You left a big firm 14 months ago and need clients NOW. Google said Smart Campaigns would help — instead, your $800/mo shows Display ads to people browsing recipe sites. You can't even see your search terms. You're not bad at marketing — Google's defaults are designed to spend your money, not generate cases.
$0
Varies by metro; custody terms often cheaper than divorce
$0
With Search campaigns and proper geo targeting
$0
Divorce and custody cases in mid-size metros
0%
Typical Display spend in 'recommended' Smart setups
You clicked 'Accept all recommendations' because Google said it would improve your optimization score. Now your $800/mo runs Smart Campaigns on the Display Network — and you can't even see which search terms trigger your ads.
At $800/mo you're getting maybe 2-3 real inquiries. Your cost per client is $300-400 — acceptable at $3,500 retainer, but you need 3x the volume to build a sustainable practice.
People searching for a divorce attorney in San Antonio land on a generic template page. No case-type specific content, no trust signals, no clear path to schedule a consultation.
You don't understand why you can't see what people searched to find you. You don't know about the difference between Smart Campaigns and Search campaigns — and Google's UI doesn't explain it.
“I just started my own law firm and I need clients NOW. Is $500/month enough for Google Ads?”Reddit r/LawFirm
“Google keeps telling me to 'accept recommendations' — is that a good idea?”Reddit r/PPC
“I set up a 'Smart Campaign' and I'm getting zero calls.”Reddit r/PPC
Google's 'recommendations' aren't recommendations — they're instructions to spend more money on placements that benefit Google. A real Search campaign costs the same $800/mo but targets people actually searching for a family lawyer.
Client inquiries/month
Campaign type
Cost per new client
Search term visibility
Each product builds on the previous one. Start where you are, progress at your own pace.
Discover if your campaigns are running on Display instead of Search, which 'recommendations' wasted your budget, and what a properly structured campaign looks like.
Set up call tracking and conversion attribution so you know exactly which keywords generate $3,500 retainer clients — not just phone calls from people asking for free advice.
Case-type keyword strategy for divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders. Proper Search campaigns that show your ads to people actively looking for a family attorney in your area.
Case-type specific landing pages with free consultation CTAs, client testimonials, and qualification questions that filter serious inquiries from tire kickers.
Tactics, case studies, and strategies for family law attorneys advertisers. No spam.
You're sharp enough to pass the bar and build a practice from scratch. Google Ads isn't harder than family law — it's just unfamiliar. Switch from Smart Campaigns to Search, track real clients, and build the consistent lead flow you need to hit $200K.