Spending money on Google Ads can feel like a gamble. You’re paying for clicks—but are you getting results?
If you’re asking, “Are my ads actually worth it?” you’re not alone. Many business owners wonder the same thing. The good news? You can find out, and it’s easier than you think.
1. Set a Clear Goal
First, ask yourself: What do I want from my ads?
- Do you want more sales?
- Are you looking for leads?
- Do you want calls or store visits?
You need a clear goal before you can measure success. Otherwise, you won’t know what to track.
2. Use Conversion Tracking
Next, set up conversion tracking in Google Ads. This tells you when someone completes a valuable action, like:
- Making a purchase
- Filling out a form
- Calling your business
To do this, go to your Google Ads account. Click “Tools & Settings” and choose “Conversions.” Then, follow the steps to add a tracking code to your website.
Now you’ll see how many conversions come from your ads.
3. Look at Your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
ROAS stands for return on ad spend. It tells you how much money you make for every dollar you spend.
Here’s the formula:
ROAS = Revenue from Ads / Cost of Ads
Example:
You spent $500 on ads. You made $2,000 in sales from those ads.
Your ROAS = 2000 ÷ 500 = 4.0
That means you made $4 for every $1 spent. Not bad!
If your ROAS is greater than 1, you’re earning more than you spend. That’s a good sign.
4. Track the Right Metrics
Don’t just look at clicks or impressions. Those are only the first steps. Instead, track:
- Conversions: These show real results.
- Cost per conversion: This tells you how much you pay to get a sale or lead.
- Click-through rate (CTR): This shows how often people click on your ad.
- Bounce rate: This tells you if people leave your site quickly after clicking.
These numbers give you a better idea of what’s working—and what’s not.
5. Compare Results Over Time
One week of data isn’t enough. Run your ads for at least 2–4 weeks. Then compare:
- Before and after the campaign
- Different ad groups or keywords
- Desktop vs. mobile performance
This helps you spot patterns and make better choices.
6. Look at the Full Customer Journey
Sometimes people click your ad but don’t buy right away. They may come back later. That’s why tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) are useful. They show the full path someone takes before converting.
If your ads help people discover your brand, they may still be worth it—even if the first click doesn’t lead to a sale.
7. Don’t Forget Lifetime Value (LTV)
Some customers buy again and again. If Google Ads brought in a loyal customer, the long-term value is much higher than one sale.
So don’t just track first-time sales. Look at the big picture. That’s how you measure true impact.
8. Adjust Based on Data
Once you know what’s working, double down. Shift budget to top-performing keywords, ads, or locations. At the same time, pause ads that aren’t converting.
Small changes can lead to big results.
Final Thoughts
Google Ads can drive real growth—but only if you track the right things. Don’t guess. Use data.
Set clear goals. Track conversions. Watch your ROAS. Look beyond the click.
When you do all that, you won’t just hope your ads are worth it—you’ll know.
Feel free to contact us for a free consultation.