How Much Does It Cost to Have Someone Run Google Ads?

The cost to have someone manage your Google Ads can vary depending on the provider and level of service. In New Zealand, most professional Google Ads management services charge one of the following -

• A monthly flat fee, typically ranging from NZD 300 to NZD 1,000+
• A percentage of your ad spend, usually between 10% and 20%
• A hybrid model that includes a setup fee plus ongoing management costs

Some agencies also offer entry-level packages for small businesses starting at NZD 150 to 300 per month, while more advanced plans for competitive industries may cost more due to additional keyword research, ad copywriting, and ongoing optimisation.

Setup fees for new campaigns can range from NZD 300 to NZD 1,000, depending on the complexity of the campaign and whether additional services like landing page design are included.

Working with a certified Google Ads specialist can help improve ROI by reducing wasted spend, improving ad performance, and increasing lead quality.

Why Running Your Own Google Ads Campaign Can Waste Up to 85% of Your Budget

Many business owners try to manage Google Ads themselves, but without experience, most campaigns end up wasting the majority of the budget. Here’s where it typically goes wrong -

• Targeting Broad or Irrelevant Keywords
  Choosing keywords that are too general or not aligned with your customers' intent leads to low-quality clicks that rarely convert.

• No Use of Negative Keywords
  Without negative keywords, your ads show up for searches that are irrelevant to your business, wasting clicks on the wrong audience.

• Following Google’s Default Settings
  Google’s recommended settings often prioritise higher spend over efficiency. Features like broad match keywords, auto-applied suggestions, and expanded targeting can burn through your budget quickly.

• Lack of Conversion Tracking
  If you aren’t measuring phone calls, form submissions, or purchases, there’s no way to know what’s working — or what isn’t.

• No Geo-Targeting Refinement
  Ads might show outside your service area, resulting in leads you can’t serve and money down the drain.

• Poor Ad Copy and Low Quality Score
  Ads that don’t match search intent get lower rankings and higher costs per click, making your budget less effective.

• Not Adjusting Bids or Pausing Underperforming Keywords
  Without regular optimisation, bad-performing ads and keywords continue to run unchecked.

We can help you manage your Google Ads in Christchurch. Click here