Launching Your First Google Ads Campaign

Want to get started with Google Ads but don't know where to begin? This tutorial guides you step by step, from account creation to your first optimized campaign.

Step 1: Create Your Google Ads Account

1.1 Registration

Go to [ads.google.com](https://ads.google.com)

Click "Start now"

1.2 Initial Setup

IMPORTANT: Do NOT follow the automatic campaign creation wizard!

Click "Switch to expert mode" at the bottom of the page

Select "Create an account without a campaign"

Confirm billing information:

- Country: Your country

- Timezone: Your timezone

- Currency: EUR (€) or your currency

1.3 Configure Billing

Go to Tools > Billing > Settings

Add a payment method (credit card recommended)

Configure the billing threshold

Step 2: Set Up Tracking

Tracking is MANDATORY before launching campaigns.

2.1 Install Google Tag Manager

Create an account on [tagmanager.google.com](https://tagmanager.google.com)

Create a container for your site

Install GTM code on your site:

- In : main script

- After : noscript fallback

2.2 Configure Conversions

In Google Ads:

Go to Tools > Measurement > Conversions

Click "+ New conversion action"

Select "Website"

Configure your conversion:

- Name: "Contact Form" or "Purchase"

- Value: amount or estimated value

- Count: One per click (leads) or Every (e-commerce)

In GTM:

Create a "Conversion Linker" tag (All Pages)

Create a "Google Ads Conversion Tracking" tag

Configure the trigger (form submission, confirmation page)

Publish the container

2.3 Verify Tracking

Install the [Google Tag Assistant](https://tagassistant.google.com/) extension

Perform a test conversion

Verify in Google Ads > Conversions that the action is tracked

Step 3: Keyword Research

3.1 Initial Brainstorming

List terms your potential customers search for:

Products/services you sell

Problems you solve

Industry terms

3.2 Use the Planning Tool

Go to Tools > Planning > Keyword Planner

"Discover new keywords"

Enter your base terms

Analyze:

- Monthly search volume

- Competition

- Suggested bid

3.3 Select Your Keywords

Selection Criteria:

Sufficient volume (> 100 searches/month)

Commercial intent (not informational)

Bid consistent with your budget

Relevance to your offer

Example Structure:

Main keyword: "google ads agency"
Variations:
- "google ads agency london"
- "google ads expert"
- "adwords consultant"
- "google ads campaign management"

Step 4: Create Your First Campaign

4.1 New Campaign

Click "+ New campaign"

Objective: "Leads" or "Sales"

Type: "Search network"

Result: "Website visits"

Enter your site URL

4.2 Campaign Settings

Naming:

[Type] - [Product/Service] - [Geo] - [Targeting]
Example: SEARCH - Google Ads - UK - Exact

Networks:

✅ Google Search Network

❌ Search Partners (uncheck)

❌ Display Network (uncheck)

Geographic Areas:

Select your target areas

Option: "Presence" (not "Interest")

Languages:

English (or your target language)

Budget:

Set a daily budget

Recommended minimum: €20-30/day to start

Bidding:

Beginner: "Maximize clicks" with max CPC

After 20 conversions: "Maximize conversions"

4.3 Create an Ad Group

Naming:

[Group Theme]
Example: Google Ads Agency

Add your keywords:

[google ads agency]        → Exact match
"google ads agency london" → Phrase match

Match Types:

[keyword]: Exact (more precise, less volume)

"keyword": Phrase (balance)

keyword: Broad (more volume, less precise)

4.4 Create Your Ads

Responsive Search Ads (RSA):

Create 15 headlines (30 characters max):

Headline 1: Expert Google Ads Agency
Headline 2: +150% Average ROI
Headline 3: 10 Years of Experience
Headline 4: Free Audit in 24h
Headline 5: Certified Google Partner
...

Create 4 descriptions (90 characters max):

Description 1: Certified Google Ads experts. €10M+ budget managed. Free audit with no commitment.
Description 2: Boost your ROI with our expert team. Guaranteed results from the first month.
...

Golden Rules:

Include keyword in at least 2 headlines

Highlight a unique benefit

Add a call-to-action

Vary angles (price, quality, speed, guarantee)

4.5 Ad Extensions

Essential Extensions:

Sitelinks (4 minimum):

- Our Services

- Case Studies

- Pricing

- Contact

Callouts (4 minimum):

- Free Audit

- No Commitment

- Response in 24h

- 10+ Years Experience

Structured Snippets:

- Services: SEA, Social Ads, Creation...

Call Extension (if relevant)

Location Extension (if local)

Step 5: Launch and Optimize

5.1 Pre-Launch Checklist

[ ] Tracking verified and functional

[ ] Budget defined

[ ] Relevant keywords added

[ ] At least 2 ads per group

[ ] Extensions configured

[ ] Landing page optimized

5.2 The First Days

Day 1-3:

Let the campaign collect data

Don't make major modifications

Verify impressions are coming in

Day 4-7:

Analyze search terms

Add negative keywords

Check performance by device

5.3 Continuous Optimization

Every Week:

Review search terms → Negatives

Analyze CTR → Optimize weak ads

Check conversions → Adjust bids

Every Month:

Analyze ROAS/CPA

Test new ads

Adjust budgets per campaign

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

No tracking: You can't optimize what you don't measure

Budget too low: Minimum €20/day to start

Keywords too broad: Prefer exact and phrase match

Single ad: Minimum 3 per group to test

Ignoring negatives: Block irrelevant terms

Sending to homepage: Create dedicated landing pages

Conclusion

Launching your first Google Ads campaign requires rigor but isn't insurmountable. Keys to success:

Impeccable tracking

Targeted keywords

Varied ads

Continuous optimization

Need help with your campaigns? Our experts can support you from launch. [Request your free audit](/en/contact).

Creating Your First Google Ads Campaign: Step-by-Step Tutorial