Google Ads is one of the most effective tools for driving traffic, generating leads, and growing your customer base online. But for small to mid-sized businesses in Milton Keynes, a poorly set-up Google Ads campaign can lead to wasted spend and disappointing results.
At The Milton Keynes Business Channel, we help local business owners demystify digital marketing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up and run a Google Ads campaign tailored to the MK area—the right way.
🎯 Step 1: Define Your Business Goals
Before even opening Google Ads, get crystal clear on what you want to achieve.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want more phone calls?
- Am I looking to drive foot traffic to a shop or clinic?
- Is the goal to get more form submissions or online bookings?
Clear goals help you:
- Choose the right campaign type
- Track performance accurately
- Avoid wasting your budget
🟢 Pro Tip: If you want leads, set up conversion tracking to measure form submissions, calls, or purchases.
🔍 Step 2: Do Your Keyword Research
You can’t run Google Ads without knowing what people are actually searching for.
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account)
- Ubersuggest
- AnswerThePublic (for question-based keywords)
Focus on:
- Location-specific keywords: “plumber Milton Keynes”, “MK estate agent”
- Service-intent terms: “emergency electrician near me”, “best dog groomer CMK”
Check:
- Search volume – is there demand?
- Cost-per-click (CPC) – what’s the competition like?
- Intent – are they looking to buy or just browse?
🟢 Pro Tip: Avoid overly broad terms like “plumber” or “marketing” unless you want to blow your budget.
📦 Step 3: Choose the Right Campaign Type
Inside the Google Ads dashboard, you’ll be offered several campaign types.
For local businesses, we recommend:
✅ Search Campaigns
- Show text ads at the top of Google results when people search for your service
- Great for high-intent, local traffic
🛑 Avoid “Smart Campaigns” if you want full control—they automate too much and often perform poorly.
💰 Step 4: Set a Realistic Budget
Start small and scale based on performance.
Suggested starting budget:
- £10–£20/day for most local service businesses
Set a daily budget and monitor:
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Cost per click (CPC)
- Cost per conversion
🟢 Pro Tip: Don’t pause too soon. Give your ads a few days to gather data before making major changes.
📍 Step 5: Use Location Targeting
You don’t want to pay for clicks from customers outside your service area.
Inside campaign settings:
- Choose “People in or regularly in your targeted location”
- Set a radius around Milton Keynes (e.g. 5–10 miles)
- Add nearby areas like Bletchley, Newport Pagnell, Wolverton if relevant
🟢 Tip: Use location exclusions if you consistently get unqualified clicks from outside your target zone.
✍️ Step 6: Write Compelling Ad Copy
Your ad copy needs to:
- Grab attention
- Match the search intent
- Include your target keyword
- Offer a clear benefit or value proposition
Example:
“MK Electrician – 24/7 Callouts | Fast Response, Fixed Rates”
Use clear calls to action like:
- Call Now
- Book Online
- Free Quote
🟢 Pro Tip: A/B test different versions of your ads to see what converts best.
🧩 Step 7: Add Ad Extensions
Ad extensions increase your ad’s size and clickability—without raising your cost per click.
Add:
- Sitelink Extensions (e.g. “About Us”, “Our Services”, “Get a Quote”)
- Call Extensions (let users click to call)
- Callout Extensions (highlight key benefits)
- Location Extensions (show your address and directions)
🟢 Data shows that ads with extensions can improve CTR by up to 20–30%.
🌐 Step 8: Optimise Your Landing Pages
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is sending Google Ads traffic to their homepage.
Instead:
- Create a dedicated landing page for each campaign
- Match your ad copy and keyword with the landing page headline
- Include a clear call to action (book now, contact form, call now)
- Optimise for mobile and fast load speed
🟢 Bonus Tip: Use tools like Unbounce or Elementor to build high-converting landing pages quickly.
📈 Step 9: Monitor, Analyse, and Refine
Google Ads is not “set it and forget it.”
Check performance at least 2–3 times per week:
- Look for high-performing keywords
- Pause underperformers
- Adjust bids, budgets, and ads based on data
Use:
- Google Analytics to track conversions
- Google Ads Reports for metrics like CTR, CPC, conversion rate
🟢 Golden Rule: Test. Track. Tweak.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Google Ads for Local Growth
Google Ads is a powerful tool for any business in Milton Keynes, but it only works if:
- You know your audience
- You set up your campaign with purpose
- You optimise your budget and targeting regularly
Don’t fall into the trap of boosting random ads without a clear strategy.
If you need expert help or want to save time and improve results, consider speaking to a local digital marketing agency that knows Milton Keynes, your industry, and your customers.
📍 Contact us at www.MiltonKeynesMarketing.uk
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much should I spend on Google Ads as a local business?
Start with £10–£20/day depending on your competition and goals. Monitor performance and scale based on ROI.
What’s the best campaign type for Milton Keynes businesses?
Search campaigns are ideal for local intent. They put your business at the top of Google when users search for services like “accountant Milton Keynes” or “MK dog groomer.”
How do I track conversions in Google Ads?
Use conversion tracking by installing a tracking tag on your website. You can track:
- Contact form submissions
- Phone calls
- Purchases
- Button clicks
What are ad extensions and do I need them?
Ad extensions add extra info to your ad (e.g. links, phone numbers, services). They improve click-through rates and don’t cost more per click—so yes, you should use them.
Should I run Google Ads myself or hire an agency?
If you have time to learn and manage campaigns weekly, go for it. But for faster, more reliable results, a local PPC agency can save you time and boost ROI.
How soon will I see results?
You can get clicks and traffic on Day 1, but optimising for conversions may take 1–2 weeks of testing and refinement.
Final Word
Google Ads can be a game-changer for local businesses in Milton Keynes—but only if you plan carefully, execute correctly, and refine consistently. With the right setup, a modest ad spend can lead to real customers, phone calls, and sales—without the guesswork.
Need help setting things up or want someone to manage it all for you? Milton Keynes Marketing Ltd can help with everything from keyword research and landing page optimisation to full PPC campaign management.
📞 Contact us now or book a free Google Ads audit at www.MiltonKeynesMarketing.uk or contact us for a free SEO agency consultation.