Building contractors, listen up! You're here to build skyscrapers, not Google ad campaigns. So, when it comes to securing new projects through Google Ads, you might feel like you're deciphering ancient Sumerian. But fear not! Let’s demystify this digital alchemy so you can get back to the hammer and nails.
Firstly, embrace the fact that Google Ads is an auction, not a bazaar. You're not yelling prices at passersby but bidding strategically with a focus on keywords. Let's start with search intent. If you're a building contractor specialising in luxury homes, phrases like "bespoke home builders near me" or "luxury home construction quotes" should be your currency. But don't forget the negatives: excluding irrelevant searches with negative keywords can save you precious clicks. For example, "DIY home construction tips" isn't going to yield clients with deep pockets.
Get granular with geo-targeting; no point bidding on a nationwide scale if you only operate in a specific region. If you're a Sydney-based contractor, refine your Google Ads campaigns to focus on Sydney suburbs like Surry Hills, Paddington, and Woollahra. Plus, Extra Strength's local SEO services can give you a hand in boosting your local search visibility, complementing your ad efforts. Geo-modifiers like "Sydney builders near me" or "Paddington construction company" are your bread and butter.
Moreover, leverage callout extensions to display your unique selling points, such as "20 Years of Experience" or "Free Site Consultation." It's like shouting out your credentials from the rooftops but with a digital megaphone. And don't sleep on location extensions—link your Google My Business listing to show your address directly in the ads, boosting trust and click-through rates.
Ad copy for contractors should be direct, professional, and full of credibility. "Trusted Building Contractors in Sydney - Get Your Free Quote Today!" is more appealing than "Best Builders in Town!" - which sounds like an overzealous estate agent. Test different variations with Extra Strength’s ad writing services to see which clicks with your audience. Experiment with dynamic keyword insertion (DKI) for automatic keyword inclusion in your ads—just don’t rely on it entirely unless you want "Best DIY Tips" sneaking into your construction firm’s search results.
Maximising your Google Ads ROI involves understanding different bidding strategies. For the uninitiated, manual CPC is like driving stick; you control the cost per click. However, Google's automated bidding strategies (like Target CPA) are the equivalent of autopilot—let Google's AI navigate while you focus on crafting those tender bids. For contractors, a combination of manual bidding for core keywords and automated bidding for broader phrases can yield a balanced approach.
Google Ads campaigns fall apart faster than poorly mixed concrete if your landing page doesn’t live up to the ad's promise. If you're promoting free quotes, ensure your landing page features an easy-to-use quote form front and centre. Offer case studies of completed projects to build trust, and consider adding Extra Strength’s technical SEO services for a comprehensive SEO audit of your landing pages. Optimised pages keep your quality score high and CPC low.
Remarketing is a game-changer for contractors with long sales cycles. If a potential client visits your site but leaves without engaging, hit them with a series of remarketing ads. Tailor your messaging for each stage of the buying cycle—early-stage prospects might see ads about your expertise, while late-stage leads should get a "Schedule Your Free Consultation" CTA.
Now, if you think the data you get from Google Ads is akin to reading tea leaves, think again. Google Analytics can integrate with Google Ads to reveal audience demographics, geographic performance, and which keywords lead to conversions. Use these insights to refine your campaigns. And if you're swimming in data without a lifeguard, Extra Strength's advertising services can help analyse and optimise your campaigns.
According to WordStream, the average ROAS for Google Ads across industries is 200%. Contractors can achieve higher returns with proper keyword and geo-targeting. Think With Google states that mobile devices drive over 50% of paid clicks in construction searches. Ensure your landing pages are mobile-responsive. Global contractor AECOM leveraged Google Ads and increased its online leads by 30%. Nearly 46% of Google searches are for local information, making geo-targeting essential for building contractors. Automated bidding strategies like Target CPA increased conversions by up to 20% for one contractor.
So, whether you're crafting custom homes or erecting corporate headquarters, winning new projects through Google Ads requires strategic bidding, compelling ad copy, and targeted keywords. If your campaigns need an extra boost, Extra Strength's enterprise SEO services can reinforce your marketing blueprint with advanced SEO techniques and tailored ad strategies.
Selecting Keywords for Building Contractors in Google Ads
Ah, the delicate art of selecting keywords for building contractors in Google Ads—a task as strategic as deciding where to pour the foundation of a luxury mansion. Building contractors need keywords that attract clients ready to sign contracts, not those simply browsing DIY blogs. Let's break down how to hammer out a winning list.
