Because up to 11 pay-per-click (PPC) text ads might show on any given search query, it is imperative that you do whatever you can to make your ad stand out.  Yes, you want to make sure the users’ search terms actually appear in the ad and that you have a strong call to action, but every PPC campaign manager thinks this way.  You need to dig deeper in your messaging in order to turn the impression into a click.  The three themes outlined below are ways to make your ads stand out in order to increase your overall click-thru-rate (CTR).

(continue reading…)

Adding negative keywords to any pay-per-click (PPC) campaign is a necessary ingredient for success.  You must be able to eliminate irrelevant traffic in order to get better quality visitors and spend your budget more effectively.  For the most part, negative keywords can be added at the campaign level, but to really get to the next level of targeting you must also exclude at the ad group level.

(continue reading…)

Google AdWords is an amazing advertising platform but, like most things, there is always room for improvement.  I will take a look at various AdWords features and voice my concerns while explaining why improvements are necessary.  As a precursor, I have spoken with my Google representative about my concerns and she has assured me that they are being taken into consideration.

(continue reading…)

The Google AdWords Content Network has come a long way in the last year.  Before some necessary enhancements were implemented I was wary of the Content Network and believed it to be a waste of money.  Though I still have concerns, the Content Network now has the ability to be much more targeted and provide conversions.

(continue reading…)

Google AdWords has recently added three new features to the paid platform. Two of the features are still in beta and only available to select advertisers, but all three help to bring better targeted ads to users. John A. Lee of The Clix Marketing PPC Blog does a good job of explaining these new features.

The new feature I am going to discuss is Ad Sitelinks.  Similar to the sitelinks you see in an organic listing, the paid Sitelinks allow four additional links to show within your ad.  Take the example below:

(continue reading…)

I am going back to the basics with this entry and discussing how to write text ads that will garner clicks. Too often I see ineffective ad copy that leads to low click-thru-rates (CTRs). I will share why it is necessary to include your targeted keywords in your ad copy and techniques to make your ads stand out.

First and foremost, when you write ads “one size fits all” does not apply. Why not? Let’s take a look at this example. When I search for “Panasonic televisions” I see these ads.

(continue reading…)