Frustrated with online ads that don’t work? Many beginners find creating a Google Ad campaign tricky at first. This guide will show you how to create a Google Ad campaign step by step. It’s simpler than you think.
Set up a Google Ads account by adding your business details and payment method. This is needed to run ads online.
Choose clear campaign goals like "Website Traffic" or "Leads" to guide your ad strategy. Match the goal with the right campaign type, such as Search or Display ads.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner for keyword research. Focus on words with high searches but low competition, and use negative keywords to save money.
Write short and engaging ad copy with strong headlines and clear calls-to-action (CTAs). Match your ad text to the content on your landing page for trust.
Track metrics daily, like clicks and conversions, using the Google Ads dashboard. Adjust campaigns often by testing new keywords or refining ad copy for better results.
Start by creating a Google Ads account. Add your business details to get started with advertising online.
Go to the Google Ads website and click "Start Now." Sign in with your Google account, or create one if you don’t have it. Follow the prompts to set up basic details.
Add your business name and billing information. Choose a payment method like credit card or bank transfer. This will allow payments for running ads later on.
A well-prepared account is the first step to successful online advertising!
Add your business details to Google Ads for better campaign results. Log into your Google Ads account. Then, go to "Settings" and select the "Account settings" tab.
Fill in fields like your business name, address, website link and phone number. Use accurate information so customers can trust you. Ensure your currency and time zone match where you operate in Ireland for easier budgeting and tracking.
Your campaign goals guide your entire strategy. Clear objectives help you create ads that work effectively.
Choose an objective that matches your business goals. Want more website visits? Pick "Website Traffic." Need calls or store visits? Choose "Leads" or "Local Store Visits.".
Clear goals guide you to better results in online advertising.
Think about what action you want customers to take. Each objective tells Google how to show your ads for the best outcome.
Google Ads offers several campaign types to fit your goals. Search campaigns show text ads at the top of Google results when users search for specific keywords. Display campaigns use images and banners, appearing across websites and apps.
Shopping campaigns are great for selling products. They put product details like price and image in front of shoppers on Google Shopping. Video campaigns run on YouTube, helping promote with engaging videos.
App campaigns focus on driving app downloads by showing ads in various places online.
Choosing the right keywords is key to reaching your audience. Plan wisely — each word can make or break your campaign.
Find words that match what your customers search for. Use simple terms related to your business or product. Think like your audience, and pick phrases they might type into Google.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to check search volumes. Focus on words with high searches but low competition. A local bakery in Dublin, for example, could try "fresh bread Dublin" or "best cakes near me."
The right keywords can connect you directly with the people who need you most.
Use Google Keyword Planner to find words people search often. Type a word or phrase linked to your business. The tool suggests related terms and shows how many searches they get monthly.
Pick popular ones with low competition for better results.
Group similar keywords together for ad targeting. Check the cost per click (CPC) of each keyword shown by the planner and focus on affordable options that match your budget limits.
Negative keywords stop your ad from showing in searches with unwanted terms. For example, if you sell luxury shoes, adding "cheap" as a negative keyword helps avoid clicks from people looking for cheap options.
This saves money and keeps ads relevant.
Match types decide how closely a search term must match your keyword. Broad match includes similar phrases, phrase match targets exact word order with extra words before or after, and exact match focuses on precise queries.
Using the right mix can improve performance and control costs effectively.
Crafting ads that grab attention is key to success. Use clear language and focus on what your audience wants.
Use action words to grab attention. For example, "Boost Sales Today" or "Save Big on Marketing Tools" work well. Keep your headline short and clear, around 30 characters if possible.
Focus on benefits in your descriptions. Highlight what customers gain, like "Increase traffic with expert ads." Use keywords wisely to match searches without overloading the text. Stay engaging but easy to read.
Ad assets highlight key information about your business. They add phone numbers, locations, or links to give more details. This helps people take quick actions, like calling or visiting your site.
They make ads stand out and appear useful. More clicks mean better results for businesses. Using ad extensions can also increase conversions and save money by boosting returns on ad spend.
Set a budget to control your spending and avoid surprises. Choose a bidding method that matches your campaign goals.
Choose a daily budget based on how much you want to spend in total. Divide your monthly ad budget by 30. For example, if you plan to spend €300 per month, set the daily limit at €10.
Start small and test results within your comfort zone. As performance improves, adjust spending gradually. Check campaign data often to stay on track with costs and returns.
Pick a bid strategy based on your campaign goal. For increasing website traffic, use "Maximise Clicks". If you want more sales or leads, try "Target ROAS" (return on ad spend) or "Maximise Conversions".
