Small Google Ads budget (300€/month): best results with "Maximize clicks" or "Maximize conversions"?

Hello,

I tested both strategies on several small local budgets (€10/day for electricians, lawyers, accountants, architects, etc.) and the results are clear. Using "Maximize Conversions" with proper tracking (calls and forms), the results are disappointing: the CPC skyrockets, the algorithm gets bogged down due to lack of data, and I get almost no website visits.

Conversely, by switching to "Maximize Clicks" combined with Exact Match keywords (without any tracking) within a specific geographic area, the performance is better. My clients are satisfied.

My theory is simple: with such tight budgets, Google's AI doesn't have enough "fuel" to learn. By forcing volume through clicks on ultra-specific keywords, I acquire qualified traffic at a lower cost than Smart Bidding ignores or overcharges for.

I know this approach is often considered outdated, but with such small budgets, isn't "Maximizing Clicks" sometimes more appropriate than letting an algorithm optimize with too few signals? Or perhaps a minimum number of conversions needs to be exceeded?