So you want to make a google ad. It’s 2025. The internet is a loud, messy place and you’re trying to get your voice heard.
It feels like everyone is telling you to do a million different things online. But Google Ads, that old reliable tool, is still a big deal.
People go to Google with a problem they want solved right now. “best pizza near me” or “emergency plumber.” That’s powerful stuff.
It is a fact that getting an ad in front of them at that exact moment is a great way to get business.
But the whole thing can seem super complicated. Don’t worry. We’re going to walk through it, but not in that super clean corporate way. This is the real deal guide for how to make a google ad in 2025.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row: The Basic Setup
First things first, you need a Google account. Obviously. Then you head over to the Google Ads site and sign up.
Google will try to push you into something called “Smart Mode.” It’s designed to be simple, which sounds nice right?
But it’s a trap. It takes away most of your control. You want to find the little link that says “Switch to Expert Mode.”
Don’t let the name scare you. It’s just the normal version. It’s where all the good settings are that you will want to get to know.
Once you’re in, Google will ask you what your goal is. Things like “Sales,” “Leads,” or “Website traffic.” Pick the one that makes the most sense.
This just helps Google suggest some settings for you. You can always change things later so don’t stress too much about it.
The Nitty-Gritty: Building Your First Google Ad Campaign
Okay, this is where we actually build the thing. A “campaign” is just the container for your ads and all their settings. It’s the big picture.
You’ll choose a campaign type. For a beginner, “Search” is the classic choice. This means your ads show up in Google search results.
You give your campaign a name no one else sees. Like “My First Attempt At Ads January.” Something you’ll remember.
Then you get into the more specific parts. It seems like a lot of steps but we can break them down into smaller pieces.
Finding the Right Words (Keyword Research)
This is probably the most important part of making a google ad. You have to think like your customer. What words would they type into the search bar?
If you sell handmade dog collars, they might type “leather dog collar for small dogs” or “unique puppy collars.”
Those are your keywords. It is these phrases that tell Google when to show your ad.
Google has a tool called Keyword Planner to help you get ideas. It’s pretty good. But honestly, just using your brain is a great start.
You’ll also see stuff about “match types.” Broad, Phrase, and Exact. For now, just know that “phrase match” is a pretty safe bet. It gives you some flexibility without being too wide.
Actually Writing the Ad (The Fun Part?)
Now you get to write the ad itself. This is what people will see, so it’s got to be decent. A search ad is made of a few parts.
You have your headlines and your descriptions. You get to write a bunch of them and Google’s computers will mix and match them.
It’s a system designed to find the best combination over time. Which is generally a good thing for you.
Here are some tips for writing them that are considered to be good practices:
Put Your Keyword in a Headline: If someone searched for “blue running shoes,” a headline that says “Durable Blue Running Shoes” will get their attention.
Talk About Benefits: Don’t just say what your product is. Say what it does for the person. Instead of “10-speed blender,” try “Make Smoothies in Seconds.”
Have a Clear Call to Action (CTA): Tell people what to do. “Shop Now,” “Get a Free Quote,” “Learn More.” Be direct. It works.
Be Honest: Don’t promise something you can’t deliver. That’s a quick way to waste money on clicks that don’t turn into customers.
Where Your Money Goes (Bidding and Budget)
This is the part that makes people nervous. The money part. It’s not as scary as it looks. You set a daily budget.
This is the most you’re willing to spend per day, on average. Some days it might spend a little more, some days a little less. But it will even out over the month.
You could start with just $10 or $20 a day. You don’t need a huge budget to see if it works.
Then there’s bidding. This is what you’re willing to pay for a click. Normally, you don’t set this by hand anymore.
In 2025, you’ll typically just pick a strategy like “Maximize clicks” or “Maximize conversions.” You tell Google your goal and let its system figure out the bids.
Performance Max and the AI Takeover of 2025
Something you’ll see a lot of in 2025 is a campaign type called Performance Max, or PMax. It’s a whole different beast.
Instead of just making search ads, you give Google a bunch of stuff. Your headlines, descriptions, images, logos, and even videos.
Then, Google’s AI takes all that stuff and builds ads automatically. It shows them all over the place.
On YouTube, in Gmail, on partner websites, and in regular search. It’s an all-in-one kind of deal.
For some businesses, this is great. It can be easier to set up. You just hand over the ingredients and let the chef cook.
The downside is that it can feel like a black box. You don’t have as much control and it’s sometimes hard to see exactly what’s working. It is a trade-off between ease and control.
Don’t Just Set It and Forget It
Making the ad is only half the battle. You can’t just launch your campaign and walk away, expecting magic to happen.
You have to check in on it. After a week or so, go look at the numbers. How many people saw your ad (impressions)?
How many people clicked it? What keywords are actually getting you the clicks?
Maybe you’ll find that one of your keywords is spending a lot of money but not leading to any sales. You should pause that one.
Or maybe you’ll see one of your ad headlines is performing really well. That’s a sign to write more headlines like it.
It’s a process of tweaking. Don’t be afraid to change things. That’s how you get better results over time. Don’t just let run your ads without looking at them.
Your Google Ads Questions Answered
How do I make a basic Google Ad?
Sign up for a Google Ads account and switch to “Expert Mode.” Choose a “Search” campaign, pick your keywords, set a daily budget, and write a few headlines and descriptions that tell people what you offer.
How much does a Google Ad cost?
It costs whatever you want it to. You set the daily budget. You could spend $5 a day or $5,000 a day. You only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad.
How long until I see results from my Google Ads?
You’ll see data like clicks and impressions almost immediately. But seeing real business results, like sales or leads, can take a few weeks or even a month as the system learns and you make adjustments.
Is making a Google Ad hard?
The basics are not too hard. Anyone can set one up. The hard part is getting really good at it, which takes time and practice. Don’t expect to be an expert on day one.
Is Google Ads still a good idea in 2025?
Yes. People still use Google to find solutions to their problems every second of every day. Being there with an answer is still one of the best ways to market a business.
Key Takeaways
Always switch to “Expert Mode” when you start. It gives you the control you need.
Your keywords are everything. Think like a customer and what they would type into the search bar.
Write your ads for a human. Talk about their problems and how you can solve them. Tell them what to do next.
Start with a small daily budget you’re comfortable with. You can always increase it later.
Check on your campaigns. Don’t just launch them and forget about them. Look at the data and make small changes.
Consider trying a Performance Max campaign if you have good images and videos and want an all-in-one solution.
