How to Use Google Ads to Drive Local Traffic to Your Dubai Business

If you have a shop, salon, or small business in Dubai, you probably want more people to visit your place. You want real customers who live nearby. You may have tried telling friends or posting on social media, but still, not many people are coming.

This is a common problem. But the good news is, there’s a way to fix it.

Let’s talk about Google Ads – a simple tool that helps you reach more people who live close to your business.

Problem: People Near You Don’t Know About Your Business

You’ve opened your business. You’ve worked hard. Maybe you even made a small website or Instagram page. But still, people in your area are not visiting

Why?

Because they don’t know you’re there.

Most people use Google when they want to find something. Like:

1. Barber near me.
2. Car wash in Al Nahda.
3. Best biryani in Karama.

If your business is not showing on top, they go to someone else. You lose customers — not because your service is bad, but because you’re invisible.

Agitate: Missing Out on Local Customers

You might see other shops getting more people, even if their prices are higher than yours. They just appear first on Google. That’s it.

Let’s say you own a phone repair shop in Bur Dubai. People are searching every day for:

1. Mobile repair near me
2. iPhone screen fix in Bur Dubai

But your shop isn’t showing. So even if you’re good and cheap, customers won’t find you.

This is painful because you know you can help. But no one’s walking in.

This is where Google Ads can help.

Solution: Use Google Ads to Bring in Real Local People

Now let’s break it into easy steps.

You don’t need to be a tech expert. Just follow these simple steps, and you can get more local traffic to your shop or service.

Step 1: Set Up a Google Ads Account

Go to https://ads.google.com
Click on “Start Now” and sign in with your Gmail.

Once you’re inside, you’ll see an option to make your first ad.

Step 2: Choose the Right Ad Type

For local business, choose:

Search Campaign or Local Campaign

These types of ads show your business when someone near you searches on Google or uses Google Maps.

This is perfect for shops, clinics, salons, cafés, and service centers.

Step 3: Target Your Local Area

This is important.

You don’t want your ad showing to people in other cities or countries. You want people close to your shop.

So, choose only your area – like “Deira” or “Jumeirah” or “Dubai Marina”. You can also set a radius like “10 km around my store”.

Example:

You run a bakery in Al Barsha. You set the ad to show only to people within 5 km of Al Barsha.

Step 4: Pick Simple and Useful Keywords

Keywords are the words people type on Google when they search.

Use simple, real words like:

1. Laundry in Dubai.
2. Cheap haircuts near me.
3. AC repair in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Use longer phrases (called long-tail keywords) to save money and get better results. Avoid short keywords like “restaurant” – it’s too broad.

You can use Google’s free Keyword Planner tool to help.

Step 5: Write a Simple Ad That People Understand

Now it’s time to write your ad.

Keep it simple. No need for big words.

Just say:

1. What you offer.
2. Any small discount or deal.
3. What they should do (Call now, Visit today, etc.)

Example Ad for a Bakery:

“Fresh Cakes in Karama – 10% Off Today
Order Now or Visit Our Shop Near ADCB Metro!”

Your ad should match what people are searching for.

Step 6: Connect Your Business Location

Google lets you show your location and phone number in the ad.

This is super helpful because:

1. People can click to call you.
2. They can see your place on Google Maps.
3. They can get directions easily.

You need to have a Google Business Profile. It’s free and takes 10 minutes to set up.

Step 7: Choose a Small Daily Budget

You don’t need a lot of money to start.

Even AED 10 to 20 per day is enough.

You only pay when someone clicks your ad. If no one clicks, you don’t pay.

Start small, and increase your budget only when you see good results.

Step 8: Track and Improve

Google Ads shows you:

• How many people saw your ad
• How many clicked
• Which area they were from
• Which keywords worked

This helps you see what’s working and what’s not.

If a keyword is too expensive, stop it. If one area brings more people, focus there.

It’s like tuning a car – small changes can make it run better.

A Real Story: How Ahmed Grew His Local Business

Ahmed owns a small barber shop in Al Qusais. For months, he only got walk-in customers. Business was slow.

He tried Google Ads. He ran a simple ad:

“Men’s Haircuts in Al Qusais – Just AED 25
Walk-in Welcome. Open Till Midnight!”

He spent AED 15 per day. After 2 weeks, he saw more people coming in and saying, “We saw your ad on Google.”

Now he gets 10–15 new customers every day. Just from Google Ads.

Final Tips

1. Use both Arabic and English if possible.
2. Keep your ads running during your open hours.
3. Always add your phone number and location.
4. Change your ad if it’s not working – don’t give up.
5. Use real words that people use when searching.

Conclusion

If you run a business in Dubai, Google Ads is a great tool to get more people from your area.

You don’t need big money. You don’t need fancy words. You just need:

1. A simple ad.
2. The right keywords.
3. A clear location.
4. A small daily budget.

It’s like putting a signboard on Google – people searching in Dubai will see you first.

Start small. Learn as you go. And soon, you’ll see more people walking into your business.