Top 5 PPC Agencies in Cardiff (2025)

Cardiff businesses face fierce competition for online visibility. While your competitors waste marketing budgets on ineffective strategies, PPC advertising cuts straight to the chase, putting your business directly in front of customers actively searching for your products or services. No waiting months for SEO results. No scattershot approach, hoping to reach the right audience. Just immediate, measurable visibility when it matters most. This guide examines Cardiff's 5 best PPC agencies that deliver real ROI, with insights on selecting the right partner to transform your digital advertising performance.

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What is PPC?

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Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising operates on a simple premise: you only pay when someone clicks your ad. Unlike traditional advertising, where you pay regardless of results, PPC delivers measurable action. It's the digital equivalent of placing your shop directly in front of customers actively searching for what you sell.

PPC primarily includes:

• Search ads - Text-based ads appearing at the top of Google and Bing search results
• Display ads - Visual banners showing across millions of websites in the Google Display Network
• Shopping ads - Product listings with images and prices for e-commerce businesses
• Video ads - Engaging video content on platforms like YouTube
• Remarketing campaigns - Targeted ads that follow users who previously visited your site

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For Cardiff businesses, properly executed PPC campaigns deliver immediate traffic, qualified leads, and measurable ROI. The key difference between mediocre and exceptional results lies in the expertise behind campaign management.

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What Makes A Top PPC Agency?

Not all PPC agencies deliver equal value. The best agencies in Cardiff distinguish themselves through:

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Strategic Approach

Average agencies set up basic campaigns. Top agencies develop comprehensive strategies aligned with your business goals, competitor landscape, and customer journey.

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Google Ads Expertise

Premier agencies maintain Google Partner status with certified specialists who understand the platform's constant evolution and can leverage its advanced features.

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Data-Driven Decisions

Leading agencies don't guess - they analyse. They use sophisticated tracking, testing, and analytics to continually refine campaigns based on performance data.

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Transparent Reporting

The best agencies provide clear, jargon-free reporting that shows exactly what you're getting for your investment.

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Industry Knowledge

Top-tier agencies understand your specific market, competitors, and customer behaviours in Cardiff and beyond.

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Specialised Services

Elite agencies offer specialised services like landing page optimisation, conversion rate optimisation, and cross-channel integration.

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5 Best Cardiff PPC Agencies

1. Appear Online

Location: Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Rd, Cardiff CF24 0EB, United Kingdom

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Based in Cardiff, Appear Online offers a PPC service that combines technical expertise and strategic innovation. Their data-driven approach to Google Ads management has delivered consistent ROI for businesses across multiple sectors. 

What separates Appear Online from competitors is their comprehensive understanding of the entire digital marketing ecosystem, allowing them to create PPC campaigns that work seamlessly with other channels.

Areas of Expertise:

• Advanced Google Ads campaign architecture and management
• E-commerce PPC optimisation with impressive ROAS metrics
• Local service business lead generation campaigns
• Custom analytics setups with conversion tracking across multiple touchpoints
• Competitor analysis and market positioning strategies
• Landing page conversion optimisation
• Cross-channel remarketing campaigns

2. Liberty Marketing

Location: Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff

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As one of Wales' largest digital marketing agencies, Liberty Marketing has built a strong reputation for PPC management. Their team includes multiple Google-certified professionals managing campaigns across diverse industries. Their Cardiff location gives them particular insight into the local market dynamics.

Areas of Expertise:

• B2B lead generation campaigns
• Multi-location business advertising
• Google Shopping campaign management
• Basic remarketing campaigns
• Standard PPC reporting

3. Spindogs

Location: Pascoe House, 54 Bute St, Cardiff

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Spindogs offers PPC services as part of their broader digital marketing offering. Their team handles Google Ads campaigns for various Cardiff businesses, with particular strength in service-based industries.

