Google Ads for eCommerce Tutorial for Beginners

ecommerce ppc guide google ads beginner tutorial google ads for ecommerce google merchant center setup google shopping campaign tutorial performance max setup Aug 13, 2025

Looking to start Google Ads for your eCommerce store? This step-by-step 2025 tutorial covers the exact strategies and campaign types you need to launch successfully—even if you’re a complete beginner.

Start Here: The Campaigns You Actually Need

If you're launching your first Google Ads campaign for eCommerce, skip the guesswork. Start with two campaign types that offer the most direct path to sales and data:

Search Campaigns: These target people actively searching for your products.
Shopping Campaigns: These showcase your product images, prices, and reviews in Google’s search results.

Together, they help answer the most critical questions fast:

Is your product page converting?
Is your offer relevant?
Does your checkout process work?

These campaigns connect you with high-intent buyers—people already in the market for your product. The faster you get this feedback, the quicker you can refine your strategy.

👉Google Shopping Optimization: Expert Strategies from Andrew Lolk

Why Not Start With Performance Max (PMAX)?

In 2025, Google pushes Performance Max campaigns early, often as soon as you launch your first ad. And it’s true—PMAX can deliver strong results once your account has good data.

However, for beginners, PMAX can waste spend if your product pages, tracking, or conversion paths aren’t dialed in yet. That's why starting with Search and Shopping gives you a controlled environment to learn, iterate, and scale without overspending.

Build a Long-Term Google Ads Strategy

Think of your Google Ads account in two layers:

Bottom-of-Funnel (BOF): Search + Shopping campaigns to convert high-intent traffic.
Mid/Top-of-Funnel (MOF/TOF): Once you’ve built conversion history, expand into Performance Max and Demand Gen to scale your reach and brand awareness.

This staged approach ensures you’re not just spending money, but building toward sustainable growth.

Live Demo: How to Set Up a Google Shopping Campaign

Here’s a simplified walkthrough to get started:

Link Merchant Center: Upload your product feed via Shopify or directly to Google Merchant Center.
Connect GA4: Ensure all tracking is linked properly.
Optimize Product Titles: Start titles with high-volume keywords and include brand, color, and size.
Structure Your Campaign:

Small product range? Use one campaign with ad groups by category.
Large catalog? Segment by margin or seasonality.

Launch with Smart Bidding: Choose "Maximize Conversions" and start monitoring.

Missed a step? Download the full Shopping Campaign Setup Guide in the description.

Final Thoughts

Google Ads in 2025 doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Start simple, track the right metrics, and build toward scale. With Search and Shopping campaigns as your foundation, you’ll be able to grow your store with confidence—and avoid the costly mistakes most beginners make.