If you’ve been thinking about running ads on Google but the whole thing feels a little … intimidating, you’re not alone. Google Ads is powerful, but it doesn’t have to be scary. With a few clear steps (and a cup of coffee), you can set up your account and start reaching the people who are already searching for what you offer.
Let’s walk through it.
Gather Your Essentials
Before you dive in, take a moment to prep:
- A business email you want tied to your ads
- Your website or landing page (even a single well-designed page works)
- A payment method (credit/debit card, bank account, or PayPal)
- A rough idea of your goals and budget — are you after sales, leads, or just getting your name out there?
Create Your Google Ads Account
Head over to ads.google.com and click Start now. Sign in with your Google account (or create one if you don’t have one yet).
Google will ask about your advertising goal. If you want a simple guided setup, stick with their “Smart Campaign.” But if you prefer to see all the knobs and dials, scroll down and hit Switch to Expert Mode. It gives you full control from the get-go.
Set Your Foundation
Now you’ll choose:
- Campaign type: Search, Display, Shopping, Video, or Performance Max
- Location & language: Where do you want your ads to show, and in which languages?
- Budget & bidding: Pick a daily spend you’re comfortable with and how you want Google to bid (maximize conversions, target cost-per-click, etc.).
This is where you sketch out the “map” for how your ads will run.
Find the Right Keywords & Audiences
Think about what your customers are typing into Google when they need you. Use the built-in Keyword Planner to brainstorm ideas. Group related words into “ad groups” so your ads match people’s searches.
You can also add audience layers like demographics, interests, or remarketing lists if you want to get fancy later.
Write Your Ads
Time for a little creativity. Google loves variety, so aim for 2 to 3 responsive search ads per ad group.
- Use your main keyword in at least one headline.
- Speak to the benefit your customers care about.
- Add a clear call-to-action (“Book your session,” “Get a free quote,” etc.).
- Fill every headline and description slot. More options = better testing.
- Have numerous images (assets) of your product. Pmax campaigns will need images in landscape, vertical and square orientations for creating the ad including videos.
Add Your Billing Info
Pop into Tools & Settings → Billing → Settings and add your business details, tax info (if relevant), and payment method. Once that’s done, you’re officially ready to spend money wisely.
Launch, Watch, and Tweak
Give everything a final once-over, then click Publish. Congratulations, you’ve just launched your first Google Ads campaign!
From here, keep an eye on:
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Conversions (purchases, sign-ups, calls)
- Cost per conversion
Don’t be shy about making adjustments, ads improve with a little attention and testing.
A Few Bonus Tips
- Link Google Ads with Google Analytics 4 to see the full customer journey.
- Set up conversion tracking so Google knows what success looks like for you.
- Start with a manageable daily budget. Scale up as you learn what works.
- Check the Recommendations tab for quick wins (just don’t blindly accept everything).
- Research and apply keywords and negative keywords if appropriate.
Running ads is part science, part art. Take it one step at a time, stay curious, and you’ll be surprised at how far a few well-placed ads can take your business.
Need help? Contact the experts at TryAds!