Google
Ads Checklist Every Photographer Should Follow Before Spending
Running paid ads without preparation is
one of the biggest reasons photographers lose money on Google Ads. This Google
Ads Checklist for Photographers is designed to help you launch campaigns the
right way—before you spend a single rupee or dollar. A successful Google Ads
setup for photographers requires more than just selecting keywords and writing
ads; it depends on a clear photography Google Ads strategy, a well-defined
service focus, and a proper Google Ads campaign structure for photographers
that matches how clients actually search and book. By following this checklist
step by step, photographers can avoid costly mistakes, improve lead quality,
and turn Google Ads into a reliable booking engine instead of a risky expense.
✅ Google Ads Checklist
for Photographers
🔹 1. Pre-Launch
Preparation Checklist
Before running any ads, make sure
these basics are ready:
- ☐ Clear list of
services (wedding, pre-wedding, events, portraits, commercial, etc.)
- ☐ Defined service
locations (city, radius, destination markets)
- ☐ Portfolio landing
pages for each service
- ☐ Contact form, phone
number & WhatsApp working
- ☐ Google Analytics
& Google Tag Manager installed
- ☐ Conversion tracking
planned (form submit, calls, WhatsApp clicks)
- ☐ Google Business
Profile linked (for local photographers)
🔹 2. Campaign
Structure Checklist (MOST IMPORTANT)
Never mix everything in one
campaign
- ☐ Separate campaigns
for each service:
- Wedding Photography
- Pre-Wedding Photography
- Event Photography
- Portrait / Family Photography
- Commercial / Product Photography
- ☐ Separate campaign
for Call-Only Ads (if applicable)
- ☐ Separate campaign
for Remarketing / Performance Max
🔹 3. Ad Group
Setup Checklist
Each ad group should be tightly
themed:
- ☐ 5–10 closely
related keywords per ad group
- ☐ Keywords grouped by
intent:
- “Wedding photographer in [city]”
- “Candid wedding photographer”
- “Luxury wedding photographer”
- ☐ Exact & phrase
match keywords used first
- ☐ Broad match avoided in early stages
🔹 4. Keyword &
Negative Keyword Checklist
Target the right searches
- ☐ Location-based
keywords included
- ☐ “Near me” keywords
added
- ☐ Service-specific
keywords used
- ☐ Negative keywords
added for:
- Free
- Course / training
- Camera / gear
- Jobs / hiring
- Stock photos
- Cheap / DIY (if premium brand)
- ☐ Search terms report
reviewed weekly
🔹 5. Ad Copy
Checklist (High CTR + Relevance)
Each ad should include:
- ☐ Service + location
in headline
- ☐ Clear value
proposition (style, experience, quality)
- ☐ Strong CTA:
- Book a Session
- Check Availability
- Get a Quote
- ☐ Use of ad
extensions:
- Call extension
- Location extension
- Sitelinks (Portfolio, Pricing, Reviews)
- ☐ At least 2–3 ads
per ad group for testing
🔹 6. Google Ad Landing
Page Checklist
Never send traffic to a generic
homepage.
- ☐ Dedicated landing
page per service
- ☐ Portfolio images
above the fold
- ☐ Clear service
description
- ☐ Trust signals
(reviews, testimonials, awards)
- ☐ Simple inquiry form
(name, date, location)
- ☐ Click-to-call &
WhatsApp button
- ☐ Fast page load
(especially on mobile)
🔹 7. Budget
Allocation Checklist
Start smart and scale gradually:
- ☐ 60–70% → Search Ads (core
leads)
- ☐ 15–20% → Call-Only Ads (local
bookings)
- ☐ 10–15% → Remarketing /
Performance Max
- ☐ Daily budgets set
per campaign
- ☐ No “shared budgets”
in early stages
🔹 8. Location
& Scheduling Checklist
- ☐ Target only
serviceable locations
- ☐ Exclude irrelevant
regions
- ☐ Radius targeting
for local photographers
- ☐ Ad scheduling
aligned with inquiry response time
- ☐ Time zone set
correctly
🔹 9. Conversion
Tracking Checklist
Without tracking, Google Ads is
guesswork.
- ☐ Form submission
tracked
- ☐ Phone call tracking
enabled
- ☐ WhatsApp click
tracked
- ☐ Conversion actions
verified
- ☐ Google Ads linked
with Analytics
🔹 10. Remarketing
Checklist (Highly Recommended)
- ☐ Website visitor
audience created
- ☐ Inquiry drop-off
audience created
- ☐ Past client
audience uploaded (if available)
- ☐ Remarketing ads
running with:
- Portfolio reminders
- Testimonials
- Limited availability messages
🔹 11. Ongoing
Optimization Checklist (Weekly / Monthly)
- ☐ Review cost per
lead
- ☐ Pause
low-performing keywords
- ☐ Add new negative
keywords
- ☐ Improve ad copy
based on CTR
- ☐ Optimize landing
page conversions
- ☐ Scale winning
campaigns only
- ☐ Track actual
bookings (not just leads)
🔹 12. Common
Mistakes to Avoid
- ⛔ One campaign for all
services
- ⛔ No conversion
tracking
- ⛔ Sending traffic to
homepage
- ⛔ Ignoring search
terms report
- ⛔ Misuse of budget
- ⛔ Running ads without
follow-up system
🎯 Final Tip for
Photographers
Google Ads works best when combined
with:
- Strong portfolio
- Fast response to inquiries
- Email or WhatsApp follow-ups
- Clear pricing or package communication
Used correctly, Google Ads becomes a predictable booking engine, not an expense.
At Clarifu Infotech,
we provide end-to-end Photography
Digital Marketing solutions designed to help photographers attract the
right clients, increase bookings, and build long-term brand value. Our services
include Google Ads management, local SEO, high-converting photography websites,
social media marketing, email automation, and performance tracking—all tailored
specifically for photography businesses. By combining data-driven strategy with
creative industry insight, we help photographers turn online visibility into
consistent inquiries and measurable growth. If you’re looking for a reliable
digital marketing partner that understands the photography business, Clarifu
Infotech is here to help.