So, you’ve decided to start advertising on Google — smart move! ????
With over 8.5 billion daily searches, Google Ads is the most powerful platform to reach your target customers right when they’re searching for your product or service.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, service provider, or digital startup, this guide by Inxcel Technologies will show you how to set up your first Google Ads campaign step by step — the right way — to maximize your clicks, conversions, and ROI.
???? What You’ll Learn
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:
✅ Create a Google Ads account
✅ Choose your campaign type
✅ Set budget and bidding
✅ Select the right keywords
✅ Write compelling ad copy
✅ Link your website & track conversions
Let’s get started. ????
???? Step 1: Create Your Google Ads Account
Go to ???? https://ads.google.com
Click “Start now” and sign in with your business Gmail account.
✅ Tips:
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Use a business email (not personal Gmail).
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Link it with your Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager accounts later for tracking.
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Choose your currency and time zone carefully — you can’t change them later.
???? Example:
Use [email protected] for professional account ownership.
???? Step 2: Choose the Right Campaign Goal
Google Ads will ask your main advertising goal. Pick one that aligns with your business objective:
| Goal | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sales | eCommerce stores | “Buy now” campaigns |
| Leads | Service businesses | “Book an appointment” |
| Website traffic | New websites | “Learn more” clicks |
| Brand awareness | Local businesses | “Discover our restaurant” |
| App promotion | Mobile apps | “Install app” |
| Local store visits | Brick-and-mortar shops | “Visit our restaurant near you” |
???? For first-time advertisers, choose Leads or Website Traffic — it’s easier to measure success.
???? Step 3: Select Your Campaign Type
Google offers several ad types. For beginners, start with one of these:
✅ Search Ads
Appear on Google Search results when users search for keywords you choose.
Example: “Indian restaurant near me” → your restaurant ad shows up at the top.
✅ Display Ads
Show image-based ads on Google partner websites.
Great for brand awareness or remarketing.
✅ Performance Max
Google’s AI automatically runs ads across Search, Display, YouTube, Maps, and Gmail.
Ideal for busy business owners who want automation.
???? Tip: Start with Search Campaigns — they deliver high-intent traffic from users actively looking for your services.
???? Step 4: Set Campaign Name, Location & Language
✅ Campaign Name:
Name it clearly for tracking:
“Restaurant_Alpharetta_Search_Apr2025”
✅ Target Locations:
Choose where your customers are.
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Local business: Select your city or service area (e.g., Dallas, TX).
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Nationwide service: Choose entire countries (e.g., USA, UK).
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Multiple branches: Create separate campaigns per location.
???? Example:
A restaurant in Atlanta should target “10-mile radius around Alpharetta.”
✅ Languages:
Choose the primary language of your audience — usually English (USA/UK).
???? Step 5: Set Your Daily Budget & Bidding
✅ Daily Budget:
Start small while you learn:
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Small businesses: $10–$30/day
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Service agencies: $30–$50/day
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eCommerce brands: $50–$100/day
???? You can increase later once you see conversions.
✅ Bidding Strategy:
Choose how Google spends your budget:
| Strategy | Use When | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Maximize Clicks | New campaigns | Get traffic |
| Maximize Conversions | You have tracking set up | Get leads or sales |
| Target CPA | You know your ideal cost per lead | Optimize ROI |
| Manual CPC | You want full control | Set custom bids |
???? Tip: Start with Maximize Clicks for the first month, then switch to Target CPA once you gather data.
???? Step 6: Choose the Right Keywords
Keywords decide who sees your ad.
Use Google Keyword Planner (free tool inside Google Ads) to find the best ones.
✅ Keyword Match Types:
| Type | Example | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Match | restaurant near me | High reach, low control |
| Phrase Match | “restaurant near me” | Balanced reach |
| Exact Match | [restaurant near me] | Highly targeted |
| Negative Keywords | -free, -cheap | Avoid irrelevant clicks |
???? Tip:
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Use 5–10 targeted keywords per ad group
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Focus on high-intent phrases like “order online,” “near me,” or “book now”
✅ Example for a restaurant:
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Indian restaurant Alpharetta
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South Indian food near me
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Dosa and biryani Alpharetta
✍️ Step 7: Write Compelling Ad Copy
Your ad has 3 headlines (30 chars each) and 2 descriptions (90 chars each) — make every word count.
✅ Best Practices:
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Include your keyword in the headline.
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Add an offer or unique benefit.
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Use a clear CTA (Call-to-Action).
???? Example Ad Copy:
Headline 1: Authentic Indian Food Near Alpharetta
Headline 2: Biryani • Dosa • Curries • Family Combo
Headline 3: Order Online or Dine In Today
Description: Taste the best Indian dishes at Charcoal N Chill.
Reserve your table or order online — call (470) 546-4866.
???? For agencies, example:
Headline: “Top Digital Marketing Agency in USA”
Description: “Boost traffic & leads with Inxcel Technologies. Get your free strategy call today.”
????️ Step 8: Add Ad Extensions
Extensions make your ad bigger, more visible, and clickable — at no extra cost!
✅ Most Useful Extensions:
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Sitelink Extensions: Add links to specific pages (Menu, Contact, Offers)
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Call Extensions: Add a phone number
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Location Extensions: Show address + directions
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Callout Extensions: Highlight offers (“Free Delivery,” “Open Late,” etc.)
???? Example:
Sitelinks: [Order Online] [Catering] [Weekend Buffet] [Contact Us]
???? Step 9: Set Up Conversion Tracking
Tracking tells you which clicks become leads or sales.
✅ Set Up Conversion Tracking:
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Link Google Analytics 4
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Use Google Tag Manager or install tracking code manually
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Track actions like:
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Form submissions
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Phone calls
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Purchases
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Newsletter signups
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???? Tip: Without conversion tracking, you’ll never know if your ads are profitable.
???? Step 10: Review & Launch ????
Double-check your:
✅ Keywords
✅ Ad copy
✅ Budget
✅ Target area
✅ Conversion tracking
Then click “Publish Campaign.”
Your ads will go through Google’s review process (usually under 24 hours).
???? Tip: Pause low-performing ads after 1–2 weeks and focus budget on top converters.
???? Step 11: Monitor & Optimize Weekly
Once your campaign runs, monitor performance in the Google Ads dashboard.
✅ Key Metrics to Track:
| Metric | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CTR (Click-Through Rate) | Higher = better ad relevance |
| CPC (Cost per Click) | What you’re paying per visitor |
| Conversions | Leads, calls, sales |
| Quality Score | Google’s rating of ad + landing page |
| ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) | Revenue earned per $ spent |
???? Pro Tip:
Test new headlines, landing pages, and bidding strategies every 2–4 weeks — small changes = big results.
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It’s Costly | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No negative keywords | Wastes budget | Add exclusions weekly |
| Generic ad copy | Low CTR | Include offers & CTAs |
| Poor landing pages | Low conversion | Match ad to content |
| No tracking setup | Can’t measure ROI | Install conversion tags |
| Targeting too wide | Irrelevant traffic | Use city-level targeting |
???? Remember: Optimization is continuous, not one-time.
???? Real-Life Example
????️ Restaurant Campaign
???? Goal: Increase takeout orders.
✅ Strategy: Search Ads + “restaurant near me” keywords.
???? Result: +55% calls and +35% online orders in 3 weeks.
???? Inxcel Technologies Example
???? Goal: Generate more digital marketing leads in USA/UK.
✅ Strategy: Created location-specific campaigns with lead forms and Performance Max.
???? Result: 40% reduction in CPC and 2x increase in conversion rate in 60 days.