How to Set Up Your First Google Ads Search Campaign

Step 1

Decide what counts as a result

Pick one clear goal, such as calls, contact-form leads or purchases. Everything else is built around it.

Step 2

Set up conversion tracking

In Google Ads, go to Goals → Conversions and create a conversion action for your goal. Install the tag on your site or link Google Analytics.

Without conversion tracking, you can see clicks but not whether they turned into customers.

Step 3

Create a Search campaign

Click New campaign, choose your goal and select Search. Set locations to where your customers are. For local businesses, keep it tight.

Step 4

Set a daily budget

Choose a daily budget you can afford for a few weeks of testing. Google can spend more than the daily budget on some days, but it balances out over the month.

Step 5

Choose focused keywords

Group closely related keywords into ad groups, for example "water heater repair". Use phrase match or exact match to stay relevant while you learn.

Step 6

Add negative keywords

Add words you don't want to show up for, such as "free", "jobs" or "DIY", to avoid wasted clicks.

Step 7

Write your ads

Responsive search ads use up to 15 headlines (30 characters each) and 4 descriptions (90 characters each). Include the service, location, what makes you different and a clear call to action.

Step 8

Review and improve weekly

Check the Search terms report to see real searches, add new negatives and pause keywords that spend without results.

Results vary by industry, competition and budget. Start small, measure and scale what works.

This article is general marketing information, not a guarantee of results. Platform menus and policies change often, so check each platform's official help pages. AdInMobi is not affiliated with Google, Meta or other platforms mentioned.