If you’re looking to improve your Google Ads campaigns, you may be wondering whether you should hire a local agency or a remote Google Ads manager.
Both options can work well. The better choice depends on factors such as experience, communication, pricing, market knowledge, and how well the manager understands your business.
Google Ads can help businesses reach people who are actively searching for their products or services. It also provides access to performance data, flexible budgets, and audience targeting.
So, what should you consider before choosing a provider?
What Is a Local Google Ads Agency?
A local agency is a marketing company based in your country or region. For a New Zealand business, this could mean working with an agency based in New Zealand.
One potential advantage is local market knowledge.
A local agency may already understand:
- The New Zealand market
- Local customer behaviour
- Regional competition
- Local search habits
- New Zealand businesses and industries
Communication can also be convenient if you prefer working with someone during similar business hours.
Additionally, a local agency may offer other services alongside Google Ads, such as SEO, web design, or social media marketing.
What Is a Remote Google Ads Manager?
A remote Google Ads manager works with you from another location. Since most Google Ads management can be handled online, they don’t necessarily need to be located near your business.
A remote manager can handle tasks such as:
- Campaign setup
- Keyword research
- Ad creation
- Budget management
- Search term analysis
- Conversion tracking
- Campaign optimisation
- Performance reporting
Therefore, location isn’t necessarily the most important factor. What matters is whether the manager has the skills and experience needed to manage your campaigns effectively.
Local vs Remote: What Should You Compare?
Instead of focusing only on location, compare the actual service you will receive.
1. Google Ads Experience
First, look at their experience.
Ask how long they have managed Google Ads and what types of businesses they have worked with. You can also ask about the campaign types they have managed and the budgets they have worked with.
Experience matters because Google Ads involves much more than creating advertisements.
For example, keyword selection, bidding, campaign structure, conversion tracking, search terms, and ongoing optimisation can all affect performance.
2. Understanding Your Business
Your Google Ads manager should understand what you’re trying to achieve.
For example, a plumbing company may care about phone calls and quote requests rather than simply getting more website visitors.
Similarly, an online store may focus on purchases and revenue.
Google Ads conversion measurement allows businesses to track valuable actions such as purchases, sign-ups, and phone calls. It can also help identify which campaigns, ads, and keywords are driving those actions.
Before hiring someone, ask:
“How would you measure success for my business?”
Their answer can tell you whether they understand the difference between advertising metrics and actual business results.
3. Conversion Tracking
Another important factor is conversion tracking.
Your Google Ads manager should know how to track the actions that matter to your business. Depending on your goals, this could include:
- Phone calls
- Form submissions
- Purchases
- Bookings
- Quote requests
- Sign-ups
Without reliable conversion tracking, it can be difficult to understand whether your advertising budget is producing valuable results. Google also recommends conversion measurement as a way to understand which parts of a campaign are driving meaningful customer actions.
4. Communication
Communication is important whether your manager is local or remote.
A local agency may be convenient if you prefer face-to-face meetings. However, a remote manager can also communicate effectively through email, video calls, Slack, or other online tools.
The key is consistency.
Ask how often you will receive updates and reports. Also, find out how quickly you can expect a response when you have an important question or issue.
5. Cost
Pricing can vary between agencies and individual Google Ads managers.
However, choosing the cheapest option isn’t always the best approach.
Instead, look at what is included in the service.
For example, does the provider handle:
- Campaign optimisation?
- Search term analysis?
- Negative keywords?
- Conversion tracking?
- Ad testing?
- Reporting?
- Landing page recommendations?
A lower management fee may not provide much value if the campaigns receive little attention.
Does Local Market Knowledge Matter?
For some businesses, local knowledge can be useful.
If you’re targeting customers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hawke’s Bay, or another New Zealand region, your Google Ads manager needs to understand your target audience and geographic targeting.
However, a remote manager can also learn about your market through research.
They can analyse competitors, search behaviour, locations, keywords, and customer needs before making campaign decisions.
As a result, don’t automatically assume that someone needs to be physically located in New Zealand to manage campaigns targeting New Zealand customers.
What Should You Ask Before Hiring?
Whether you’re considering a local agency or remote Google Ads manager, ask a few practical questions before making a decision.
For example:
- How do you measure campaign success?
- What experience do you have with businesses like mine?
- How do you handle conversion tracking?
- How often do you optimise campaigns?
- How often will I receive reports?
- What happens if campaign performance drops?
- Will I have access to my Google Ads account?
These questions can help you understand how the manager works before you commit.
So, Which Should You Choose?
There isn’t one option that works for every business.
A local agency may suit you if you value local knowledge, face-to-face meetings, and having a marketing team nearby.
On the other hand, a remote Google Ads manager may suit you if you’re comfortable working online and want to access expertise regardless of location.
Ultimately, focus on the person’s experience, communication, tracking setup, optimisation process, and understanding of your business.
Location should be one consideration—not the only consideration.
Need Google Ads Help in New Zealand?
Choosing between a local agency and a remote Google Ads manager can be difficult. However, focusing on experience, transparency, communication, and measurable results can make the decision much easier.
Hands Free Marketing helps businesses across New Zealand with Google Ads management, campaign optimisation, conversion tracking, and ongoing performance improvement.
If you want clarity instead of guesswork, get in touch.
👉 Book your free 15-minute consult
📞 027 590 9421
📧 jevon@handsfreemarketing.com
🌐 Web Design Hawke’s Bay