Google Ads without setting money on fire
Google Ads work for local service businesses. They also waste a lot of money for shops that don't tune them.
Local Service Ads first, then Search
LSAs charge per lead, not per click, and put you at the top of mobile results. For most service businesses, that's the first dollar in.
Set tight geographic radius
A 10-mile radius beats statewide every time for local shops. Pay only for the calls you can actually service.
Track to closed revenue, not clicks
Clicks and cost-per-lead can look good while close rate is terrible. Connect the ad data to actual won jobs.
Take your version of this question further
This is one operator-tested angle on the question. Your shop, your size, your trade, and your team change the answer. Ask your specific version inside Ask a Shop Owner to get a response grounded in how owners like you actually handled it.