Struggling to get leads from Google Ads? Discover 8 simple tips to help your plumbing business attract more calls, boost ROI, and outshine local competitors. Running Google Ads for your plumbing business doesn’t have to be complicated. You can turn your ad spend into steady leads by focusing on local keywords, call-only ads, geo-targeting, and proper tracking. With the right setup and ongoing tweaks, you’ll stand out from competitors, get more calls, and grow your plumbing business faster.
1.Use Local Keywords That Match Search Intent
One of the biggest mistakes plumbing businesses make is targeting broad, generic keywords like “plumber” or “plumbing services.” These terms are expensive and highly competitive. Instead, target local, intent-driven keywords that match your customers’ search.
Examples of local intent keywords:
- “Emergency plumber in [City]”
- “Water heater repair near me”
- “Drain cleaning service [ZIP Code]”
- “Licensed plumber [Neighborhood Name]”
Tips:
Use Google’s Keyword Planner to find local variations and search volume.
Include location-based terms in both your headlines and ad copy.
Match the ad to local landing pages for a better user experience.
Entities to include: city names, service types, zip codes, neighborhood identifiers, service categories (e.g., emergency plumbing, leak repair)
2.Set Up Call-Only Ads for Faster Conversions
Plumbing is a high-intensity service. When people have a leaking pipe or a broken water heater, they don’t want to fill out a form; they like to call you right away.
Why Call-Only Ads Work:
- They skip the landing page and go straight to a phone call.
- Great for mobile searchers in a hurry.
- Higher conversion rate than form-based ads.
Best Practices:
- Use a trackable call extension number to monitor results.
- Set ads to run during business hours only.
- Highlight urgent services like “Same-Day Repairs” or “24/7 Emergency Service” in your ad copy.
- Entities to include: mobile users, call extensions, Google Ads call tracking, emergency plumbing
3.Leverage Ad Extensions to Increase Visibility
- Ad extensions help your ad take up more space on the search results page, making it more noticeable and improving your click-through rate (CTR).
- Types of Ad Extensions Plumbers Should Use:
- Call Extensions: Adds a phone number to the ad.
- Location Extensions: Shows your business address and a map.
- Sitelink Extensions: Highlight other services like “Drain Cleaning,” “Toilet Repair,” or “Free Estimates.”
- Structured Snippets: List types of services you offer.
Pro Tips:
- Keep your sitelinks concise and action-driven.
- Use location extensions tied to your Google Business Profile.
- Test different combinations and monitor performance.
- Entities to include: ad extensions, CTR, site links, Google Business Profile, structured snippets
4.Optimize for High-Intent Search Terms
Not all search terms are created equal. Focus your budget on high-intent keywords that indicate a customer is ready to take action.
Examples of High-Intent Keywords:
- “Hire a plumber near me.”
- “Affordable plumbing repair now.”
- “Same-day water heater installation”
- “Licensed plumber available today.”
How to Find Them:
- Use the Search Terms Report in Google Ads.
- Filter for terms that include urgency indicators like “now,” “today,” or “emergency.”
- Add irrelevant terms to your negative keyword list to save budget.
- Entities to include: Google Ads keyword planner, search terms report, high-intent queries, negative keywords
5.Create Service-Specific Landing Pages
Sending all traffic to your homepage? That’s a mistake. Instead, create dedicated landing pages for each service you advertise.
Why It Works:
Improves Quality Score in Google Ads.
Matches user expectations → higher conversions.
Easier to track performance by service.
Examples:
- Landing page for “Clogged Drain Repair”
- Page for “Sewer Line Inspection”
- Page for “Emergency Leak Detection”
- What to Include on Each Page:
- Clear headline with service keyword.
- Local trust indicators (badges, reviews, service area map).
- Strong call-to-action (CTA) like “Call Now for Fast Help.”
- Entities to include: landing pages, Quality Score, call-to-action, service-specific content
6.Track Conversions and Set Up Goals
Running ads without tracking is like fixing a pipe blindfolded. You need to know what’s working so you can double down and stop wasting money on what isn’t.
What to Track:
- Phone calls from ads
- Form submissions
- Appointment bookings
How to Do It:
- Set up conversion tracking in Google Ads.
- Link Google Ads to Google Analytics 4 (GA4).
- Use Google Tag Manager to track events and goals.
- Bonus Tip: Track calls longer than 60 seconds as conversions, it often means a real sales conversation.
- Entities to include: Google Analytics 4, conversion tracking, Google Tag Manager, lead tracking
7.Use Geo-Targeting to Maximize Budget
Plumbers serve local areas. Your ads should reflect that. Geo-targeting lets you focus your spend on the zip codes or neighborhoods you actually serve.
Best Geo-Targeting Practices:
- Target cities, ZIP codes, and radius from your office.
- Exclude areas you don’t serve to avoid wasted clicks.
- Run ad variants with city-specific messaging.
Example:
- Headline: “Top-Rated Plumber in Brooklyn”
- Description: “24/7 Emergency Plumbing Across All 11201–11238 Zip Codes”
Tools to Use:
- Google Ads Location Targeting
- Location Insertion in Ads
- Entities to include: location targeting, service radius, neighborhood targeting, local SEO
8.Keep Testing and Adjusting Weekly
Google Ads isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. Regular optimization is key to long-term profitability.
What to Test Weekly:
- Ad copy (headlines, CTAs)
- Keyword bids and match types
- Negative keywords
- Device performance (desktop vs. mobile)
- Time-of-day performance
Tips for Success:
- A/B test two versions of each ad.
- Pause low-performing ads and shift budget to winners.
- Check for click fraud or spam clicks using IP exclusions if needed.
- Entities to include: A/B testing, ad rotation, bid strategy, campaign optimization, click fraud protection
Final Thoughts
Running Google Ads for a plumbing business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, with the right strategy in place and platforms like Plumbers Ads you can turn your campaigns into reliable lead-generating machines. These 8 simple tactics, from using local keywords and call-only ads to geo-targeting and conversion tracking, can make a major impact. Focus on what your potential customers are searching for, make it easy for them to contact you, and track every result. That way, your advertising dollars go toward real business growth. The plumbing industry is competitive, but with the right Google Ads setup, you’ll stand out, earn more calls, and win more clients in your service area.
