When clinics ask, “How quickly will I start getting patients from Google Ads?” the answer is: often faster than you think.
Compared to strategies like SEO—which can take months to build momentum—Google Ads is like flipping a switch. You can go live today and start seeing inquiries almost overnight. That’s why it’s one of the best ways to get quick wins and new clients through the door fast.
But there’s a catch. While early results are common, it takes time for a Google Ads campaign to become fully optimised and consistently profitable. Think of it like planting fast-growing herbs. You’ll see green shoots quickly, but it takes a few months of care and fine-tuning before you’re harvesting the good stuff every day.
From working with allied health businesses across Australia, I’ve seen a clear pattern. It’s what I call the “90-Day Build-Up”—and understanding this process is crucial for long-term success.
Quick wins vs. optimal performance
- Quick wins: You can often expect some leads early on, especially if your targeting is spot-on.
- Optimal performance: It typically takes up to 90 days for the campaign to mature—where Google’s machine learning is dialled in, poor-performing keywords are cut, and your cost per lead starts dropping.
It’s not about waiting months for results (like SEO). It’s about being patient enough to let the data build and the system optimise, so you’re not just getting leads—you’re getting them at the best possible price.
Month 1: The data desert
This is where patience is critical. The goal here isn’t immediate profit—it’s gathering the right data to make future decisions.
- Focus on getting at least 10+ clicks per day
- Make sure conversion tracking is set up perfectly (so you actually know what’s working)
- Expect some wasted spend—this is normal at the start
- Profitability? Not yet. You’re investing in data
You might see some bookings early on, but the real goal is to collect data. This helps Google learn who’s clicking, who’s converting, and where your best leads are coming from.
Month 2: Patterns start to emerge
Now things get interesting. With enough data, you can start making smart adjustments.
- Aim for at least 30+ conversions per campaign
- Identify and cut out keywords that aren’t leading to patient bookings
- Double down on what’s working—higher bids, better ad copy, landing page tweaks
- Watch for trends in location, time of day, and device performance
This is the refinement phase. You’re turning early, scrappy wins into smarter, more reliable results.
Month 3: The breakthrough
By now, the system should be warming up. If you’ve hit that magic 30+ conversions per campaign, you unlock Google’s smart bidding magic. This is where things get exciting.
- Your cost per lead starts dropping
- Google’s machine learning kicks in and optimises for more conversions
- Scaling becomes possible—should you increase budget or expand services?
- You now have a clearer picture of your cost per new patient
This is when campaigns start performing consistently and predictably.
Real results: How Queensland Osteopathic Clinic grew their bookings by 45%
Take Queensland Osteopathic Clinic as an example. They’re a family-owned practice in Brisbane, offering holistic manual therapy. Like many clinics, they faced rising competition and the challenge of growing their patient base post-COVID.
They came to us after previous marketing efforts failed—burning through budget with little to show for it.
The challenges:
- An outdated and slow website
- Messaging that didn’t connect with patients’ pain points
- Poor visibility in local search results
- Difficulty attracting online bookings
The strategy:
- Launched a fresh, conversion-optimised website
- Created messaging focused on their clients’ real concerns
- Implemented local SEO to boost their Google presence
- Launched targeted Google Ads campaigns to attract nearby patients
The results?
In just four months, they saw a 45% increase in bookings, with an average new client acquisition cost of just $22.
They trusted the process, invested in the right strategies, and are now reaping the benefits of consistent patient inquiries.
The biggest mistake clinics make
The most common reason businesses fail with Google Ads? They give up too soon.
I’ve had clinic owners call me after just three weeks saying, “This isn’t working. We’ve spent $2,000 and barely got any bookings.” But when we dig deeper, they’re in that Data Desert phase, expecting instant ROI.
Google Ads is one of the most powerful tools for generating patients, but only if you commit to the process. If you expect to see profits overnight, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
But if you approach it with the right strategy—and stick it out for at least 90 days—your clinic could be in a position where leads flow in like clockwork.
Not sure if your Google Ads are on the right track?
If your campaigns aren’t performing, or you’re not sure whether to keep going or make changes, I can help. Let’s take a look at your account and figure out exactly what’s working and what’s not.