How Irish Tradespeople Write Better Google and Facebook Ads Using AI (in 30 Minutes)
Most small business ads fail not because of targeting — but because the copy is vague, generic, and gives the customer no reason to click. Claude AI writes sharper ad copy in 10 minutes than most business owners produce in an hour. Here's exactly how to do it.
Quick Answer
Irish tradespeople can use Claude AI to write Google Search Ads (headlines: 30 characters max, descriptions: 90 characters max) and Facebook Ads (primary text, headline, CTA) in under 30 minutes. Claude-written ads typically achieve 2–3x higher click-through rates than self-written copy. Google ads require €10–20/day minimum budget; Facebook ads work for Irish local trades from €5–15/day.
Why do most small business ads fail in Ireland?
The most common reasons Irish small business ads fail have nothing to do with budget:
- Too vague — "Quality plumbing services in Dublin" tells the customer nothing specific. Why you? Why now?
- No USP — What makes you different from the other 15 plumbers advertising in your area?
- No call to action — "Learn more" is not a CTA. "Get a free quote today" or "Call now — same day callout" is.
- No local specificity — Generic ads perform worse than ads that name a specific area or county.
Claude fixes all four of these problems by forcing you to specify your USP, service area, and offer — and then writing copy that uses them precisely within Google and Facebook's character limits.
How do you use Claude to write Google Search Ads?
| Ad element | Character limit | Claude provides | You provide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlines (up to 15) | 30 chars each | Yes | Job type, location |
| Descriptions (up to 4) | 90 chars each | Yes | USP, offer |
| Keywords | N/A | Suggestions | Final selection |
| Negative keywords | N/A | Suggestions | Final selection |
Prompt — Google Search Ads (copy and paste)
Write Google Search Ad copy for an Irish trades business. Provide 8 headline options (max 30 characters each) and 2 description options (max 90 characters each). Business type: [e.g. Plumber] Service area: [e.g. Dublin and Kildare] USP: [e.g. RGII-registered, same-day callout, free quote] Offer: [e.g. Free quote within 2 hours] Target keywords: [e.g. emergency plumber Dublin, boiler repair Kildare] After the ad copy, suggest 10 relevant keywords and 5 negative keywords (e.g. 'free', 'DIY', 'training') to exclude irrelevant clicks.
Before uploading to Google Ads: Check that each headline is ≤30 characters (count spaces) and each description is ≤90 characters. Claude is usually accurate but occasionally goes 1–2 characters over. Use a free online character counter to verify.
How do you use Claude to write Facebook Ads for a trade business?
Facebook Ads have more flexibility than Google Ads — primary text up to 125 characters, headline up to 27 characters, and a CTA button. Facebook also shows an image, which you source separately (photos of your work are ideal).
Prompt — Facebook Ad (copy and paste)
Write Facebook ad copy for an Irish trades business. Provide: - Primary text (max 125 characters, punchy opening) - Headline (max 27 characters) - Description (max 30 characters, optional) - Suggested CTA button (e.g. Get Quote, Learn More, Call Now) Write 3 variations — one focused on price/value, one on speed/availability, one on trust/credentials. Business: [trade type], [location] USP: [your differentiator] Audience: homeowners in [county/area]
Running 3 variations lets you A/B test what resonates with your specific audience. After 2 weeks, the variation with the highest click-through rate becomes your control for the next campaign.
What targeting do you use?
Claude writes the copy but cannot set up the targeting — that's done inside Google Ads or Meta Business Suite. Here's the targeting approach for each platform:
Google Search Ads: Location radius (e.g. 25km from your base town). Intent keywords matching your exact services. Negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches (e.g. "free", "DIY", "training", "apprenticeship"). Target only Search — not Display or YouTube when starting out.
Facebook Ads: Location: county or specific radius. Age: 28–65 (homeowner demographic). Interests: home improvement, property ownership. Homeowner checkbox where available in your targeting options. Exclude recent movers if your service requires settled residents.
What are realistic ad budgets for Irish trades?
| Platform | Minimum daily | Recommended start | Monthly spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Search | €5 | €10–15/day | €300–450 |
| Facebook/Instagram | €1 | €5–10/day | €150–300 |
For a plumbing business with average job value of €300–500, you need to book one job per month from ads to break even at a €300 monthly Google budget. Most Irish trades businesses that run ads properly see a 3–8x return on ad spend. The AI-written copy is a one-time 30-minute task; the targeting and budget management is the ongoing work.
What do you do when an ad works?
When you identify a winning headline and description combination — CTR above 8% for Google, above 2% for Facebook — do three things:
- Save the exact prompt you used in Claude — label it "WINNING AD — [service] — [location] — [date]"
- Use it as the base for your next campaign — iterate from the winner, don't start from scratch
- Test one new variable (different headline, different offer) against the control
For more on AI content and marketing for Irish businesses, see our guide on AI for social media and AI lead generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Claude AI write Google Ads for a trade business?
Yes. Claude writes Google Search Ad headlines (30 chars max) and descriptions (90 chars max) within Google's character limits. You provide job type, location, USP, and offer. Claude writes the copy; you upload it to Google Ads yourself.
How much should an Irish plumber or electrician spend on Google Ads?
Start at €10–15 per day minimum to gather meaningful data. Monthly budget: €300–450. Below €10/day, you get too few clicks to optimise. Compare to the value of one booked job — for most trades, one job per month covers the ad spend.
What is the character limit for Google Search Ad headlines?
Google Search Ads allow up to 15 headlines, each with a maximum of 30 characters. Descriptions have a maximum of 90 characters each. Claude generates copy within these limits when they're included in the prompt.
Is Facebook advertising worth it for Irish trades businesses?
Yes, when targeted correctly — homeowners within 20–30km, aged 28–65. Facebook works at lower budgets than Google (€5–10/day). Google captures active demand; Facebook builds awareness. Most Irish trades businesses benefit from running both.
How many ad variations should I A/B test for a trade business?
Start with 2–3 variations per ad set. Change one variable at a time — headline, image, or CTA. Run each for at least 7–14 days or until 100+ impressions. Claude writes 5 variations in 10 minutes.
Can I use Claude to write different ads for different areas of Ireland?
Yes. Ask Claude for area-specific versions: "Write this ad for Dublin", "for Cork", "for Galway." Local specificity significantly improves click-through rates for trade businesses.
What is a good click-through rate for a trade business Google Ad?
5–10% CTR is good; 10%+ is excellent. The all-industry average is ~3–5%. High CTR is achieved by matching your headline to the exact search query and having a specific, strong offer in the description.
Live AI Ad Writing Workshop
Our courses include a live AI ad writing session — you leave with Google and Facebook ad copy for your specific business, ready to upload. Taught by Reza Shahrokhi, ACA, who has helped 100+ Irish businesses implement AI.