A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Ads for Party Rental Businesses

A step-by-step walkthrough to set up, optimize, and scale your Google ads campaigns.

Written by: Marcelo Flores

Google Ads is one of the most powerful tools to put your business in front of people who are actively searching for what you offer. Whether you rent chairs, tables or tents, this step-by-step guide gives you the tools to start driving real results.

But tools only work if you use them. If you’ve been putting this off, now’s the time to take action. Follow this step-by-step guide, set up your first campaign, and start bringing in leads today.

👉 Download Now our FREE EBOOK on How to Grow Your Event Rental from $0 to $100k!

1. Why Google Ads Work for Party Rentals

When someone searches “wedding chair rentals near me” they’re not just browsing, they’re looking to book. That’s the power of Google Ads. It connects your business with people who are actively searching for the exact services you offer.

Unlike social media ads that rely on catching attention while someone scrolls, Google Ads is intent-based. That means your ad shows up when people are already looking for your products, putting you in front of high-quality leads.

It’s a PPC (pay-per-click) platform, which means you’ll only pay for people who are actually clicking on your ad.

Why It Works So Well for Party Rentals:

• High Intent: You’re reaching people who are ready to rent, not just dreaming.

• Local Targeting: You can show your ads only to people near your delivery area.

• Fast Results: Get bookings the same day you start running ads.

• Budget-Friendly Control: You decide how much you spend and can scale up or down anytime.

If your goal is to stay booked during wedding season, fill your calendar for graduation parties, or promote seasonal discounts, Google Ads is one of the most direct, cost-effective ways to do it.

Considering the sales and marketing funnel, Google Ads, or PPC, would be located at the bottom of the funnel, in the conversion stage.

2. Setting Up Your Google Ads Account

Before running any campaigns, you’ll need to set up your Google Ads account the right way. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds, and we’ll walk you through every step.

Step 1: Go to ads.google.com

Click “Start Now” and sign in using a Google account (preferably the one you use for your business).

Step 2: Switch to Expert Mode

Google will push you into a “Smart Campaign,” but you want full control. At the bottom of the page, click “Switch to Expert Mode.” This gives you full access to all campaign types, ad groups, targeting, and reporting tools.

Step 3: Set Up Your First Campaign (We’ll Come Back to This Later)

Google may prompt you to create a campaign right away — skip this for now so we can first build a solid foundation.

Step 4: Set Up Your Billing

Go to Tools > Billing Settings. Add your payment method so your ads can go live once you’re ready.

Step 5: Connect Google Ads to Google Analytics

This step isn’t mandatory, but it gives you deeper insights into what happens after someone clicks your ad. To link them:

• Go to Tools & Settings > Linked Accounts.

• Choose Google Analytics (GA4).

• Follow the prompts to connect your property.

3. Understanding Google Ads Structure

Before launching your first campaign, it’s crucial to understand how Google Ads is structured. Think of it like a hierarchy, each level plays a specific role and controls different settings.

The 3 Core Levels of Google Ads

1. Campaign – The Foundation

A campaign is the highest level in Google Ads. Here you define:

• Your overall goal (leads, traffic, sales)

• Your budget

• Your geographic targeting

• Your bidding strategy

• Your networks (Search, Display, YouTube, etc.)

You’ll likely start with a Search campaign, which shows ads in Google’s search results.

Before you select your campaign type, Google asks you to pick an objective. This helps the algorithm optimize your campaign based on your business goals. Here are the most relevant options for party rental businesses:

• Leads: Best for getting quote requests or form submissions
• Website Traffic: Great for sending visitors to a landing page
• Sales: If you offer instant bookings online
• Local Store Visits: Ideal if you have a showroom or warehouse customers can visit

2. Ad Groups – Organize by Theme

Each campaign contains one or more ad groups. These are like folders where you organize related keywords and ads. For example:

• One ad group could be for “wedding rentals”

• Another for “tent rentals”

• A third for “chair rentals”

This helps you show the most relevant ad to the user based on what they searched.

3. Ads & Keywords – The Action Layer

Inside each ad group, you’ll create:

• Keywords: The search terms you want your ads to show up for.

• Ads: The actual text that users will see when they search.

Each ad should match the intent of the keywords in that group, and send users to a relevant landing page.

4. Choosing the Right Campaign Type

Google Ads offers multiple campaign types, but not all of them are ideal for party rental businesses, especially when you’re just getting started. Choosing the right campaign type ensures your ads show up in the right place, at the right time, to the right audience.

Let’s break down the most relevant options:

Search Campaigns

Best for: Generating leads from people actively looking for party rentals.

These are the classic text ads that appear on Google’s search results when someone types a relevant query (e.g., “tent rental near me” or “wedding chair rentals”).

✅ Why it works: You’re catching people with high intent—they’re already searching for what you offer.

✅ Start here: For most party rental businesses, this should be your first and main campaign type.

Display Campaigns

Best for: Building brand awareness through banner ads across websites.

Your ads appear on websites that your potential clients visit (like wedding blogs or event planning forums), even if they’re not actively searching at the moment.

