Google Ads (formerly AdWords) is the world’s most powerful advertising platform. It captures intent at the exact moment a user searches for a solution.

Step 1: Goal Selection

When you create a New Campaign, Google asks for your goal.

Sales: For e-commerce.
Leads: For service businesses collecting emails/phones.
Website Traffic: For content promotion.

Select Search as your campaign type.

Step 2: Bidding Strategy

This is where beginners lose money.

Maximize Clicks: Good for traffic, bad for ROI if you don’t control costs.
Target CPA (Cost Per Acquisition): Best for conversion-focused campaigns.
Manual CPC: Gives you full control over every keyword bid.

Recommendation: Start with Manual CPC or Maximize Clicks with a Bid Cap to prevent overspending while you learn.

Step 3: Keyword Match Types

Understanding match types is critical.

Broad Match (running shoes): Matches anything remotely related (e.g., “blue sneakers”). Dangerous for small budgets.
Phrase Match ("running shoes"): Must include the phrase (e.g., “best running shoes”). Safer.
Exact Match ([running shoes]): Must mean exactly that. Most precise, lowest volume.

Step 4: Writing Compelling Ads

Your ad copy must align with the keyword.

Headline 1: Include the keyword (e.g., “Buy Running Shoes”).
Headline 2: State your Value Proposition (e.g., “Free Shipping & 30-Day Returns”).
Description: A clear Call to Action (CTA).

Step 5: Extensions (Assets)

Don’t skip these. They make your ad bigger for free. Add Sitelinks (links to other pages), Callouts (short USPs), and Call extensions (phone number).

Don’t Pay for Expensive Keywords

Why pay $10/click if you can rank organically? Use NewKeyword to find the “blue ocean” keywords that your competitors are ignoring.

Google Ads (AdWords) 101: How to Launch Your First Search Campaign