Start by understanding the search intent of your target audience. You're not just selling construction services; you're solving specific problems or fulfilling dreams, whether it's a stunning luxury home or a state-of-the-art corporate office. Keywords need to reflect this intent. If you specialise in commercial construction, think phrases like "commercial building contractors near me" or "office building construction services." Residential contractors can focus on terms like "bespoke home builders" or "luxury home construction quotes."
Once you've identified your core services and ideal clients, expand your keyword list with modifiers. Adding terms like "Sydney," "Paddington," or other geo-specific keywords ensures you're hitting the right audience. Geo-targeting is key here, and Extra Strength's local SEO services can help you dominate regional searches.
Don't forget long-tail keywords. These are often less competitive and more specific, yielding better-qualified leads. For instance, "luxury home builders in Woollahra" may have fewer searches than "home builders Sydney," but the searcher is much closer to making a hiring decision.
Negative keywords are equally important. You don't want to waste your budget on searches like "DIY home construction plans" or "cheap builders." Crafting a negative keyword list will prevent irrelevant clicks. For instance, if you're a premium builder, excluding words like "cheap," "affordable," or "discount" can save you from bargain hunters.
To keep costs low and relevance high, use Extra Strength's enterprise SEO services to develop a comprehensive keyword strategy, including A/B testing of ads targeting different long-tail keywords. Experiment with phrases like "custom home construction Sydney" or "eco-friendly office builders."
Match types also play a role in keyword selection. Broad match can capture a wide range of queries but often includes irrelevant searches. Phrase match narrows it down while still being flexible, whereas exact match targets the specific query directly. If you're using broad match, layer on audience targeting or bid adjustments to ensure you're not throwing your money into the proverbial wind.
Leverage keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to uncover new opportunities. You might discover lucrative terms like "boutique apartment construction" or "heritage home renovation specialists." Additionally, Extra Strength's technical SEO services can refine your website's content to align with these keywords, enhancing both organic and paid search results.
Don't forget to mine your competitors’ strategies. Tools like SpyFu or SEMrush can reveal which keywords your competitors are bidding on and their estimated ad spend. If a rival contractor is consistently bidding on "high-end home builders Sydney," it's a good sign that this keyword converts well.
Lastly, monitor and optimise your campaigns relentlessly. Regularly review search term reports to uncover new profitable keywords or negative keyword candidates. If you're too busy building actual buildings to dig through data, Extra Strength's advertising services can manage this for you, ensuring your Google Ads campaigns deliver a solid ROI.
Selecting keywords for building contractors isn't rocket science, but it does require a strategic blend of understanding search intent, leveraging long-tail opportunities, and crafting a negative keyword list that filters out the tyre kickers. Get it right, and you'll be building more projects than you can handle.
Crafting Google Ads to Showcase Contractor Expertise and Services
Crafting Google Ads to showcase contractor expertise and services requires a blend of strategy, creativity, and precision akin to drawing up blueprints. For building contractors, the stakes are high. You're not just selling a service; you're selling trust and the promise of excellence. Here’s a blueprint for crafting ads that truly highlight your expertise and drive conversions.
Start with the headline. This is the first thing potential clients will see, and it needs to resonate with their needs immediately. If your specialty is luxury homes, headlines like "Luxury Home Builders in Sydney - Free Consultation" or "Custom Home Builders in Paddington - Get Your Quote Today" should grab attention. Avoid generic phrases like "Best Builders in Town" and instead use specific, targeted language that aligns with your audience’s search intent. Testing different headline variations with Extra Strength’s advertising services will help determine what clicks with your audience.
The description lines are where you expand on your expertise and unique selling propositions (USPs). This is your chance to highlight your services, completed projects, or customer testimonials. Examples of compelling descriptions include:
- "Trusted Commercial Builders in Sydney with 20+ Years of Experience."
- "Award-Winning Residential Construction Company Specialising in Luxury Homes."
- "Get a Free Quote from Sydney's Leading Boutique Apartment Builders."
Incorporate a clear call to action (CTA) that encourages prospects to take the next step. CTAs like "Book Your Free Consultation Today!" or "Schedule a Free Site Visit Now!" should appear at the end of your description lines to prompt immediate engagement.