Areas of Expertise:

• Service business PPC campaigns
• Google Ads management
• Basic keyword research
• Standard campaign setup and optimisation
• Regular performance reporting

4. Yard Digital

Location: One Central Square, Cardiff

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Yard Digital combines data analysis with PPC management to create targeted campaigns. Their approach focuses heavily on audience segmentation and behavioural targeting.

Areas of Expertise:

• Audience targeting and segmentation
• Display advertising campaigns
• Basic search advertising
• Standard PPC management
• Analytics integration

5. Atomic Media

Location: The Maltings, East Tyndall St, Cardiff

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Atomic Media offers PPC services focused primarily on small to medium businesses in Cardiff. Their team manages Google Ads campaigns with an emphasis on local targeting.

Areas of Expertise:

• Local business PPC campaigns
• Google Ads setup and management
• Basic keyword research
• Budget management for smaller businesses
• Standard reporting

Why Hire One of the Best PPC Agencies?

The difference between mediocre and exceptional PPC management directly impacts your bottom line. Here's why partnering with a top Cardiff agency makes financial sense:

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1. Avoid Costly Mistakes

Google Ads makes it deceptively easy to spend money quickly with little return. Professional agencies prevent budget waste through proper account structure, negative keyword implementation, and strategic bid management.

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2. Access Specialised Expertise

PPC platforms evolve constantly with new features, policies, and best practices. Elite agencies stay ahead of these changes and know how to leverage them for competitive advantage.

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3. Save Valuable Time

Effective PPC management requires continuous monitoring, testing, and optimisation. A dedicated agency handles these time-consuming tasks while you focus on your core business.

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4. Gain Competitive Intelligence

Top agencies track competitor strategies and market shifts, positioning your campaigns to outperform others in your industry.

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5. Scale Efficiently

As your business grows, professional PPC management allows you to scale campaigns strategically without diminishing returns.

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Google Ads Checklist for Cardiff Businesses

Before launching any Google Ads campaign, ensure you've covered these critical elements:

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Account Structure

• Campaigns organised by logical business segments or goals
• Ad groups are tightly themed around specific keywords
• Proper campaign settings (locations, languages, networks)
• Conversion tracking is properly implemented

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Keyword Strategy

• Comprehensive keyword research completed
• Mix of branded, competitive, and long-tail keywords
• Cardiff and local area geographic terms are included where relevant
• Negative keywords are implemented to prevent wasted spend
• Match types strategically applied (exact, phrase, broad, modified)

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Ad Creation

• Compelling headlines addressing search intent
• Unique selling propositions communicated
• Strong calls-to-action included
• Ad extensions fully utilised (callouts, sitelinks, structured snippets)
• Responsive search ads implemented with multiple variations

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Landing Pages

• Pages directly relevant to ad content
• Clear value proposition above the fold
• Strong call-to-action prominently displayed
• Mobile optimisation confirmed
• Page load speed optimised

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Tracking & Measurement

• Google Analytics linked to Google Ads
• Conversion tracking is set up for all valuable actions
• Custom audiences created for remarketing
• UTM parameters implemented consistently
• Call tracking established (if applicable)

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PPC Strategy Framework

Developing an effective PPC strategy requires methodical planning rather than ad-hoc tactics. Here's a framework used by Cardiff's leading agencies:

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1. Goal Definition

Start with clearly defined business objectives:

• Lead generation (form submissions, phone calls)
• E-commerce sales
• Brand awareness
• Website traffic
• Customer retention

Each goal requires different campaign structures, bidding strategies, and measurement approaches.

