How to set up a Google Search Ads Campaign: A simple step by step guide

Introduction

If you’re looking to drive more traffic to your website or generate leads for your business, Google Ads can be a powerful tool. Specifically, Google Search ads can help you reach customers who are actively searching for products or services related to your business. But with so many options and settings available, setting up a Google Search ad campaign can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps required to set up a successful Google Search ad campaign, from defining your campaign goals to launching your ads and optimising for better results. Whether you’re new to Google Ads or looking to refresh your existing campaigns, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive roadmap to help you achieve your marketing objectives.

Let’s dive into the specifics…

Step 1: Sign in to Google Ads

The very first thing you should do is sign in to your Google Ads account. If you don’t have an account, create one by visiting the Google Ads sign-up page. Once you’re signed in, click on “Campaigns” in the left-hand navigation menu to begin creating your ad campaign.

Step 2: Define Campaign Goals

Before setting up your ad campaign, it’s important to define your goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your campaign, such as increasing website traffic, generating leads, or boosting sales. Clearly defining your goals will help you choose the right campaign settings and track your success.

We have created a comprehensive guide about  Google Ads campaign objectives so that you can understand it clearly.

Step 3: Create a New Campaign

Click on the “+ New Campaign” button in the Campaigns page to start creating your ad campaign. Google Ads will prompt you to select a campaign goal; choose the one that aligns with your defined goals. For a Search ad campaign, select the “Leads” or “Website Traffic” goal.

Step 4: Choose Campaign Settings

In this step, you’ll configure the settings for your campaign. This includes selecting the campaign type, geographic targeting, languages, and bidding strategy. Choose the appropriate options based on your target audience and campaign objectives.

Step 5: Set Budget and Bidding

Determine your daily budget, which is the maximum amount you’re willing to spend each day on your campaign. Google Ads offers various bidding strategies, such as manual bidding or automated strategies. Select the bidding strategy that suits your campaign goals and budget.

Step 6: Create Ad Groups

Ad groups help organise your ads and keywords. Create relevant ad groups based on your products, services, or themes. For example, if you sell shoes, you might have ad groups for athletic shoes, sandals, and boots. Enter a name for your ad group and set your default bid for keywords.

Step 7: Create Ads

This is where you’ll craft your actual ad copy. Write compelling headlines and descriptions that are relevant to your target audience and encourage them to click. Highlight unique selling points and include strong call-to-action statements. Experiment with different ad variations to see which ones perform best.

We have written an article that explains how to write Google ad copy that converts more clicks, which will really help you understand this.

Step 8: Choose Keywords

Selecting the right keywords is crucial for the success of your Search ad campaign. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords that your target audience is likely to search for. Google Ads provides tools to help with keyword research, such as the Keyword Planner. Add your chosen keywords to your ad groups.

Step 9: Configure Ad Extensions

Ad extensions are additional pieces of information that appear with your ads, providing more visibility and click opportunities. These include sitelink extensions, call extensions, price extensions and location extensions, to name a few. Configure relevant ad extensions for your campaign to enhance your ad’s visibility and performance.

Step 10: Review and Launch

Before launching your campaign, take the time to review your settings, ad copies, keywords, and extensions. Make sure everything is properly configured and aligned with your campaign goals. Double-check your budget and bidding settings. Once you’re confident, click on the “Launch Campaign” button to start running your ads.

Step 11: Monitor and Optimise

Once your campaign is live, it’s crucial to monitor its performance regularly. Keep an eye on key metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and cost-per-click. Identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments. This could involve refining your keyword list, adjusting bids, or optimising your ad copy.

Step 12: Track and Measure Results

Implement conversion tracking to measure the success of your ad campaign. Set up tracking tags or codes on your website to monitor conversions, such as purchases, form submissions, or sign-ups. Google Ads provides conversion tracking tools to help you measure the impact of your ads on your defined goals.

Let’s sum it up

In conclusion, setting up a Google Search ad campaign involves defining your goals, creating campaigns and ad groups, selecting relevant keywords, crafting compelling ad copies, and monitoring and optimising your campaign for better results. By following these steps and continuously refining your strategy, you can maximise the success of your Google Search ad campaign.

Remember that Google Ads is a dynamic platform, and it’s essential to stay updated with new features and best practices to make the most out of your campaigns. Good luck with your Google Search ad campaign! If you require help with setting up and optimising your Google Search Ads do not hesitate to get in touch with our Google Ads Cyprus team. After all we succeed by growing others!