If you’re a U.S.-based business owner or marketer looking to enter the world of online advertising, understanding how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025 is essential. Google remains one of the most powerful digital marketing platforms, and with its evolving tools and strategies in 2025, launching your first campaign correctly can lead to substantial returns on your investment.
At Kodans Lab, we work with businesses across the United States to help them craft their first Google Ads campaigns with clarity, precision, and performance-driven strategies. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn everything from account setup to optimization tips that align with the latest tools and techniques for 2025.
What Does “How to Make Your First Google Ads Campaign 2025” Mean?
The phrase how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025 refers to the step-by-step process of launching a digital advertising campaign using Google’s tools, based on the current standards, automation features, and privacy-focused practices of 2025.
Unlike past years, running Google Ads in 2025 involves:
- Working with artificial intelligence for bidding
- Targeting audiences without third-party cookies
- Prioritizing mobile-first user experience
- Leveraging first-party data for remarketing and personalization
Step 1: Create and Configure Your Google Ads Account
Before learning how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025, you need a properly set-up account. Visit ads.google.com and create your profile.
- Use a business email connected to your company domain
- Choose “Expert Mode” to get full access to campaign settings
- Enter correct billing details and time zone
- Link your account with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for better tracking
Kodans Lab recommends using Google’s Business Profile integration for local service businesses.
Step 2: Set Your Advertising Goal
Choosing the correct campaign goal is crucial. Google Ads in 2025 offers various campaign goals that influence bidding strategies and ad placements. Your campaign objective can be:
- Sales (for eCommerce and product-based businesses)
- Leads (for service providers, coaches, B2B brands)
- Website traffic (to increase visitors to your landing pages)
- Brand awareness and reach (for new or growing brands)
Supporting keyword: Google Ads campaign objectives
Define your goal clearly, as it dictates every setting moving forward.
Step 3: Choose the Right Campaign Type
Next, you’ll need to select the format for your campaign. Here are the most common campaign types in 2025:
- Search Campaigns: Show ads on search results when someone types in a relevant query
- Performance Max Campaigns: Automate ad delivery across all Google platforms using machine learning
- Display Campaigns: Serve banner ads across Google’s partner sites
- Video Campaigns: Display video ads on YouTube and partner channels
For beginners, Performance Max or Search Campaigns are recommended because of their simplicity and broad reach.
Step 4: Conduct Keyword Research
Keyword research is foundational to learning how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025. Keywords are what trigger your ads when users search for products or services.
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ubersuggest
- Ahrefs or SEMrush
- Google Trends
Focus on:
- Long-tail keywords with lower competition
- High-intent keywords that show buyer readiness
Supporting keyword: Keyword research for paid search
Avoid overly broad terms unless your budget can support high competition.
Step 5: Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy
You’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to spend and how Google should manage your bids.
Recommended bidding strategies for new campaigns in 2025:
- Maximize Conversions: Automatically adjusts bids to get the most conversions for your budget
- Target CPA (Cost per Acquisition): Sets bids to reach a target cost per lead or sale
- Maximize Clicks: Good for traffic-focused campaigns
A realistic starter budget is around $300 to $500/month, depending on your industry.
Step 6: Create Effective and Compliant Ads
Creating high-quality ads is a critical part of learning how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025. Your ad must be relevant, engaging, and matched to user intent.
Use Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) to let Google test different combinations of headlines and descriptions.
Components of a successful ad:
- Headline with your main keyword
- Clear call to action (e.g., Book Now, Learn More)
- Benefits or value proposition
- Trust signals (e.g., “Trusted by 10,000+ customers”)
Use ad extensions such as:
- Callout extensions
- Structured snippets
- Sitelinks
- Location and call extensions
Kodans Lab offers creative copywriting and ad testing services to help you launch stronger campaigns.
Step 7: Add Conversion Tracking
To truly measure success, you must track conversions. This helps you identify which campaigns, keywords, and ads are driving leads or sales.
Ways to track conversions:
- Install Google Ads conversion tracking code
- Use Google Tag Manager
- Link Google Ads with GA4 and enable Enhanced Conversions
Supporting keyword: Google Ads tracking and attribution
Proper tracking also unlocks Smart Bidding capabilities for performance maximization.
Step 8: Review, Launch, and Monitor Your Campaign
Double-check all settings before launching:
- Target location
- Language settings
- Ad schedule
- Audience signals (for Performance Max)
After launch:
- Monitor performance daily for the first week
- Pause underperforming keywords
- Test new ad copy variants
- Use Google’s Recommendations tab with caution
Kodans Lab advises waiting at least 7-10 days before making major changes, to allow the algorithm’s learning period to complete.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your First Campaign
Even well-prepared beginners can make simple errors. Avoid the following:
- Using broad match keywords without negatives
- Skipping conversion tracking
- Writing ads without testing variations
- Targeting too large or too small an audience
- Ignoring mobile ad formatting
These pitfalls can quickly drain your budget with minimal return.
Incentives and Bonuses for New Advertisers
Google often provides promotional credits for first-time advertisers in the U.S., such as:
- $500 in free ad credits when you spend your first $500
- Promotional offers through Google Partners like Kodans Lab
- Access to beta features for Performance Max and AI tools
Be sure to check the latest eligibility criteria on Google Ads Promotions.
Case Study from Kodans Lab
A new online clothing boutique partnered with Kodans Lab in early 2025 to launch their first campaign. By using a Performance Max strategy with strong product feeds and conversion tracking, they achieved:
- 3.6x ROAS in the first 45 days
- $0.72 average CPC
- 40% higher CTR than industry benchmark
This success was driven by the same methods outlined in this blog on how to make your first Google Ads campaign 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on my first campaign?
Start with $10–$20 per day. For better data, allocate $300–$500 monthly.
What is the easiest Google Ads campaign for beginners?
Performance Max and Search Campaigns are the most beginner-friendly in 2025.
Do I need a website to run Google Ads?
While you can use call-only or local campaigns, having a website improves results significantly.
Is Google Ads worth it for small businesses?
Yes, if set up correctly. It offers fast visibility and measurable ROI.
