Paid advertising might sound daunting if you’re just starting out, but it’s one of the fastest ways to drive traffic, raise brand awareness, and generate leads. The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert or have a massive budget to get started. With the right mindset and a few key steps, anyone can launch a simple and effective paid advertising campaign. In this guide, we’ll break down paid ads for beginners in clear, easy-to-follow steps.
1. Understand What Paid Advertising Is
First things first—what exactly do we mean by “paid advertising”?
- It’s a form of digital marketing where businesses pay to have their ads displayed on platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn
- You can pay based on impressions (CPM), clicks (CPC), or conversions
- Ads can appear in search results, on social media feeds, or across other websites
Think of it as a way to amplify your visibility and reach the right people faster.
2. Choose the Right Platform for Your Audience
Not all advertising platforms are created equal. Where you choose to advertise should depend on your goals and audience.
- Google Ads: Best for capturing search intent—great for people actively looking for your product or service
- Facebook & Instagram Ads: Ideal for highly targeted ads based on interests, behaviours, and demographics
- LinkedIn Ads: Perfect for B2B businesses targeting job titles, industries, or company size
- TikTok or YouTube: Great for brands with strong visual content looking to build awareness
Start small and focus on one or two platforms to test what works.
3. Set a Realistic Budget
Paid ads don’t have to cost a fortune—but you do need to be intentional with your spend.
- Decide how much you’re willing to spend each day or over a month
- Most platforms let you set a daily or lifetime budget
- Begin with a small test budget (e.g. £5–£20 per day) and scale based on performance
The goal is to learn what works before investing more heavily.
4. Create Compelling Ads
An ad is only effective if it grabs attention and encourages action.
- Write a strong, clear headline that speaks to a problem or need
- Use engaging visuals or short videos to stop the scroll
- Include a strong call-to-action (e.g. “Get a Free Quote”, “Book Now”, “Download Guide”)
- Keep it simple—don’t overload the ad with too much text or jargon
The more relevant and eye-catching your ad, the better the results.
5. Send Traffic to a High-Converting Landing Page
Where you send people after they click your ad matters just as much as the ad itself.
- Make sure the landing page matches the ad’s message and offer
- Keep it clean, fast-loading, and mobile-friendly
- Use a clear call-to-action (CTA)
- Reduce distractions—one page, one focus
A great ad with a bad landing page is a missed opportunity.
6. Monitor, Test, and Improve
The beauty of paid ads is that you can constantly improve them based on data.
- Track key metrics: clicks, conversions, cost per click (CPC), and return on ad spend (ROAS)
- Test different headlines, visuals, CTAs, and audiences
- Pause or adjust underperforming ads
- Scale what’s working
Paid advertising is never “set it and forget it.” It’s a process of testing, learning, and optimising.
Conclusion
Paid advertising can be a game-changer for your business—even if you’re brand new to it. By starting small, staying focused, and continuously learning, you’ll build the confidence and skills to grow your reach and revenue.
To learn more about how Paragon Sales Solutions can help you set up and optimise your paid advertising campaigns, please get in touch or book your FREE consultation.