How to set up Google Ads the right way

Setting up Google Ads the right way is a bit like ordering a flat white: it looks simple, but one wrong move and it’s all foam, no flavour.

Whether you’re a newbie or a marketer with battle scars, Google Ads can skyrocket your brand or swallow your budget whole. That’s why a solid setup matters – because Google Ads doesn’t reward guesswork, just strategy. And the brands who take the time to do Google Ads properly are the ones who enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of high-converting clicks.

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Start with clear goals

Before you even poke the “Create Campaign” button, decide what you want Google Ads to accomplish. Leads? Sales? Newsletter signups? A fan club? Your goal tells Google Ads what you actually care about so it doesn’t optimise for the wrong thing. Think of it as telling your GPS where you want to go – otherwise you’ll land up nowhere interesting.

Choose the right campaign type

If you pick the wrong campaign format, Google Ads will treat your budget like confetti in a tornado.

Search campaigns = people who want you now.

Performance Max = “spread me everywhere.”

Display = “look at me, I’m pretty.”

When you choose the right home for your ad, Google Ads can finally stop guessing and start delivering.

Know your audience deeply

If you don’t know who you’re talking to, Google Ads will happily show your ads to literally anyone – including your mom. Dive into your audience’s problems, desires, and late-night Google searches so Google Ads can match your message to the right people. Creepy? Maybe.
Effective? Absolutely.

Do keyword research the smart way

Your keywords are the compass,

Google Ads uses to navigate the internet jungle. Use Keyword Planner to find terms people actually search for – not the ones you wish they searched for – so Google Ads sends quality traffic instead of random internet wanderers. Mix long-tail and short-tail for balance, like a good playlist.

Create tight, intent-driven Ad groups

Messy ad groups confuse Google Ads, and confused algorithms burn money. Group keywords by theme so your ads stay laser-focused and Google Ads rewards you with a high Quality Score. Think “sushi platter” organisation, not “everything in one Tupperware.”

Write copy that matches search intent

Your ad copy should feel like a mind-reader, not a mystery novel. If someone searches “same-day plumber,” your Google Ads copy should NOT talk about “luxury bathroom upgrades.” Match intent, offer value, and give Google Ads something relevant to chew on. That’s how you earn clicks that actually convert.

Use landing pages that convert

Sending people to your homepage is the digital equivalent of inviting them to a party and forgetting to open the front door. Build specific landing pages so Google Ads sees the relevance and rewards you with cheaper clicks. A good landing page answers questions fast, looks clean, and avoids paragraphs that feel like tax forms.

Set a budget you can learn from

A tiny daily budget slows down Google Ads like cold honey dripping from a spoon. You need enough spend for Google Ads to learn, test, and optimise – otherwise you’ll be waiting weeks for meaningful data. Start with something sensible and scale with confidence.

Choose the right bidding strategy

Your bidding strategy tells Google Ads how aggressively you want to play the game.

“Maximise clicks” = scouting.

“Maximise conversions” = hunting.

CPA and ROAS = sniper mode.

As your campaigns grow, Google Ads can handle more advanced strategies – just don’t expect perfection on day one.

Use negative keywords to protect your budget

Think of negative keywords as boundary-setting for Google Ads. You wouldn’t let strangers walk into your house, so don’t let irrelevant searches walk into your ad spend. Add negatives weekly and watch Google Ads sharpen its focus like a cat zeroing in on a laser pointer.

Track everything properly

Running campaigns without tracking is like baking blindfolded. Install conversion tags and connect analytics so Google Ads knows what’s working.

Data turns chaos into clarity

– and clarity is how you turn Google Ads from “meh” into “money.”

Monitor, test, and optimise weekly

Google Ads is not a pot plant – you can’t water it once and hope for the best. Check search terms, rotate ads, adjust bids, and prune dead-weight keywords so Google Ads keeps improving. Tiny weekly tweaks = major long-term wins.

Know when to bring in the pros

If you’re still drowning in acronyms and your ROAS looks like a bad joke, it might be time to call in people who eat Google Ads for breakfast. The right partner cleans up your setup, protects your budget, and gets your campaigns humming.

How Brandnamix can help you win with Google Ads

If all of this feels like juggling flaming swords while blindfolded, don’t stress – that’s exactly where Google Ads specialists like Brandnamix come in.

We build campaigns that perform

We build campaigns that don’t just run, but perform. From smart keyword strategies to scroll-stopping ads and conversion-ready landing pages, Brandnamix turns Google Ads into a predictable, scalable growth engine.

Whether you’re launching your first campaign or trying to fix one that’s eating your budget alive, we’ll help you show up boldly, attract the right clicks, and convert attention into revenue.

Let’s make your Google Ads budget work harder than ever.

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