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2. Audience Research

Understand exactly who you're targeting:

• Demographic profiles
• Search behaviours
• Purchase intent signals
• Common questions and pain points
• Competitor preferences

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3. Keyword & Market Analysis

Develop a comprehensive keyword strategy:

• High-intent commercial terms
• Local Cardiff and Welsh market terms
• Competitor brand terms (where appropriate)
• Long-tail question-based phrases
• Negative keyword lists

4. Campaign Architecture

Design a logical account structure:

• Separate campaigns by product/service lines
• Geographic targeting parameters
• Device-specific strategies
• Custom audience segments

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5. Creative Development

Create compelling ad content:

• Value proposition messaging
• Local Cardiff relevance signals
• Unique selling points
• Strong calls-to-action
• Extension assets (sitelinks, callouts, snippets)

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6. Landing Page Optimisation

Ensure destination pages are conversion-focused:

• The message matches with ad content
• Clear user paths
• Prominent contact options
• Trust signals (testimonials, credentials)
• Minimal friction points

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7. Tracking Implementation

Set up comprehensive measurement:

• Multi-touch attribution models
• Call tracking integration
• Form submission tracking
• Cross-device conversion paths
• CRM integration, where possible

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8. Continuous Optimisation

Establish ongoing refinement protocols:

• A/B testing schedule
• Budget reallocation triggers
• Keyword performance thresholds
• Competitive monitoring cycles
• Regular landing page testing

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PPC Audit Checklist

If you're reviewing your current PPC performance or evaluating a potential agency partner, use this comprehensive audit checklist:

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Account Structure

• Is the account logically organised by business goals?
• Are campaigns segmented appropriately (search vs. display, products/services)?
• Are ad groups tightly themed around specific keyword groups?
• Is there proper use of campaign types (Search, Display, Shopping, etc.)?
• Are location targeting settings appropriate for Cardiff and target markets?

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Keyword Strategy

• Is there a mix of branded, non-branded, and competitor terms?
• Are match types being used strategically?
• Is there a robust negative keyword strategy in place?
• Are search terms regularly reviewed and refined?
• Are keyword quality scores monitored and optimised?

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Ad Creative

• Do ads directly address search intent?
• Are all available ad extensions being utilised?
• Is ad copy being A/B tested systematically?
• Are ads regularly refreshed to prevent fatigue?
• Do ads include strong, clear calls-to-action?

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Landing Pages

• Do landing pages match ad messaging?
• Are landing pages optimised for conversions?
• Is page load speed acceptable?
• Are landing pages mobile-friendly?
• Are contact/conversion options prominently displayed?

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Bidding & Budget

• Is the bidding strategy appropriate for campaign goals?
• Are automated bidding strategies being used effectively?
• Is budget allocation aligned with performance?
• Are dayparting/scheduling strategies implemented?
• Is there a clear ROAS or CPA target being measured against?

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Tracking & Analytics

• Is conversion tracking properly implemented?
• Are all valuable actions being tracked?
• Is Google Analytics linked and providing insight?
• Are audiences being built for remarketing?
• Are attribution models appropriate for the business?

Competitive Analysis

• Is auction insights data being monitored?
• Are competitor strategies being tracked?
• Is ad copy positioning against competitors effective?
• Are there strategies to counter competitor conquesting?

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Reporting & Communication

• Are reports clear and actionable?
• Is reporting focused on business outcomes, not just clicks?
• Is there regular communication about strategy and results?
• Are long-term trends being monitored and addressed?

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How Much Does PPC Cost in Cardiff?

Understanding PPC costs in Cardiff requires examining both agency management fees and actual ad spend on platforms like Google Ads.

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Agency Management Fees

Cardiff PPC agencies typically structure their fees in one of three ways:

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Percentage of Ad Spend

• Entry-level agencies: 15-20% of monthly ad spend
• Mid-tier agencies: 10-15% of monthly ad spend
• Premium agencies: 10-15% with minimum retainers

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Fixed Monthly Retainers

• Small business packages: £300-£750/month
• Mid-sized business management: £750-£1,500/month
• Enterprise-level management: £1,500-£3,000+/month

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Performance-Based Pricing

• Some Cardiff agencies offer hybrid models with lower base fees plus performance incentives
• Typically includes a 5-10% base fee plus bonuses for exceeding agreed-upon KPIs

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Google Ads Costs in Cardiff

Actual cost-per-click (CPC) varies significantly by industry and keyword competitiveness:

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Industry Average CPCs in Cardiff:

• Legal services: £5-£30
• Insurance: £4-£20
• Property services: £2-£8
• Retail/E-commerce: £0.50-£3
• Hospitality/Restaurants: £0.75-£3
• Trades/Services: £2-£7
• B2B services: £3-£12

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Minimum Monthly Ad Spend:

• Local Cardiff small business campaigns: £500-£1,000
• Regional Welsh campaigns: £1,000-£3,000
• Competitive industries: £3,000+

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Total PPC Investment

For an effective Cardiff PPC campaign, businesses should budget for:

1. Agency management fees
2. Platform ad spend
3. Landing page development (if needed)
4. Conversion tracking setup

A realistic starting point for most Cardiff businesses is £1,000-£2,000 total monthly investment (including both management and ad spend), with higher budgets required for competitive industries.

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Key Performance Indicators for PPC Success

Looking beyond basic metrics like clicks and impressions, these are the KPIs that Cardiff's top PPC agencies focus on:

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Primary Business Metrics

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• Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): The ultimate measure of campaign effectiveness - how much revenue you generate for each pound spent.
• Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): What you're paying for each conversion, whether that's a lead, sale, or other valuable action.
• Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) to CAC Ratio: How does the lifetime value of customers acquired through PPC compare to the cost of acquiring them?
• Profit Margin: After accounting for PPC costs, what margin remains from the sales generated?

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Campaign Performance Metrics

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• Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who complete desired actions after clicking your ads.
• Quality Score: Google's rating of your keywords and ads affects both ad position and costs.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click your ad after seeing it.
• Average Position: Where your ads typically appear in search results.
• Impression Share: What percentage of available impressions are your ads capturing?

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Audience Insights

• New vs. Returning User Conversion Rates: How effectively you convert first-time visitors compared to returning ones.
• Geographic Performance: How campaigns perform across different locations in Cardiff and beyond.
• Device Performance: Conversion differences between mobile, desktop, and tablet users.
• Time of Day/Day of Week Patterns: When your ads perform best for different audience segments.

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Common PPC Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced marketers make these costly PPC errors. Cardiff's top agencies help businesses avoid:

1. Neglecting Negative Keywords: Failing to add negative keywords means wasting budget on irrelevant searches. Top agencies aggressively build and refine negative keyword lists.
2. Poor Account Structure: Cramming too many unrelated keywords into ad groups results in irrelevant ads and lower quality scores. Elite agencies create logical, tightly themed campaign structures.
3. Ignoring Mobile Users: With over 60% of searches now on mobile devices, failing to optimise for mobile users means missing opportunities. Leading agencies create mobile-specific strategies.
4. Weak Landing Pages: Sending traffic to generic pages rather than optimised landing pages dramatically reduces conversion rates. Premier agencies focus on landing page relevance and conversion optimisation.
5. Set-and-Forget Approach: PPC requires ongoing optimisation. Neglecting regular maintenance leads to declining performance. Top agencies continuously refine campaigns based on performance data.
6. Focusing on Clicks Instead of Conversions: Prioritising high click volume rather than quality leads waste of budget. The best agencies focus on conversion metrics aligned with business goals.
7. Improper Conversion Tracking: Without proper tracking, you can't measure true ROI. Expert agencies implement comprehensive tracking for all valuable actions.
8. Ignoring Search Terms Reports: Not reviewing what searches trigger your ads means missing optimisation opportunities. Leading agencies regularly mine search term data for insights.
9. Poor Ad Testing Methodology: Random ad testing without statistical significance leads to false conclusions. Top agencies use structured A/B testing protocols.
10. Overlooking Audience Signals: Relying solely on keywords without layering audience targeting misses opportunities for precision. Elite agencies combine keyword, demographic, and behavioural targeting.