Dynamic Keyword Insertion (DKI) can enhance the relevance of your ad copy by including the search term directly in the ad. For instance, if someone searches for "commercial building contractors Sydney," your ad headline could dynamically insert this search term to read, "Sydney Commercial Building Contractors - Free Quote."
Ad extensions are your best friend here. Use them to further showcase your expertise and services:
- Sitelink Extensions: Direct users to specific pages like "Luxury Home Projects," "Client Testimonials," "Commercial Portfolio," or "Free Quote."
- Callout Extensions: Highlight unique services or qualities like "20 Years of Experience," "Award-Winning Projects," "Free Site Consultations," or "5-Star Client Reviews."
- Structured Snippet Extensions: Under headers like "Services" or "Project Types," list specialisations like "Luxury Homes," "Commercial Offices," "Retail Fitouts," or "Renovations."
- Image Extensions: Show striking visuals of your best projects to immediately establish credibility.
Ensure your ad copy aligns perfectly with your landing pages. If your ad headline promises "Luxury Home Builders," the landing page should prominently feature your luxury home portfolio. A mismatch here can lead to high bounce rates and wasted ad spend. Extra Strength's website services can help you craft landing pages that align with your ad messaging and convert leads.
Geo-targeting is crucial for contractors serving specific regions. Incorporate location-specific terms like "Paddington," "Woollahra," or "Surry Hills" into your ad copy. For example, "Paddington Commercial Building Contractors - Free Quote Today!" appeals directly to clients in that area. Adding Extra Strength's local SEO services to your strategy can further improve local visibility.
Ad scheduling can refine your targeting by ensuring ads appear during peak business hours. For instance, if most inquiries happen between 9 AM and 6 PM on weekdays, focus your ad spend during these hours and avoid weekends if they're less productive.
Incorporating social proof is a powerful way to build trust. If your company has received awards or recognitions, include them in your ad copy. Statements like "Award-Winning Builders in Sydney" or "Voted Best Home Construction Company" can significantly boost credibility.
Experiment with Responsive Search Ads (RSAs), which automatically test different headlines and descriptions to find the best-performing combinations. Provide Google with multiple variations like:
- Headlines: "Commercial Building Contractors Sydney," "Award-Winning Luxury Builders," "Trusted Renovation Experts."
- Descriptions: "20+ Years of Excellence in Residential and Commercial Construction," "Free Quote from Sydney's Leading Building Contractors," "Get a Free Site Consultation Today."
In conclusion, crafting Google Ads that showcase contractor expertise and services requires a strategic blend of compelling headlines, clear CTAs, ad extensions, and geo-targeting. If your campaigns need a stronger foundation, Extra Strength's SEO content writing services can help you craft high-converting ad copy that resonates with your audience.
Leveraging Ad Extensions to Highlight Completed Projects and Testimonials
Leveraging ad extensions to highlight completed projects and testimonials is like giving your Google Ads campaigns a turbo boost. For building contractors, this strategy can showcase your expertise, establish credibility, and encourage potential clients to trust you over competitors. Here’s a deep dive into how to make the most of these extensions.
Sitelink Extensions are the first port of call. They let you add additional links under your main ad copy, leading to specific pages on your website. For example, if you specialise in both commercial and residential construction, create sitelinks that lead directly to pages like "Completed Commercial Projects" and "Luxury Residential Builds." This gives potential clients a fast track to the part of your portfolio that interests them most.
To maximise the effectiveness of sitelink extensions, consider the following structure:
- "Recent Projects" linking to your latest portfolio page.
- "Client Testimonials" leading directly to your testimonials page.
- "Free Quote" linking to a landing page with a prominent quote request form.
- "Project Case Studies" showcasing detailed reports on completed projects.
Use sitelinks to highlight not just your services, but also unique selling points. Extra Strength’s website services can help optimise landing pages to ensure that each click delivers an impressive showcase of your work.
Callout Extensions offer a chance to shout about your unique selling propositions (USPs). Think of them as digital bullet points that give clients an immediate sense of why they should choose you. Highlighting "20 Years of Experience," "Free On-Site Consultation," or "Award-Winning Projects" adds credibility and appeals to different customer priorities.
For instance, a set of callout extensions could look like this:
- "Trusted Sydney Contractors"
- "Free Project Consultations"
- "Specialising in Luxury Builds"
- "5-Star Client Reviews"
Structured Snippet Extensions allow you to feature specific aspects of your services or products in a structured format. For building contractors, use them to list completed project types. A snippet header like "Types" can include "Luxury Homes," "Commercial Offices," "Retail Fitouts," and "Renovations." This gives potential clients an immediate overview of your specialisations, enhancing your credibility.
