Want to increase your online visibility and reach more customers? Google Ads might be the answer. With 3.5 billion searches on Google every day, advertising on this platform puts your business in front of a huge audience. Here’s how to set up your first Google Ads campaign in 8 easy steps.
1. Create Your Google Ads Account
Before you can start advertising you need to set up a Google Ads account. Go to the Google Ads website and click the “Start Now” button. You’ll be asked to enter your business information, including your website URL and business name. If you have existing Google accounts, such as Google Analytics, you can link them for a faster setup and more tailored recommendations.
2. Set Your Campaign Goal
Every successful campaign starts with a clear objective. Google Ads lets you choose from:
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Website sales
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Leads
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Brand awareness
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Store visits
Choose the one that best fits your business goals. This will help Google’s AI optimize your campaign for the best results.
3. Choose Your Campaign Type
Google Ads has different campaign types to suit different advertising needs. Some popular ones are:
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Search campaigns: Text ads in Google search results
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Display campaigns: Visual ads across the Google Display Network
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Video campaigns: Video ads on YouTube and across the web
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Shopping campaigns: Product listings in Google Shopping results
Choose the campaign type that fits your goal and target audience.
4. Set Your Target Audience and Budget
Your target audience is key to your campaign’s success. Consider:
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Geographic location
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Language
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Demographics
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Interests
Then set your daily budget. Google Ads will give you recommendations based on your goals and industry but you can choose an amount that suits you. You can always adjust your budget later as you learn what works for your business.
5. Research Keywords
Keywords are the backbone of your Google Ads campaign, especially for search ads. Use the Google Keyword Planner tool to find keywords for your business. Focus on:
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Broad match keywords
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Phrase match keywords
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Exact match keywords
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Long-tail keywords
Don’t forget to include negative keywords to prevent your ads from showing for irrelevant searches.
6. Write Your Ad Copy
Now it’s time to create your ads. For search ads, you’ll need to write your headlines and descriptions that include your target keywords. For display and video ads you’ll need to upload your visual assets.
Remember to:
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Show your unique selling points
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Include a clear call-to-action (CTA)
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Match your ad copy to your landing page
Google’s AI will then find the best ad combinations for you.
7. Set Up Conversion Tracking
Before you launch your campaign make sure to set up conversion tracking. This allows you to measure the performance of your ads by tracking specific actions users take on your website, such as purchases or form submissions. You can do this through Google Ads or link your Google Analytics account.
8. Launch and Review
Now you’re ready to launch your campaign. But your work doesn’t stop there. Regularly review your campaign performance in the Google Ads dashboard. Keep an eye on:
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Click-through rate (CTR)
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Conversion rate
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Cost per click (CPC)
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Quality Score
Use this data to make informed decisions and optimize your campaign for better results.
Conclusion
Advertising on Google Ads can be a great way to grow your online business. Follow these 8 steps and you’ll be on your way to creating campaigns that reach your target audience and achieve your business goals. Remember, successful Google Ads management is an ongoing process of testing, learning and refining. Don’t be afraid to try and adjust as you go.
