Google Ads is one of the best tools for attracting more local customers. In fact, businesses earn an average of $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads when campaigns are set up properly.

If you are new to Google Ads, though, setting up a campaign can seem very complicated. To help you with that, this SEM agency in Michigan City, Indiana is going to explain the basics for setting your first Google Ads campaign from the ground up.

Start by knowing what you want.

Before you even log into Google Ads, ask yourself what you want out of it. Is it more phone calls, more visits to your shop, or just more visitors to your website?

Once you know the answer, you should try to match your campaign to that goal. Google Ads actually lets you choose from campaign types built around different goals, like “Sales,” “Leads,” “Website traffic,” “Local store visits,” and “Custom.” Without a clear goal, you may end up spending money without seeing much back.

Think about where your customers are.

If your business only serves a local area, there is absolutely no reason for your ads to be reaching people in other cities or states. Google Ads’ location targeting features let you choose where your ads show up. You can filter your reach by city, ZIP code, or even a custom radius around your business.

These features will be especially useful if your budget is tight. Geographically targeting your audience will make sure that your ad spend is going toward reaching people who can actually come to you.

Choose the right keywords.

The keywords you choose for your campaign are what connect your ad to real searches people make. But choosing them is not always easy.

Many first timers choose general keywords like “dentist” or “coffee shop.” The problem is that those are too broad. You might get lots of clicks, but not from people who are genuinely interested.

Instead, you should choose more specific long-tail keywords that show clear intent, like “emergency dentist in Michigan City” or “best coffee shop near me.” These may not get as many clicks overall, but the ones you get are more likely to turn into your customers.

An experienced SEM agency in Michigan City, Indiana will use keyword research tools to find words or phrases with high intent and low competition. Targeting these keywords will not cost too much but will deliver real results.

Write like a person, not a robot.

Don’t overcomplicate your ad copy. You don’t need to sound very polished or technical. All you need to do is speak clearly and say what your business does.

Focus on things that your customers care about, like fast service, good prices, local convenience, etc. For example, a headline like “Same-Day Lawn Cleanup in Michigan City” is simple and says everything it needs to.

Remember to take advantage of all available ad extensions like call buttons, site links, and location details. These features don’t cost more, but they certainly increase your ad’s visibility.

Optimize your landing page.

You caught a user’s attention, and they clicked on your ad. Now what? If your landing page is slow, confusing, or irrelevant to the ad, that user will leave immediately.

Google will not be too happy, either. Google actually factors landing page experience into your Quality Score. This is an important metric that affects both your ad visibility and your cost per click. A good page is one that loads fast, is mobile-friendly and includes a strong call to action like “Call Now” or “Get a Free Quote.”

Be patient and keep an eye on it.

Your ads need time to optimize, especially if you are using Smart Bidding. These strategies usually take about a week or two and around 50 conversions before things really start to settle. So don’t panic if results are slow at first.

Check in on your campaign weekly to see which keywords are converting, which ads are pulling in the most clicks, and how your landing page is performing. Make gradual adjustments based on the data to improve your campaign over time. If this sounds complicated, an experienced SEM agency in Michigan City, Indiana can handle this ongoing ad management for you.

Looking for an SEM Agency in Michigan City, Indiana?

Are you looking for a professional SEM agency in Michigan City, Indiana that can help you launch and manage a successful Google Ads campaign? If so, Digital Destination LLC is the company to call. Contact us at (312) 933-6806 to get started.