How to Post Google Ads: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s digital landscape, getting noticed online is more important than ever, and one of the most effective ways to do that is by using Google Ads. Google Ads can help you reach potential customers right when they’re searching for products or services like yours. If you’re new to it, don’t worry. This article will guide you step-by-step through the process of posting your first Google Ad, helping you navigate the platform with confidence.

Related Posts

• How to publish ads on Google Ads for free (almost)
• How To Track Conversions on Google Ads & YouTube Ads Correctly

What is Google Ads?

Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let’s quickly explain what Google Ads is. Google Ads is an online advertising platform where businesses can create ads to appear on Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs) and other Google-affiliated sites. When someone searches for a keyword related to your business, your ad can show up at the top or bottom of the results page, increasing the chances that people will click on it.

Now, let’s move on to the practical part: how to post a Google Ad.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Google Ads Account

Before you can post ads, you need to have a Google Ads account. Here’s how you can set one up:

1. Go to the Google Ads website:
   Visit ads.google.com and click on the “Start Now” button.
2. Sign in with your Google account:
   If you already have a Google account (like Gmail), sign in using that account. If not, you’ll need to create one first.
3. Enter basic business information:
   Google will ask you for some basic information about your business, like your website URL and business name. Make sure this information is accurate, as it will be linked to your ads.

Once your account is set up, you’ll be ready to start creating ads.

Step 2: Understanding Your Campaign Goals

Google Ads works by organizing your ads into “campaigns.” Each campaign can have its own settings, and you’ll need to choose a goal for each campaign. These goals can vary depending on what you want to achieve, such as:

• Sales: Drive sales through your website.
• Leads: Get potential customers to fill out a form or contact you.
• Website Traffic: Increase visits to your website.
• Brand Awareness: Make more people aware of your brand.

For example, if you’re an online store selling shoes, you might choose “Sales” as your goal. This means Google will focus on showing your ads to people who are more likely to make a purchase.

Step 3: Choose Your Campaign Type

Next, you’ll need to select the type of campaign you want to run. Google Ads offers several options:

• Search Campaign: Your ad will appear on Google’s search results when people look for keywords related to your business.
• Display Campaign: Your ads will appear on other websites and apps that are part of Google’s Display Network.
• Local Campaign on Google Maps: Your ads will appear on Google Maps – suitable for local businesses.
• Shopping Campaign: If you’re selling physical products, Google Shopping ads will show product images and prices at the top of the search results.
• Video Campaign: These are video ads that appear on YouTube and other video partner sites.

For beginners, the Search Campaign is usually the easiest to manage and understand. This means your ad will show up when people search for terms relevant to your business.

Step 4: Define Your Target Audience

Targeting the right audience is crucial for the success of your Google Ads campaign. You want your ads to be seen by people who are likely to be interested in your product or service. Google allows you to target your audience based on a few key factors:

1. Location:
   You can choose where you want your ads to appear. This could be as broad as targeting an entire country or as specific as a particular city or postal code.
2. Demographics:
   Google Ads allows you to target people based on age, gender, parental status, and household income.
3. Interests and Behaviors:
   You can also target people based on their online behavior. For example, if someone has shown interest in buying running shoes, you can target them with ads for your athletic shoe store.
4. Keywords:
   Keywords are the backbone of Google Search Ads. You need to select specific keywords that potential customers might type into Google when looking for your product or service. For example, if you run a flower shop, you might use keywords like “buy flowers online” or “flower delivery near me.”

Step 5: Set Your Budget

Once you have defined your audience, it’s time to decide how much you want to spend. Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, which means you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. You’ll need to set two types of budgets:

1. Daily Budget:
   This is how much you’re willing to spend per day. For example, if your daily budget is $10, Google will show your ads until that amount is spent.
2. Bid Strategy:
   Your bid strategy determines how much you’re willing to pay for each click. You can choose from several strategies, but the most common are:
   • Manual CPC (Cost-per-Click): You set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for each click.
   • Automated Bidding: Google sets the bid for you based on the likelihood of getting a click.

As a beginner, you might want to start with a lower daily budget and monitor your results before increasing it.

Step 6: Write Your Ad

Now it’s time to create the ad that people will see. Google Ads gives you a few different options for ad formats, depending on the type of campaign you’re running. For this example, we’ll focus on a text ad for a Search Campaign.

