For owners of Shopify stores, driving traffic and sales constitutes the lifeblood of their business, and one potent tool used to achieve this goal is Google Ads. It is instrumental because it lets you target actively searching customers looking for products like yours, giving incredible potential for increasing visibility and conversions. It guides you on how to set up Google Ads for your Shopify store, from account creation to launching your first campaign.
Why Google Ads is Important for Shopify Stores
With Google Ads, you can target potential customers according to their search intent. You can target user groups based on interests, location, and behaviour using Search Ads, Display Ads, or Google Shopping.
Now, with Google Ads, you can:
Increase visibility: At the right moment, your products are shown to the customer searching for the same type of items.
Control budget: Set a budget that works for your business and pay only if someone clicks on your ad, Pay-Per-Click.
Tracked performance: Every click and conversion will be tracked so that you can measure the return on ad spend in real time.
A case of significant success is that of Gymshark. This Shopify brand scaled up significantly by using Google Shopping Ads to promote its fitness apparel. They applied data-driven ad campaigns, increasing their online presence and customer base.
Step 1: Get Started by Opening a Google Ads Account
How to Create Your Google Ads Account
Getting started with Google Ads is pretty straightforward. First of all, if you do not already have an account, go to [ads.google.com](https://ads.google.com) and click "Start Now." Then, you can create a business profile and link your Shopify store to your account. You will even be asked to provide your billing information to start running ads.
Linking Google Ads with Shopify
You can easily connect your Google Ads account to Shopify in just a few easy steps:
In Shopify, go to Sales Channels and click on Google.
On the next screen, click on Connect Google Account and complete their instructions to connect your Google Ads account.
If you will be running Shopping Ads, set up a Google Merchant Center account, too. Shopify will walk you through the process of syncing your product data with Google Merchant Center.
Step 2: Add Google Ads Conversion Tracking to Shopify
Why Track Conversions?
Conversion tracking proves the effectiveness of your ads. It tracks sales, leads, and other valuable actions after your ad. You may not know if you're getting campaign results without conversion tracking.
How to Set Up Conversion Tracking
To turn on conversion tracking in Shopify:
Navigate to your Google Ads dashboard and select Tools & Settings > Measurement > Conversions.
Navigate to create a new conversion action and choose the option for "Website."
You must create a tracking tag to monitor your performance.
Copy the code, then go in Shopify to Settings > Checkout, and paste it there Additional Scripts.
This is because, this way, you can ensure that Google can trace how users behave on your store, from ad click to purchase.
Step 3: Set up your Initial Google Ads Campaign to Promote your Shopify Products and Boost Visibility
Types of Campaigns for Shopify Stores
The most common type of campaigns within Google Ads that a Shopify store is most interested in finding support about are as follows:
Search ads are text-based ads that appear on search engine results pages when users search for a specific keyword. They are perfect for targeting users with a high intent to purchase.
Display Ads: Visual ads spread through Google's Display Network, where you can reach potential customers surfing online.
Shopping Ads: Product-based ads show your inventory directly in Google search results, which include images, price, and store name.
The most accessible starting point for beginners is Google Shopping Ads since advertisers can show their products directly before users search for similar items.
Set Campaign Objectives, Targeting, and Budget
Once you determine which campaign type you want, it is time to set your objective and budget. You can choose whether the objective would be to lift sales, website traffic, or even brand awareness. Depending on which of the above you will be targeting, you will set up the targeting parameters, such as demographics, location, or interests, and allocate the daily budget. Do not expect too much initially; start low and gradually scale up.
Step 4: Optimize Your Product Listings for Google Shopping Ads
Since Google Shopping Ads pull product information directly from Shopify, optimizing your listings is essential:
Product Titles: Use relevant keywords but don't stuff. Be descriptive and concise, including colour, size, or brand attributes.
Product Descriptions: Highlight key Features and Benefits. Ensure the descriptions are concise and not too chatty about the reasons your product stands out.
Image Optimization for Ad Performance: A high-quality picture of the product can be a big thing for Google Shopping Ads. Ensure it is well-lit and professionally taken, with highlighted product features. Avoid images with watermarks and promotional text, which may cause ad disapprovals to kick in.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust Your Campaign Performance for the Best Possible Outcomes
Once your adverts are unleashed, you should monitor their performances to ensure your money is well utilized. The following are key metrics you should monitor closely.
CPC: cost per click refers to the amount charged for each click on your advertisement.
CTR: The number of clicks after people have seen the advert divided by the total views, shown in per cent.
Conversion Rate: Percentages of clicks that eventually lead to a sale or any other desired action.
Bidding, Keywords, and Targeting Calibration: You will eventually need to optimize your campaign to perform better. As long as your keywords convert, raising bids for them would help. Sometimes, ads will not do well. You can adjust the targeting parameters of your ads or test new ad copy and images.
Common Errors to Avoid
Don't Ignore Negative Keywords: Adding negative keywords ensures that unwanted searches will not trigger your ads to display, thus saving you money.
Setting It and Forgetting It: Know that campaigns need continuous evaluation and optimization. Do not ever set up your ads and forget them.
Overbidding: Launch using low bids, then increase depending on the campaign's performance. Wasting money on high bidding at the initial stages will always drain your budget.
Conclusion
Google Ads for your Shopify store will be intimidating initially. Still, if done right, it can bring massive traffic and sales. The best part of Google Ads is that you can start with small campaigns, track your results, and make improvements continually. So, as more time and practice are added, Google Ads will go from being this complex tool to boosting your e-commerce business.
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