How to Set Up Your First Google Ads Campaign

Why Google Ads Still Matter

In a digital world filled with social media ads, influencer marketing, and content campaigns, you might wonder if Google Ads are still worth it. The truth is, Google remains the most dominant search engine, with billions of daily queries. That means people are constantly searching for products, services, and solutions that businesses like yours offer.

A well-executed Google ads campaign gives you direct access to this audience. Instead of waiting for customers to find your website organically, you can appear right at the top of search results when they’re actively looking for what you offer.

If you’re new to the world of paid search, setting up your first Google ads campaign might feel intimidating. But with the right guidance, it becomes a powerful tool to grow your visibility, attract quality leads, and boost your revenue.

Understanding What a Google Ads Campaign Is

Before diving into setup, it’s important to understand what a Google ads campaign actually is. Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) is Google’s online advertising platform. It lets businesses bid on specific keywords so their ads appear when people search for related terms.

A Google ads campaign is a structured advertising effort made up of:

Campaigns: The top level that defines your advertising goal (for example, website traffic or conversions).
Ad groups: These organize your ads by theme or keyword category.
Ads: The actual text or visual content users see.

Each campaign has settings for budget, audience, and bidding strategies, which control where and when your ads appear.

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Every successful Google ads campaign starts with a clear goal. What do you want to achieve?

Google Ads allows you to choose from several objectives, such as:

Sales: Encourage purchases or direct conversions.
Leads: Get potential customers to sign up, inquire, or download something.
Website traffic: Drive visitors to your site.
Brand awareness: Increase visibility and recognition.
App promotion: Boost app downloads or engagement.

Defining your goal helps you align your targeting, budget, and ad creatives so they all work toward a single purpose.

Step 2: Know Your Target Audience

Even the best ad won’t perform well if it reaches the wrong people. The key to a strong Google ads campaign is knowing your audience inside out.

Think about the following:

Who is your ideal customer?
What are their pain points and motivations?
What words or phrases would they use when searching for your solution?

Google Ads allows advanced targeting options such as demographics, location, interests, and even device type. If you’re a local business in the Philippines, for example, you can target users in specific regions or cities to avoid wasting your budget on irrelevant clicks.

Step 3: Conduct Keyword Research

Keywords are the foundation of every Google ads campaign. They determine when and where your ad will appear.

Start by brainstorming the words your potential customers might use to find you. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs can help you identify search volumes and competition levels.

Here’s a quick breakdown of keyword types:

Broad match: Triggers your ad for searches related to your keyword, even if not exact.
Phrase match: Your ad shows when the search includes the meaning of your keyword.
Exact match: Displays your ad only when someone searches for your specific phrase.

Balancing these keyword types ensures your Google ads campaign captures both reach and relevance.

Pro tip: Avoid targeting overly broad keywords, especially when you’re just starting out. They can drain your budget quickly with low-quality traffic. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords that show higher intent, such as “affordable SEO agency in the Philippines” or “buy running shoes online.”

Step 4: Choose Your Campaign Type

Google offers multiple campaign types, depending on your goals:

Search campaigns: Text-based ads that appear on Google search results pages.
Display campaigns: Visual ads shown on websites within Google’s display network.
Shopping campaigns: For e-commerce stores showcasing products with images and prices.
Video campaigns: Ads shown on YouTube.
Performance Max campaigns: Automated campaigns that combine Google’s networks to reach more users efficiently.

For beginners, a Search campaign is the most straightforward option. It helps you reach people actively searching for your product or service.

Step 5: Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy

One of the best things about running a Google ads campaign is the flexibility in budgeting. You can start small, test results, and scale up as performance improves.

Google Ads works on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning you pay only when someone clicks your ad.

When setting your budget, consider two things:

Daily budget: The maximum amount you’re willing to spend each day.
Bidding strategy: How you want Google to spend that budget to meet your campaign goals.

Common bidding options include:

Manual CPC (Cost per click): You control how much to pay per click.
Maximize clicks: Google automatically adjusts bids to get the most clicks within your budget.
Target CPA (Cost per acquisition): Optimizes for conversions at a target cost.
Target ROAS (Return on ad spend): Focuses on revenue for every peso spent.

If you’re new, start with a moderate budget and use automated bidding strategies while you learn what works best.

