How to Create a Google Ads Account: Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up a Google Ads account is the single most important step for businesses looking to reach high-intent customers right as they search for your products or services.
Google usually tries to push you straight into creating a campaign while setting up your Google Ads account, but it's best to skip that for now. Leave the campaign setup and strategy to your digital marketing agency so they can build everything properly from the ground up. This guide will walk you through setting up your account shell correctly so it's ready for your team to take over.
What You Need Before You Start
Before diving in, make sure you have the following ready:
-
A Google Account: Preferably your main business Gmail or Workspace email address.
-
A Live Business Website: The main landing page URL where you want to send ad traffic.
-
Payment Information: A business credit/debit card or banking setup.
-
Official Verification Documents:
-
Business Registration: Official documentation (e.g., Certificate of Incorporation, Tax/VAT registration, or business license) matching your business name and address.
-
Personal Identification: A valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) of the account administrator or authorized representative.
How to Create a Google Ads Account Step by Step
Step 1: Access Google Ads
-
Visit Google Ads
-
Click Sign In or Start Now in the top-right corner.
-
Log in using your main business Gmail or Google Workspace account.
Step 2: Initiate Account Setup
-
Select New Google Ads Account from the account selection menu.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Information
-
Type in your official Business Name when prompted.
-
Enter your main Website URL (e.g., your landing page or homepage) and click Next.
-
Allow Google to automatically pull your site info, descriptions, and linked platforms, then click Next to confirm.
Step 4: Skip Campaign and Asset Creation
-
When Google prompts you to link additional assets (such as your YouTube channel, Mobile app, or Google Business Profile), click Skip.
-
When asked to select campaign goals (e.g., Purchases, Lead forms, Phone calls), scroll past the options.
-
Click Set up an account only to skip campaign creation completely so your digital marketing agency can set up your campaigns properly later.
Step 5: Confirm Core Account Settings
-
Verify your Billing Country.
-
Set your correct Time Zone (this dictates your ad schedule and daily reporting).
-
Choose your Currency for payments.
-
Double-check these three settings carefully, as time zone and currency cannot be changed after this step.
-
Click Continue.
Step 6: Set Up Payment Profile & Billing
-
Confirm that your promotional ad credit discount is attached at the top of the payment screen.
-
Choose or create a Payments Profile (select Organization or Individual depending on your business status).
-
Enter your official legal business name, billing address, and tax information (if applicable).
-
Enter your Payment Method details (credit card or bank account).
-
Note that Google may place a temporary authorization charge (e.g., €10.00) to verify your card, which will automatically be refunded.
Step 7: Finalize Terms and Submit
-
Check the box to agree to the Google Ads Terms and Conditions.
-
Select No when asked if you want personalized guidance from Google phone strategists (so your campaigns stay aligned with your agency's strategy).
-
Click Submit to finish creating your account shell.
Video Guide
Step 8: Post-Creation Verification & Compliance Questions
-
Answer Questions About Your Organization: Answer Google's initial questions regarding your business model, whether you are an agency, and your relationship with the brand being advertised.
-
Submit Business & Identity Documents: Upload your official organization/business registration documents and a government-issued photo ID to complete Advertiser Verification.
-
Confirm European Union Political Ads Declaration: Declare and confirm whether your account plans to run political ads in the European Union (EU).
-
Identify Who Pays for Your Ads: Specify the payer details so Google can display accurate billing disclosures in the public Ads Transparency Center.
Give Avocadots Access to Your Google Ads Account
Once your account shell is created, the next step is granting our team access so we can set up, manage, and optimize your campaigns effectively without requiring your personal login credentials.
Check out our step-by-step guide on How to Give Access to Google Ads to connect your new account to Avocadots securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I skip creating a campaign during initial account setup?
Google’s onboarding wizard pushes new users into simplified "Smart Campaigns" with automated settings that limit bidding flexibility, audience targeting, and key reporting data. Skipping campaign creation allows your marketing agency to build structured Search, Performance Max, or Display campaigns tailored to your specific ROI goals.
Will I lose ownership of my Google Ads account by giving access to an agency?
No. You retain 100% legal ownership of your Google Ads account, billing profile, and historical data. Granting user or manager access simply gives Avocadots permission to manage campaigns on your behalf, and you can revoke or change access levels at any time.
How do Google Ads promotional credits work?
When you set up a new Google Ads account, Google often grants introductory credits (e.g., "Spend €350, get €350 in ad credits"). Once you reach the qualifying ad spend threshold within the specified timeframe (usually 60 days), Google automatically applies the matching credit to your account balance.
Why is my credit card charged €10 right after setup?
This is a temporary authorization hold placed by Google to verify that your payment method is active and valid. This is not an actual fee and will automatically drop off your card statement within a few business days.
Can I change my billing currency or time zone later?
No. Google Ads explicitly locks your time zone and currency settings upon account creation. If you set the wrong time zone or currency, you would need to create a completely new Google Ads account to correct it.