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This blog offers advice on all aspects of search engine optimization, from web content to link popularity and beyond.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Search Marketing with Google AdWords

Google AdWords can be an effective tool in search engine marketing. It can literally put you at the top of Google search results tomorrow -- provided you have the budget to do so.

But what is Google AdWords, and how does search engine marketing with Google AdWords work? Here's a primer for you:

Search Marketing with Google AdWords
Let's start out with a basic definition. Google AdWords is a pay-per-click marketing program that allows webmasters to create their own ads and choose their own keywords. Google AdWords is a "sponsored search" program, meaning your ad will show up under the "Sponsored Links" section of the Google results page (see below).



In the image above, the green shaded area shows Google AdWords (sponsored ads), while the pink shaded area shows natural (organic) search results.

Benefits of Google AdWords Marketing
As mentioned, one of the primary benefits of search engine marketing with Google AdWords is that you can get your ad in front of people quickly. If you were to set up a Google AdWords program today, you could literally be on the first page of Google for your chosen keywords by tomorrow. Of course, it will cost you (see "drawbacks" section below).

The various reporting features built into the AdWords system provide another big benefit to using AdWords for marketing. You can track every aspect of your Google AdWords marketing campaign, from the number of ad displays to the number of clicks and conversions. You can track people from the click-through through the landing page, and all the way to the conversion page you've identified (such as a "thank you" page for purchase or subscription).

Another aspect of Google AdWords marketing that I really enjoy is the real-time ad testing. For example, if I create a search ad focusing on the phrase "Austin Internet marketing services," I could create two different versions of my ad. Then I could run those ads for a week and see which one had the best click-through rate. I would keep the champion ad, remove the weaker ad, and repeat the process with a new "challenger" ad. In this way, you can constantly optimize your Google AdWords marketing program by tweaking and testing your ads, over and over again.

Drawbacks of Google AdWords Marketing
Google AdWords differs from natural SEO in that you are paying for placement. With natural (or "organic") search engine optimization, you achieve your search engine ranking naturally through your content's relevancy and popularity. Through pay-per-click programs like Google AdWords, you achieve your ranking based on the amount you bid per click and the number of click-throughs you get. In other words, the top rankings in Google AdWords are dominated by search ads that either (A) pay the most per click, (B) have the best click-through rates, or (C) a combination of the two.

Resources for Google AdWords Marketing
This is by no means a complete education on search engine marketing with Google AdWords. Entire books have been written on the subject. I am simply trying to provide an overview into the world of Google AdWords marketing. If you'd like to learn more on this subject, you'll find the resources that I've gathered below very helpful:

Our PPC Services
If you would like to learn more about launching a pay-per-click campaign for your business, using Google AdWords, please contact us. We can evaluate your market and audience to determine if PPC search marketing might be a good idea, and we can help you create a campaign. Our services include campaign management, writing your ad copy, testing your ads, creating a landing page, and more. Please contact us for details.


~Brandon

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