Step 6: Create Your Ad Groups and Ads

Once your campaign and keywords are set, it’s time to create your ad groups. Each ad group should focus on a specific theme or keyword cluster. This structure keeps your ads relevant and improves your Quality Score, which can lower costs and improve placement.

Within each ad group, you’ll create multiple ads. For Search campaigns, these are typically text-based and include:

Headline: Captures attention and includes your primary keyword.
Description: Expands on your offer and adds a call to action.
Display URL: Shows users where they’ll land after clicking.

For example, if you run an online shoe store, your ad could look like this:

Headline: Buy Running Shoes Online | Free Delivery Philippines
Description: Get the latest styles and save up to 30%. Shop now and enjoy fast, free shipping nationwide.

The key is to make each ad engaging, relevant, and actionable.

Step 7: Optimize Your Landing Page

Many new advertisers overlook this step. A successful Google ads campaign doesn’t end when someone clicks your ad — it continues on your landing page.

Your landing page should deliver exactly what your ad promises. It must be:

Relevant: Match the keyword and ad copy.
Fast-loading: Users leave if pages take too long to load.
Mobile-friendly: Most searches now happen on mobile devices.
Clear in messaging: Have one main call-to-action (e.g., “Buy Now” or “Contact Us”).

A seamless experience from ad to landing page boosts conversion rates and improves your Quality Score, reducing your cost per click over time.

Step 8: Add Extensions for Better Performance

Ad extensions make your Google ads campaign more powerful by adding extra information and increasing visibility.

Some useful ones include:

Sitelink extensions: Link to additional pages like “About Us” or “Contact.”
Call extensions: Let users call you directly from the ad.
Location extensions: Show your business address and map.
Callout extensions: Highlight unique selling points like “Free Consultation” or “24/7 Support.”

Using extensions can make your ad more appealing and improve click-through rates without increasing your cost.

Step 9: Review, Launch, and Monitor

Before you hit publish, review all campaign settings carefully. Check your targeting, keywords, ad copy, and landing page URLs.

Once live, monitoring performance is crucial. Google Ads provides detailed analytics on clicks, impressions, cost per conversion, and more.

Key metrics to track include:

CTR (Click-through rate): Indicates how compelling your ad is.
Conversion rate: Shows how many clicks turned into actions.
CPC (Cost per click): Helps manage your spending.
Quality Score: Measures relevance and ad performance.

Adjust your campaign based on these insights. Pause underperforming keywords, refine ad copy, or experiment with different bidding strategies.

Step 10: Continuous Optimization

A Google ads campaign isn’t a “set it and forget it” strategy. It requires consistent testing and refinement.

Keep improving by:

Running A/B tests on headlines and descriptions.
Updating keywords based on performance.
Adjusting bids for high-performing ads.
Using negative keywords to filter irrelevant traffic.
Refreshing your landing pages for better conversions.

Over time, these small tweaks can significantly improve your ROI.

Why Partnering with an Expert Agency Helps

Setting up your first Google ads campaign is doable, but mastering it takes experience. The learning curve can be steep, especially when balancing daily management, analytics, and optimization.

That’s where working with a professional SEM agency like NextGen Search Agency can make all the difference. Their team understands how to create data-driven campaigns that don’t just attract traffic but convert it into actual sales.

They can help you:

Identify high-converting keywords.
Craft engaging, relevant ad copy.
Monitor and refine campaigns for better ROI.
Ensure every peso spent works toward your goals.

With expert management, your Google ads campaign becomes more than an experiment—it turns into a consistent source of leads and revenue.

Conclusion: Start Your Google Ads Journey with Confidence

Launching your first Google ads campaign can open up incredible opportunities for growth. When done right, it brings your business in front of motivated customers at the exact moment they’re ready to act.

From keyword research to ad optimization, each step matters. And while it’s possible to manage it yourself, having an experienced team guiding your strategy ensures you maximize every click and every peso.

NextGen Search Agency, a leading SEM agency in the Philippines, specializes in helping businesses like yours succeed with expertly managed Google Ads campaigns. Their proven approach combines smart strategy, creative execution, and data-backed insights to deliver measurable results.

Ready to turn your first Google ads campaign into a winning one?
Visit nextgensearch.agency