18 Dec Why Google Ads Are Worth The Investment for Small Businesses
As a small business owner, there are many decisions you must make regarding how to best market your business. With the online marketplace constantly changing, it can be difficult to determine which marketing method will provide you with the best return on your investment. One marketing strategy that is becoming increasingly popular among small business owners is Google Ads.
Should my business use Google Ads? Google Ads can be an incredibly effective marketing tool for small businesses in any industry. With the ability to pinpoint a niche audience through specific keywords and a high level of customization, this marketing platform can be highly beneficial. Additionally, since Google Ads is pay-per-click advertising, you will only be paying for guaranteed exposure to your site. These are just a few of the reasons why small businesses should consider implementing Google Ads as part of their marketing strategy.
So, what’s the catch? Why aren’t all small businesses using Google Ads to gain exposure? Simply put, Google Ads do have a steep learning curve. However, the many pros outweigh the cons when it comes to this type of advertising.
In this post, we will discuss some basic information regarding Google Ads, including the many reasons small businesses should use Google Ads. We will also share a few of the things you must consider before launching your first Google Ad. We have seen firsthand how Google Ads can positively impact a small business and we are excited to share this information with you!
What You Need to Know About Google Ads for Small Businesses
When you research a topic such as Google Ads, you are bound to find an excessive amount of information that often does not pertain to your situation. This can make Google Ads seem incredibly complex and cause you to abandon the idea of implementing them as part of your marketing strategy. Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about using Google Ads for your small business.
What Are Google Ads?
Google Ads, formerly known as Google Adwords, is a pay-per-click advertising platform that allows a business to display its ad at the very top of a given search engine results page. As we have discussed in previous posts, these top positions of a results page are highly coveted as they receive the majority of traffic that is generated for that search.
Google Ads rely on the use of keywords to place an ad on an applicable results page. Through this strategy, you benefit from having your ad seen by potential consumers who are searching for the very service or product that you offer.
Reasons for Small Businesses to Use Google Ads
As a small business ourselves, we understand that every dollar counts. When you are investing in a marketing strategy, it is important that it works efficiently and provides you with a good return on investment. Google Ads are beneficial for small businesses in many ways. Here are just a few of the reasons why we believe small businesses should use Google Ads.
Google Ads Target Interested Consumers
Many marketing strategies target a wide variety of consumers based on factors such as their age, gender, and other characteristics. However, with most platforms, you are paying to place an ad in front of a consumer at a random time.
Google Ads, however, target consumers who are interested in the very product or service that you are marketing. By placing your ad at the top of a search engine results page, you are spending your marketing dollars on an audience that is truly interested in what you are offering.
Pinpoint a Niche Audience Through Specific Keywords
Google Ads rely on specific keywords to display your ad on various search engine results pages. When you set up your ad, you input these keywords to target an audience who you believe would benefit from your services. This allows you to display your ad to a very niche audience. You can also utilize geographic targeting, selecting keywords that will display your ad to a local audience.
It is important to note that broad keywords will increase the cost of your Google Ad while more niche, focused keywords will lower the cost. You must also strategically select keywords that will provide you with the greatest return on your investment by placing your ad in front of an interested audience.
Small business owners are often intimidated by the process of selecting keywords to be used for Google Ads. Effective keywords will have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your ad. For this reason, many choose to consult an online marketing firm for assistance in this area.
Google Ads Allows You to Designate a Set Budget for Each Ad
Every dollar counts, especially for a small business with a lower marketing budget. Google Ads allows you to set a strict budget for each ad, even providing you with the opportunity to designate a set amount of that budget for each day of the ad campaign. Because of this, you can plan and budget appropriately.
Pay-Per-Click Means You Only Pay for Guaranteed Exposure
One of the greatest benefits of Google Ads for small businesses is that it is a pay-per-click advertising campaign. This means that you will only pay for the times that individuals click on your ad to visit your website. With Google Ads PPC, you are only paying for guaranteed exposure to your website.
Google Ads Provide Nearly Instantaneous Results
There are many strategies for marketing your small business. From SEO to social media marketing, and everything in between, most marketing strategies require some time before you begin to see results. With Google Ads, however, you may begin to see traffic to your website in as little as one day.
Of course, it is important to realize that even with a platform like Google Ads, you will have to make adjustments and changes to your strategy to ensure the best return on investment. However, as far as small business marketing strategies go, Google Ads is one of the best ways to achieve almost instantaneous results.
Easily Track ROI With Google Analytics
Google Ads makes it easy to track your return on investment through its free platform, Google Analytics. With Google Analytics, you can quickly see how well your ads are performing and make adjustments accordingly. By optimizing your advertising strategy in this way, you can be sure that each marketing dollar is making an impact.
Google Ads Are a Flexible Marketing Strategy
Every small business owner understands how quickly things can change within their daily operations. Do you need to cut back on your advertising budget for the coming month due to a lack of work? What if you have the opposite problem, too much work, and find yourself needing to catch up before accepting new clients?
Google Ads is one of the most flexible marketing tools available, allowing you to change or pause your ad as you see fit.
Things to Consider Before Implementing Google Ads
You may be thinking that Google Ads sound too good to be true. While this is not the case, there are some things you must consider before implementing Google Ads for your small business.
Google Ads Require Close Monitoring for Best ROI
Google Ads are only as effective as you create them to be. To achieve the best return on investment, you must closely monitor your ads and make adjustments as needed. This can be quite time-consuming for a small business owner, especially if they have little knowledge of the platform.
Effective Google Ads Require a Knowledge of the Platform
Speaking of knowing the platform, Google Ads present quite a steep learning curve. To run an effective ad on this platform, you must develop an understanding of how it works. From learning keyword strategies to building an engaging landing page, small business owners often must commit a significant amount of time to learn how to utilize this beneficial advertising strategy properly.
Google Ads Require a Good Website
Google Ads work to direct potential customers to an optimized landing page on your website. From there, it is your responsibility to transform these visitors into customers. If you do not have a well-designed and engaging website, your Google Ad strategy will suffer.
As a small business owner, it is important to prioritize a great website. Once your website is set up for success, you can begin to spend money on an effective marketing campaign.
Implementing Google Ads for Your Small Business
When it comes to Google Ads, the pros far outweigh the cons for small businesses. This great marketing platform can provide exceptional results when it is properly utilized. By maximizing your marketing budget through pay-per-click advertising, you can ensure that every dollar is making an impact.
Work With a Google Ads Expert Today!
As we mentioned previously, Google Ads are most effective when they are constantly monitored and adjusted to reflect current trends. We have worked with small businesses in a variety of industries to establish a Google Ad strategy that provides them with incredible results.
Our team of Google Ad experts would love to discuss how we can help you implement Google Ads as part of your marketing strategy. Contact us today to schedule a FREE Google Ad strategy session!