Running ads on Google is one of the fastest ways to reach people actively searching for services like yours.
In this article, we’ll cover how to create a Google Ads account, set up your first campaign, and track results properly.
We recommend to follow these steps on your own device while reading.
Option 1: Setting Up Google Ads Yourself
Step 1: Create a Google Ads Account
Go to ads.google.com.
Click “Start Now” and sign in with your Google account.
Choose your business name and website.
Select “Switch to Expert Mode” (this gives you full control and better results).
Step 2: Set Up Billing & Account Info
Choose your billing country, time zone, and currency.
Enter payment details so your ads can start running.
Step 3: Define Your Campaign Goal
Google offers several goals:
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Sales
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Leads
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Website Traffic
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Brand Awareness
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App Promotion
For service-based businesses, Leads is usually the best choice.
Step 4: Choose a Campaign Type
For most local service businesses, go with:
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Search Campaign (text ads on Google search results)
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Optional: Display Campaign or Performance Max (if you want broader exposure)
Step 5: Targeting Your Ideal Customers
Location Targeting:
Choose specific cities, zip codes, or a radius around your service area.
Language:
Set this to the primary language your customers speak (e.g. English).
Audience Segments (optional):
You can choose predefined audience interests or use remarketing later.
Step 6: Keyword Research & Setup
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner (inside Google Ads) to find:
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High-intent keywords (e.g., kitchen remodeling near me, roof repair in Boston)
Avoid vague or broad keywords that waste budget.
Use a mix of:
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Exact Match: “[kitchen remodel contractor]”
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Phrase Match: “kitchen remodel”
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Negative Keywords: To exclude irrelevant searches
Step 7: Write Effective Ad Copy
Create 3+ ads per ad group.
Each ad should include:
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A clear headline with your main keyword
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A strong call-to-action (e.g., “Call Now for a Free Quote”)
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Trust builders (e.g., “Licensed & Insured,” “Over 20 Years of Experience”)
Use Ad Extensions (recommended):
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Call Extensions
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Location Extensions
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Sitelink Extensions
These increase ad visibility and clicks.
Step 8: Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy
Choose between:
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Daily Budget: Start small (e.g., $10–$50/day) and scale up.
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Bidding: Start with “Maximize conversions” or “Manual CPC” for more control.
Step 9: Launch Your Campaign
Review your ad groups, keywords, budget, and targeting.
Click “Publish” and your ads will go live after approval (usually within a few hours).
Step 10: Track Performance with Google Analytics & Conversions
Go to Tools & Settings > Conversions in Google Ads.
Set up:
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Website form submission tracking
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Call tracking (Google forwarding number)
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Thank-you page tracking
Connect your Google Ads account to Google Analytics for deeper insights.
Step 11: Monitor & Optimize Weekly
Check performance in Campaigns > Overview.
Key metrics to watch:
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CTR (Click-Through Rate)
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CPC (Cost Per Click)
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Conversion Rate
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Cost Per Lead (CPL)
Split test different keywords, ad copy, and landing pages to improve results.
Option 2: Outsourcing to Vanguard Edge Solutions
Want high-performing Google Ads without the headache? Here’s how to get started with us.
Step 1: Share Your Goals & Preferences
We’ll book a strategy call to go over:
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Your ideal customers
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Business goals (leads, calls, appointments, etc.)
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Service areas and specialties
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Budget and ad schedule
Step 2: Grant Access to Your Google Ads Account
Go to Tools & Settings > Access & Security in Google Ads.
Click + to invite our agency email (we’ll provide it).
Give us admin or standard access.
Step 3: We Build & Launch Your Campaigns
We handle:
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Competitor and keyword research
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Ad copywriting and creative
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Campaign setup and tracking
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Weekly optimization and A/B testing
Step 4: Track Progress with Monthly Reports
We send easy-to-understand performance reports with:
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Leads generated
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Budget used
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Key optimizations
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Next steps
You’ll know exactly how your money is working for you.
Conclusion
Google Ads is a powerful tool when done right. Whether you're going DIY or working with pros like us, getting it set up properly is key to getting quality leads.
If you're ready to stop wasting money and start getting real results, let’s talk.
📅 schedule a free consulting call with us here