Search ads for buyers who already know what they want
A search is a statement of intent. When a buyer types the name of a service, a software product plus consultant, or a problem phrased the way your customers phrase it, they are telling you what they want at that moment. Search ads put a short message and a link in front of that query.
For B2B companies the useful searches are often narrow, and the near misses are many: job seekers, students, people looking for a do-it-yourself guide, buyers of a product you do not sell. The work is finding the phrases worth paying for, keeping the near misses out, and sending each click to a page that matches the ad. Search ads management handles that setup and the weekly upkeep in Google Ads and, where it fits, Microsoft Advertising.
What search ads work usually includes
The exact scope is agreed with the service partner, but most search engagements cover these pieces:
- An audit of the existing account, or a clean build if there is none.
- Keyword research and a plan for match types by campaign.
- A starting list of negative keywords, added to every week after launch.
- Responsive search ads with several headlines and descriptions, plus sitelinks, callouts and structured snippets.
- Location, language, network and schedule settings checked one by one.
- Conversion actions set up and tested, usually through Google Tag Manager.
- Bidding and budget settings matched to how much conversion data the account has.
- A regular pass through the search terms report.
- A short written summary of changes and what to watch next.
Decisions only you can make
A provider can run the account, but some choices belong to the business. Expect to be asked about these early.
Budget. How much you are willing to spend on clicks each month, and whether that changes by season.
Services. Which work you want new requests for, and which you are already turning away. Advertising a service you cannot staff wastes spend.
What a lead is. A form fill with a work email might count; a newsletter signup probably should not. This choice drives conversion tracking and therefore how automated bidding behaves.
Claims and wording. What you are comfortable saying in an ad, and what your industry or counsel says you cannot.
Questions about search ads management
Should Google's automatic recommendations be switched on?
Many managers turn off auto-apply and look at each recommendation by hand. Some are useful, such as fixing a missing asset. Others widen targeting or raise budgets. Ask your provider how they handle them, and check the change history now and then to see what was applied.
Can you take over an account someone else built?
Yes. The work usually starts with an audit of the existing structure, keywords, negatives, conversion actions, bid strategy and settings such as search partners and location targeting. From there the partner suggests what to keep and what to rebuild. Existing history is worth keeping where it is sound.
How do I know what changed in my account?
Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising both keep a change history you can open yourself. A provider should also send a plain summary of what they changed, why, and what they are watching next. If you only receive charts with no notes, ask for the reasoning behind the changes.
Send your request with a work email and a few notes about the campaigns you have in mind.
Request pricingOther services
Paid social setup
Pixel, Conversions API, audiences, first creative set and lead forms built and tested before any budget goes live.
Pages behind your ads
A better destination than your home page: one offer, one form, and tracking that records each submission.
Tracking and CRM
Measurement and lead handling set up around the tools you already use, with access kept in your name.