Why Your Google Ads Get Clicks But No Conversions
You set up a Google Ads campaign, your budget’s getting spent, the clicks are coming in—things seem to be working. But then you check conversions and… nothing. No sales. No sign-ups. Just an expensive pile of “interest” that led nowhere.
It’s frustrating. And honestly? It’s more common than you think.
I’ve seen this happen to brand-new startups and established businesses alike. The problem isn’t always obvious, but once you know where to look, it starts to make sense. Here are the most common reasons your Google Ads might be getting clicks without conversions—along with some real-world fixes that can actually help.
1. Your Ad Sounds Amazing… But the Landing Page Doesn’t Match
This one’s a classic mistake.
Maybe your ad says, “Get 40% Off Your First Order.” Sounds great! But when someone clicks, they land on your homepage with no mention of that discount. That disconnect? It breaks trust.
If your ad makes a promise, the landing page has to follow through. Think of it like a conversation—you can’t start by offering a deal and then change the subject as soon as they reply.
What to do:
Check your ad copy and landing page side by side. Are they saying the same thing? Using the same tone? Highlighting the same offer? Consistency = trust.
2. You’re Targeting Too Broad
Not every click is a good click.
Sometimes ads are too vague or too wide in their targeting. You might be getting traffic from people who aren’t even looking for what you’re offering—they’re just curious.
We once had a client advertising bookkeeping services. They were getting loads of clicks… from students searching “how to learn accounting.” Not exactly potential clients.
What to do:
Dig into your keyword strategy. Use negative keywords. Be specific. Don’t just chase traffic—chase the right traffic.
3. Your Landing Page Needs Help
Even if your ad and offer are solid, people won’t convert on a messy, slow, or confusing page. If it takes more than 3 seconds to load or feels like it was designed in 2007, people will bounce.
What to do:
Simplify. Speed up the load time. Make your CTA (call to action) obvious. And test your page on mobile—because that’s where a lot of your traffic is probably coming from.
4. Too Many Choices = No Action
If your landing page has five different buttons, links to other pages, or a confusing layout, people get overwhelmed. And when people are overwhelmed, they leave.
What to do:
Pick one goal for the page. Whether it’s a sign-up, a product purchase, or booking a call—make that the focus. Clean design, clear CTA, no distractions.
5. You Haven’t Built Enough Trust
This one’s huge, especially if you’re selling something high-ticket or asking for personal info.
If your site looks sketchy, doesn’t show any reviews, or lacks basic contact info, people hesitate. And they should.
What to do:
Add testimonials, logos of brands you’ve worked with, a few case studies—anything that shows you're legit. Even small touches like a photo of your team or a real address can help people feel safer clicking “buy” or “submit.”
6. You’re Measuring the Wrong Stuff
Clicks, impressions, CTR… these are nice, but they don’t tell you why people aren’t converting. If you’re not tracking behavior on your site, you’re missing the bigger picture.
What to do:
Use Google Analytics and heatmaps (like Hotjar) to see what people are doing after they click. Where do they drop off? Are they scrolling? Are they getting stuck? Data will show you what guessing never can.
7. Your Offer Just Isn’t Compelling Enough
And finally, this one hurts—but sometimes it’s the offer itself.
If what you’re selling doesn’t feel urgent, useful, or different from everyone else… People won’t bite. They’ll click, take a look, and move on.
What to do:
Ask yourself, would I convert on this? Is the offer clear, valuable, and easy to act on? If it feels “meh,” test something stronger—like a free trial, limited-time bonus, or clearer problem-solution angle.
Wrapping It Up
Clicks are easy. Conversions are where the real work begins.
If your Google Ads aren’t turning into results, don’t panic—but don’t keep pouring money into it either. Take a step back. Look at the journey your visitors are taking, from the ad to the landing page to the action you want them to take.
Fix what’s broken. Test what’s unclear. And above all—focus on helping real people solve real problems.
