Top 5 Google Ads Mistakes Lake Worth Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)

Hey there, Lake Worth legends!

Running Google Ads is kind of like running a food truck during SunFest—fast-paced, competitive, and if you’re not careful, you can burn through your cash real quick. Whether you’re a plumber, pressure washer, or pool guy (or gal!), this one’s for you.

Let’s break down the top 5 Google Ads mistakes we see local Lake Worth businesses make—and how you can fix them like a pro. 💪

🚨 Mistake #1: Sending Traffic to a Generic Homepage

So, you’re paying for clicks... but sending folks to your homepage with no clear message?

That’s like inviting people to a party and not telling them where the food is.

Why it's a problem:

• Your homepage probably has a bunch of stuff—“About Us,” testimonials, maybe a blog.

• But when someone clicks your ad, they’re looking for ONE THING (like “AC repair in Lake Worth today”).

The fix:👉 Create dedicated landing pages for each service you advertise.Include:

• A headline that matches the ad

• Quick bullet points

• A strong call-to-action (like “Call Now” or “Book Your Free Estimate”)

🧠 Pro Tip: Use tools like Unbounce or Leadpages to spin up fast, conversion-focused landing pages.

🧨 Mistake #2: Ignoring Negative Keywords

Let’s say you run a high-end landscaping company. Your ad says “Luxury Landscaping Services,” but you’re getting clicks from people searching “cheap yard cleanup.”

Ouch. That’s a budget killer. 💸

Why it's a problem:

• Without negative keywords, you’re paying for traffic that has zero chance of converting.

• Google’s broad match is... well, broad. It’ll show your ad for stuff that’s close-ish, not exact.

The fix:👉 Add negative keywords like “cheap,” “free,” “DIY,” or unrelated services.

🧠 Tip: Review the Search Terms Report weekly to see what people actually searched before clicking your ad. Remove the junk!

🧯 Mistake #3: Not Using Call Tracking

“I spent $1,000 on Google Ads and got... nothing.”— Every frustrated business owner who did get leads, but didn’t track them.

Why it's a problem:

• Most local service businesses get leads by phone, not contact forms.

• If you’re not tracking calls, you don’t know what’s working.

The fix:👉 Use a tool like CallRail, WhatConverts, or even Google’s own call reporting.

This way, you’ll know:

• Which ads drive calls

• Which keywords are converting

• What your ROI really is

📞 Bonus: You can even record calls (with consent) to see how your team handles leads!

🚫 Mistake #4: Letting Google Auto-Handle Everything

Google's smart, but it’s not Lake Worth smart. 😎

Why it's a problem:

• Google will gladly spend your money fast with things like “Smart Campaigns” or full automation.

• These can work, but usually lack targeting, data control, and transparency.

The fix:👉 Use Search campaigns with manual or enhanced CPC bidding (at least until you have good data).👉 Control your keywords, ad copy, and locations.

Want some automation? Cool. But build it off a well-structured manual setup first.

💡 If you're unsure, That Ad Lab can audit your current setup for free. (👈 See what we did there?)

😬 Mistake #5: Forgetting Location Targeting (Yes, Really!)

We’ve seen Lake Worth businesses showing ads in California. True story.

Why it's a problem:

• If you serve Lake Worth, why pay for clicks in Tampa or Tallahassee?

• Broad location settings mean Google might show your ads to anyone “interested” in your area. Not ideal.

The fix:👉 Set your campaign to “People in or regularly in your targeted locations.”👉 Exclude areas you don’t serve.

Also, mention Lake Worth in your ad copy! This boosts relevance and trust.

📍 Example: “Lake Worth Pressure Washing | Free Same-Day Estimate”

🚀 Ready to Turn Clicks Into Clients?

Avoiding these five mistakes could literally double or triple your results. Seriously.

But hey, if all of this sounds a bit overwhelming, you don’t have to go it alone. That Ad Lab specializes in Google Ads for local service businesses right here in Palm Beach County.

🎯 We’ll set it up, manage it, and make sure every click counts.

✅ Call-to-Action (Because We Practice What We Preach):

👉 Book your free 15-minute strategy call today. We’ll review your current ads (or help you start fresh) and show you how to get more calls, more jobs, and more growth—without wasting a dime.

📅 Click here to schedule now

Thanks for hanging out with us, Lake Worth! Stay smart, stay scrappy, and let’s make your ads work for you—not against you.