A complete walkthrough of setting up your first Google Ads campaign for a UK service business.
Setting up your first Google Ads campaign can feel overwhelming, but the process is actually straightforward if you follow a structured approach. This guide walks you through every step, from creating your account to launching your first campaign targeting local customers.
Step 1: Create your Google Ads account and set your billing to GBP. Step 2: Create a Search campaign (not Smart, Display, or Performance Max for your first campaign). Step 3: Set your daily budget - start with £20-30 per day to generate enough data while limiting risk. Step 4: Target your service area using radius targeting around your base of operations.
Step 3: Create your first ad group with tightly themed keywords. If you're a plumber, start with one ad group for 'emergency plumber [your location]' keywords. Use exact match initially for maximum control. Step 4: Write your ads using the RSA format - provide 15 headlines and 4 descriptions that highlight your service, location, USPs, and a CTA.
Step 5: Create a dedicated landing page for this specific service - don't send traffic to your homepage. Step 6: Set up conversion tracking for form submissions and phone calls. Step 7: Launch and monitor daily for the first week. Check your Search Terms Report to add negative keywords, and review your cost per click against your budget. Give the campaign 2-4 weeks before making major changes - Google's algorithms need time to learn.