We have put together a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you get started, from setting up your first ads campaign to monitoring its performance and implementing necessary changes along the way.

You'll learn how to run successful​​ Google​​ ad campaigns, how to measure and analyze their performance, and how to make data-driven decisions.

Now, without further ado, let's​​ get started:

How to Set Up Your​​ First​​ Ads Campaign

Setting up your first ads campaign can be a​​ bit​​ daunting, especially if you're new to Google ads. But don't worry, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Create an AdWords Account

Start by going to​​ ads.google.com​​ and click on the "Start Now"​​ button at the middle of the page. You'll need to sign in with your Google account or create one if you don't have one already.

Step 2: Switch to Expert Mode

Before you proceed with anything else,​​ we suggest you​​ switch to expert mode by clicking on the "Switch to Expert Mode" link at the bottom of the page. This will give you access to more advanced features and settings.

Step 3: Choose Your Campaign Objective

If you had skipped Step 2, you'd have only been presented with four goals to choose from. However, in expert mode, you have the option to choose from 7 different objectives based on what you want to achieve with your ad campaign.

Here are the four campaign goals you’d have been limited to:​​ 

  • Get More Calls

  • Get More Website Sales or Sign Ups

  • Get More Visits to Your Physical Location

  • Get More Brand Awareness with Video Views

But since we're in expert mode, you'll have 3 more options to choose from:

  • App Promotion: ​​​​ Drive more app installs or engagement

  • Leads:​​ Get more conversions for your business

  • A Campaign Without a Goal's Guidance

 

Choose the option that aligns with your business objectives. If you're just starting and have a website, we recommend choosing "Get More Website Sales or​​ Leads"​​ or “Get Website Traffic”​​ as it's the most versatile​​ and flexible goal.​​ 

Click "Continue" once you have made your selection.

Pro Tip #1:​​ As you build more experience with Google ads, don't limit yourself to just one campaign goal. Try out different goals and see which brings the best results for your business.

Step 4: Choose Your Campaign Type

Google offers six types of campaigns:

  • Search: Show your ads on Google when people search for specific keywords

  • Performance Max:​​ Display your ads on multiple channels, including Google Search, YouTube, Gmail and Google Discover

  • Display: Reach people with your ads while they are browsing websites, using apps or watching videos

  • Demand Gen:​​ Run your ads on YouTube, Gmail, Google Discover, etc. to reach a broader audience

  • Video: Promote your video content on YouTube

  • Shopping: Promote your products by showcasing them in Shopping ads on Google Search, YouTube and more.

Choose the campaign type that best aligns with your business goals. Again, don't be afraid to​​ experiment with different campaign types the more you understand Google Ads campaigns.​​ 

Step #5: Set Up a Campaign

choosing your campaign objective and type, you'll be directed to a page where you can set up your campaign.

Click + icon at the top left of the screen and choose Campaign.​​ 

Again, you'll be prompted to choose your campaign objectives (Sales, Leads, Website Traffic, App Promotion, Awareness and Consideration, Local Store Visits, or Create a Campaign Without a Goal's Guidance).

In our case, we'll select​​ Website Traffic.

Scroll down and select your​​ Campaign​​ Type

Choose the campaign type that aligns with your business objectives (Search, Display, Shopping, Video, etc)

Again , scroll down and you'll see an input box where you can name your business website​​ addresss in the format​​ www.website.com.​​ 

Remember to​​ Choose Your Website Traffic Conversion Goals. By default, Google Ads uses the information you provided during account creation to suggest potential website traffic conversion goals.

Check the box shown to pick the most suitable website traffic goal.

 

The second input box on the page will prompt you to enter a​​ Campaign name.​​ You can enter just about any name you have in mind.​​ 

The general rule of thumb is to use something more descriptive that would help you identify the campaign later on. For example, if your business sells sports equipment and you're promoting running shoes, a good name for your campaign could be "Running Shoes - Website Traffic-1".

Click 'Continue" once you have entered all the necessary information.

You'll be directed to a page where you can set up your​​ bids,​​ keywords, budget, and other​​ play around with other settings.

Step #6: Set Up Your Bidding

We would like to assume​​ you know how Google​​ Ads​​ works. In quick summary, Google Ads works on a pay-per-click (PPC) bidding system. You only pay for the ad when someone clicks on it.

After creating your first campaign and ad group, you'll be prompted to select your bid strategy.