Another approach is to use the header "Services" and list offerings like "New Construction," "Project Management," or "Design-Build Solutions." These snippets should align with your landing page content. Extra Strength's SEO content writing services can help craft descriptions that resonate with your audience.
Image Extensions offer a visual hook. You can upload images that directly relate to your completed projects, adding a strong visual element to your ad. For instance, use high-quality images of your most impressive luxury home build or an innovative commercial project. Ensure that the images are optimised for both mobile and desktop devices.
Call Extensions are critical for contractors because clients often prefer to discuss project details directly. Ensure your call extension links to a tracking number so you can attribute leads to specific ads or keywords. Combine this with Extra Strength’s advertising services to get comprehensive data on which campaigns generate the most valuable calls.
Location Extensions are perfect for building contractors who operate within a specific region. They display your address directly in the ad, encouraging clients to visit or call. When linked to your Google My Business listing, location extensions enhance local visibility. If you're bidding on "commercial builders Sydney," a location extension with a verified address in Sydney’s business district will make your ad more trustworthy.
Review Extensions let you feature third-party ratings directly in your ads, though Google no longer allows new review extensions to be created. Instead, consider using Seller Ratings, which pull data from review platforms like Trustpilot or Google Reviews. Ensure your company has at least 100 reviews and an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher.
To sum up, here's how to combine these extensions into a cohesive strategy:
- Sitelink Extensions: "Recent Projects," "Client Testimonials," "Free Quote," "Project Case Studies."
- Callout Extensions: "Trusted Sydney Contractors," "Free Project Consultations," "Specialising in Luxury Builds," "5-Star Client Reviews."
- Structured Snippet Extensions: Header "Types" with "Luxury Homes," "Commercial Offices," "Retail Fitouts," and "Renovations."
- Image Extensions: High-quality images of completed projects.
- Call Extensions: Tracking number linked to ad campaigns.
- Location Extensions: Verified Google My Business address.
- Seller Ratings: Automatically display review ratings if eligible.
Optimising these extensions requires meticulous setup and testing. A/B test different variations to see which combinations drive the highest conversion rates. Extra Strength’s enterprise SEO services can help refine these strategies for maximum impact.
Geo-Targeted Google Ads for Local Contractor Services
Geo-targeted Google Ads for local contractor services are like GPS-guided missiles, honing in on potential clients precisely where your business can serve them best. Contractors must effectively utilise geo-targeting to optimise ad spend and focus on those who are most likely to convert. Here’s how to strategically implement it.
Begin by understanding your service area boundaries. If you're a contractor based in Sydney, there’s no need to target all of New South Wales. Instead, define specific regions within the Sydney metro area where you can confidently deliver services. For instance, focus on high-value suburbs like Surry Hills, Paddington, and Woollahra for luxury home projects, while business districts such as the CBD or North Sydney can be ideal for commercial construction leads. This kind of granular targeting can be achieved through location targeting in Google Ads.
Set up location targeting by selecting "Enter another location" in the campaign settings, then manually include the areas where you offer services. This might mean entering postal codes, cities, or even defining a custom radius around a central point. For instance, setting a 15-kilometre radius around your main office will ensure you're only spending ad dollars on people within a reasonable distance.
Geo-modified keywords are essential here. Adding regional identifiers like "Sydney," "Surry Hills," or "Paddington" to your keyword phrases makes your ads more relevant to local searches. For example, "commercial building contractors Paddington" will attract business owners specifically looking for services in that suburb. Extra Strength's local SEO services can help you identify high-performing geo-modified keywords that resonate with your target audience.
Leverage Google My Business (GMB) to enhance your local presence. Link your GMB listing with your Google Ads account to enable location extensions, which add your business address directly to the ad. This makes your ad more credible and increases click-through rates. Additionally, consider using call extensions with a Google forwarding number to track phone calls generated from these ads.
Dynamic location insertion (DLI) is another powerful feature. It customises your ad copy to include the user's location dynamically. For instance, if a user searches "residential building contractors near me" from Paddington, your ad might read, "Trusted Residential Building Contractors in Paddington." This tactic boosts relevance and can significantly improve click-through rates.
