As a local business owner, think of a dentist, plumber, restaurant or law firm, you want to be found the moment someone in your area searches for what you offer. Google Ads is the most direct channel for that. Not likes or views, but real calls and appointments.
Google Business Profile as the foundation
The foundation starts with your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Make sure it's 100% complete: opening hours, photos, services and, above all, reviews. Google shows businesses with more and better reviews more often in the Local Pack (the top 3 with the map). Actively ask for reviews after every appointment. The difference between 4.2 and 4.7 stars can literally mean thousands of euros a month.
For your campaigns: use Search ads with location targeting. Set your area to a radius of 15-30 km around your location, depending on your service. Use call extensions so people can call directly from the ad. For many local businesses a phone call is worth more than a website visit. So don't just measure clicks, measure calls too.
Smart Bidding on a limited budget
Smart Bidding works for smaller budgets too, but give Google enough data. Start with Maximize Clicks to build volume, and switch to Target CPA or Maximize Conversions after 30-50 conversions. A common mistake: too many keywords in one campaign. Pick 10-15 core keywords that are truly relevant and build strong ads for those.
Small budget, big result
On budget: many local businesses start successfully with 500-1,000 euros a month. It's not about how much you spend, but the quality of your keywords, ads and landing page. A well-built campaign on a small budget beats a poorly built campaign on a big budget. Every time. Have a look at our results to see what's possible.