In Google Ads, even small PPC mistakes can quietly drain your budget and reduce performance over time. Whether you’re running ads yourself or partnering with a PPC service Gold Coast like BRANDCOM, spotting and fixing these hidden issues is key to getting better results.
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What are PPC and PPC mistakes?
Pay-per-click (PPC) is a highly effective way to drive leads and conversions – when it’s set up correctly. But even well-meaning Google Ads campaigns can quietly bleed budget due to small missteps that often go unnoticed.
PPC mistakes refer to misconfigurations or oversights that reduce your campaign’s efficiency – wasting ad spend, missing conversions, or attracting the wrong clicks. These issues are more common than most advertisers think, especially in self-managed accounts.
Why Gold Coast businesses should care
The local market is competitive, especially in industries like tourism, real estate, and services. If your ad account is riddled with errors, you’re not just losing money – you’re giving your competitors the upper hand.
That’s why it’s essential to identify these PPC mistakes hiding in your ad accounts early and course-correct with best practices or the help of a trusted PPC service Gold Coast.
7 common PPC mistakes (and how to fix them)
1. Skipping negative keywords
One of the most common PPC mistakes hiding in your ad accounts is not using negative keywords. This leads to your ads being shown to irrelevant users, driving up costs without conversions. To avoid this, regularly audit your search terms report and add negative keywords that filter out low-quality traffic. For step-by-step guidance, check out BRANDCOM’s earlier guide on how to add and manage negative keywords.
2. Using broad match without control
Broad match keywords can be useful for reaching wide audiences, but if they’re not paired with proper exclusions and targeting, they can cause wasteful spending. We recommend pairing broad matches with smart bidding strategies and, of course, negative keywords to limit poor traffic.
3. Forgetting to optimise Ad copy
If your ad copy doesn’t speak to your target audience’s intent, even the best keywords won’t convert. Avoid this PPC mistake by writing clear, compelling copy that matches the user’s search query, includes a strong CTA, and reflects your offer accurately.
4. Not setting up conversion tracking
It sounds simple, but many Gold Coast businesses still forget or misconfigure conversion tracking. Without it, you won’t know what’s working. Make sure your Google Ads account is connected to Google Analytics and that conversion actions (like form submissions or purchases) are tracked accurately.
5. Ignoring audience targeting
Modern PPC isn’t just about keywords – it’s also about audiences. Neglecting this is a major PPC mistake. Use audience segments like “In-market” or “Remarketing” to refine who sees your ads. PPC service Gold Coast experts at BRANDCOM often combine keyword intent with audience targeting to boost ROI.
6. Leaving campaigns on auto-pilot
Another big mistake? Setting up a campaign and never checking back. Algorithms are smart, but they still need human oversight. We recommend weekly reviews to optimise bids, refresh ad creatives, and monitor search term reports.
7. Misaligned landing pages
Finally, sending ad traffic to a generic or mismatched landing page is a surefire way to lose conversions. Each ad should direct users to a landing page that matches the ad message and delivers on the promise. Consistency between keyword, ad, and landing page improves quality score and lowers CPC.
Spotting these PPC mistakes hiding in your ad accounts is the first step toward turning underperforming ads into profitable ones. Whether you’re managing campaigns yourself or relying on expert help, a clear and consistent optimisation plan will make all the difference.
Want expert eyes on your account? BRANDCOM is your trusted PPC service Gold Coast partner, ready to audit, optimize, and grow your Google Ads performance with clarity and precision. Let’s get started.
