Google Ads can be a useful way to promote your holiday let, especially when you want to reach people who are already searching for somewhere to stay.
Unlike social media, where people may simply be browsing, Google searches often show intent.
Someone typing “dog friendly cottage in Warwickshire” or “holiday let near Stratford-upon-Avon” is already looking for accommodation.
That makes Google Ads worth considering.
But they work best when you have a clear website to send people to.
🔍 What Are Google Ads?
Google Ads allow you to pay for your website to appear in search results for selected search terms.
For example, you might want your website to appear when someone searches for:
✅ Holiday cottage near Stratford-upon-Avon
✅ Dog friendly holiday let in Warwickshire
✅ Countryside weekend break
✅ Family holiday accommodation near the Cotswolds
✅ Self-catering cottage with parking
✅ Romantic cottage break
✅ Holiday let near local attractions
The aim is to appear when someone is already searching for something your property offers.
🏡 Why Google Ads Can Work For Holiday Lets
Google Ads can be useful because they target people at the moment they are looking.
A simple journey might look like this:
Guest searches on Google
↓
Your advert appears
↓
Guest clicks through to your website
↓
Guest views your property
↓
Guest sends an enquiry
This can be helpful if you want to:
✅ Promote quieter dates
✅ Increase direct enquiries
✅ Reach people searching in your area
✅ Advertise seasonal breaks
✅ Highlight dog-friendly stays
✅ Promote local events
✅ Reduce reliance on booking platforms
Google Ads are not magic, but they can help your website get in front of the right people.
📍 1. Choose The Right Search Terms
The success of Google Ads often depends on choosing the right search terms.
Very broad searches can waste money.
For example, a search like “holiday cottage” is probably too general.
A more useful search might be:
“dog friendly holiday cottage in Warwickshire”
or
“holiday let near Stratford-upon-Avon with parking”
These searches are more specific.
They are more likely to match what the guest actually wants.
Think about your property and location.
Useful search terms might include:
✅ Property type
✅ Location
✅ Nearby towns
✅ Local attractions
✅ Dog-friendly features
✅ Family-friendly stays
✅ Romantic breaks
✅ Parking
✅ Hot tub
✅ Countryside
✅ Beach
✅ Walking routes
The more relevant the search term, the better the chance of attracting the right guest.
🌐 2. Send People To The Right Website Page
Google Ads should not just send people to a confusing or unfinished page.
If someone clicks your advert, they should land on a page that clearly matches what they searched for.
For example:
If your advert is about dog-friendly stays, the page should mention dogs.
If your advert is about weekend breaks, the page should talk about short stays.
If your advert is about a local event, the page should explain how close your property is.
A good landing page should include:
✅ Clear headline
✅ Strong photos
✅ Property details
✅ Location information
✅ Guest benefits
✅ Reviews if available
✅ Simple enquiry button
✅ Contact details
The advert brings the guest in.
The website needs to do the convincing.
📷 3. Good Photos Matter
When someone clicks a Google Ad, they will usually look at your photos very quickly.
Your photos should help them understand the property and imagine staying there.
Useful photos include:
✅ Exterior of the property
✅ Living area
✅ Bedrooms
✅ Kitchen
✅ Bathroom
✅ Garden or outdoor space
✅ Views
✅ Local area
✅ Special features
✅ Seasonal photos
Good photos can make your advert spend work harder.
If your photos are poor, people may leave the website without enquiring.
✍️ 4. Make The Page Clear And Helpful
Your website page should answer the questions guests are likely to have.
This may include:
✅ Where is the property?
✅ How many people does it sleep?
✅ Is it dog-friendly?
✅ Is there parking?
✅ What is nearby?
✅ What makes it special?
✅ How do I enquire?
✅ Can I trust this owner?
The clearer the page is, the more likely the guest is to stay and take action.
A confusing website can waste ad budget.
A clear website can help turn clicks into enquiries.
💷 5. Start With A Sensible Budget
You do not need to spend a huge amount straight away.
