If you want to maximise the opportunities presented by Google Ads but don’t have the time or the expertise, then hiring a Google Ads expert is a good idea.  A trained Google Ads specialist will know how to plan, create and set-up your Google ads and optimise them using the data to achieve your goals in the most cost-effective way. 

A freelance Google Ads consultant can be a great option for small businesses which have a limited budget.  These businesses are usually focused on local markets and are looking to generate leads based on location.

The cost of hiring a Google Ads expert depends on a number of factors, such as their experience and the scope of the work.  You may find someone who offers their services for around $40 per hour - but generally the rate for a professional who knows what they’re doing will be closer to $60 - $120 per hour.  Some Google Ads experts offer month-to-month rates with no fixed contracts.

Even though Google Ads looks fairly straightforward at face value, it is actually surprisingly challenging to create a successful campaign.  There are courses and tutorials available which teach Google Ads, but the best way to learn is through practical hands-on experience.   Learning all the pay-per-click terminology, finding the right keywords that you can afford to bid on, managing a budget, working out bidding strategies and getting ahead of your competitors takes time and effort, plus it’s a constantly changing landscape so you need to be meticulous and detail-oriented.  Most Google Ad specialists are Google certified.

You can search on Google and LinkedIn for a Google Ads consultant, and you can also look on directories such as Digital Mums Directory which have dedicated categories for the various industry niches.  Word-of-mouth recommendations are also helpful.

Generally, people go freelance after first gaining meaningful experience in a marketing agency focusing solely on the Google AdWords interface or working as an in-house PPC (pay-per-click) resource.  A Google Ads consultant generally has a limited number of clients and will specialise by industry or type of client.

To become a Google Ads consultant, you will need to have gained relevant experience and have a proven track record creating and optimising successful campaigns.