What is Google Ads?

Google Ads in plain English

Google Ads lets you pay to appear at the top of Google when someone searches for what you sell. You only pay when someone clicks (pay-per-click), and you control your daily budget, so it's a fast, measurable way to get in front of ready-to-buy customers.

Why businesses use it

• Instant visibility, you can be on page one today, before SEO kicks in
• You target intent, people actively searching for your product or service
• Full control of budget and targeting
• Every rand is measurable, clicks, calls, leads and sales

SEO vs Google Ads

SEO is a long-term asset that compounds; Google Ads is an instant tap you can turn on and off. Most growing businesses use ads for immediate leads while SEO builds underneath. Used together they cover both the short and long game.

How Digitalx runs your ads

We research the right keywords, write compelling ads, build landing pages that convert, and manage budget and bidding, with clear monthly reporting so you see exactly what you're getting. WhatsApp us to discuss a campaign.

How Google Ads works, and what it costs

You bid to appear when someone searches a phrase. You pay only when they click. What you pay per click depends on how many competitors want the same phrase, and on how relevant Google thinks your ad and landing page are.

• Management fee is what you pay us, from R2,500 a month, for building and optimising the campaigns.
• Ad spend is what you pay Google directly. It is separate, and it is yours to control.
• A realistic starting ad spend for a local service business is R3,000 to R8,000 a month.
• Expect the first month to be learning. Costs settle as we cut what does not convert.

Getting it right

1. Fix the landing page first. Paid traffic to a weak page is money set on fire.
2. Start narrow. A few tightly targeted phrases beat a broad net.
3. Add negative keywords aggressively, so you stop paying for the wrong searches.
4. Track conversions properly, calls and form submissions, not clicks.
5. Review monthly and shift budget toward what is producing enquiries.

What to get right

• Start with the outcome you want, then work backwards
• Get the compliance basics right early, because they are cheap to do and expensive to fix
• Put real prices and clear information in front of customers
• Measure the things that lead to money, not vanity numbers
• Ask for help before a small problem becomes an expensive one

Work down that list in order. Each item makes the next one easier, and skipping ahead is what creates the messy situations we are usually called in to untangle.

How this usually works in practice

1. Start with the goal. Write down what you want to be true in three months. Almost every decision about what is Google Ads follows from that.
2. Check what you already have. Existing registrations, domains, hosting logins and accounts. People often own more than they realise, and duplicating it wastes money.
3. Get a written price before committing. A verbal figure is not a quote. Ask for scope and cost in writing.
4. Do the compliance part first. Registration and tax basics unlock the bank account, the contracts and the tenders.
5. Then build the visible part. Website, professional email, listings and branding.
6. Only then spend on advertising. Sending paid traffic to a weak website is the most common way South African businesses waste a marketing budget.

Costs and timelines, honestly

Exact figures depend on your situation, but here is the shape of it so you can plan.

Every one of these prices is published on our pricing page, and you can build your own total in the quote builder without speaking to anyone.

Mistakes we see every week

• Missing the annual return. CIPC deregisters companies for this, and it takes weeks and money to reverse. Diarise it.
• Not owning the domain. If a previous developer registered it in their own name, you do not control your own website or email. Always check who the registrant is.
• Using a free email address on invoices. It costs you credibility on every quote you send.
• Paying for ads before the website converts. Fix the destination first, or you are paying to lose people.
• No written scope. Almost every dispute we hear about started with a verbal agreement about what was included.
• Letting the mailbox fill up. A full mailbox stops receiving mail silently, and people assume clients are ignoring them.

Where to go next

• See every price we charge on the pricing page
• Build your own total in the quote builder, no call required
• Read what we commit to in writing on the about page
• Browse the rest of the knowledgebase
• Or just send us a WhatsApp and ask

How Digitalx can help

Digitalx offers digital marketing (custom) for businesses across South Africa. Our team handles the detail so you can focus on running your business. WhatsApp us for a free consultation, or see the service.