Short answer: hire the person who will actually manage your account, can show real results from similar businesses, tracks leads (not clicks), lets you keep ownership of your account, and doesn't lock you into a long contract.
The 10-point checklist
- Who will manage my account day to day? Get a name.
- Can you show results from a similar business? Ask for real screenshots or a live walkthrough, not just percentages.
- Will the account be in my name? You should own the Google Ads account and be the admin.
- What will you track as a conversion? The right answer is real leads or sales.
- How often will you check the search terms? At least weekly; daily for new accounts.
- What will you do in the first 30 days? A good answer is specific: tracking, structure, negatives, landing page.
- How will you report? Leads, cost per lead and what changed, in plain language.
- Is the fee separate from my ad spend? It should be clear what goes to Google and what goes to them.
- What's the notice period? Month-to-month is common for freelancers.
- Are you Google Ads certified? Not everything, but a basic signal of knowledge.
Red flags
- Guaranteed rankings, guaranteed ROAS or "first page guaranteed".
- They want to run ads from their own account, not yours.
- Reports that only show impressions and clicks.
- Long lock-in contracts before any results.
- Screenshots that can't be verified, or results with no dates.
Freelancer or agency?
| Freelancer | Agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | The person you speak to | Often a team, sometimes juniors |
| Best for | Google Ads as your main channel | Many channels at once |
| Contract | Usually month-to-month | Often 3–12 months |
More detail: hiring a Google Ads freelancer and Google Ads management services.
How pricing usually works
Management is charged as a flat monthly fee, a percentage of ad spend, or a mix. A flat fee keeps incentives clean. Ad spend is always separate and paid to Google, plus 18% GST in India. See Google Ads costs in India.
How I can help
Ask me all 10 questions on a free call. I'd rather you hire the right person than the wrong one. On a free 30-minute call I open your account with you, show you what I'd fix first, and give you a 90-day plan you can keep, whether or not you hire me. See how I work or what Google Ads costs in India.
Pick a time for your free strategy call
30 minutes on video, free. Times are shown in your own time zone.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask before hiring a Google Ads expert?
Who manages the account, real results from similar businesses, whether you own the account, what counts as a conversion, how often they check search terms, and the notice period.
Should I hire a Google Ads freelancer or an agency?
A freelancer suits businesses where Google Ads is the main channel and direct access matters. An agency suits businesses that need many channels managed together.
Who should own the Google Ads account?
You should. Ask to be the admin on an account in your business name, and add the expert as a user.
Is a guarantee of results a good sign?
No. No one can honestly guarantee ROAS or rankings without knowing your market, offer and website.
Written by Sunjot Singh, Google Ads specialist. Last updated 1 October 2026.