Ad scheduling ensures your ads run when your target audience is most active. For contractors, this might mean focusing on weekdays during business hours when project managers are more likely to be searching for construction services. Use historical data to refine your ad schedule and adjust bids accordingly.
Use Extra Strength's advertising services to help you set up location bid adjustments. If you find that certain areas consistently deliver high-quality leads, increase your bids for those regions by 20-30%. Conversely, lower bids or exclude regions that underperform.
Geo-fencing is a more advanced approach that lets you target users within a specific geographic boundary, such as a trade show venue or a competitor's office. If a potential client visits a property expo, you can show them ads like "Need Commercial Building Services? Get a Free Quote Today!" Geo-fencing can be managed through Google Ads or with third-party tools like Simpli.fi.
Don't forget the importance of localised landing pages. If someone clicks on your "commercial building contractors Sydney" ad, ensure the landing page is tailored to that audience. Include regional references, showcase local projects, and emphasise your knowledge of the area’s building codes and trends. Extra Strength's website services can help you build optimised, location-specific landing pages.
Monitor campaign performance regularly. Review metrics like click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and cost per acquisition (CPA) for each targeted location. If certain areas underperform, refine your keyword list or consider excluding them altogether. If your Paddington ads are converting well, replicate the strategy for other suburbs like Woollahra or Darlinghurst.
Finally, supplement your geo-targeted Google Ads with local SEO strategies. Claim and optimise your GMB listing, encourage customer reviews, and ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information is consistent across all platforms. Extra Strength's enterprise SEO services can help ensure your business ranks well both organically and in local packs.
Geo-targeted Google Ads are an indispensable strategy for contractors aiming to secure local projects. With precise targeting, tailored ad copy, and localised landing pages, you'll ensure that every click has the best chance of converting into a profitable lead.
Integrating Google Ads with Contractor Websites and Portfolios
Integrating Google Ads with contractor websites and portfolios is like combining two indispensable tools in your toolbox—when done right, it creates a seamless lead-generating machine. The goal is to ensure that every click from your ads lands potential clients onto a website that immediately speaks their language, addresses their needs, and convinces them to pick up the phone. Here's how to nail that integration.
First, ensure your Google Ads campaigns are aligned with your website's landing pages. For instance, if you're bidding on keywords like "luxury home builders quotes," direct visitors to a landing page showcasing your portfolio of high-end residential projects. This means having distinct landing pages for different services—residential, commercial, renovations, etc.—each tailored to match the ad's message and audience. Extra Strength's website services can help create landing pages that align with your advertising strategy.
A crucial component of integration is ensuring your landing pages load quickly and are mobile-responsive. Think With Google found that a one-second delay in mobile page load can reduce conversions by up to 20%. Use tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to assess your landing pages’ performance. If speed is an issue, Extra Strength's technical SEO services can help optimise your site’s performance.
Next, implement conversion tracking and Google Tag Manager on your website to measure key actions like form submissions, phone calls, and portfolio views. Tag Manager allows you to set up tags for various conversion goals, such as downloading a portfolio PDF or viewing a specific project gallery. Ensure these goals align with your Google Ads conversion actions to accurately attribute leads to specific campaigns and keywords.
Integrate your Google Ads with Google Analytics to gain a comprehensive view of user behaviour. This enables you to see which campaigns drive the most valuable traffic—whether it's visitors spending significant time on your portfolio pages or submitting consultation forms. In Google Analytics, set up goals for key actions like form submissions, phone clicks, or quote requests, and import these as conversions into Google Ads.
Leverage remarketing to reconnect with visitors who viewed your portfolio but didn’t convert. Create audience lists in Google Analytics for users who visited specific project galleries or downloaded a brochure. Then, use these lists to create targeted remarketing campaigns in Google Ads. For instance, show ads like "Let Us Build Your Dream Home - Book a Free Consultation" to users who previously viewed your luxury home gallery.
Structured data is another critical element. Adding schema markup to your project portfolio pages can help Google better understand your content and display rich snippets in search results. This improves your visibility and click-through rates. Use schema types like "Product" for individual projects and "Breadcrumb" to help users navigate your portfolio seamlessly.
Dynamic keyword insertion (DKI) can enhance your ad relevance by inserting the user's search term directly into the ad. For example, if someone searches "commercial building contractors Paddington," DKI can make your ad headline read "Paddington Commercial Building Contractors." This technique should be used carefully to ensure that the inserted keyword doesn't lead to awkward or misleading headlines.
