If an eCommerce business or dropshipping store isn’t making money from Google Ads, it’s probably because of one of four common mistakes. Working with many brands shows that these issues can hinder success. The upside? Each one has a simple fix. Here are the top reasons why Google Ads aren’t converting—and what to do instead.
Recommended Read: If you’re running a dropshipping store, make sure you’re not violating Google Ads rules. Many stores get flagged for common compliance issues.
Many store owners rely on Google’s setup recommendations or Smart Campaigns. These can quickly eat into ad budgets with little return. The platform usually has wide targeting and automated settings. This can result in high spending and low conversion rates.
A common issue? Overlapping campaigns. Running a brand campaign and a shopping campaign at the same time can cause double bidding. This happens if you don’t exclude branded terms in the shopping ad. That means paying more for the same click.
Fix: Use manual campaign setup to control budgets and targeting. Add negative keywords to avoid irrelevant clicks. Don’t let campaigns compete against each other—structure them clearly.
Stat Insight: Manual campaigns can cut ad spend waste by up to 25%.
Bonus Tip: Struggling with Google Ads not spending at all? You might be facing a deeper setup issue. This quick guide outlines 5 fast fixes to get your campaign up and running again.
Mistake #2: Your Quality Score Is Too Low
Google rates ads based on how useful and relevant they are. This “Quality Score” affects how often ads show, their position, and how much each click costs. A low score means paying more for worse placements.
This score depends on keyword alignment, ad relevance, and landing page quality. Poor structure, slow pages, and irrelevant ads all hurt the score.
Fix: Make sure ad copy matches keywords. Group similar keywords together. Enhance landing pages by increasing load speed, making them mobile-friendly, and ensuring they relate to the ad. Here are the only 5 metrics that actually predict Google Ads success — including tips on improving Quality Score.
Stat Insight: A jump in Quality Score from 5 to 7 can lower cost per conversion by 30%.
Every Google Ads click costs money. If product pages don’t convert, that budget gets burned fast. Many store owners overlook this step—but it’s critical.
Common issues are slow sites, confusing layouts, low-quality photos, and a lack of customer reviews. If a product page converts at 1%, that means 99 out of 100 paid clicks are wasted.
Fix: Start with best-selling items. Use clear, high-quality images. Write keyword-optimized titles and descriptions. Add reviews and trust badges. Keep prices competitive.
Stat Insight: A well-optimized page can increase conversions by 20% to 50%.
Shoppers choose where to buy based on service factors. This includes shipping time, return policies, and reliability. These details appear in Shopping Ads and influence clicks.
Slow delivery or hard-to-understand return terms turn buyers away. Many eCommerce sellers don’t highlight these details—or they make them hard to find.
Fix: Speed up shipping by keeping inventory nearby or partnering with trusted suppliers. Clearly show return and refund policies. Offer free returns when possible.
Bonus Tip: Avoid getting suspended by the Google Merchant Center. These common mistakes can wipe out your campaigns if you’re not careful.
Stat Insight: Stores with transparent service details see up to 20% more conversions.
Final Thoughts
Fixing these four areas can quickly turn around a failing ad strategy. For eCommerce owners and dropshippers, it’s not about spending more—it’s about doing things smarter.
Want to go deeper? Get the Google Ads Optimization Blueprint. It offers step-by-step help for online stores.
Stay focused, test often, and make every click count.
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