Google Ads guides

Practical, plain-English guides on Google Ads costs, Local Services Ads, conversion tracking, Quebec language rules and hiring a PPC agency in Canada.

Featured · Cost · 12 min read

How Much Does Google Ads Cost in Canada? (2026 Guide)

What Canadian businesses really pay for Google Ads: how cost per click is set, how to size a budget, and how agency management fees are structured.

  • Google Ads has no minimum spend. You choose a daily budget and pay per click (or per lead with Local Services Ads).
  • What you pay per click is set by a live auction. It depends on your industry, city, the intent of the search and the quality of your ads and landing page.
  • Budget from the lead you want, not from a round number: target leads × cost per lead = monthly ad spend. Aim for at least 50–100 clicks per campaign per month so bidding can learn.
Read the guide
  1. 02 Comparison · 8 min read Google Ads vs. Local Services Ads for Canadian Service Businesses Side-by-side comparison of Google Search Ads and Local Services Ads: pricing, placement, control, ranking factors and when to use each.
  2. 03 Hiring · 7 min read How to Choose a PPC Agency in Canada: 12 Questions to Ask A practical checklist for hiring a Google Ads agency in Canada: account ownership, tracking, contracts, reporting and red flags.
  3. 04 Tracking · 7 min read Google Ads Conversion Tracking Checklist (GA4 & GTM) A step-by-step checklist to make sure Google Ads counts real leads and sales: conversion actions, GA4, GTM, enhanced conversions, Consent Mode and offline imports.
  4. 05 Comparison · 6 min read Performance Max vs. Search Campaigns: Which Should You Use? When to use Google Ads Performance Max, when to use Search campaigns, and how to run both without overlap. A practical comparison for Canadian advertisers.
  5. 06 Quebec rules · 7 min read Google Ads in Quebec: French-Language Rules and Best Practices How Quebec’s Charter of the French Language and Bill 96 affect Google Ads and landing pages, and how to run effective French and English campaigns.
  6. 07 Mistakes · 7 min read 15 Google Ads Mistakes Canadian Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them) The most common Google Ads mistakes we find in Canadian accounts, from broken conversion tracking to wrong location settings, with how to fix each one.
  7. 08 Budget · 6 min read What Is a Good Cost per Lead? How to Calculate Your Maximum CPL Calculate the maximum cost per lead your business can afford from Google Ads, using customer value, close rate and margin, with worked Canadian examples.
  8. 09 Guide · 6 min read How Long Does Google Ads Take to Work? A Realistic Timeline A realistic Google Ads timeline for Canadian businesses: what happens in week 1, month 1 and month 3, and what slows results down or speeds them up.
  9. 10 Guide · 7 min read Facebook Ads vs. Google Ads for Canadian Local Businesses Facebook Ads vs. Google Ads for Canadian local businesses: how each works, costs, lead quality, which services suit each, and how to use both together.
  10. 11 Guide · 6 min read What Is Google Ads Quality Score and How Do You Improve It? Google Ads Quality Score explained in plain language: the three components, why it lowers your cost per click, and a practical checklist to improve it.
  11. 12 Guide · 6 min read CASL and Your Ad Leads: How to Follow Up Legally in Canada Canada's anti-spam law (CASL) in plain language for businesses following up on Google and Facebook leads: consent, time limits and unsubscribes.
  12. 13 Guide · 5 min read Google Business Profile vs. Google Ads: Do You Need Both? Google Business Profile vs. Google Ads for Canadian local businesses: what each does, where each appears, costs, and how they work together to bring more calls.
  13. 14 Guide · 5 min read How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Breaking Google's Rules) A practical system for Canadian local businesses to get more Google reviews: when to ask, what to say, templates, and what Google’s policies prohibit.
  14. 15 Guide · 7 min read Google Ads Call Tracking: How to Measure Phone Leads Properly How to track phone calls from Google Ads: call assets, website call conversions, forwarding numbers, call length settings, and linking calls to booked jobs.
  15. 16 Guide · 7 min read How to Set Up Google Local Services Ads in Canada (Step by Step) A step-by-step guide to setting up Google Local Services Ads in Canada: eligibility, verification, licences and insurance, budget, ranking factors and lead disputes.
  16. 17 Guide · 5 min read Negative Keywords for Home Service Businesses: A Starter List A starter list of negative keywords for Canadian home service businesses using Google Ads: jobs, DIY, parts, free, rentals, out-of-area and trade-specific terms.
  17. 18 Guide · 5 min read Google Ads Landing Page Best Practices for Local Businesses Google Ads landing page best practices for Canadian local businesses: what to put above the fold, speed, trust signals, forms, and a checklist to raise conversions.

Best marketing agency by city

Compare the main types of marketing agency in your city, with local costs, seasons, rules and example ads.

Best Marketing Agency in Toronto, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Mississauga, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Brampton, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Hamilton, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Ottawa, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Montreal, QC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Vancouver, BC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Surrey, BC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Calgary, AB

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Edmonton, AB

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Winnipeg, MB

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Halifax, NS

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in North York, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Vaughan, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Ajax, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Oshawa, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Peterborough, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Kitchener, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Waterloo, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in London, ON

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Burnaby, BC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Langley, BC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best Marketing Agency in Victoria, BC

Local costs, example ads and the questions to ask before you hire.

Best marketing agency by industry

What the best agency for your trade or practice should know: account structure, budget math, seasons and reporting.

Best Marketing Agency for Landscaping Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Snow Removal Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Junk Removal Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Moving Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Pest Control Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Plumbers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for HVAC Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Roofing Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Electricians

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Cleaning Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Garage Door Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Painting Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Renovation Contractors

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Towing Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Pressure Washing Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Christmas Light Installers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Window & Door Companies

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Excavation Contractors

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Demolition Contractors

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Dentists

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Physiotherapy Clinics

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Chiropractors

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Med Spas & Aesthetic Clinics

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Personal Injury Lawyers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Divorce & Family Lawyers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Real Estate Lawyers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Immigration Lawyers

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Immigration Consultants

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Real Estate Agents

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Best Marketing Agency for Auto Repair Shops

Example ads, budget math and a scorecard for comparing agencies.

Get a free Google Ads audit

We review your Google Ads account, find where budget is being wasted, and send you a prioritized list of fixes. Free, with no contract or obligation.

Get my free audit Call (236) 869-3005