How often do you ‘Google’ something? Probably many times every day! From looking for an answer to a question to finding the phone number for a local business, I know I’m constantly relying on this search engine.
What would we do without this tool at our fingertips?
Naturally, one of the most common questions we get asked is, ‘How do I get my business to show up on the first page of search results’? While there are many strategies to help you reach the top of organic search results (see our blog on search engine optimization here), one very effective way to get noticed by those searching for products and services you offer is by utilizing the paid Google Search platform.
By paying for advertising, your brand is put into the auction for the top placements in search results. Depending on the amount you are willing to pay and the number of competitors currently in the auction for your products and services, your chances of being on page one of search results is quite high!
To understand the components that go into creating effective Google Search ads, see our blog post here.
Here are 10 cool things to know about Google Search advertising:
- You only pay when a user clicks on your ad. For that reason, Google Search advertising is very cost-effective!
- You’re paying for high-value clicks. The user is actively searching for your products and services when they see your ad!
- For every $1 spent on Google advertising, businesses make an average of $2 in revenue (Google).
- You choose relevant keywords (search terms) that determine when your ad should be shown in search results.
- Likewise, you can assign negative keywords to make sure your ad doesn’t show for irrelevant searches. For example, if your store sells shoes but not kids shoes, you can add ‘kids shoes’ as a negative keyword to avoid showing up on those searches.
- You can target user demographics and geographies just like on other digital marketing platforms, ensuring that a user in Florida will not see your ad if you do not sell products and services there.
- Unlike organic search results, you can write the copy for your paid search ads, so you can tell your prospective customers exactly what they need to hear from you.
- You can include helpful links in your ads, making it easy for users to click on multiple pages within your website or call you directly from the ad.
- Search ads are perceived as helpful, not intrusive. In a survey conducted by Clutch, 75% of responders reported that paid search ads make it easier to find the information they’re searching for.
- If all this sounds great in theory but seems difficult for you to implement, we’ve got you covered! Reach out to Sarah at [email protected] to learn more about how Hookd can help.