Launching Google Ads for the first time?

What’s the Best First Campaign Ad Type to Use on Google Ads?

Best Google Ads for Beginners: Start with Search

When launching your first campaign on Google Ads, it’s easy to get distracted by all the options — Display, Performance Max, YouTube, Shopping…

But if you’re starting out, especially with a smaller budget, my advice is simple:

Start with a Search Ad.

Google ads success starts with a correct choice of google campaign type. Google search with the right google ads strategy, good keywords, healthy daily budget and knowing your target audience is powerful. Its all about the clicks and conversions so use the google keyword planner to increase your web traffic, get leads or make a sale.

Be aware Google will try and force you to use its AI and make your keywords Broad (dont).

Why Search Ads First?

Google Search Ads appear when someone is actively typing into Google looking for a solution.

That means:

  • They have intent.
  • They’re already searching.
  • They need something now.

For smaller budgets, this is critical. You’re not interrupting someone’s scrolling — you’re showing up when they’re already in buying mode.

Once you have data think about a Performance Max as well….

Control Your Google Budget with Exact & Phrase Match

When you first launch, control matters.

Using:

  • Exact match keywords
  • Phrase match keywords

…limits overspend and reduces irrelevant clicks.

You’re not casting a wide net — you’re targeting people specifically searching for what you offer.

Example:

  • “web design ipswich”
  • “seo help near me”

Location-based keywords like:

  • Web design Ipswich
  • Accountant Brisbane
  • Electrician near me

These are high-intent, localised searches — and they convert better.

The First 1–3 Months = Data Collection

This is where many businesses get impatient.

The first few months are about:

  • Monitoring search terms
  • Refining targeting
  • Building a Negative Keywords list
  • Adjusting bids
  • Testing ad copy

You will see wasted clicks early on — that’s normal.

Negative keywords are powerful. If someone searches for your competitor’s brand name, in my opinion, they’re not looking for you — so exclude those terms.

This reduces waste and improves ROI over time.

Google Keyword Research Is Everything

Before you even launch:

  • Check search volumes.
  • Understand keyword competition.
  • Compare CPC (Cost Per Click).
  • Look at intent, not just traffic.

High search volume keywords sound attractive — but they often come with higher difficulty and higher CPC.

Sometimes the lower-volume, more specific keyword brings better leads.

Google Ads Acronyms Learn More

Where Are You Sending the Click?

This is huge.

What happens after someone clicks?

  • Are they calling you?
  • Filling in a form?
  • Booking online?
  • Purchasing immediately?

If your website isn’t ready, your ads won’t work.

You need:

  • Clear CTAs
  • Fast loading pages
  • Mobile optimisation
  • Trust signals
  • Strong SEO foundations

If your website doesn’t convert, don’t waste money on ads until it does.

google manual bidding can save you money

How Much Does Google Ads Cost?

It depends on your CPC.

Some industries pay:

  • $2 per click
    Others pay:
  • $20–$50 per click

It varies massively.

Budget Guidelines for your Campaign Setup

For small businesses:

  • Minimum testing budget: ~$10 per day
  • Average monthly spend: $500–$1,000

Once campaigns are converting:

  • Budgets can scale to $5,000–$10,000+ per month.

But scaling only works once the campaign is profitable.

What Should You Pay an Agency?

It comes down to time and expertise.

The first few months require:

  • Setup
  • Keyword research
  • Ad writing
  • Conversion tracking
  • Negative keyword building
  • Ongoing monitoring

Agency fees generally range from:

  • $300 to $1,000 per month

Ads require hands-on work in the beginning. Once optimised, they settle — but they still need management.

Use the recommendations wisely.

Should I follow Google Ads Recommendations?

This is a great question — and one I get asked all the time.

If you’re running campaigns on Google Ads, you’ll constantly see the “Recommendations” tab flashing at you with optimisation scores and suggested changes.

So… should you follow them?

Short answer:
Some are helpful. Some are expensive.

The Honest Truth About Google Recommendations

Google is a business.

They make money when you spend money.

That doesn’t automatically make their recommendations bad — but it does mean they are designed to increase activity, automation, and often… budget.

A higher “Optimisation Score” does not always equal higher profitability.

Recommendations That Are Usually Helpful

These are generally worth reviewing:

✔ Adding conversion tracking
✔ Fixing disapproved ads
✔ Improving ad strength
✔ Adding sitelinks or extensions
✔ Removing redundant keywords
✔ Fixing broken landing pages

These improve performance and structure without necessarily increasing spend.

Recommendations to Be Careful With

This is where experience matters.

⚠️ Switching everything to Broad Match
Broad can work — but early on it can burn budget fast.

⚠️ Automatically applying Smart Bidding too early
If you don’t have enough data, automated bidding can struggle.

⚠️ Increasing your budget “to capture more traffic”
Sometimes yes. Often premature.

⚠️ Turning on Search Partners without review
Can bring cheaper clicks — but not always quality leads.

⚠️ Launching Performance Max immediately
PMax can work well — but without strong data and tracking, it can become a black box.

What Google Wants vs What You Want

Google wants:

  • More automation
  • Broader targeting
  • Higher spend
  • Faster adoption of new features


You want:

  • Lower cost per lead
  • High-intent traffic
  • Controlled testing
  • Profitable scaling

Those goals overlap — but not perfectly.

Google’s recommendations are tools — not rules.

Don’t ignore them blindly.
But don’t follow them blindly either.

The difference between wasting money and scaling profit often comes down to knowing when to apply a recommendation.

And that’s where experience — or a solid Google ad expert — makes all the difference.

Get the best Google Ads campaign running!

If you’re starting Google Ads for the first time:

  1. Start with Search.
  2. Use exact and phrase match.
  3. Focus on local, high-intent keywords.
  4. Build negative keyword lists.
  5. Make sure your website converts.
  6. Be patient during the data phase.

Google Ads isn’t magic.

It’s testing, refining, and scaling what works.

And when done right — it becomes one of the most predictable lead sources your business can have.

If you’re launching for the first time and want it set up properly from day one, that’s where we come in.

CALL US

Start Smart with Google Advertising (And Save Yourself the Headache)

Google advertising isn’t about pushing a button and hoping for the best — it’s about strategy, patience, and making smart decisions from day one. Start with Search, control your keywords, build your data, and refine as you go. And if it all starts to feel like alphabet soup with CPCs, CTRs and match types… that’s usually the moment a Google ad expert becomes your new best friend.

Because done right, Google Ads isn’t an expense — it’s a growth engine.

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