Introduction

Ready to increase your business’s online visibility and higher ranking on Google search results? You’re a small business owner or an emerging marketer, but either way, it can be a game-changer for new customer acquisition to learn how to run Google Ads.

This step-by-step guide for beginners will take you through how to run Google Ads professionally, step by step. At the end of this blog, you’ll know the advantages of Google Ads for small businesses, learn about the various types of Google Ads, and be confident enough to start your first campaign.

How Google Ads Works?

Google Ads is an advertising platform by Google that lets businesses pay to show their ads when people search for specific keywords. These ads can appear on Google search results, YouTube, or websites in the Google Display Network. But it’s not a matter of pay-to-play. Rather, Google determines whether your ad appears and where based on a mix of your bid, ad quality, and predicted click-through rate (CTR).

The magic of Google Ads is intent-based marketing. When prospects search for a product or service, your ad can be shown right when they’re searching for what you have. That’s the true might of this advertising medium.

Google Ads a big deal? Here are the advantages of Google Ads for small businesses:

• Immediate visibility on Google’s search results
• Find the right audience at the right moment
• Drive traffic to your website
• Budget flexibility (spend as much as you can)
• Simple tracking and analytics of performance

How to Run Google Ads?

Launching your first Google Ads campaign requires careful planning and execution. Follow these beginner-friendly steps to maximize your ad’s effectiveness and ROI.

Start by Creating your Google Ads Account

To get started, go to the Google Ads homepage and sign up for an account using your Gmail. After setting up your account, Google will walk you through the fundamentals in order to assist you in creating your initial ad.

Choose the Right Campaign Type for your Goals

Google Ads offers different types of campaigns, each designed to help businesses reach specific goals. What are Google Ads’ types? Here’s a quick rundown:

• Search Ads: These are the text ads you see on Google when you type in a search. They work well for people actively looking for something to buy or use.

• Display Ads: Image ads that pop up on different websites in Google’s network. Think of them as digital billboards across the web.

• Shopping Ads: Great for online stores. They show your product photo, price, and details right inside Google’s search results.

• Video Ads: Short ads that play on YouTube, either before or during a video.

• Performance Max Campaigns: A newer type of campaign that runs your ads everywhere Google can, Search, Display, YouTube, and more, to give you the biggest reach.

Configure your Campaign Settings

Once you choose the campaign type, you will be required to set up necessary settings. Choose where you desire your ads to appear (Google’s search pages, sites, or YouTube). Tune your settings according to your target goal, be it generating leads, traffic generation, or brand awareness.

Define When your Ads Will Run (Ad Schedule)

Timing is crucial. Use the ad schedule to determine when your ads will be shown. For instance, if you’re going for working professionals, you could have your ads run between business hours.

Set your Target Location and Language

Geotargeting enables you to display your ads to individuals in a particular location only. If you have a local business, target customers within your service area. You should also choose a language setting so your ads are shown to people who speak and understand that language.

Determine your Daily Advertising Budget

How much does Google Ads cost? The best thing about Google Ads is that you can set your spending.Set a daily budget based on how much money you’re willing to spend each day on your ads. Google will never go over that amount, so it is easy to keep to your ad budget.

Select a Bidding Strategy That Fits your Needs

Google Ads provides various bidding strategies:

• Maximize Clicks (for traffic driving).
• Target CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) (for conversion actions such as sign-ups).
• Manual CPC (if you prefer more control over expenses).

Select the most suitable Google Ads approach depending on what you aim to achieve, e.g., more website visits or ROI maximization.

Build your Keyword List

Keywords help you connect with the right audience. You can use Google’s free tool, Keyword Planner, to find the best keywords for your ads. Identify terms that are relevant to your objectives. A combination of short and long-tail keywords tends to be best.

Pro tip? Stay away from broad phrases that could waste your clicks. Pick keywords that closely match your products or services to reach the most interested customers.

Write your Google Ad (Headlines + Descriptions)

Your campaign’s success relies heavily on your ad copy. Here’s how to compose ads that convert:

• Headlines: Craft compelling headlines (you have 3 per ad). They’re 30 characters each.
• Descriptions: Tell users why they should click your ad. Describe benefits, offers, or exclusive selling points (90 characters per description).

Enhance your Ad with Assets (Extensions)

Google’s ad extensions give you extra space to share more details and make your ads more helpful and eye-catching. Use features such as:

• Sitelinks (link to particular site pages, like “Shop Coffee Beans” or “Our Blog”).
• Call Extensions (use your own phone number for immediate questions).

Target Specific Devices and Add Advanced Settings

Depending on your audience, you may target specific devices such as desktops, mobiles, or tablets. You may also use advanced settings in order to further narrow down your audience based on such metrics as age, gender, or household income.

Create a High-Converting Landing Page

Even the perfect ad won’t convert if your landing page fails to deliver. Make sure your ad leads to:

• A mobile-friendly, fast-loading page.
• Clean calls-to-action (CTA).
• Engaging content that’s matched to your ad.

Review Everything and Launch your Ad

Review your ad text, chosen keywords, budget, and campaign settings carefully to make sure everything is correct before launching. When you’re happy, click the “Launch” button and your campaign will be live!

Conclusion

You don’t need years of experience to run Google Ads well, just a smart approach, some know-how, and a little practice. This guide walked you through the essentials: setting up your account, choosing the right campaign type, writing ads that grab attention, and reaching the right people. With clear goals, smart keyword choices, and regular performance checks, you can create Google Ads campaigns that actually deliver results.

Whether you’re a new business owner or looking to become a savvy marketer, understanding the fundamentals of Google Ads is an empowering move towards expanding your online reach.