Are Google Ads worth it for electricians in NZ?
Google Ads work well for NZ electricians — emergency callouts, switchboard upgrades, and installation work generate high-intent searches that convert to leads reliably. A budget of $20 to $50 a day is enough to start seeing consistent enquiries. The main risk is poor setup: wrong keywords, no conversion tracking, or a slow landing page will burn budget without results.
For most electricians in New Zealand, Google Ads is the fastest way to get new leads. People searching "electrician Auckland" or "emergency electrician near me" are ready to call — Google Ads puts you in front of them the moment they search.
How much do Google Ads cost for electricians in NZ?
For NZ electricians, a typical cost per lead runs between $25 and $80 depending on your location and the type of work. Emergency callouts sit toward the higher end because the searches are urgent and competitive. Installation work and specific services like EV charger installation or heat pump wiring often come in lower.
Cost per click for electrical searches typically runs $2 to $6 in NZ. Auckland and Wellington sit at the higher end. Smaller regions are cheaper.
Is $10 or $20 a day enough for Google Ads?
$10 a day ($300/month) is too thin for most NZ markets. The algorithm needs enough budget to show your ad consistently and gather enough clicks to learn what converts. At $10 a day, exposure is patchy and you won't have enough data to make good decisions.
$20 a day is a workable starting point outside the main centres or for specific services. In Auckland and Wellington, $30 to $50 a day gives you enough volume to see what's working and optimise from there.
Are Google Ads worth it for electrical contractors?
Yes — electrical work is one of the cleaner fits for Google Ads among all trades. People don't browse for an electrician. They need one now. That urgency means search intent is high and people are ready to act.
The exception is commercial electrical work. Decision cycles are longer and procurement often happens through relationships or tenders, not a quick Google search. For residential and emergency work, Google Ads consistently delivers leads worth the spend.
What types of electrical work get the best results?
Emergency callouts convert best. Searches like "electrician near me" or "emergency electrician Auckland" come from someone who needs help right now — conversion rates are high and the jobs are usually straightforward.
After that: switchboard upgrades, heat pump installation, EV charger installation, and renovation electrical work. New builds can work but competition for those relationships rarely starts with a Google search.
What makes Google Ads fail for electricians?
Most electricians who try Google Ads and get poor results hit one of three problems.
Broad match keywords — matching on terms like "electrical" without tighter targeting means your ad shows up for searches that never convert.
No conversion tracking — without knowing which clicks turned into calls, there is no way to know what is working or where budget is being wasted.
A slow or unclear landing page — Google delivers the click, but if the page loads slowly on mobile or buries the phone number, the job goes to whoever picks up first.
FAQ
Is $10 a day enough for Google Ads?
For most NZ markets, $10 a day is not enough. At that budget the algorithm cannot gather enough data to optimise and your ad will show inconsistently. Start at $20 a day minimum — $30 to $50 if you're in Auckland or Wellington and want reliable lead flow.
How much do Google Ads cost in NZ?
For electrical trades in NZ, expect $2 to $6 per click and $25 to $80 per lead depending on your location and service type. Emergency searches sit at the higher end. Specific services like EV charger installation in less competitive regions often come in much lower.
Is $20 a day good for Google Ads?
$20 a day is a solid starting point for electricians outside the main centres or targeting a specific service. In Auckland and Wellington, $30 to $50 a day gives better coverage and enough data to make real optimisation decisions. Below $20, results tend to be too inconsistent to judge.
Are Google Ads worth it for contractors?
Yes, particularly for residential and emergency trades. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC businesses get consistent ROI from Google Ads because the searches are high intent — people are ready to book when they type. The setup needs to be right: correct keywords, proper conversion tracking, and a landing page that turns the click into a call.
Not sure if your Google Ads are set up right? Talk to Jelly Digital — we manage Google Ads for NZ electricians and tradies and can tell you exactly what your current setup is costing you.