Display ads tend to have lower conversion rates and are better for retargeting or brand visibility, not direct lead generation.

Performance Max Campaigns

Best for: Broad coverage with automation.

Performance Max campaigns let Google decide where to show your ads across Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail, and Maps, all using automation.

✅ Pro: You can reach more people with less manual work.

⚠️ Con: Less control, and they require solid creative assets (images, videos, headlines, etc.) to work well.

Recommendation: Start with Search Campaigns

If you’re a beginner or working with a limited budget, Search campaigns are the best place to start. They offer:

• Clear targeting

• High intent

• Easier tracking

• Predictable results

5. Keyword Research for Rentals

The success of your Google Ads campaign depends heavily on the keywords you choose. In simple terms, keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google when looking for services like yours. Your job is to figure out which ones your ideal clients are using, and build your ads around them.

Let’s walk through how to find the right keywords for your party rental business.

Start with Your Core Services

Begin by brainstorming keywords that describe exactly what you rent. Think like a customer.

Be specific. If you rent Chiavari chairs, folding tables or lounge furniture, include that in your list.

Use Google’s Keyword Planner Tool

If you’re starting from scratch, use the Google Keyword Planner (inside your Google Ads account) to:

• Get keyword ideas based on your website or services

• See how many people search for each term per month

• Check how competitive each keyword is

• Estimate costs (CPC = cost per click)

This way you’ll bid for keywords that actually have demand. Filter for your local area to find terms actually used by customers in your city or region.

Use Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific search phrases like “white folding chair rentals for backyard wedding”.

Why use them?

✅ Lower competition

✅ Higher conversion rates

✅ More affordable clicks

Group Keywords by Intent

Not all keywords are equal. Some people are just browsing, others are ready to book. Here’s how to split them:

High-intent (best for ads):

• “rent party chairs near me”

• “tent rental quote”

• “book event furniture rental”

Low-intent (best for SEO or content):

• “how many chairs for a wedding”

• “best chairs for outdoor events”

Negative Keywords = Money Saved

Negative keywords are words you tell Google to avoid showing your ads for. This keeps your budget from being wasted on irrelevant searches.

Update your negative keyword list regularly. This helps the algorithm understand who shouldn’t see your ads, and improves your ad targeting over time.

If you skip this step, your ads may show up to people who will never book with you, wasting precious budget.

6. Writing Ads That Convert

Now that you have the right keywords, it’s time to write ads that actually get clicks and turn those clicks into leads. Great ads do two things:

• Capture attention

• Convince the user to take action

Let’s break it down.

Focus on the User’s Intent

People clicking on your ads are looking for answers, prices, and availability. Think on how a user thinks, they want to see what they’re looking for and they want it fast.

Your ad should speak directly to that intent.

Use Keywords in Your Headline

Google highlights terms users search for when they appear in your ad. This boosts visibility and relevance.

If your ad includes the keyword, the ad would feel more personalized and relevant, and that improves your click-through rate (CTR).

For example:

“Chiavari Chair Rentals – Perfect for Weddings”

Highlight What Makes You Different

Think: Why should someone rent from you? Mention what sets you apart:

• Free delivery or setup

• Same-day quotes

• 5-star Google reviews

• Exclusive chair styles or packages

• Serving specific locations (e.g., “Now Serving Dallas & Fort Worth”)

Make your offer feel exclusive and trustworthy.

Always Include a Call to Action (CTA)

Tell the user what to do next:

• Get a Free Quote

• Call Now

• Check Availability

• Book Your Date Today

A CTA gives clear direction, and Google rewards ads with higher engagement.

7. Setting Your Budget & Bids

You don’t need a huge budget to see results with Google Ads, but you do need a smart strategy.

Knowing how much to spend, how to structure your bids, and how to control your costs will keep your campaign profitable from day one.

Know Your Numbers

Before you set your budget, ask:

• What is one lead worth to me?

• How many leads can I handle weekly/monthly?

• What’s my average order value?

This helps you understand your target cost per lead and measure profitability.

8. Tracking & Conversion Setup

If you don’t track conversions, you won’t know if your ads are working. Setting up proper tracking is what turns random clicks into real business data — and helps you scale profitably.

This step is not optional if you want to grow.

Install the Google Ads Conversion Tag

Google Ads lets you track actions people take after clicking your ad. To do this:

1. Go to Tools & Settings > Conversions in Google Ads
2. Click “+ New Conversion Action”
3. Choose Website
4. Define your goal: e.g. “Submit Lead Form”
5. Google will generate a code snippet
6. Add that code to the thank-you page of your form (the page users see after submitting a quote)

👉 This tells Google each time someone completes the form = a conversion.

Link Google Ads with Google Analytics

This gives you a full picture of what users do on your site. To do it:

1. Go to Admin > Google Ads Linking in Google Analytics
2. Link your Google Ads account
3. Make sure auto-tagging is turned ON in your Google Ads settings

Now you’ll be able to see bounce rate, session time, page views — all from your ad traffic.

