Google AdWords, now known as Google Ads, is a powerful pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platform that, when used wisely, can help Kiwi businesses reach more of the right people online.
It’s a way to appear at the exact moment potential customers are searching for your products or services, making it one of the most measurable and cost-effective marketing tools available.
Whether you’re a small local shop or a national organisation, Google Ads(external link) can drive targeted traffic, boost sales, and grow your visibility across New Zealand.
Why Use Google Ads in New Zealand?
For businesses in New Zealand, Google Ads helps you advertise online.
Google Ads allows you to target people online geographically, including specific regions, cities, or even neighbourhoods, which is ideal for local businesses wanting to attract nearby customers.
You can also manage your budget closely, paying only when someone clicks your ad, making it cost-effective for organisations of all sizes, if done correctly.
Every click, impression, and conversion is measurable, so you can easily track your return on investment.
At Somar Digital, we help organisations and businesses get the most out of their Google Ads account. For example, we helped Cancer Society NZ improve their ad ROI by 93%, dramatically increasing their reach and engagement. Later in the blog we'll go into more depth about how we helped Cancer Society. So read on to find our more!
How Google Ads Works in NZ
Google Ads operates on a simple model, your business bids on keywords people search for on Google. The bidding process is handled by Google based on your budget and the strength of the ads you create.
When someone in New Zealand searches for those terms, your ad can appear above the organic search results.
You’re only charged when someone clicks on your ad, which makes it easy to control costs while still driving meaningful traffic.
Geo-targeting lets you reach the exact areas you want, whether that’s Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or beyond.
You can also refine your audience by demographics, interests, and online behaviour to ensure your ads are seen by the people most likely to become customers.
If you need help setting this up, Somar Digital can manage every step of the process to ensure your campaigns are running effectively.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Google Ads Campaigns in NZ
Getting started with Google Ads might feel daunting, but it’s relatively straightforward when broken down:
- Create a Google Ads account: Sign up using your Google account and set your billing preferences.
- Define your goals: Are you looking for more sales, more website traffic, or more leads?
- Conduct keyword research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find locally relevant keywords that your audience searches for.
- Write compelling ad copy: Your ads should be clear, concise, and entice people to click.
- Set your targeting: Choose where your ads will show in New Zealand, who sees them, and on what devices.
- Launch your campaign and monitor performance: Keep an eye on how it’s performing and adjust as needed.
Want to save time and skip the learning curve?
We can handle your campaign setup and management so you can focus on running your business while we optimise your ads for better results.
Costs of Google Ads in NZ
In New Zealand, the cost of Google Ads(external link) varies depending on your industry, competition, and the keywords you’re targeting.
For example, highly competitive industries like insurance or real estate might pay a higher cost-per-click (CPC), while niche local services might be more affordable.
As a rough guide:
- Small businesses might spend $200–$500 per month for basic campaigns.
- Mid-sized businesses might allocate $1,000–$2,000+ per month for broader targeting.
- Enterprise-level campaigns can go much higher depending on the scale and reach.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what would be a reasonable amount to spend on Google Ads for your business, our Digital Marketing experts at Somar Digital can help you make the most of every dollar, ensuring your campaigns are optimised for maximum ROI.
Google Ads vs. Traditional Advertising in NZ
Reach and Flexibility
Google Ads offers unparalleled flexibility compared to traditional advertising methods like print, radio, or TV. With Google Ads, you can control your campaign budget, targeting, and ad scheduling.
Traditional ads are usually locked into a specific time or publication, but Google Ads allows you to make adjustments on the fly to maximise reach.
Cost-Effectiveness
Another major advantage of Google Ads is cost-effectiveness. In traditional advertising, you typically pay upfront for placements, and it's difficult to track exact ROI.
With Google Ads, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, and you have full visibility into the performance metrics. This makes it a far more affordable option for NZ businesses looking for a controlled and measurable way to advertise.
Case Study: Helping Cancer Society NZ Maximise Their Google Ads
Cancer Society NZ approached Somar Digital to improve the performance of their Google Ad Grant account, which provides not-for-profits with $10,000 USD in free Google Ads credit each month.
We began with a comprehensive Search Engine Marketing (SEM) audit, identifying underperforming areas and opportunities for improvement.
The results spoke for themselves:
- Enhanced visibility: Impressions surged by 56%, reaching 252,800 people, nearly 100,000 more than the previous year.
- Dramatic jump in engagement: Clicks increased by 93.7%, from 16,217 to 31,517, showing more people interacting with their ads.
- Superior click-through rate (CTR): CTR(external link) improved to 12.5%, far above the industry average of 4.41%, meaning their ads were more compelling and effective.
By restructuring campaigns, refining keywords, and improving ad copy, we helped Cancer Society NZ maximise the impact of their grant and reach more people in need.
Next Steps: Grow Your NZ Business with Google Ads
If you’re ready to start using Google Ads for your New Zealand business, here’s a simple action plan:
- Audit your current online presence to see where ads can help.
- Research local keywords relevant to your industry.
- Set a realistic monthly budget for your first campaign.
- Monitor performance and optimise regularly.
Want expert help?
Reach out to us to unlock better results from Google Ads, just like we’ve done for other NZ organisations.
