Understanding Google AdWords

S. HousleyDefine max click - Google will suggest a cost per
Google AdWordsclick, but the recommendation does not need to be
adhered to. Arguments have been heard that #1
Google AdWords provide an inexpensive advertisingposition does not always mean increased sales;
venue for businesses to advertise products orsometimes a second position will filter useless clicks
services to a targeted audience. Advertisers haveand provide targeted traffic with a higher conversion
the ability to control their budget, target theirration. The rule of thumb is positions 1-3 garner the
advertising based on keywords. Advertisers are alsomost traffic and best results. Increasing either your
free to determine the ad contents.maximum cost-per-click or the ads click through rate
Google AdWords allow for nearly instant traffic,will generally improve the ad's position.
which can be turned on and off. Traffic results canUse keyword variations to reach more prospects. A
be measured, providing information on what isvariety or spellings and derivatives of keywords will
successful, what isn't and what needs to be changed.increase the chances of your ads being served. Be
AdWords can be found that work by running a testsure to use common misspellings and plurals in your
campaign.keyword list.
Benefits to AdWordsBroad match - is targeting keywords in a loosely
Advertisers bid on keywords, the more an advertiserdefined manner. Ads appear based on keywords that
is willing to pay the higher the likelihood the ad willhave been queried by search users. For instance, if
appear higher in position in the list of ads served.the keywords you are planning on broad matching
Google, invariably wanting to make the most fromare "mountain bikes" and users search for the terms
advertisers, determines placement based on a"bikes that can climb a mountain", your ad will appear;
combination of click through rate, bid amount andas opposed to exact match, which requires that the
budget. Of course, in order to maximize revenue andkeywords selections must exactly match the query.
please searchers Google does have guidelines for adsPhrase match - is indicated when quotations are used
served and all ads must receive a minimumin the phrase. A keyword phrase set to phrase
percentage click through or they are removed.match will only appear when the exact phrase is
AdWord Guidelinessearched on. For example "mountain bikes" will appear
Clearly and accurately describe the website, this is towhen searchers search for "brand name mountain
the advertiser and searchers benefit. Ultimately, thebikes".
more qualified the visitor who clicks the ad, theExact match - is when the keyword or phrase is
higher the likelihood the clicker will convert into a sale.entered with brackets. The phrase will only serve ads
By providing clear and accurate information, searcherswhen the entered search phrase is identical to the
who click the ad are qualified leads, which tend tokeyword phrase. "Mountain bikes" will only appear
convert more consistently than unqualified leads. Thewhen searchers search for "mountain bikes"
most effective advertising communicates a clearNegative keyword - is helpful in filtering unrelated
message to a targeted audience.phrases. A dash is entered before the filtering phrase.
Avoid excessive capitalization, superlatives and lavish"Mountain bike -races will not appear if mountain bike
exclamation marks in the ad. By doing this you areraces are searched on.
not only serving the visitor you are filtering unwantedLanding Page - is important because this not only
clicks from non-buyers. Due to space limitations yourhelps with tracking, but also provides a focused and
ad message will need to be concise. Select keywordsspecific landing page for searchers. Information can
that are relevant to your product, service or content.be related to the actual search, while also increasing
Call to action phrases are not allowed (i.e. you cannotthe conversion ratios for sales. A focused landing
use phrases like "click here" in your ad copy.) Therepage with content related and using the same
are also no pop-ups.terminology as the actual search, will show the
Steps for AdWord Campaignsearcher that your solution is relevant to their needs.
1.) Open an account3.) Define budget - in order to maximize exposure
2.) Target language and country - This is veryGoogle recommends a daily budget for each
important because if your product or service can notcampaign.
be exported you do not want to pay to advertise inGoogle's suggested budget is helpful in receiving
those countries for which your product or serviceconsistent traffic throughout the advertising
can not be sold.campaign. Keep in mind this is only Google's
3.) Create Ad Group - design an ad, select keywords,recommendation; ultimately it is up to you to
determine maximum cost per click that you are willingdetermine a budget that is affordable and suitable.
to spend and define bid amounts.Google supplies tracking tools that assist webmasters
Titlein determining their return on investment based on
The title tag is generally the most important part ofkeyword searches and phrases. While the technology
the ad be sure to use a short phrase that gets theis not perfect and cannot track phone and purchase
attention of your target audience. An underutilizedorders, it should give advertisers a sense of what
feature at Google allows you to put a question markphrases and keywords are converting well in their
in the title, the term searched on automaticallyadvertising campaign.
replaces the question mark in the title of your ad.