Tips for your Google Adwords

Google AdWords. The debate definitely rages on this one!

Skeptics say they are dying because they’ve been bid up too high out of reach of the common entrepreneurs and that web users are savvier than ever and frequently bypass the paid click-through.

Believers say it’s the only way to market a business because of the measurability and testing ability that AdWords provides, and because placement isn’t solely dependent on bids. We believe that there is still opportunity there, but we’re also realistic enough to know that some of the more popular keywords are probably out of reach. What we’re more interested in is creating great Google AdWords that compel click-throughs.

So, how do you create compelling AdWords ads that prompt people to click through? After all, they don’t give you a lot of space so you need to get it right!

* Keep your ads short and punchy. Eliminate useless words.
* Stay benefits oriented.
* Don’t try to be fancy, stay simple and state it like it is.
* Start broad and slowly target your audience to the time and place of a demographic that is most likely to buy.
* Use Google’s tools, especially the goals and funnel tools provided through AdWords and Analytics. They are very helpful.
* Use negative keywords to help limit the kind of audience you want on your site.
* Tweak your AdWords often so you can create the best functioning ads.
* Run different campaigns – some to test ongoing offers and some to test limited time offers.
* Remember: if people are clicking through your ad but not buying, the problem lies in your website, not necessarily your ad. There is some kind of disconnect you need to investigate.

The best place to start, in our opinion, is Google’s own Learning Center. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good and you can find a lot of information there: http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/static.py?page=learningcenter.cs. This site will give you the basics you need to know about Google AdWords. From the terminology to the metrics to how bidding works, and so much more. This is THE site, in our opinion, for information on the nuts and bolts of AdWords.

There’s a beginner section and an advanced section, and even a section for you to study to complete the Google Advertising Professional Exam which is the first step in becoming a certified expert.

Once you’re familiar with how Google AdWords work, you need to move into how to make it work for you. For this purpose, there are few that have achieved the same level of expertise as Perry Marshall. Visit his Google AdWords information page at: http://www.perrymarshall.com/adwords/. Marshall delivers great content that can help an entrepreneur become successful with AdWords. I own his book; it’s solid and I highly recommend it.

The time and money you spend up-front to become an AdWords expert will save you time and money as you apply what you’ve learned. You’ll be more likely to get more clients faster because of what you learn through these two invaluable resources.