Getting Started with Google Ads
Google Ads puts your business in front of people actively searching for what you offer. It's one of the most effective ways to generate leads quickly — but it's also easy to waste money if you don't know what you're doing.
How Google Ads Works
You bid on keywords related to your business. When someone searches for those keywords, your ad can appear at the top of the results. You only pay when someone clicks.
Setting Up Your First Campaign
1. Define Your Goals
Are you looking for phone calls, form submissions, online purchases, or website visits? Your goal determines your campaign type.
2. Research Keywords
Use Google's Keyword Planner to find relevant keywords with decent search volume. Focus on intent — "hire web designer London" is better than "web design" for generating leads.
3. Write Compelling Ads
Your ad copy needs to:
- Match the searcher's intent
- Include a clear value proposition
- Have a strong call to action
- Use relevant keywords naturally
4. Set a Sensible Budget
Start small — £10-20/day is enough to test. Scale up once you know what's working.
5. Build a Landing Page
Don't send ad traffic to your homepage. Create a dedicated landing page that matches your ad and makes it easy to convert.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Broad match keywords without negative keywords — you'll waste budget on irrelevant searches
- Sending traffic to your homepage — always use targeted landing pages
- Not tracking conversions — if you're not measuring results, you're guessing
- Set and forget — campaigns need regular optimisation
When to Get Help
If you're spending more than £500/month, professional management typically pays for itself through improved efficiency. Explore our Google Ads services to learn how we can help maximise your return on ad spend.