Thinking about running your first ad on Google, but not sure where to begin?
You’re not alone.
Many people start with the same question.
But the good news is, getting started is simple when you break it down step by step. You don’t need to be a tech expert or a marketing pro to use Google Ads.
You just need a clear idea of what you want to promote and some easy steps to follow.
Let’s make this whole thing easy to understand, like we’re talking over chai.
Thinking about running your first ad on Google, but not sure where to begin?
You’re not alone.
Many people start with the same question.
But the good news is, getting started is simple when you break it down step by step. You don’t need to be a tech expert or a marketing pro to use Google Ads.
You just need a clear idea of what you want to promote and some easy steps to follow.
Let’s make this whole thing easy to understand, like we’re talking over chai.
What is Google Ads and Why Use It?
Google Ads is an online advertising platform where you can show your products or services to people who are already searching for them. It’s like opening a shop in a busy market where customers are already looking for what you sell.
When someone searches for something related to your business, your ad can appear right there at the top of the page. That means you get real attention from people who are more likely to buy or take action. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad.
So it’s like paying only when someone walks into your shop.
Now let’s see how you can set this up from scratch.
Step 1: Know What You Want to Achieve
Before anything else, think about what you want from your ads. You could be aiming to get more people to visit your website, receive more phone calls, increase foot traffic to your local store, or promote a new product or offer. Having this clear in your mind helps in setting up your campaign easily. Google will even ask you this while creating your first ad.
Step 2: Create a Google Ads Account
Once you know your goal, go to Google Ads and sign in using your regular Gmail account. It’s completely free to open an account.
After that, you’ll be asked a few questions like what your goal is, your business name, and your website (if you have one). Just answer them one by one. No rush.
If you ever need to skip setup and just get started quickly, some people even choose to buy AdWords account to speed up the process. But make sure it’s done in the right way and the right place, with proper safety and ownership.
Step 3: Set Your Budget
This is the part where you decide how much you’re comfortable spending every day. It’s flexible. You can start small. You can also stop or pause your ads anytime.
So, you’re always in control. There’s no need to think big from day one. Starting small helps you understand what works.
Step 4: Choose Your Target Audience
This is like deciding who should see your ad. You can choose an area like your city, state, or even a pin code. You can also set the language to English, Hindi, or any local language. The better you choose your audience, the more likely your ad will connect with the right people.
Step 5: Write a Simple, Catchy Ad
Your ad is made up of just a few short lines, so every word matters. Your headline should grab attention. Your description should explain what’s special.
And don’t forget to add a link to your website or contact page. Make sure your message matches your goal.
If you want calls, say something like call now. If you want website visits, say, check out our collection. Keep the language simple and clear. Imagine what you’d say to a friend.
Step 6: Choose Where Your Ads Appear
This is about picking the platforms and locations where your ad will be shown. You can choose search results on Google, YouTube videos, mobile apps, Gmail inbox, or partner websites.
For first-timers, it’s better to stick with Google Search. That’s where people are already searching for things.
Step 7: Set Up Billing and Review Everything
Google will ask you to add your payment method. You can use cards, UPI, net banking, or whatever suits you. Before you hit the publish button, take a moment to review your ad.
Is the message clear? Are the keywords right? Is the location correctly set? Is the budget what you wanted? Everything looks fine? Then go ahead and publish.
Step 8: Watch How Your Ads Perform
Once your ad is live, Google shows you how it’s doing. You can see how many people saw your ad, how many clicked, how much you’ve spent, and what keywords are performing better. This is where you learn and grow.
Maybe one keyword is doing well and another is not. You can pause or add new ones anytime. You’re the boss here.
Step 9: Keep Improving Slowly
Don’t worry if everything doesn’t look perfect in the beginning.
That’s completely okay. As days go by, you’ll start understanding what kind of people are clicking, which ad is working, and how to improve it.
Google also gives suggestions inside your account to help you adjust. You can test new messages, change budgets, or try different areas. Every change teaches you something new.
How to Make Ads Work Better Over Time
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start using a few more options inside your Google Ads account.
These can make your ads even more useful.
Try Different Ad Types
Apart from text ads, you can also run image ads or video ads. These appear on YouTube, apps, and websites. If you have eye-catching photos or videos, give it a try. It helps to show your product in action.
Use Ad Extensions
These are little extras you can add to your ad, like your phone number, links to different parts of your website, a location map, or extra offers or highlights. They make your ad look bigger and give more info to people.
Focus on Mobile Users
Most people use mobile phones to search. Make sure your website or landing page opens quickly and looks good on small screens. Google also tells you how your ad performs on mobile.
Track Your Goals
Google lets you track things like calls, purchases, or form submissions. If you want to know how many people took action after clicking your ad, this feature is useful. You’ll get a better idea of what’s working.
Final Thoughts
Starting with Google Ads is much easier than it sounds. You don’t need to spend a lot or have special knowledge. You just need a clear idea of your goal and a few minutes to set things up.
Think of it like putting your board up on the internet’s main road. People are already passing by, your ad just helps them notice you.
So go ahead, try it out. You’ll learn as you go. And remember, it’s all flexible. You can start small, test, learn, and make it better. One step at a time.
