How to Set Up Adwords

We have recently completed writing a book on Adwords. It will be put into print somewhere around mid-'09, but in the meantime you can get a free .pdf copy of our book. Go here to get access to the free Adwords book.

First find your way to the Adwords website, and bookmark it so you can get back easily whenever you want. Now click the 'click to begin' button.



Now you're going to get a choice between the 'Starter Edition' and the 'Standard Edition.' I recommend choosing the Standard Edition because it gives you the full functionality of Adwords from the start.



Target Customers

Now you get to start targeting your customers. First choose which languages your customers speak. To choose multiple languages hold down the CTRL button when you select them.

Next you are going to specify how you want to define locations. You can choose a country level, region & city level, or a customizable distance and shape. For right now choose 'Countries and Territories' and click continue.



In this step you choose which countries your ad will show in. The United States is a default so you don't have to add it. To add another country, click to highlight it and then click 'add.' Want to get rid of one? Highlight it in the 'Selected' box and then click 'remove.' Once you're done click 'continue.'



Create Ad

Once geo-targeting is established you get to create an ad. Usually when I set up the account, I will make a generic placeholder ad for my business. Once the account is set up, you can start writing ads for real.

You'll notice there are limits to how many characters each line can have. Keep these limits in mind when you're thinking of new ads! Click 'continue' when you are done writing an ad.



Choose Keywords

This now brings you to choosing keywords. Again I would just enter 1 relevant word as a placeholder. We will be developing keyword lists later on. Click 'continue' to move forward.



Set Pricing

Now it's time to start thinking about money. What currency do you use, how much per day do you intend to spend, and what is you default max Cost Per Click (CPC) going to be? Don't worry if you're not exactly sure just yet what all these numbers should be, other than the Currency they can all be edited any time. Click 'continue' once you've finished entering your budget information.



Review Account

Review the information you've entered and make sure it looks correct. Click 'continue.'



Sign Up

Betcha thought that you were signing up the whole time. Now it is time to associate the account with an actual person. If you already use Google services you can link that account to Adwords. If you don't, choose 'I do not use these services.'



This will let you set up a Google Account for Adwords. Enter your e-mail address where you want to receive information about the account, create a password and confirm you're not a robot by typing in the confirmation code. Now click 'Create Account.'



If you've done everything correctly you will receive a Congratulation message from Google telling you to check your e-mail for activation instructions.



Your e-mail should look something like the e-mail below. It will give you a link to follow that confirms you really set up an Adwords account. Click the link.



You will land on a page that verifies your account. Click on the link to continue to the Adwords homepage.



Now you can sign into Adwords with your recently set up Google account username and password.



You'll notice right away that you have a message from Google on top of your screen. Whenever there is an issue with your account or a new feature, they will notify you in a block at the top of your screen.

Click the link in the box to enter your billing information.



Select Location

In this step you will select your country, and time zone. The country your billing address is in may impact the payment options available to you. Also once selected, time zone cannot be changed.



Choose Form of Payment

Now you have the choice of Postpay or Prepay billing. Basically you can pay before or after you get clicks. Your call. Choose one and click 'continue.'



Agree to Terms

Like any other program you've signed up for, there are Terms and conditions that you need to agree to after not actually reading them. Once you've either read them or just pretended, click 'Yes, I agree' and then 'continue.'



Provide Billing Details

Finally enter your personal and credit card information in the spaces provided. Remember if you choose Postpay they will still charge $5 to your card to make sure it is legit. Once you're done filling in your info, click 'Save and Activate.'



You've now successfully set up and created an Adwords account and can start building your campaigns!

Want a Professional to take over from here? Contact me!