After nearly two decades of managing Google Ads for small Ottawa businesses, I often hear the question: “Can Google Ads work with a small budget?”
The short answer is yes! While it’s true that spending more can generally yield greater returns, there’s no hard minimum required to make Google Ads work. In fact, there’s a common myth that “you need at least $2,000 per month to see results.” While this may be the case for some campaigns, especially in competitive industries, it’s by no means universal.
So, What Do Google Ads Actually Cost?
The beauty of Google Ads lies in its flexibility and control. You decide how much you spend daily and only pay for clicks. You also have control over your bids, which can be adjusted based on your goals, allowing you to test and scale at your own pace.
While some factors, like competition, can drive up costs, Google’s bidding system still lets you start with a small daily budget—even as low as $1. So, whether you’re working with $100 a month or more, there are ways to make the most of it.
“But What if I Only Have $100 a Month?”
Starting small can absolutely work, even if you’re just testing Google Ads. Exceptions exist, like e-commerce campaigns, which often benefit from larger budgets due to increased competition. But for many local or service-based businesses, a modest budget is a great starting point.
Why Do Some Agencies Push Higher Budgets?
Some PPC agencies might tell you a high budget is essential, and there are reasons for this, such as:
- Incentives: Many agencies earn based on client spend, so larger budgets mean more revenue for them. But this doesn’t mean you can’t succeed with a small budget.
- Overheads: Large agencies often focus on enterprise clients and may not be able to provide dedicated resources for smaller budgets.
- Management Fees: Agencies charge for their expertise, so it’s wise to ensure your ad budget aligns well with their fees. You might consider a PPC specialist or managing campaigns yourself to stay efficient.
If you’d like to explore what a small Google Ads campaign could do for your business, book a discovery call with WEBSHARK today! We’re here to help you navigate Google Ads on a budget that works for you.
