Increasing your client base with the hopeof possible conversions is the dream of every online business owner. Most online business owners are fully aware that potential clients exist on Google. Most people don’t invest in advertising on Adwords, Google’s advertising platform, because of misconceptions.
For too long many people have thought of Adwords as an expensive and difficult platform to use. To be fair though, Adwords isn’t exactly the most affordable option for those just starting out. It is however, one of the best platforms to work with when you have a solid marketing plan, and you know exactly what you want out of your marketing campaigns.
There are scores of ways to market your business using Adwords, but our advice is to go for the cost-per-click (CPC) model. With this type of marketing you are charged for every ad clicked in real-time. Don’t worry, only a tiny fee is charged for each click.
Google algorithms aren’t the most popular and neither is Adwords’ algorithm. To make things easier for you, we have put together several tips to help you on your journey to mastering the Adwords system.
Tips to Use Google Adwords like a Pro
- Targeting is everything
If you are paying for your marketing, you might as well get it right the first time. Adwords provides a wide target and several options. For a rookie advertiser you might be tempted to go as wide as you can with the hope of attracting more customers. However, to be successful online, it’s all about the niche market.
Two systems you need to be aware of, and avoid like the plague are Search Partners, as well as Display Network. Both of them will display your ads on specific sites. Search Partners has a tendency of only showing your ads on sites that have affiliate links. The Display Network isn’t any better and displays your ads in an unfashionable banner-like manner. The best route is to target Google Search, which allows your ads to be seen by anyone who has typed in keywords that relate to your ad. How’s that for specific?
Another smart way to make your ads even more specific is to ensure you have turned on geographic targeting options. These allow people in your city or state to see whatever it is you are advertising.
- Divide and conquer – according to devices
Keep in mind that your ads will look different on a phone, a desktop, and a tablet. The response you get from the customer will also be different on each device. This means you have to be creative and design ads that get you the type of response you are after.
If you run a service based business such as a salon, restaurant, spa et cetera, your main objective is to get people to give you a call and make a reservation. The easiest way to do this is if people can see a direct click-to-call (C2C) option on the ad. Make it so clear that they don’t have to waste time searching for it.
- Be specific about the day and time of your Ad campaigns
What good is it to have your ad running at a time when no one is available to answer the phones at your place of business? That’s a waste of money. Timing is everything. You want to ensure that you have scheduled your bids to start showing at particular times of the day and on certain days of the week.
You can also use the analytics report you get about people’s keywords to determine which are the best times for you to be day-parting and scheduling your bids. You can also make full use of such reports to know when to put out promotional ads to drive customers to you. Just remember to make everything clear on your ad. Ensure the call to action button or link is active and clearly visible.
- It’s all about choosing the RIGHT keywords
Knowing which keywords to choose can be the making or breaking of your marketing campaign. Use branded keywords to get the best response. It will cost you less in the long run anyway. Non-branded keywords don’t tend to do as well as their peers, the branded type.
Opt for longer tail specific keywords that include the name of your city such as, ‘cafes in Los Angeles,’ for better responses. Avoid simple generic keywords like ‘cafes’ or ‘salons’.
We hope that we have managed to convince you to give Adwords a try.
