How to Set Up a Google Ads Campaign (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Create or Access Your Google Ads Account

Go to ads.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Set your country, time zone, and billing info. You’ll start in “Smart Mode” — switch to “Expert Mode” for full control and customization.

Step 2: Choose a Campaign Type and Goal

Options include:

• Search (text ads in Google results)
• Display (banner ads across websites)
• Video (YouTube)
• Shopping (for eCommerce)
• Performance Max (automated across all formats)
•  Select a goal like website traffic, leads, or sales. Search campaigns are the most common starting point.

Step 3: Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy

Choose daily budget (e.g., $30/day) and bidding (manual or smart). For beginners, start with Maximize Clicks or Maximize Conversions. Set a target location and language. You can always refine this as your campaign runs.

Step 4: Build Your Ad Groups and Write the Ads

Create tightly themed ad groups with 5–10 related keywords each. Write compelling ad copy:

• Headline 1: Target keyword
• Headline 2: Benefit or offer
• Description: Call to action and value proposition
  Link to a relevant landing page that matches the ad’s promise.

Step 5: Launch, Monitor, and Optimize Weekly

Once live, track impressions, clicks, CTR, and conversions. Add negative keywords. Adjust bids. Pause underperforming ads. Google Ads success comes from continual refinement — don’t set it and forget it.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a Google Ads campaign is easy — optimizing it for results takes skill. Even a basic campaign can deliver leads fast if the setup is strategic and monitored closely.

FAQ: Setting Up Google Ads

1. Is it hard to set up Google Ads?
   Not hard — but setup quality affects results greatly.
   
   
2. What’s Expert Mode in Google Ads?
   Full control of all settings — highly recommended for businesses.
   
   
3. Should I use Smart Campaigns?
   Okay for beginners, but limited — Expert Mode is better.
   
   
4. How many ads per group?
   Aim for 2–3 ads per group to A/B test.
   
   
5. What’s a good CTR?
   3–5% is average for search ads.
   
   
6. Should I use landing pages?
   Yes — custom landing pages convert much better than homepages.
   
   
7. What’s a negative keyword?
   A word or phrase you don’t want your ad to show for.
   
   
8. How soon will I get results?
   Data starts rolling in within 24–48 hours.
   
   
9. Can I pause campaigns anytime?
   Yes — full control is always in your hands.
   
   
10. Do I need professional help?
    For best ROI and fewer mistakes, yes — especially at scale.