Brandon, Seth, Abby: this page lays out where the Google Ads money went, why some of it was wasted on people outside our area, what's already been fixed, and what happens next.
From the Google Ads audit of account 169-960-6666 (Mar 7 – Apr 3, 2026), before the rebuild. These are the numbers that told us the old setup wasn't working.
Local Tree Services — $489.95 · 0 conversions
Land Clearing — ~$527 · 10.2 conversions
Current spend runs a little over $1,000/month in ads, paid directly to Google. Management fee is $500/month (not billed June–August).
| Rating | 4.9★ · 247 reviews |
| June calls from profile | 27 |
| June direction requests | 67 |
| June website visits | 54 |
| Photos before audit | Last added 5+ years ago |
Your reputation is the strongest asset you have. The ads weren't putting it in front of the right people.
You were right. Here's exactly how it happened:
The account ran on Google's Smart campaign format. It hides keyword control, blocks negative keywords, and doesn't allow location bid adjustments. Google decides who sees the ad.
Google's default shows ads to people who are interested in an area, not just people in it. Someone in Atlanta or out of state searching "tree removal Henry County" counts — and costs us a click.
A $0.39 average click is a red flag. Real "tree removal near me" searches cost several dollars. Cheap clicks usually mean partner sites, display placements, or people far away who'll never call.
No Google Tag and no call tracking meant Google had no signal for what a good lead looked like — so it optimized for clicks, not calls. And the services page was returning a 404.
| Change | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Move off Smart campaigns to standard Search | Keyword, negative keyword and location control | Ready to load |
| Targeting set to "People in" the area only | Stops paying for out-of-area clicks | Live Oct 27 |
| 25-mile radius from 5911 McGough Rd, Jenkinsburg | Matches where crews actually go | Live Oct 27 |
| Exclude DeKalb, Fulton/Atlanta, north metro, Macon | Low-margin or out-of-range jobs | Ready to load |
| Bid more in McDonough, Locust Grove, Jackson, Jenkinsburg | Bigger lots, bigger tickets, short drives | Ready to load |
| Negative keyword list (rentals, cheap, DIY, jobs) | Cuts junk searches | Live Oct 27 |
| Conversion + call tracking on the website | Google learns what a real lead is | Needs install |
| Monthly location report (where clicks came from) | Proof the leak is closed | Starts Nov |
Built around what Brandon said earns the most: storm/emergency response and hazardous removals. Nothing goes live until Abby, Seth and Brandon approve.
Crane removal + roof tarping fast. Licensed & insured. 4.9★ from 247 neighbors. Call now.
Fallen trees cleared same day. Local crew based in Jenkinsburg, GA. Free estimates.
Dead, leaning or near-the-house trees removed safely. Fully insured crew. Get a quote today.
Lot clearing, grading and brush removal. Our best-converting service. Free on-site estimate.
25 miles around the yard. $10/day normally, $75/day during storm warnings. Off-area storm campaigns (South GA, FL Panhandle, South AL) are built and stay paused unless crews will travel.
Storm, tree service and retail yard ads (slabs, lumber, boulders, mulch, pine straw) in Facebook, Instagram and Google sizes. Abby is reviewing against current retail priorities and new photos.
A faster, photo-first site with one page per service — so every ad lands on the exact service someone searched for.
| # | Action | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Review fall ad pack against current retail priorities + send new photos | Abby | Waiting |
| 2 | Approve home storm campaign ($10/day, $75/day in warnings) | Brandon / Seth | Waiting |
| 3 | Decide: take storm calls outside our area? | Brandon | Waiting |
| 4 | Who answers (770) 557-5884 nights & weekends in storms? | Brandon | Waiting |
| 5 | Confirm roof tarping + founding year (2009 or 2012) | Brandon | Waiting |
| 6 | Install conversion + call tracking | Kemble | Next |
| 7 | Pull location report proving out-of-area spend is stopped | Kemble | Next |
| 8 | Finish website wording + Google profile review | Kemble | This week |
| 9 | Before/during/after photos + short vertical videos from storm jobs | Crew | Ongoing |
| 10 | Patriot Lifting map listing — hide address once access granted | Kemble | Pending Google |