Google AdWords Strategies - 7 Steps For Bidding High to Gain More Traffic

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Google AdWords advertising can easily waste a lot of money if you don't know what strategies to use. One highly successful strategy is to be the highest bidder so your ad is displayed above all others. You may need deep pockets to do this however you'll be the first ad visitors see and you'll receive more traffic than the competing ads below yours.

Here are the 7 steps for bidding high

1. Use the AdWords keyword tool to estimate the CPC (cost per click)

The AdWords keyword tool will show you the average cost per click of a keyword for last month. This calculation is not always correct. You'll find this out when you set up your campaign.

2. Use the estimate search traffic tool

When adding keywords to your campaign use the "estimate search traffic" tool to view the estimated cost per click. Bid higher than this to secure the top ad position.

3. Check your ad position

After setting up your campaign and running for a few hours check your ad position under your campaign settings. If the location of your ad is below position 1 you'll need to adjust the bid on your keywords. Double check your ad position by inserting your main keyword into the Google search box. Sometimes there's a discrepancy between what Google tells you and where your ad is actually displayed.

4. Edit keyword settings

To raise the bid on your keywords, select the top box at the top of your list of keywords, then click on "edit keyword settings." This will display the default bid box and the search bid boxes for all your keywords. If you want to bid the same amount for all your keywords just edit the default bid box. You can also bid on each keyword separately by editing the "search bid" box.

5. Double serving rule

Google doesn't permit multiple ads from the same or an affiliated company or person to appear on the same results page. If you have the same display URL as a competing ad your ad will not get displayed. To solve this problem simply outbid your competitor so if his ad is above yours increase your bid so your ad will get displayed above his.

6. Monitor your ads

Monitor your ads each day as there may be a competitor that tries to outbid you. You will then have to raise your bids to remain in the top position.

7. Track your keywords

By tracking your keywords you will know which one generated a sale. If you have your own landing page you can use the Google Analytics Tool.

Bidding high on your keywords to keep the top ad position is just one of the key strategies for running a profitable AdWords campaign. Keep in mind you must have a large budget and carefully monitor your ads to do this.

Pay Per Click Management - A Love Affair Or a Nightmare?

Although search engine optimisation (SEO) is an excellent way to get free traffic to your website, it's not all of the available traffic. Even more exposure for your website can be gained through Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising. Research shows that nearly 80% of targeted visitors to a website come through free search results, the remaining 20% come through PPC campaigns. One major benefit of using PPC campaigns is that it enables you to attract the other 20% of customers that you would otherwise be missing altogether. PPC does cost money and it can cost a great deal, however, a properly managed PPC campaign can easily pay for itself. Many PPC management companies in the UK are experts at creating and optimising successful and economical PPC ad campaigns.

Speedy and Highly Targeted

A major advantage of a campaign is that it is highly targeted to people that are searching for what you have to offer. A professional PPC management company can easily find the right keywords and test them properly, helping make your campaign very cost-effective. Conversion rates are easily measurable if you have knowledge of proper tracking methods. You can collect data related to conversion rate, cost per sale and click-through rate (CTR), allowing you to measure the effectiveness of your ad. Another huge advantage is that all of the vital feedback from your ad testing is immediate. Ad results are available very quickly, and can be adjusted and retested in a short amount of time.

Test, Test and Test Again!

Knowledge of testing various campaigns to determine which will be most effective is vital in helping spend your marketing budget wisely. A professional PPC management company has the expertise to identify keywords for testing, determine maximum cost per click, write effective ads, create compelling copy, conduct detailed tracking, and make adjustments as needed to maximise the effectiveness of your advertising pounds. Without in-depth knowledge in all of these areas, a PPC campaign can end up costing much more money than it needs to. The profits gained from your investment in hiring professionals to manage your PPC campaigns is well worth the cost.

Track It!

The biggest pitfall encountered by inexperienced PPC managers is the lack of knowledge when it comes to tracking. It is absolutely crucial to know precisely what traffic you are receiving, where it originated from, the keywords that were used, where the user went using those keywords, and which keyword combinations get the best results. A successful campaign includes not only selecting and tracking the correct keywords, but determining proper bid prices, writing good ad copy, creating compelling landing pages, creating search engine friendly links and headings, streamlining usability, and writing those all important calls to action. Professional companies managing PPC campaigns are highly skilled in tracking every aspect of a campaign and adjusting all of the crucial items to maximise your PPC profits.

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