When I first opened Google Ads, honestly, I was overwhelmed. Buttons, settings, options everywhere. I had no idea how to even begin, let alone master it.
But, over time, after plenty of mistakes (and some big wins!), I learned a clear process that turns Google Ads from something complicated into something surprisingly simple.
Today, I’m sharing exactly what I’ve learned—step by step, in plain language, so anyone can understand it, no matter your age or experience.
Step 1: Organize Your Account Clearly
Think of your Google Ads account like organizing your wardrobe. You wouldn’t throw your socks, shirts, and jackets into one big pile, right? Similarly, create campaigns based on clear themes—like specific products or services you offer. Each campaign then has smaller sections (called “ad groups”) that focus on individual topics or products. Simple organization now saves confusion later.
Step 2: Find the Right Keywords
Keywords are simply what people type into Google when searching. Use a tool like SEMrush or Google’s own Keyword Planner to find out exactly what your potential customers are looking for. Focus on “high-intent” keywords (words people use when they’re ready to buy). Remember to add negative keywords too—these are keywords you don’t want your ads showing up for.
Step 3: Set Your Budget Smartly
This part isn’t about spending lots of money, but spending money wisely. Decide how much you can afford to spend to acquire one customer. This is called your cost per acquisition (CPA). Once you know this number, set your daily budget accordingly.
Step 4: Clearly Define Your Audience
Who exactly are your ads targeting? Google Ads lets you specify age, gender, interests, and even things they’re planning to buy soon (like a car or holiday). The clearer you define your audience, the more effective your ads will be.
Step 5: Know Exactly What You Want to Achieve
Before launching an ad, ask yourself, “What exactly do I want this ad to achieve?” Maybe you want website visits, phone calls, or online purchases. Clearly setting this goal helps Google understand who to show your ad to.
Step 6: Choose Your Ad Format Wisely
Google offers different types of ads—text, images, videos, and shopping ads. Start simple with text ads to understand the basics. As you get comfortable, expand into other formats like video or image ads.
Step 7: Write Ads People Can’t Ignore
I use a simple but powerful writing approach called “Problem-Agitation-Solution” (PAS). First, clearly state the customer’s problem, highlight the pain it causes, and finally present your product as the perfect solution. Keep your copy simple, clear, and relatable.
Step 8: Build Great Landing Pages
Imagine inviting someone to your shop but having nothing interesting inside. Your landing page is where people arrive after clicking your ad. Make sure it’s clear, matches what your ad promises, loads quickly, and guides visitors easily to take action (like filling out a form or buying something).
Step 9: Track What Matters (Conversions)
Conversion tracking is how you see exactly what’s working. Set this up to track phone calls, form submissions, sales, or any action valuable to your business. Without tracking, you’re flying blind.
Step 10: Use Remarketing to Stay on Top of Mind
Ever noticed an ad following you around after visiting a website? That’s remarketing. It gently reminds people who’ve visited but didn’t buy yet, giving them another chance to come back and finish the deal.
Step 11: Make Ads Richer with Extensions
Ad extensions make your ads stand out more. They can show additional links, phone numbers, reviews, special promotions, or even images. It makes your ad more attractive and useful to customers.
Step 12: Automate Bidding to Save Time
Google Ads has smart bidding options. You tell Google your goal (like a specific cost per customer), and Google handles the bids automatically, saving you lots of time and often improving results.
Step 13: Keep Testing for Better Results
Try different versions of ads to see which one works best. This could mean changing headlines, images, or even just small words. Keep testing to gradually improve your ads.
Step 14: Monitor Your Campaign Regularly
Don’t just start ads and forget them. Check regularly to see how they’re doing. Pause ads not performing well, boost those that do, and tweak the ones that are okay but could improve.
Step 15: Use Google Ads Scripts When Ready
Scripts automate boring tasks. They can pause low-performing ads, adjust bids automatically, and even generate detailed reports. This saves time and makes your campaigns run smoothly.
Step 16: Never Stop Learning
Google Ads always evolves. Spend some time regularly learning new features, tips, and strategies. This way, you stay ahead and keep your ads performing their best.
By following these clear, simple steps, anyone—from high-school students starting their first campaign to retired business owners looking to grow online—can master Google Ads.
Remember, everyone starts from zero. The difference between struggling and success is having a clear, easy-to-follow guide. I hope this detailed, personal breakdown helps you become a Google Ads hero too.
Still unsure where to start or feeling overwhelmed?
No worries — I’ve done this over 1,000 times for businesses big and small.
If you’d rather skip the headache and get expert help, just reach out to Friendly Marketer. I’ll take care of everything, so you can focus on running your business.