Can I Do Google Ads On My Own?

Let’s Get One Thing Straight: You Can Run Google Ads Yourself

Running Google Ads isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not a “set it and forget it” tool. Google wants you to think it’s easy — and in a way, it is. The platform is user-friendly. But if you’re not careful, it’s just as easy to spend a lot of money with little to no return.

So, yes — you can run Google Ads on your own. The better question is: can you do it effectively?

Let’s break it down.

Understanding What You're Getting Into

Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model. You choose keywords, write ads, and pay every time someone clicks.

Sounds simple, but here’s what you’re really juggling:

Keyword strategy (so you’re not paying for irrelevant traffic)
Ad copywriting (because “click here” doesn’t cut it anymore)
Bidding and budgeting (to avoid blowing your budget in a day)
Landing page optimization (if the page stinks, the ad won’t convert)
Analytics and tracking (to know what’s working — and what’s wasting money)

If that list made your eyes glaze over, you might want a pro in your corner.

Google’s “Smart Campaigns” vs. Doing It Right

Google tempts beginners with Smart Campaigns — simplified ad setups that handle targeting and bidding for you. While convenient, they’re kind of like microwaving a frozen dinner. Fast? Yes. Gourmet? Not even close.

Smart Campaigns might work for ultra-basic goals, but they give you very little control or visibility. And they often spend money faster than they make it back.

If you want to actually grow your business and compete strategically, a manual campaign setup (Search or Performance Max) gives you the control you need — even if there’s a learning curve.

‍

DIY Tips If You’re Going Solo

If you’re serious about managing Google Ads yourself, here’s your starter playbook:

Start with search campaigns – Target specific keywords your customers are actually searching.
Use keyword match types carefully – Broad match can bring in junk traffic. Start with phrase or exact match.
Write compelling ad copy – Speak to a problem and solution. Include your USP (unique selling proposition).
Set a modest daily budget – Start small (e.g., $10/day) and scale once you see results.
Track conversions – Use Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics to measure ROI.

Pro tip: if you're not tracking conversions, you're flying blind.

When to Call In the Pros

You can do it yourself — but that doesn’t always mean you should.

If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to bring in help:

You’ve been running ads for weeks and seeing zero leads or sales.
Your cost-per-click is eating your budget alive.
You have no clue what your return on ad spend (ROAS) is.
You want to scale but don’t know how.

A good agency (like, say, Hoopr Media 👋) can optimize your campaigns, reduce wasted spend, and get you better results — faster.

Final Takeaway

Yes, you can do Google Ads on your own. The platform is designed to be accessible — but not necessarily profitable without the right strategy. If you’re a scrappy DIYer with time to learn, go for it. But if your goal is efficient growth and ROI, teaming up with an expert will likely pay off tenfold.

Need expert help with your Google Ads? Hoopr Media crafts smart PPC strategies that convert.

‍