9. Optimizing Your Campaigns

Once your Google Ads are live, your job isn’t over, it’s just getting started. Campaign optimization is the most important (and often most overlooked) part of advertising. This is where the real results happen.

Your goal? Cut what’s not working and double down on what is.

Let the Data Flow In First

Before making any changes, give your campaign time to collect data. Let it run for at least 7–10 days or until you get around 100 clicks.

Google’s algorithm needs time to learn. If you tweak too early, you’ll disrupt the learning phase, and possibly waste money.

Key Metrics to Monitor

Here are the top numbers to focus on:

• Click-Through Rate (CTR): Is your ad compelling?

• Cost Per Click (CPC): Are you overpaying for clicks?

• Conversion Rate (CVR): Are clicks turning into leads?

• Cost Per Conversion (CPA): How much are you paying per lead?

• Search Terms Report: Are your ads showing for relevant searches?

Use the Search Terms Report to Add Keywords & Negatives

Go to your Search Terms tab weekly.

• ✅ Add keywords that are converting

• ❌ Add negative keywords to filter out irrelevant searches

This helps you filter out noise and focus your budget where it matters.

Adjust Bids by Device or Location

If most of your conversions come from mobile, increase your mobile bid adjustment. If certain cities or zip codes convert better, increase bids for those areas only.

Smart bidding + manual tweaks = best results.

Today’s algorithm is incredibly smart. The less you interfere (while still guiding it) the better your results will be.

Rinse and Repeat

• Check your metrics weekly

• Make one change at a time

• Test headlines, offers, landing page copy, and CTAs

• Scale what’s working

Remember: Google Ads is a marathon, not a sprint.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to waste money on Google Ads if you’re not careful. Below are the most common mistakes party rental businesses make, and how you can avoid them.

#1 – Not Using Negative Keywords

Failing to use negative keywords means your ads might show up for irrelevant searches like “folding chairs to buy”. These users aren’t looking to rent, they’re looking to shop.

Fix: Review your Search Terms report weekly and build a strong negative keyword list.

#2 – Sending Traffic to a Weak Website

It doesn’t matter how good your ad is, if your website is outdated, confusing, or slow, people will bounce. You’ll be paying for clicks that don’t convert.

Fix: Before you run ads, make sure your landing page is clean, fast, mobile-friendly, and has a clear call to action.

#3 – Bidding Too Broadly

Going after generic keywords like “party rentals” might bring lots of traffic, but it won’t always bring the right traffic.

Fix: Use more specific, long-tail keywords like “Chiavari chair rental in [city]”.

#4 – Not Tracking Conversions

Without conversion tracking (using the Meta Pixel or Google Tag), you won’t know what’s working. You’re flying blind.

Fix: Set up proper conversion tracking for form submissions, phone calls, or quote requests—whatever your goals are.

#5 – Making Too Many Changes Too Fast

If you edit your campaign every day, Google’s algorithm doesn’t get enough time to learn and optimize.

Fix: Make changes once a week, and only change one thing at a time (like a headline, keyword, or audience).

#6 – Ignoring the Mobile Experience

Most of your clicks will likely come from mobile users. If your landing page is slow, hard to read, or difficult to navigate on mobile, users will bounce, and your ad spend will go to waste.

Make sure your website loads fast, displays properly, and makes it easy to request a quote or contact you, all from a smartphone.

Pro Tip: Use Google PageSpeed Insights. Test to evaluate your mobile performance. A slow, unresponsive mobile site is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make in paid ads. Fix it before scaling your campaign.

11. Bonus: Retargeting with Google Ads

Most people won’t convert the first time they visit your website, and that’s okay.

In fact, as for today, people need between 8-12 contacts with a company before they decide to contact for the first time. That’s why retargeting is so important, it lets you bring them back when they’re more ready to book.

What Is Retargeting?

Retargeting (or remarketing) is when you show ads to users who’ve already interacted with your business, visited your site, viewed specific pages, or clicked on an ad but didn’t convert.

For party rentals, this means reminding potential customers about your chairs, tents, or packages after they’ve already shown interest.

How to Set Up Retargeting

1. Install the Google Ads Tag (or use your GA4 tag): This tracks user behavior on your site and builds your audience.
2. Create a Custom Audience: In your Google Ads Audience Manager, create audiences like:
   • “Visited contact page”
   • “Viewed packages but didn’t convert”
   • “Added to quote form but didn’t submit”
3. Launch a Display or Search Campaign to Retarget: Create a new campaign targeting these warm audiences. Keep messaging direct, personalized, and offer-driven.

What to Show in Retargeting Ads

• Remind users of limited-time offers or upcoming availability

• Showcase new products or popular packages

• Use testimonials or before-and-after images from recent events

• Invite them to finish booking or request a quote

---

Google Ads can be a game-changer for your party rental business—but only if it’s done right. From campaign setup to keyword research, ad copy, and conversion tracking, every detail matters.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert or have a huge budget to see results. Start with the basics, test and optimize, and scale what works.