Manual CPC gives full control over bids but needs time. Automated strategies like "Enhanced CPC" adjust bids automatically for better results. Start with automation if unsure and switch later to manual as you learn more.
Reaching the right people is key to a successful ad campaign. Focus on who your ideal customers are and where they spend their time online.
Choose your business location carefully in Google Ads. Go to the "Settings" tab, then pick "Locations". Enter the area you want to target, like Dublin or all of Ireland. You can also exclude areas where you don’t want ads to show.
Set the right language for your audience. Under "Languages" in settings, choose the languages your customers speak, such as English or Irish. This ensures your ad reaches the right people at the right time!
Advanced audience segmentation splits your target audience into smaller, specific groups. These groups share similar traits, like location, age, interests or online behaviour. For example, you can show ads only to users in Dublin who search for "local coffee shops" on Google.
This ensures your ads reach the right people and boosts your chances of conversions.
Use tools like Google Ads Audience Manager to set these segments up. Start by analysing customer data to identify patterns or preferences. Then create categories such as "young professionals," "parents," or "sports fans." Test different ad messages for each group to improve engagement rates while keeping costs low.
A good landing page can make or break your ad’s success. Focus on keeping it simple, clear, and relevant to your ad.
Use a clear and simple design. Place the most important details at the top of the page. Make your headline stand out so visitors know what you offer right away.
Add one call-to-action button, like "Sign Up" or "Buy Now." Keep forms short with only essential fields. Use fast-loading images to grab attention without slowing down the page. Optimise for mobile devices since most users browse on their phones these days.
Match the headline of your ad to the headline on your landing page. Keep the same tone, keywords, and offers in both. This gives users a clear path and builds trust.
Make sure your call-to-action (CTA) matches too. If your ad says "Buy Now", let the landing page guide them straight to buying. Avoid confusing layouts or extra steps.
Start your campaign with a clear plan and double-check all settings. Monitor performance daily to spot issues early and make quick changes.
Use the Google Ads dashboard to check key metrics. Look at impressions, clicks, and conversions. These show how often your ad is seen, clicked on, or leads to sales or actions.
Review your click-through rate (CTR) for effectiveness. A higher CTR means strong engagement. Check the cost-per-click (CPC) too, so you know how much each click costs compared to your budget.
Check your ad metrics often. Look at clicks, impressions, and conversion rates. If something is low, change it. For example, update your headlines or descriptions to be clearer or more appealing.
Test different versions of your ads using A/B testing. Try new keywords if the old ones do not work well. Add negative keywords to avoid unwanted clicks. Adjust location targeting if needed to focus on areas where most customers are located in Ireland.
Google Ads is a great tool for Irish small businesses. It helps you reach people searching online for services or products like yours. With Google Ads, you can show ads to the right audience, at the right time.
You control your budget and choose how much to spend each day on ads. This means small businesses in Ireland can use it without breaking the bank! It's targeted advertising that brings better results compared to traditional methods like newspaper listings.
Creating a Google Ad campaign may seem tricky, but it gets easier with practice. Start small and adjust as you learn. Focus on clear goals, strong keywords, and great ad copy. Track your results to improve performance over time.
With patience, your efforts will lead to success.
A Google Ad campaign is an online advertising method where businesses create ads to appear on Google search results or partner sites, targeting specific audiences.
Begin by setting up a free account on Google Ads. Then, choose your goals, select keywords that match your audience's searches, and design your ad.
One challenge is selecting the right keywords for better visibility. Another is setting budgets that balance cost with expected returns while tracking performance effectively.
Use tools like keyword research to target relevant terms and set location preferences or demographics to refine who sees your ad.
If your ads are spending but not bringing in customers, we can fix that.
I work with business owners across Ireland to set up the essentials properly: campaign structure, bidding strategy, keyword and audience targeting, conversion tracking, and ad copy.
We’ll go through your Google Ad campaign creation process step by step and get your Google Ads doing what they should: driving more of the right traffic, enquiries and clients.
Book a 20-min consultation and let's get your Google Ads working hard for you.
Alessandro Boscolo Conway — Hello Digital
I'm a Dublin-based freelance SEO and digital marketing consultant with over 20 years of experience, including time on Google Ireland’s Search Quality team.
I run Hello Digital, a consultancy that helps startups and small businesses across Ireland grow online through clear strategy, expert delivery, and practical support.
I've worked with over 50 Irish companies to improve their visibility, generate better leads, and grow sustainably through SEO and digital marketing.
I'm a certified Google Partner and a trusted advisor to e-commerce brands, local services, and fast-growing startups.
Based in Dublin, 20+ years of experience
Former Googler, certified Google Partner, SEO strategist, and performance marketer
Trusted by 50+ Irish startups, e-commerce brands, and local businesses