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What a PPC Consultant Actually Does

A PPC consultant isn’t the same as a management agency. Where an agency takes over and runs everything, a consultant works alongside you — advising your in-house team, reviewing the work your current agency is doing, or helping you build a strategy you can execute yourself.

I’ve worked as a consultant for businesses across Cumbria and the wider North of England for over 12 years. In that time, I’ve reviewed hundreds of Google Ads accounts — everything from small local businesses in Carlisle and Kendal to national ecommerce brands. I know what good looks like, and I know the common patterns that waste budget.

When a Consultant Makes Sense

Senior Experience, Not a Junior Review

I’m Google Partner and Microsoft Ads certified with 12 years working directly in accounts — not managing account managers. That means when you hire a consultant, you get someone who still builds campaigns, still writes ad copy, still interprets the data directly. Not someone who last touched an account in 2018 and now manages a team.

Twelve years of direct account work builds a pattern recognition that’s hard to fake. I’ve seen the same mistakes repeated across hundreds of accounts, and I’ve seen the fixes that actually work versus the ones that just look right in a presentation.

I'll tell you if your current setup is fine

Not every consultancy engagement results in major changes. Sometimes your campaigns are structured correctly and the problem is something else entirely — your landing page, your offer, your budget relative to your market. I’d rather spend a consultation hour giving you that honest answer than sell you a service you don’t need.

How a Typical Consultancy Engagement Works

  1. Intro callWe talk through your situation — what you’re running, who’s managing it, what the problem is or what decision you’re trying to make.
  2. Account access and reviewYou grant read access to your Google Ads account. I review the structure, keywords, bidding, copy, and tracking independently.
  3. Findings and recommendationsYou get a clear summary of what I’ve found — what’s working, what’s wasting budget, and what I’d prioritise changing.
  4. Ongoing or one-offSome clients want a one-off session. Others book recurring consultancy for monthly check-ins or team training. We figure out what fits your situation.

Cumbria and the North of England

I work with businesses throughout Cumbria — including Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal, Ulverston, Barrow-in-Furness, Whitehaven, and Workington — as well as clients across County Durham, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire. Consultancy is entirely remote, delivered via video call and written reports.

Cumbria’s business landscape is diverse. Whether you’re a Lake District tourism business trying to extend the season with Google Ads, a Carlisle-based tradesperson competing against national lead gen sites, or a manufacturer looking to generate B2B enquiries — the strategic principles are the same, even if the execution differs.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a consultant and a management agency?

A management agency takes over running your campaigns entirely. A consultant advises — working with your team, reviewing your current agency’s work, or helping you make strategic decisions. Consultancy suits businesses that already have someone running the ads but want senior strategic input or an independent review.

Can you advise on campaigns being run by another agency?

Yes. This is one of the most common reasons businesses in Cumbria and beyond bring in a consultant. You share read access to your account; I review it independently and tell you honestly whether your agency is doing a good job. I have no interest in disparaging good work — but I won’t sugarcoat poor performance either.

How much does PPC consultancy cost?

Consultancy starts from £300/month for retained advisory work. For one-off or project-based engagements, the fee depends on scope — the best way to get an accurate quote is to book an intro call and describe what you need.

Do you work with businesses outside Cumbria?

Yes — I work with businesses across the UK. Cumbria is one of my core regions, along with County Durham, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire, but geography isn’t a constraint for remote consultancy.

Can you train my in-house team?

Yes. Team training and upskilling is a common form of consultancy engagement — working through your live account with your in-house team, explaining decisions, and building their capability to manage campaigns more effectively. Get in touch to discuss what’s involved.

Are you independent, or do you sell other services?

I’m a freelance consultant, not a vendor. I don’t sell software, resell ad placements, or have referral arrangements that create conflicts of interest. My recommendation is always based on what I think is right for your business.

Get a Senior Opinion on Your Google Ads

Book a consultation call with Stevie. Whether you want a second opinion, help with a specific problem, or ongoing advisory support — let's start with a conversation about where you are and what you're trying to achieve.

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