Make sure your website’s content reflects your expertise and credibility. Feature case studies or client testimonials that demonstrate your success in delivering projects. Create project pages with detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and even video walkthroughs. Extra Strength's SEO content writing services can help you craft compelling case studies and project descriptions.
Call-to-action (CTA) placement is vital. Every landing page should have a prominent, compelling CTA like "Request a Free Quote," "Book a Consultation," or "View Our Portfolio." A/B test different CTAs to see which resonates most with your audience. Include a phone number with a call tracking tool or a clickable "Call Now" button for mobile users.
Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of analytics and ongoing optimisation. Regularly review your Google Ads campaigns, landing page performance, and portfolio engagement metrics. If certain projects consistently attract high-quality leads, feature them more prominently in your ads. Or if a landing page has a high bounce rate, consider refining its content, design, or load time.
Integrating Google Ads with your contractor website and portfolio ensures every ad click is optimised for conversion, providing a smooth journey from prospect to client.
Using Call Tracking to Measure Google Ads Leads for Contractors
Ah, call tracking—the Sherlock Holmes of lead measurement. For building contractors running Google Ads campaigns, call tracking is crucial for distinguishing tyre kickers from serious clients. Contractors deal with high-value projects, long sales cycles, and a mix of commercial and residential clients, making it essential to understand which ad clicks lead to ringing phones.
Let's start with the basics: call tracking assigns unique phone numbers to different marketing channels and campaigns. So when a potential client calls, you can trace the call back to the exact Google Ads campaign, ad group, keyword, or landing page that drove the lead. This is where Google's built-in Call Reporting and third-party call tracking tools come into play.
Google’s Call Reporting enables call extensions to measure phone call conversions directly from ads. You can set up call extensions to display your business number in the ad itself, giving mobile users the option to call directly. Ensure your call extensions use a Google forwarding number so you can track the calls’ duration, start time, and the Google Ads campaign that triggered them. This data can then be analysed in Google Ads and Extra Strength’s advertising services can help with strategic interpretation.
For more granular data, third-party call tracking tools like CallRail, WhatConverts, or Invoca provide deeper insights. These tools generate dynamic phone numbers that change based on the visitor’s source. When a prospective client calls the number, it can be linked to the specific keyword or ad that drove the lead. For instance, if someone calls after searching "commercial building contractors Sydney," you can track that conversion directly back to your "Commercial Builders Sydney" ad group. Extra Strength’s local SEO services can integrate these call tracking tools with your SEO strategy for seamless campaign measurement.
Dynamic number insertion (DNI) is essential here. It allows different phone numbers to be assigned dynamically based on the visitor's source, enabling accurate attribution of leads from Google Ads. By implementing DNI, you can identify which keywords and ads are driving calls, measure call duration, and even record conversations to improve your sales approach. If a keyword like "luxury home builders quotes" consistently drives long-duration calls (indicating serious leads), you can focus your budget on similar high-performing keywords.
Integration with Google Analytics provides even more actionable insights. Linking your call tracking data with Google Analytics lets you see the full customer journey, from the initial ad click to the phone call. This can reveal hidden patterns in user behaviour and help refine your Google Ads campaigns.
Conversion tracking should be set up in Google Ads to ensure calls are properly attributed as conversions. This means configuring a conversion action specifically for phone calls and setting an appropriate call duration that qualifies as a conversion. For instance, a call lasting over 60 seconds might indicate a serious lead, while shorter calls could be filtered out as tyre kickers.
Once you have call tracking data flowing, it's time to optimise. Analyse which keywords and ads are generating high-quality calls and allocate more budget to those campaigns. If a specific ad copy variation drives significantly more calls than others, replicate its style across your ad groups. Conversely, remove or refine underperforming ads and keywords to maximise ROI.
Call recordings and transcriptions offer invaluable insights into customer needs. If many callers are asking about free quotes, highlight this offering in your ad copy. If callers frequently inquire about specific suburbs, consider adding geo-modifiers like "builders in Woollahra" or "Paddington commercial construction services" to your keyword list. This approach can be bolstered with Extra Strength’s enterprise SEO services to refine geo-targeting.
Ultimately, call tracking provides building contractors with the clarity needed to optimise Google Ads campaigns effectively. By tying calls to keywords and ads, contractors can allocate their marketing budget to strategies that genuinely convert, ensuring the phone keeps ringing with high-value leads.
