Google Ads puts your business at the top of Google when people search for what you sell, like “AC repair Manama” or “corporate catering Bahrain”. It can bring customers fast, but it can also waste money quickly if it’s set up badly. This guide shows the safe way to start.
Before you start
- Have a good landing page: a clear service page with prices or “from” prices, photos, reviews and an obvious call/WhatsApp button.
- Set up Google Analytics and decide what counts as a result: a call, a form, a WhatsApp click or a booking.
- Set up your Google Business Profile. It’s free and helps your ads and local results.
Step 1: Create your account and choose a goal
Go to ads.google.com. Google may suggest a simple “smart” setup. It’s fine for very small budgets, but switching to Expert mode gives you more control. Choose a goal like Leads or Website traffic, and start with a Search campaign (text ads on Google search results). It’s the easiest to understand and control.
Step 2: Target the right location and language
- Choose only the areas you serve, e.g. Bahrain, or specific cities.
- In location options, choose people in your target area, not just “interested in” it.
- Add the languages your customers use (for example English and Arabic).
Step 3: Choose keywords
Keywords are the searches you want to appear for. Think like a customer who is ready to buy:
| Good (buying intent) | Weak (research only) |
|---|---|
| ac repair near me | how does an ac work |
| corporate catering bahrain | catering ideas |
| accounting services for small business | what is accounting |
Match types: Broad match lets Google show your ad for related searches (flexible but can drift). “Phrase match” requires the meaning of your phrase. [Exact match] is the tightest. Beginners usually do best starting with phrase and exact match on 10–20 focused keywords.
Step 4: Add negative keywords
Negative keywords stop your ad from showing for searches you don’t want, and save a lot of money. Common ones: free, jobs, salary, course, DIY, how to, used. Check the Search terms report every week and add new negatives.
Step 5: Write your ads
- Use the keyword in a headline: “AC Repair in Manama – Same Day”.
- Include a reason to choose you: price, speed, warranty, reviews.
- End with a clear action: “Call now”, “Book online”, “WhatsApp us”.
- Add assets (extensions): call button, location, sitelinks to key pages.
AI can draft headline options quickly. See AI for marketing plans.
Step 6: Set a budget you can afford to test
Pick a daily budget you’re comfortable losing while you learn, and run it for at least 2–4 weeks before judging. You only pay when someone clicks, and costs per click vary a lot by industry and competition. Start small, then increase spending on what works.
Step 7: Track conversions
Set up conversion tracking (forms, calls, WhatsApp clicks) in Google Ads, or import key events from Google Analytics. Without it you only see clicks, not customers, and you can’t tell which keywords make money.
Weekly checklist
- ☐ Check the Search terms report and add negative keywords
- ☐ Pause keywords with spend but no conversions
- ☐ Compare cost per lead with what a customer is worth
- ☐ Test one new ad headline
- ☐ Make sure your landing page and phone number work
Common beginner mistakes
- Sending ads to the homepage instead of a specific service page.
- No negative keywords.
- Targeting the whole country (or world) when you serve one area.
- Judging results after 3 days.
- Not answering the phone or WhatsApp quickly. Speed wins customers.
Quick summary
- Start with a Search campaign, focused keywords and tight location targeting.
- Use negative keywords and check search terms weekly.
- Track conversions and judge by cost per customer, not clicks.