The 5 Biggest Google Ads Mistakes Startups Make (And How to Fix Them)

Many startups burn through ad budgets without seeing real conversions. The most common mistakes aren’t obvious—Google’s default settings often encourage inefficient spending.

Here are the top 5 mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Letting Google Control Everything

✅ What happens: Google prioritizes high clicks, not high-quality leads.

✅ Fix it: Use manual bid strategies or at least monitor Smart Bidding.

Mistake #2: Not Tracking the Right Conversions

✅ What happens: You’re optimizing for the wrong goals (e.g., form fills that don’t convert).

✅ Fix it: Set up proper attribution and exclude low-value actions.

Mistake #3: Wasting Budget on Broad Match Keywords

✅ What happens: Your ads show up for irrelevant searches.

✅ Fix it: Use phrase/exact match and negative keywords to refine targeting.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Competitor Bidding Strategies

✅ What happens: Competitors bid on your brand name, stealing traffic.

✅ Fix it: Defend your brand with a dedicated campaign.

Mistake #5: Not Optimizing Landing Pages for Conversions

✅ What happens: Clicks aren’t turning into customers.

✅ Fix it: Match ad copy with landing pages and remove distractions.

Fix these 5 mistakes, and your ad efficiency will increase dramatically.

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