How to Set Up Your First Google Ads Search Campaign
A day-one checklist: account, conversions, Search campaign, budget and negative keywords — without juggling 20 campaigns.
In this article
Your first campaign doesn't have to be perfect — it has to track results and attract people who are ready to buy. This is the exact order we follow with local businesses starting from scratch.
Before you spend $1
- A website or landing page with a click-to-call number and a form.
- Google tag / GA4 or call tracking in place.
- A set monthly budget (your ceiling).
- A list of your services and the cities you actually serve.
Day-one steps
If your website is already live, you can knock this out in an afternoon.
- 01
1. Create your Google Ads account
Use your business email. Link GA4 if you can.
- 02
2. Set up conversions
Form submissions plus calls (or call extension tracking).
- 03
3. Search campaign — Leads goal
Search Network ON; Display expansion OFF to start.
- 04
4. Locations = your real service area
Choose presence or presence-or-interest based on your strategy; start narrow.
- 05
5. Service + city keywords
Start with phrase and exact match. Add negatives like jobs, free and DIY.
- 06
6. RSAs with clear benefits
Phone number, years in business, reviews, a clear call to action. No clickbait.
- 07
7. Daily budget = monthly / 30.4
Review at day 7 and day 14 — don't pause it on day 2.
Beginner mistakes
- Choosing a traffic goal with no conversion tracking.
- Targeting the entire country when you're a local business.
- Copying generic ads with no social proof.
“One boring, trackable campaign beats five "creative" campaigns with no tracking.”
Key takeaways
- Conversions before optimization.
- Keep local Search simple.
- Negative keywords from day one.
Set your budget using the cost-per-lead formula.
How much to invest →Want to apply this to your business?
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