How to Create a Google Ads Account (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)
Thinking about running ads on Google but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. 🙋♀️
Google Ads can be one of the most powerful tools for getting in front of people exactly when they’re searching for what you offer—but before you can launch your first campaign, you need to set up your account the right way.
This guide will walk you through how to create a Google Ads account, step by step.
🛠 Step 1: Go to the Google Ads Homepage
Head over to ads.google.com and click the big blue “Start now” button in the top right corner.
Be sure you’re signed into the Google account (Gmail) you want to use for managing your ads. This will be tied to your business long-term.
🧠 Step 2: Choose “Expert Mode”
Google will try to walk you through a Smart Campaign setup, which is fine for very simple needs—but to get full control (and better results), click the small link that says “Switch to Expert Mode.”
This unlocks all the features and flexibility you'll need to run proper search or display campaigns.
📝 Step 3: Skip Campaign Creation (Optional)
Once you're in Expert Mode, you’ll be prompted to set up your first campaign right away. If you already have a plan, go for it!
But if you just want to set up the account for now, scroll down and click “Create an account without a campaign.” This lets you explore the dashboard and get familiar before launching anything.
🧾 Step 4: Confirm Your Business Info
You'll be asked to confirm:
Your billing country
Your time zone
Your currency
✅ Make sure everything is accurate here, then click “Submit.”
💳 Step 5: Set Up Billing
Before your ads can run, you’ll need to enter your payment information.
Go to the top menu, click the wrench icon (“Tools & Settings”) → Billing Settings → and fill in your payment method. You can use a credit/debit card or link a bank account, depending on your region.
🚀 What’s Next?
Congrats! You’ve officially created your Google Ads account. From here, you can:
Start a Search or Display campaign
Set up conversion tracking
Connect Google Analytics or Tag Manager
Do keyword research
Build your ad audiences
Setting up a Google Ads account is just the first step, but it’s a big one! Now that you’re in, you can start building campaigns that put your business in front of the right people at the right time.
Need help planning your ad strategy or setting up your first campaign? Book a free discovery call here!
