You've decided to run Meta ads. Smart move—it's still one of the most effective advertising platforms on the planet. But between Business Manager, pixels, CAPI, and campaign structures, the setup process can feel overwhelming.
At MBell Media, we've set up hundreds of Meta ad accounts from scratch. This tutorial walks you through exactly what we do when onboarding new accounts.
What You Need Before Starting#
- A Facebook account (personal, for identity verification)
- A Facebook Page for your business
- A website with admin access to add code
- A clear goal: what action do you want people to take?
- A payment method
Step 1: Set Up Meta Business Manager#
Meta Business Manager is your command center. Never run ads from your personal Facebook profile.
Step 2: Create Your Ad Account#
In Business Manager, go to Business Settings > Accounts > Ad Accounts > Create a New Ad Account. Set your time zone and currency carefully—they can't be changed later.
Step 3: Install the Meta Pixel#
The Meta Pixel tracks what people do on your website. Since iOS 14.5, you also need Conversions API (CAPI) for complete tracking.
Steps 4-7: Campaign Setup#
Create your campaign (choose Sales or Leads objective), configure your ad set (targeting, budget, placements), create your ads (3-5 variations), then review and publish. For complete details, see our free 11-module course.