Analysing and Optimising Google Ads Campaigns for Building Contractors to Increase Conversions
Ah, analysing and optimising Google Ads campaigns for building contractors—a task that requires precision akin to measuring twice and cutting once. With high competition, long sales cycles, and clients ranging from homeowners to corporate giants, optimising these campaigns can make the difference between a trickle of leads and a flood of conversions.
To start, it’s essential to grasp that analysis should not be an annual review type of deal. Regular and comprehensive data analysis keeps your campaigns efficient. Use conversion tracking to determine which keywords, ads, and landing pages yield the best leads. If you're not sure where to begin, Extra Strength's advertising services can help install tracking pixels or set up Google Tag Manager to ensure accurate conversion data.
Keywords are the backbone of any campaign analysis. Examine your search term report to identify underperforming keywords that drain the budget without converting. If “luxury home builders quotes” isn’t generating leads, consider swapping it for “luxury home builders Sydney.” Add negative keywords like "DIY," "templates," or "affordable" to filter out irrelevant searches. Regularly reviewing your keyword list with Extra Strength’s SEO link building services will help you expand high-converting keywords and eliminate low performers.
Next, look at your bidding strategy. Are you using a manual CPC or an automated bidding method like Target CPA? For most building contractors, an automated bidding strategy often yields higher conversions because Google's machine learning optimises bids based on historical data. However, if manual CPC is preferred, apply bid adjustments for high-performing keywords and devices. For instance, if mobile devices generate more clicks but fewer conversions, lower the mobile bid adjustment by 10% and invest more in desktop.
Ad copy is crucial. Review the performance of each ad group and A/B test different headlines and CTAs. If "Get a Free Quote Today!" works well, try variations like "Book Your Free Site Visit Now!" Consider using dynamic keyword insertion to match the user's search term for greater relevance. Extra Strength’s SEO content writing services can help craft compelling ad copy that resonates with your target audience.
The landing page experience significantly impacts conversion rates. Ensure your landing pages are aligned with the ad copy and focus on one call to action (CTA). For instance, a landing page that promises a free site visit should feature a prominent quote form. If you're not seeing conversions, check your page speed. Research from Think With Google shows that a page load time exceeding three seconds causes a 53% bounce rate. Extra Strength’s website services can help optimise your landing pages for speed and mobile responsiveness.
Geo-targeting is another lever to increase conversions. For local contractors, refine your campaigns to specific neighbourhoods or suburbs. Bid more aggressively in high-income areas if you're targeting luxury home builds. Similarly, use location-based callouts like "Trusted Builders in Bondi" to create a localised appeal.
Device performance should not be overlooked. If desktops generate more conversions, allocate a higher bid adjustment to them. However, mobile traffic often has higher CTRs, so ensure your landing pages are mobile-friendly and that your forms are easy to fill out. Extra Strength’s Shopify website services can build fast, responsive landing pages that cater to mobile users.
Timing is everything. Review your ad schedule to see which days and hours drive the most conversions. For instance, if leads predominantly come in during weekdays from 10 AM to 6 PM, focus your budget on those hours and avoid spending unnecessarily on weekend clicks.
Finally, remarketing is essential for building contractors. Due to long sales cycles, many prospects visit your site but don’t convert immediately. Remarketing campaigns can remind them of your services and bring them back when they're ready to move forward. Use different messaging based on the visitor's behaviour. Someone who viewed your portfolio but didn’t contact you might see an ad saying, "Let Us Build Your Dream Home - Book a Free Consultation!"
Analysing and optimising Google Ads campaigns for building contractors is about being meticulous with data, agile with bidding, and sharp with ad copy. If your campaigns need a bit of architectural finesse, Extra Strength’s enterprise SEO services can help with strategic optimisations tailored to your business goals.
References
- https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2022/03/31/google-ads-benchmark-report
- https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/mobile-ad-spend-and-optimization/
- https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/search/global-engineering-firm-acquires-clients-and-opportunities-through-google-ads/
- https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics
- https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2979071
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-ads-match-types-guide/435243/
- https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2020/03/25/negative-keywords-lists
- https://www.semrush.com/blog/sem-keyword-research/
- https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2019/09/26/sem-keyword-analysis
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- https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-154/marketing-strategies/search/how-to-reduce-bounce-rate-increase-site-engagement/
- https://www.semrush.com/blog/google-ads-strategy/