It is usually better to start small, test carefully and see what happens.
A sensible approach might be:
Choose one clear goal
↓
Choose a small set of search terms
↓
Send visitors to one strong website page
↓
Track enquiries
↓
Adjust based on results
The aim is not just to get clicks.
The aim is to get useful enquiries.
📅 6. Use Google Ads For Specific Gaps
Google Ads can be especially useful when you have particular dates to fill.
For example:
✅ Last-minute availability
✅ Off-season weekends
✅ Midweek breaks
✅ Winter stays
✅ Event weekends
✅ School holiday gaps
✅ Christmas or New Year availability
Instead of advertising everything all the time, you can focus on the dates or types of stay that matter most.
This can make your budget more targeted.
📍 7. Use Local Area Searches
Holiday let searches are often location-based.
Guests may search for accommodation near a town, attraction, wedding venue, event or walking route.
Your adverts and website can mention nearby places such as:
✅ Towns and villages
✅ Tourist attractions
✅ Walking routes
✅ Wedding venues
✅ Beaches
✅ Countryside areas
✅ Historic sites
✅ Event locations
✅ Family attractions
✅ Local pubs and restaurants
This helps your advert feel more relevant.
It also helps guests understand why your property is suitable for their trip.
✅ 8. Make Enquiries Easy
If someone has clicked your advert, do not make them work hard to contact you.
Your website should make the next step obvious.
You could include:
✅ Contact form
✅ Email address
✅ Phone number
✅ WhatsApp link
✅ Enquiry button
✅ Availability guidance
✅ Simple booking information
A simple enquiry journey might look like this:
Guest clicks advert
↓
Guest views page
↓
Guest likes the property
↓
Guest clicks enquire
↓
Guest contacts you directly
The fewer obstacles, the better.
📊 9. Track What Happens
Google Ads should be reviewed regularly.
It is important to know whether your adverts are producing useful results.
Look at:
✅ Which search terms get clicks
✅ Which adverts perform best
✅ Which pages people visit
✅ Whether enquiries increase
✅ Which dates get interest
✅ How much each enquiry costs
✅ Whether the enquiries are suitable
Do not judge success on clicks alone.
A click is only useful if it has a chance of becoming an enquiry or booking.
⚠️ 10. Avoid Wasting Budget
Google Ads can waste money if they are too broad or poorly set up.
Be careful with:
❌ Very broad search terms
❌ Sending people to weak pages
❌ Poor photos
❌ No clear enquiry button
❌ Unclear pricing or availability
❌ Advertising areas you do not serve
❌ Not checking results
❌ Running ads without a goal
Google Ads work best when they are focused.
Clear search terms.
Clear website page.
Clear enquiry route.
🧭 Simple Google Ads Flow
Here is a simple way to think about Google Ads:
Choose the dates or stays you want to promote
↓
Choose specific search terms
↓
Create a clear advert
↓
Send people to a useful website page
↓
Make enquiries easy
↓
Review the results
This keeps your advertising focused and easier to manage.
✅ Google Ads Checklist For Holiday Let Owners
Before running Google Ads, ask yourself:
☐ Do I have a clear goal?
☐ Do I know which dates or stays I want to promote?
☐ Have I chosen specific search terms?
☐ Does my website page match the advert?
☐ Are my photos strong?
☐ Is my property information clear?
☐ Is my enquiry button easy to find?
☐ Am I tracking enquiries?
☐ Am I starting with a sensible budget?
☐ Am I reviewing results regularly?
If several of these are missing, it may be worth improving your website before spending money on ads.
Final Thoughts
Google Ads can be useful for holiday let owners, especially when you want to reach guests who are already searching.
They can help promote quieter dates, support direct enquiries and bring more people to your own website.
But adverts alone are not enough.
Your website needs to do its job too.
It should show your property clearly, explain the value, build trust and make it easy for guests to contact you.
Google Ads can help guests find you.
Your website helps them decide.
Together, they can support a stronger direct booking strategy.
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