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How to Choose the Right Cardiff PPC Agency

Selecting the right PPC partner is a crucial business decision. When evaluating Cardiff PPC agencies, prioritise these factors:

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1. Google Partner Status: Verify the agency holds current Google Partner or Premier Partner status, confirming their expertise and adherence to best practices.
2. Specialist Focus: Determine whether PPC is a core service or just an add-on. Agencies specialising in PPC typically deliver superior results compared to generalists.
3. Industry Experience: Ask for case studies relevant to your specific industry. Experience in your sector means understanding unique challenges and opportunities.
4. Transparent Reporting: Request sample reports to evaluate clarity and depth. Top agencies provide comprehensive yet understandable performance data.
5. Management Approach: Ask specifically about account management practices.
6. Technology Stack: Inquire about tools and technologies used beyond platform interfaces. Leading agencies employ specialised tools for advanced optimisation.
7. Conversion Optimisation: Assess whether the agency focuses on traffic or outcomes. Premier agencies emphasise conversion optimisation, not just clicks.
8. Communication Style: Evaluate responsiveness during the sales process. Poor communication initially rarely improves after signing.
9. Contract Terms: Review contract flexibility, notice periods, and ownership of assets. Be wary of long lock-in periods or restrictive terms.
10. Cultural Fit: Consider whether the agency's approach aligns with your business values and communication preferences.

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Frequently Asked Questions About PPC

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How quickly will I see results from PPC advertising?

Unlike SEO, which typically takes months to show results, properly managed PPC campaigns can begin generating leads or sales within days of launch. Initial performance data becomes available immediately, with meaningful results typically visible within the first 2-4 weeks as campaigns are optimised.

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Is Google Ads better than social media advertising?

Neither is universally "better" - they serve different purposes. Google Ads excels at capturing existing demand (people actively searching), while social media advertising excels at creating demand (targeting people based on interests and demographics). Many Cardiff businesses benefit from using both channels as part of an integrated strategy.

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What budget should I start with for Google Ads in Cardiff?

For local businesses, starting budgets typically range from £500-£1,000 monthly for ad spend, plus management fees. The minimum viable budget depends on your industry's competition level, your geographic targeting, and your business goals. Starting too small can limit data collection and optimisation opportunities.

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How long should I commit to a PPC campaign?

PPC should be viewed as an ongoing marketing channel rather than a short-term campaign. While you can pause anytime, meaningful optimisation typically requires at least 3 months of data. The most successful Cardiff businesses treat PPC as a permanent fixture in their marketing mix, continually refining for improved performance.

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Can I manage Google Ads myself rather than hiring an agency?

While Google's interface appears user-friendly, effective management requires significant expertise in account structure, keyword research, quality score optimisation, landing page design, and analytics. Most businesses find that professional management delivers substantially better ROI than self-management, especially when factoring in the opportunity cost of time spent.

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How do I know if my PPC agency is performing well?

Judge performance based on business outcomes rather than activity metrics. Key indicators include:

• Improving conversion rates over time
• Decreasing cost per acquisition
• Increasing return on ad spend
• Proactive communication about strategy
• Regular testing of new approaches
• Transparent reporting tied to business goals

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What's the difference between Google Ads and Google AdWords?

Google AdWords was rebranded as Google Ads in 2018. They are the same platform, with "Google Ads" being the current name. Some agencies and clients still use the terms interchangeably.

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Conclusion

For Cardiff businesses serious about growth, professional PPC management isn't a luxury - it's a competitive necessity. With properly managed Google Ads campaigns, you can precisely target potential customers at the exact moment they're searching for your products or services.

Whether you're considering PPC for the first time or looking to improve existing campaigns, the investment in professional management consistently delivers returns that far exceed the costs. In today's competitive digital landscape, the question isn't whether you can afford professional PPC management - it's whether you can afford to go without it.

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References:

https://business.google.com/support/become-a-partner/ 

https://www.statista.com/topics/2479/mobile-search/ 

https://support.google.com/faqs/answer/2987537?hl=en 

https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2453972?hl=en 

https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/6167118?hl=en