In today’s digital world, Google Ads has become one of the most accessible platforms for businesses looking to increase their online visibility. With tools like Google Trends and countless YouTube tutorials, many people assume it’s as simple as setting up an account, using a promo code, and running ads. But what’s really happening behind the scenes? There’s a lot more to Google Ads than meets the eye, and understanding the nuances can make all the difference in your campaign’s success.
Table of Contents
Let’s break down the key aspects and secrets of Google Ads that you might not know, but should absolutely understand before spending your first dollar.
1. How to Create a Google Ads Account—What They Don’t Tell You
Setting up a Google Ads account is fairly straightforward, but there are some key points to keep in mind:
- Go to ads.google.com and click “Create Account.”
- You’ll need to set up an invoice and enter your billing details.
Often, new users will get promotional offers, like “Spend $400, get $400 in ad credits.” These deals can be enticing, but be cautious. The credit doesn’t apply immediately, nor is it money deposited into your bank account. Instead, these promotions usually activate 60 days after you’ve spent the required amount and are applied as a discount on future billing.
Pro Tip: Always read the fine print before relying on these promotions, as they often have conditions that could catch you off guard.
2. How to Create Google Ads Campaigns—Don’t Rush In!
Once you’ve set up your Google Ads account, the first thing you’ll be prompted to do is create a campaign. But don’t jump in too quickly! It’s important to understand that Google Ads campaigns aren’t as simple as clicking a button and watching the sales roll in.
To ensure success, you need to focus on keyword research. Google Ads operates on a search-based system, meaning the ads are displayed when people search for specific terms. Without proper research, you could end up targeting the wrong audience or overspending on ineffective keywords.
What Is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of identifying the search terms your potential customers are using to find products or services like yours. This is a critical step in building a successful campaign. Here’s how you can do it:
- Use Tools Like Google Trends and Keyword Planner: Start by brainstorming relevant keywords and plugging them into free tools like Google Trends or Google Keyword Planner. These tools will help you understand search volume, competitiveness, and the cost of each keyword.
- Prioritize Your Keywords: After gathering your list, prioritize your keywords based on relevance, competition, and potential ROI. Keywords like “red t-shirts” or “discounted men’s apparel” might be less competitive and more specific to your business.
Only after completing this research should you begin structuring your campaign.
3. Google Ads Campaign Structure—Why You Need It
Google Ads operates on a structured system, much like a tree. Understanding this structure is crucial for success:
- Campaigns: These set your objective, such as increasing sales or driving website traffic.
- Ad Groups: Each campaign is divided into ad groups, which are based on your keyword structure. For example, you might create ad groups for different types of products, like “blue t-shirts” and “red t-shirts.”
- Ads: Within each ad group, you’ll create ads that target specific keywords. This is where you A/B test different headlines and calls-to-action (CTAs), like “20% Off Blue T-Shirts Now” versus “Discover Our Collection of Blue T-Shirts.”
Having a well-structured campaign is essential because it helps you target the right keywords and test which ad copy resonates best with your audience.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush into creating a campaign without fully planning your structure first. This is where many beginners fail, leading to wasted ad spend.
4. What You Need to Set Before Spending a Dime on Google Ads
Before you hit that “Start Campaign” button, there are several important elements to set up to ensure you’re not throwing money away:
- Set Keyword Match Types: Google Ads offers several match types, like broad match, phrase match, and exact match. Understanding these will help you control which searches trigger your ads.
- A/B Test Your Ads: Run different versions of your ads to see which headlines, descriptions, and CTAs perform best. Regularly testing can improve your results dramatically over time.
- Choose Between Search, Display, and Video Targeting: Google Ads allows you to target search ads, display network ads, and YouTube video ads. Each has different strengths depending on your goals, so choose wisely.
- Set Up Conversion Tracking: This feature allows you to track what actions users take after clicking on your ad, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form.
- Build Custom Audiences: Target users who have visited your site before or shown interest in your products with custom audiences.
These steps should all be in place before you start spending any money on ads. While it may seem complicated, proper preparation is what separates successful campaigns from wasted budgets.
The Secrets No One Tells You About Google Ads
Now, let’s dive into the secrets that many Google Ads beginners overlook:
- STOP Using Automated Formats for New Accounts: Google Ads’ automated systems rely on algorithms that need substantial data (at least 100 conversions in the past 30 days) to work effectively. If your account is brand new, automated settings will often lead to poor results and overspending.
- STOP Blaming Google Ads for Poor Results: Many users give up too quickly, blaming the platform when their campaigns don’t succeed. But in reality, Google Ads can be incredibly effective if properly structured and optimized.
By understanding the deeper mechanics of Google Ads and setting your campaigns up for success from the start, you can avoid the common pitfalls that lead to poor performance.
Final Thoughts: Why You Need a Specialist
Google Ads can be an incredibly powerful tool when used correctly, but as you can see, there are many moving parts. From keyword research and campaign structure to testing and optimization, it takes time and expertise to get right.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or want to ensure your campaigns deliver the best results possible, our expert team at CALESSIA Digital in the French Riviera is here to help. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll guide you through creating successful Google Ads campaigns that convert.myth. Google Ads has tremendous value when properly used.
If you have any questions, click any of the pop-ups on our website and someone in our team with reach you via email. If you want to learn more about Facebook Ads here are some interesting articles you can read.
Related Articles:
Create Your LinkedIn Ads Campaigns to Achieve Profitable Results
