio, to digital options, spending your marketing budget wisely is more important than ever. David begins by sharing his experiences supporting clients as they navigate Google Ads: requests to set up tracking scripts, questions about campaign managers, and a recent odd appointment with Google’s own support team. There’s skepticism, are Google’s new beginner-friendly moves as helpful as they seem? As Google adapts to challenges in its search dominance, the duo explore what this means for newcomers. Nathan and David then break down the landscape. Why is Google so powerful? What do statistics about return on investment actually mean, and why do most small businesses lose money? They discuss the differences between traditional and digital marketing, explaining why driving more traffic is pointless unless your offer really connects. Using the story of Bob Smith, a landscape gardener, they illustrate common mistakes, like sending ad traffic to generic homepages and neglecting the power of targeted messaging and landing pages. They contrast this with the marketing-savvy approach of Bob’s wife, Mary, who uses landing pages, keyword research, urgency, and lower-risk conversion options to boost results. The conversation digs deeper into Google Ads practicalities: negative keywords, location tar…

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## Transcript

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