If you’ve ever wondered how to do Google Ads to get more traffic, sales, or leads, you’re not alone. Google Ads is one of the most powerful advertising platforms available, allowing you to show up right when people are searching for what you offer.
But if you’re just getting started, it can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—I’ve got you. In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn exactly how to do Google Ads the right way, without wasting your budget.
What Are Google Ads?
Google Ads is Google’s advertising platform that lets businesses display ads on Google search results, YouTube, and across millions of websites through the Google Display Network. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad—this is called pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
Why Use Google Ads?
- 🚀 Show up at the top of Google search results
- 💰 Only pay when someone engages
- 🎯 Target your ideal audience based on keywords, location, device, and more
- 📈 Track and optimize results in real-time
Now, let’s break down how to do Google Ads step-by-step.
Step 1: Create a Google Ads Account
Head to ads.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click “Start now” to begin setting up your first campaign.
Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Type
There are several types of campaigns, but for beginners, start with:
- Search Campaigns: Text ads that appear in Google search results
- Display Campaigns: Banner ads shown across websites
- Video Campaigns: Ads shown on YouTube
If you’re a service provider or selling a product, a Search Campaign is often the best place to start.
Step 3: Set Your Goal
Google will ask what you want to achieve:
- Get more website visits
- Get more phone calls
- Drive in-store visits
- Increase brand awareness
Choose the goal that aligns with your business.
Step 4: Define Your Audience
Target people based on:
- Location – Choose cities, states, countries, or a radius around your business
- Language – Usually English, unless your audience speaks another
- Device – You can prioritize mobile or desktop
Step 5: Do Keyword Research
This is one of the most important steps in learning how to do Google Ads.
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner (free in your Ads account)
- Ubersuggest
- AnswerThePublic
Choose keywords that match what your audience is searching for—and look for a mix of high intent, low competition, and affordability.
👉 Example: If you’re a life coach, use keywords like “online life coach” or “confidence coaching for women.”
Google will show you estimates of how many clicks your budget can get based on your keywords and targeting.
Tip: Start small, analyze performance, and scale what works.
Step 7: Write High-Converting Ad Copy
Great ad copy = more clicks + better results. Here’s a simple formula:
- Headline 1: Keyword-focused
- Headline 2: A benefit or call to action
- Description: What problem do you solve? What’s your offer?
✅ Example: Headline 1: Affordable Online Life Coaching
Headline 2: Build Confidence & Clarity
Description: Personalized sessions to help you gain clarity, take action & achieve your goals. Book a free consultation today!
Step 8: Set Up Ad Extensions (Optional but Powerful)
Ad extensions make your ad bigger and more clickable.
Use:
- Sitelinks (link to multiple pages)
- Call Extensions (add a phone number)
- Location Extensions (if you have a physical business)
Step 9: Launch and Monitor
Click Publish and your ad will start running (after a short review process). Use the dashboard to track:
- Clicks
- CTR (Click Through Rate)
- Conversions
- Cost per Conversion
Step 10: Optimize Like a Pro
Once your ad is live, watch how it performs and make changes:
- Pause keywords that aren’t converting
- Split-test different ad copy
- Adjust your bids or budget
- Add negative keywords to block irrelevant searches
Final Thoughts: How to Do Google Ads Without Wasting Money
Learning how to do Google Ads isn’t just about setting it up—it’s about optimizing, testing, and refining. Start small, focus on one goal, and use your data to get better over time.
If you want to get even more strategic with Google Ads, I offer a course that walks you through advanced targeting, analytics, and campaign scaling. You can check it out here.
