How to Create a Google Ads Account
Published: February 27, 2023
If you’re wondering how to create a Google Ads account, you can rest assured you’re not the only one! Google Ads, formerly known as Google AdWords, is a digital platform in which large and small businesses alike can advertise their products and/or services online. Boasting heightened flexibility with the capacity to start, stop, pause or even adjust ‘bids’ at any point, Google Ads provides a cost-effective way for businesses and organisations of any size to reach a practically unlimited, hyper-targeted audience.
To start advertising on Google, you’re going to need an online account as well as a website to link your account to. Ideal for businesses looking to promote themselves online, signing up and creating an account is free, easy and only takes a few minutes – however, for many businesses, signing up for Google Ads and implementing that first campaign can be a daunting thought.
Are you ready to advertise on Google? Would you like to reach new customers but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! The team at Priority Pixels have created a simple yet effective breakdown of each step you’ll need to take to get online and start dominating paid search.
Keep reading to see our top tips for creating your Google Ads account.
Before you start…
Before you create your Google Ads account, you’ll need a website and a contact email for your business. You can still use Google Ads if you don’t have a website using Smart Campaigns, which is a ‘default Google Ads experience’ for new advertisers.
How to create a Google Ads Account
There are two modes you need to remember when creating a Google Ads account – Smart Mode and Expert Mode. By default, your account will be in Smart mode when it is first created. After you’ve created your account, you can switch to Expert Mode. However, it’s important to remember that when you switch your account to Expert mode, you can’t revert back to Smart Mode.
Professional, experienced marketers should make the switch to Expert Mode as soon as possible. Follow this link to learn more about Smart and Expert Mode.
Smart Mode
You’ll create your first Google Ads campaign when you create an account in Smart Mode. In Google Ads, sign in to your existing Google Account or create a new one.
If you already have a Google Account, meaning you use any other Google product such as Gmail, enter your Google email address and password. Then click Sign in.
If you don’t have a Google Account, or simply want to use a different email address to sign in, click Create An Account. After clicking Create An Account, follow the instructions to create and confirm your new account.
To create your first campaign, you’ll need to set up the following:
- The name of your business and website
- Campaign goal
- The advertisement, including headlines, product and/or service descriptions and a contact phone number
- Keyword themes
- Location settings
- Your budget
On the last page, you will set up your billing information. To do so…
- Select the nation or region where your billing address is located by clicking the drop-down menu labelled ‘Billing country’. The payment choices available for your area and currency will depend on the billing country you choose.
- Make sure your chosen time zone is the correct one. If not, choose another option from the drop-down menu. The time zone you choose will have an impact on your reporting, statistics and billing so it’s important to choose wisely.
- If you have a promotional code, type it in the box labelled ‘Introductory offer’ before clicking Apply. A promotional code is also sometimes called a coupon or a voucher.
- Next, you’ll be prompted to select an existing payment profile or to create a new one. Your account type will default to ‘Organisation’. However, you can change it to ‘Individual’ for tax purposes.
- Next, fill out the necessary information for your chosen payment method, such as a bank account, credit or debit card or PayPal.
- Click Submit to create your campaign and complete your account setup.
After you’ve created your first campaign and set up your account, it will take about a day to approve your advertisement.
Expert mode
When you create an account in Expert Mode, you can do so without creating an initial campaign at the start.
On the Google Ads platform, sign in to your existing account or create a new one. Like Smart Mode, if you already have a Google Account you can sign in with your Google email address and password. If you don’t have a Google Account, or simply want to use a different email address to sign in, click Create An Account. After clicking Create An Account, follow the instructions to create and confirm your new account.
On the New Campaign page, click Switch to Expert Mode. You can then choose to create your account with or without a campaign.
How to create a Google Ads account with a campaign…
If you’re creating an account in Expert Mode with a campaign, you’ll need to set up the following:
- Your campaign type and goal
- Campaign settings and any additional features
- Your advertisement and ad group
- Billing, including payment method
Click Submit to create your campaign and complete your account setup.
How to create a Google Ads account without a campaign…
If you’re creating an account in Expert Mode without a campaign, you’ll need to set up the following:
- Click Create an account without a campaign to skip the campaign creation process
- Confirm your business information, which includes your billing country, time zone and currency
Click Submit to complete your account setup. After you’ve created your account, you’ll be able to set up a campaign.
Paid Search and Google Ads at Priority Pixels
Although it may seem overwhelming at first, setting up your Google Ads account doesn’t have to be a chore.
If you’ve managed to create your Google Ads account but need assistance with implementing your paid search campaign, the team at Priority Pixels can help. We understand just how daunting paid search, paid display and shopping ads can be and would be delighted to provide your business with the support and guidance you need to flourish.
For a full range of professional paid search services and solutions, give our team of experts a call on 01626 245061 or send us an email at hello@prioritypixels.co.uk today.
FAQs
Is a Google Ads account free?
Yes, creating a Google Ads account is free. Google Ads provides an advertising platform that allows businesses and individuals to create and manage online advertising campaigns. While setting up an account and accessing the platform doesn’t cost anything, you will need to allocate a budget for your advertising campaigns. You pay for your ads based on a pay-per-click (PPC) or other bidding model, where you’re charged only when someone clicks on your ad or engages with it in a specific way, depending on your chosen campaign objective.
Keep in mind that while the account itself is free, there are costs associated with running ads on the platform, as you’ll be paying for the visibility and clicks your ads receive. The exact cost can vary widely based on factors such as your industry, target audience, chosen keywords, ad placements, and competition.
It’s important to manage your campaigns effectively and set a budget that aligns with your advertising goals and financial capabilities. This way, you can maximize the benefits of Google Ads while controlling your spending.
How much is Google Ads per month?
The monthly cost of Google Ads varies based on factors like industry competition, chosen keywords, ad quality, and geographic targeting. Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click model, where costs accumulate as users click on your ads. Industries with higher competition and more competitive keywords tend to have higher costs per click. Your ad’s relevance and quality also influence costs, as Google rewards well-performing ads with lower prices. Ad format, placement, geographic targeting, and budget allocation all play a role in determining your monthly spend. Since costs are influenced by multiple factors, there is no fixed amount for Google Ads per month; businesses set budgets that suit their goals and resources. Utilizing tools like Google’s Keyword Planner can help estimate potential expenses.
Is Google Ads cheaper than Facebook?
Whether Google Ads or Facebook advertising is cheaper depends on various factors, including your target audience, industry, campaign objectives, and ad formats. Both platforms operate on different models and have distinct advantages.
Google Ads generally offers a more intent-driven approach, as ads are shown based on users’ search queries and keywords. This can result in higher conversion rates, but the cost per click (CPC) can be higher, especially for competitive industries.
On the other hand, Facebook ads allow for precise audience targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. While the CPC might be lower, the intent might not be as high, potentially leading to a different ROI.
In essence, the cost-effectiveness of each platform depends on your specific business goals and the effectiveness of your campaigns. It’s recommended to test both platforms with smaller budgets and analyze the results to determine which one aligns better with your advertising objectives and budget constraints.
Is Google Ads still worth it?
Yes, Google Ads can still offer significant value for businesses. It provides access to an audience actively searching for what you offer, immediate visibility, budget flexibility, and measurable results. With diverse ad formats and targeting options, it caters to various goals. However, its effectiveness depends on factors like your objectives, audience, and campaign management. Regular optimization and analysis are essential to ensure a positive return on investment. Consulting with experts can help determine if Google Ads aligns well with your marketing strategy.
