Google Ads for Beginners
Turn a small peso budget into real leads. Plan your spend, build a first search campaign, track every conversion, and cut wasted clicks, one 5 to 10 minute lesson at a time.
- Free, no sign-up
- 24 short lessons
- About 2 hours
- 66 hands-on activities
- Beginner level
By the end of this course, you can
- Set a daily and monthly ad budget in pesos that fits your business
- Choose buyer-intent keywords and the right match types
- Build a clean search campaign with ads people click
- Track leads, sales, and calls with conversion tracking
- Cut wasted spend each week using the search terms report
Who it is for
- Local business owners ready to spend a small budget on Google Ads
- Freelancers and VAs who manage ads for clients
- Marketers moving from Facebook ads to search ads
- Anyone who tried Google Ads before and lost money without results
What you need
- A Google account and a payment method that works in the Philippines
- A website or landing page to send ad clicks to
- A test budget only when you are ready to launch; every lesson works without spending
How each lesson works
- ReadA 5 to 10 minute lesson in plain language with local examples.
- TryA quiz, tool, or checklist that gives instant feedback.
- ApplyOne small task to do on your own site or account today.
Curriculum
Module 0: Introduction to PPC
What pay per click is, how it compares to SEO, and how the ad auction works. 4 lessons · about 20 min
- 0.1 What is PPC?
What is PPC? Pay per click means you pay only when someone clicks your ad. See how sponsored results work on Google and what cost per click means in pesos.
- 0.2 PPC vs SEO vs SEM
PPC vs SEO: one buys clicks now, the other earns them over time. What SEM means, how paid and organic traffic differ, and when a business should run ads.
- 0.3 How the Google Ads auction works
How does Google Ads work behind the scenes? Every search runs an auction. See how Ad Rank picks winners and why the top ad often pays less than its max bid.
- 0.4 PPC platforms compared
Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, or Meta Ads? The best PPC platforms compared, plus how search, display, and social ads differ and where Philippine businesses start.
Module 1: Planning Your First Campaign
Set a goal, a budget in pesos, and a tight list of buyer intent keywords. 5 lessons · about 23 min
- 1.1 Setting PPC goals
Leads, sales, calls, or website traffic? Picking Google Ads campaign goals shapes every setting after. Define one conversion goal before your first campaign.
- 1.2 Setting a Google Ads budget
How much does Google Ads cost for a small business? Set a daily and monthly budget in pesos, estimate clicks from CPC, and start small without wasting money.
- 1.3 PPC keyword research
PPC keyword research focuses on buyer intent. Use Google Keyword Planner to find searches ready to buy and check CPC estimates before spending a peso.
- 1.4 Google Ads keyword match types
Broad, phrase, or exact? Google Ads keyword match types decide which searches trigger your ad. See which one protects a small budget best, with real examples.
- 1.5 Negative keywords
Negative keywords stop ads from showing on searches that never convert. Use negative match types and build a starter list that cuts wasted spend on day one.
Module 2: Building the Campaign
Create your account, structure campaigns, set targeting, and choose a bid strategy. 4 lessons · about 18 min
- 2.1 How to create a Google Ads account
How to create a Google Ads account without the Smart campaign trap: switch to Expert Mode, then set up billing with a payment method that works locally.
- 2.2 Campaign and ad group structure
A clean Google Ads campaign structure: campaigns hold budgets, ad groups hold tight keyword themes. Copy a simple account layout built for small businesses.
- 2.3 Location, language, and schedule
Google Ads location targeting for local businesses: set a radius around your shop, choose presence over interest, then fine-tune language and ad schedule.
- 2.4 Google Ads bidding strategies
Manual CPC, Maximize clicks, Maximize conversions, or target CPA? Google Ads bidding strategies compared, with advice on when Smart Bidding suits beginners.
Module 3: Writing Ads That Get Clicks
Write responsive search ads, add assets, and match your landing page. 4 lessons · about 17 min
- 3.1 How to write responsive search ads
How to write Google Ads people click: responsive search ad headlines and descriptions, character limits, when to pin, and what ad strength really measures.
- 3.2 PPC ad copy formulas
PPC ad copy examples from local businesses, plus four formulas: keyword in the headline, a clear selling point, a real offer, and a call to action that fits.
- 3.3 Google Ads assets
Google Ads extensions, now called assets, make your ad bigger for free. Set up sitelinks, callouts, call assets, structured snippets, and location assets.
- 3.4 PPC landing page best practices
PPC landing page best practices that lift conversion rate: match the ad message, load fast on mobile, and keep forms short so paid clicks become leads.
Module 4: Tracking Results
Track conversions, read Quality Score and key metrics, and clean up search terms. 4 lessons · about 18 min
- 4.1 Google Ads conversion tracking
Set up Google Ads conversion tracking so you know which clicks become customers: create a conversion action, install the Google tag, and track phone calls.
- 4.2 What is Quality Score?
What is Quality Score? Google's 1 to 10 rating of expected CTR, ad relevance, and landing page experience. A higher score can lower what you pay per click.
- 4.3 PPC metrics that matter
The PPC KPIs worth tracking: CTR, CPC, conversion rate, CPA, and ROAS. Each comes with a simple formula and a worked peso example for small businesses.
- 4.4 Google Ads search terms report
The Google Ads search terms report shows what people actually typed. A 15-minute weekly routine to block wasted spend and find new keywords that convert.
Module 5: Optimizing and Scaling
Run your first 30 days, avoid costly mistakes, and build a 90-day plan. 3 lessons · about 13 min
- 5.1 Your first 30 days
Your first 30 days of Google Ads optimization for beginners: give new campaigns time to settle, run quick weekly checks, and avoid changes that reset progress.
- 5.2 Common Google Ads mistakes
The common Google Ads mistakes that drain small budgets: Display Network opt-in, loose broad match, missing conversion tracking, and other default settings.
- 5.3 Your PPC action plan
A Google Ads plan for small business you can download: launch checklist, peso budget, and a 90-day testing schedule built from your answers in this lesson.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on my first campaign?
Many small businesses start with ₱300 to ₱1,000 a day for a month. The budget lesson includes a calculator to estimate clicks for your keywords.
Do I need to spend money to take the course?
No. You can follow every lesson without launching ads. Spend only once your campaign and tracking are ready.
Is this the same as Google Ads certification?
No, but it covers the core search topics that certification tests, explained more simply and with local examples.
Should I start with Google Ads or SEO?
Ads bring clicks within days; SEO brings free clicks over months. The PPC vs SEO lesson helps you decide based on budget and timing.
Ready to begin?
Lesson 0.1 takes about 7 minutes. No account needed.
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