Google Ads 101 for Small Business: Your First Campaign Setup Guide
- Maria Maurer
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 5
A beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide on how we will launch your first Google Ads search campaign
Google Ads can seem intimidating, but it's a powerful tool for connecting with customers actively searching for what you offer. This guide is designed to be your stress-free, step-by-step walk through for launching your very first Google paid search ad campaign. We'll focus on the essentials to get you up and running without getting bogged down in complex details.
Why Google Ads for Your Small Business?
Imagine someone in your area searching for "plumber near me" or "best coffee shop downtown." With Google Ads, your business can appear right at the top of their search results, putting you directly in front of potential customers at the exact moment they're looking for your services or products. It's targeted advertising that delivers real results.
Step 1: Setting your goal and campaign type
Before we dive into the campaign setup, you'll need a Google Ads account. Once we're in your Google Ads dashboard, you'll want to create a new campaign. This is where your first Google Ads campaign truly begins.
Choose Your Goal: Google will ask you what your main advertising goal is. For most small businesses starting out, "Website traffic" or "Leads" are excellent choices. If you want people to call you, "Phone calls" is also an option.
Select Campaign Type: For this beginner-friendly Google Ads setup, we're focusing on a "Search" campaign. This means your ads will appear on Google search results pages.
Step 2: Defining your budget and bidding strategy
This is where you tell Google how much you're willing to spend. Remember, with small business PPC, you're in control of your budget.
Set Your Daily Budget: Decide on a comfortable daily budget that aligns with your marketing spend. You can start small, even $5-$10 a day, and adjust it later. Google won't spend more than your monthly budget limit (daily budget multiplied by approximately 30.4).
Bidding Strategy: For your initial campaign, a simple bidding strategy like "Maximize Clicks" is often a good starting point. This tells Google to get you as many clicks as possible within your budget. As you get more experienced, you can explore other options.
Step 3: Targeting your audience and location
This is crucial for ensuring your ads reach the right people.
Location Targeting: This is incredibly important for small local businesses. You can target specific cities, regions, or even set a radius around your business address. Don't waste money showing your ads to people who are too far away!
Languages: Select the language your target audience speaks.
And there you have it! We can get your first Google Search campaign up and running quickly. Remember, Google Ads is an ongoing process of learning and optimization. We'll keep an eye on your campaign's performance, make adjustments, and you'll be well on your way to attracting more customers and growing your small business online.
Looking for help with setting up Google Ads in Ontario? Book a free consultation with More to Come Business Services, an easy, affordable marketing agency for growing small businesses in Canada.
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