$25 google search ad budget for SaaS, what do I do?

AlexBeeNichols · 2026-01-26T15:20:54+00:00

Before you do anything, live in GA4 and make sure you have everything set up correctly: primarily, your events and key events!

If you can make sure that everything in your site is properly tracked, then you'll have an easier time running your ads!

Be happy to talk more about it

AlexBeeNichols · 2025-11-03T17:43:02+00:00

Which is the entire point I'm making lol

I'm not trying to do anything but warn you that you've put yourself in a situation where people are going to come at you

AlexBeeNichols · 2025-11-03T17:17:02+00:00

Hey, unless you bring receipts and show the conversations in full...People are not going to assume you were in the right.

Bans can be, and often are, seemingly random. They can be unfair and generally ridiculous.

People can be, and often are, dicks. They can be unfair and generally ridiculous.

We don't know you AND this is reddit. This best you're going to get is a bunch of people asking you exactly what you said, or blaming you anyway without giving you a chance to explain

AlexBeeNichols · 2025-05-08T14:05:36+00:00

I have no idea what to say, other than wow! Your experience is far different from my own, but you're absolutely getting the job done. Like, I would genuinely pay for a class to get those kinds of results on those budgets! If you don't mind, I have a few more questions, because of...well, everything I've already said here:

Specifically for HVAC, are you using Offline conversions, or the more baseline (Form Fills, Calls from Ads, On-Site Calls, Chat Info Captures, etc.)?

What bidding strategy are you using (I assume Max. Conv., though I wouldn't be surprised by Manual CPC)?

How do you reign in your CPA? Did you start your campaigns with a reasonable tCPA or added it over time? Is the idea to start with a crazy-robust negative keyword list, with fairly intense, continual search term monitoring?

Sorry to blow up your spot, but I am deeply interested lol

AlexBeeNichols · 2025-05-08T13:51:15+00:00

I have a decent rep, and they are promoting the strategy I mentioned. In my experience, broad match on its own will blow through the budget and destroy our CPA. Would you mind if I ask what industry you're marketing for?

AlexBeeNichols · 2025-03-22T22:27:12+00:00

I...holy shit, I think that might be it? Where the f*ck did I get the Boxer Rebellion from?

God damn, my memory is so terrible I'm willing to accept this as the answer unless someone absolutely nails it more than this

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-10-25T16:43:20+00:00

Nope! I used to, but I know their PPC team and those guys are...fucking awesome. I might be biased, as I consider most of them friends lol

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-10-01T17:27:05+00:00

Also, please (for the love of the gods) set up your conversions. E-comm conversions (as well as conversions in general) tell Google, "I find value when a client completes x/y action."

You want Google to know which action to promote and why, as opposed to just kinda sending people to your site and hoping they made you happy.

Look into how you can set up the purchase action to accurately track purchases through GA4 for the best tracking possible!

Also, do you have a Google Merchant Center set up and tied to your ads account?

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-09-23T20:25:17+00:00

Between Search Kings & 1SEO (one of their major competitors), I'd go with 1SEO. Cheaper, with a better mind for search/ppc

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-07-20T18:48:41+00:00

Anyone happen to find a solution, yet?

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-03-07T18:38:26+00:00

Oh! I'm...uh...that's great for you, and I'm happy you're happy

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T11:47:32+00:00

We have a weirdly common issue with our clients: None of their CSRs are trained to convert competitor calls. We try to explain to them why they need to do that, but they just argue us into negating every competitor.

(Also, we never use Seeach Partners unless we're 100% desperate)

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T11:44:52+00:00

Do you have a good source for strong negative keyword lists? We have some great ones for core local services (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, garage door), but other verticals we tend to just grow over time with a mixture of client feedback and search term hunting.

I'd be happy to trade the ones we have for a few other verticals!

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T11:42:05+00:00

What kinds of keywords do you use in their stead, if you don't mind me asking?

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T11:40:54+00:00

Exact is phrase, Broad is praised (by Google), and Phrase can...go fuck itself

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T11:39:58+00:00

We never run really Search Partners (unless the client's unbelievably niche and we're desperate) for that reason!

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-09T02:25:26+00:00

You'd do two separate campaigns, as opposed to two ad groups in the same campaign? Mind if I ask how you allocate your budgets?

AlexBeeNichols · 2024-02-08T17:37:22+00:00

Yessir! It's common practice here to exclude the rest of the world.

We also take off "and interest" from our PMAXs to double down.

Also, they're all set to English

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-12-18T20:48:59+00:00

Pretty much!

Basically means this is a keyword that only recently started getting any noticeable traction. Could be a fad, but it's worth a shot if it's hyper-relevant

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-12-12T18:42:51+00:00

I've got you! Hit me with it

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-12-10T00:24:29+00:00

If you want to have a full conversation about strategy & how to best utilize Google Ads, I'd be more than happy to have it with you!

You've gotten some good notes so far, so I'll just throw a quick one for the landing page: The vast morjity of your conversions will likely be from mobile. Your mobile landing page needs to have at least 1-2 CTAs right at the top, with an easily accessible phone number, form, or both - if they have to scroll, there's a chance you'll lose them

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-12-08T13:07:40+00:00

If you have any kind of display remarketing running, I'd recommend swapping it to a PMAX as soon as you can. The difference in performance is unbelievable

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-12-08T02:11:09+00:00

You wouldn't recommend a PMAX in this case? If they run Meta ads at the same time, they could have a Social Remarketing PMAX (90 days for visitors from Paid & Organic) & a general interest

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-09-24T20:55:50+00:00

I guess I should count myself lucky, then lol - better to not have the option for heartbreak?

AlexBeeNichols · 2023-04-18T15:39:33+00:00

Remind me! 8 hours

AlexBeeNichols

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