1. Headline
   The headline is the most important part of your ad. It’s what people will see first, so it needs to grab their attention. You can write up to three headlines, each up to 30 characters long. Make sure your headline is clear, relevant, and includes your main keyword. For example, “Best Custom Cakes in Town” or “Order Delicious Birthday Cakes Today.”
2. Description
   The description gives you 90 characters to tell people more about your business or offer. Use this space to explain why someone should choose your business. Highlight your unique selling points, such as “Free delivery,” “Made with fresh ingredients,” or “Order online for fast pickup.”
3. Display URL
   The display URL is the website address that will appear in your ad. This doesn’t have to be the exact URL of your webpage but should give users an idea of where they will be directed. For example, “http://www.bestbakery.com/custom-cakes.”
4. Call to Action
   A call to action (CTA) encourages people to take the next step. Use action words like “Buy Now,” “Call Today,” or “Get a Free Quote” to motivate users to click on your ad.

Step 7: Review and Launch Your Campaign

Before you launch your ad campaign, Google will show you a preview of what your ad will look like. Review everything carefully to make sure there are no mistakes. Once you’re satisfied, click the “Publish” button, and your ad will start running!

Step 8: Monitor and Optimize Your Campaign

Your work doesn’t end once your ad goes live. To get the best results, you’ll need to monitor its performance regularly. Google Ads provides detailed analytics on how your ads are performing. Some important metrics to keep an eye on include:

• Clicks: How many people clicked on your ad.
• Impressions: How many times your ad was shown.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who clicked your ad after seeing it.
• Conversion Rate: The percentage of people who clicked your ad and took a desired action (like making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter).

If your ads are not performing as well as you’d like, don’t worry! You can always adjust your keywords, budget, or ad copy to improve results.

Example of Posting a Google Ad: A Local Bakery

Let’s say you own a small bakery and want to create a Google Ad to promote your freshly baked goods. Here’s how the process might look:

1. Create a Google Ads Account: You sign in to Google Ads and enter your bakery’s website.
2. Set Your Campaign Goal: Your goal is to drive traffic to your website to increase online orders, so you choose “Sales” as your campaign goal.
3. Select Campaign Type: You choose a “Search Campaign” because you want your ad to appear when people search for terms like “bakery near me.”
4. Target Audience: You target people in your city and set keywords like “fresh bread” and “buy cupcakes online.”
5. Set Budget: You set a daily budget of $15 and choose a manual bidding strategy with a maximum bid of $1 per click.
6. Write the Ad: Your ad headlines include “Fresh Bread & Pastries” and “Order Online for Fast Delivery.”
7. Launch the Ad: You review your ad, and everything looks good. You hit “Publish,” and the ad starts running!

Common Google Ads Mistakes to Avoid

To make the most of your Google Ads campaign, here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

1. Not Doing Proper Keyword Research
   Make sure you’re targeting the right keywords. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find keywords with a good balance of search volume and competition.
2. Ignoring Negative Keywords
   Negative keywords are words that you don’t want your ad to show up for. For example, if you sell luxury watches, you might want to add “cheap” as a negative keyword so that your ad doesn’t appear when someone searches for “cheap watches.”
3. Not Testing Different Ads
   Don’t settle for your first ad. Test different headlines, descriptions, and calls to action to see what works best.
4. Setting and Forgetting
   Google Ads requires regular monitoring. Check your campaign performance frequently and make adjustments as needed.

Conclusion: Get Started with Google Ads Today

Posting Google Ads may seem overwhelming at first, but by following this simple step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating effective ads that drive traffic, sales, or leads to your business. Google Ads is a powerful tool for reaching your target audience, but the key to success lies in careful planning, smart budgeting, and regular monitoring.

So, whether you’re promoting a small local business or a large online store, Google Ads can help you reach your marketing goals. Start small, experiment with different strategies, and soon you’ll be mastering the art of posting successful Google Ad.

Azjargal (Azaa) Gankhuyag

Azjargal (Azaa) Gankhuyag is the founder of ByteCode Digital Marketing Agency. With expertise in data-driven strategies and authentic storytelling, she helps startups and sustainability-focused brands grow through impactful digital marketing.