7 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Google Ads Agency in Dublin

Choosing an agency to manage your advertising budget is a high-stakes decision. The right partner can become your engine for growth, delivering a steady stream of qualified leads and a profitable return on investment. The wrong partner, however, can burn your budget, hold your account hostage, and set your business back by months.

The Dublin market is competitive, and many agencies make bold promises. As a business owner, you must know how to spot the "red flags" that separate a true professional from a sales-driven "churn and burn" operation.

Here are 7 red flags to watch for.

1. The "Guaranteed Results" Promise

• The Red Flag: "We guarantee a #1 spot" or "We guarantee a 200% ROI."
• Why It Is a Lie: This is the most common and dangerous lie. No one can guarantee a specific rank or return. Google Ads is a live, dynamic auction. A true professional will never guarantee a result. They will guarantee a process: a data-driven strategy, full transparency, and a relentless focus on optimisation.

2. A "Secret Sauce" or Lack of Transparency

• The Red Flag: You ask about their process, and they get defensive. "We cannot tell you; it's our proprietary, secret strategy."
• Why It Is a Lie: There are no "secrets" in PPC. There are only best practices, experience, and hard work. This lack of transparency is often a cover for sloppy work or, in some cases, "black hat" tactics. A great agency will be an "open book" and will happily "show their work."

3. Long-Term, Inflexible Contracts

• The Red Flag: They demand you sign a 12-month or 24-month "iron-clad" contract before they have even started.
• Why It Is a Problem: This is a massive sign of a lack of confidence. A good agency knows it will earn your business every single month. The industry standard is a 3-month or 6-month initial "proving" period, followed by a simple 30-day rolling contract.

4. They Want to Build the Account "In Their Name"

• The Red Flag: They say, "We will build your new account inside our own agency 'manager' account."
• Why It Is a Problem: This is a hostage situation. You, the client, must always own your Google Ads account. You simply grant the agency "access." If they build it in their account and you ever decide to leave, they can legally keep all your data, all your campaign history, and all your performance metrics. You are forced to start from scratch.

5. They Only Talk About "Clicks" and "Traffic"

• The Red Flag: Their entire sales pitch and all their sample reports are focused on "impressions" and "clicks."
• Why It Is a Problem: This is a "vanity metrics" agency. It is easy to buy thousands of cheap, irrelevant clicks. It is hard to get conversions. You want a partner who talks about your bottom line: "Cost Per Lead," "Conversion Rate," and "Return on Ad Spend."

6. A "One-Size-Fits-All" Fee Structure

• The Red Flag: They have a generic "bronze, silver, gold" package that they offer to every client.
• Why It Is a Problem: Your business is unique. A local plumber needs a different strategy than a national e-commerce store. A good agency will provide a custom proposal based on your specific goals, your budget, and the level of competition in your market.

7. No Mention of Your Landing Pages

• The Red Flag: They only talk about the ads themselves. They never ask about your website.
• Why It Is a Problem: The ad is only 50% of the battle. The landing page is where the conversion happens. A true strategic partner for Google Ads Management will insist on auditing your landing pages for "message match," speed, and a clear call-to-action.

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