When Google launched its advertising solution Adwords in 2000, it only had 350 advertisers. Today, Google Ads boasts of more than 1 million advertisers and almost $135 billion (2019) in revenue. That’s saying a lot from an advertising platform that’s been running for 20 years.
Whether you’re running a business or you’re a digital marketer, you’ve heard of the pros and cons of working with Google Ads. But have you tried running a campaign yourself? Why or why not?
Are Google Ads still worth it?
The short answer is YES.
You may have heard from many marketers that campaigns can cost a fortune. That may be true – but only because they didn’t know HOW to run things. In fact, numerous businesses and institutions in various sectors spend millions on running ads on Google.
Teleflora and Gifts.com for instance, spend $24.8 million and $10.1 million respectively. In the internet and telecom industry, big spenders include AT&T Inc. ($40.8 million), Verizon ($22.9 million), Comcast ($19 million), and Go Daddy ($21.7 million). Even universities and learning institutes allot a budget for digital ads: University of Phoenix ($46.9 million), Capella University ($17 million), Classes USA, Inc. $16.3 million, and DeVry University ($19.7 million) to name a few.
Why would they spend all that money if it wasn’t working? Remember: a combination of hard work and creative strategies pays off.
But let’s say you don’t have time to study the system. What now? The good news is that there are intuitive tools out there that can help you get the most out of running online ads.
One of them is Clever Ads.
What is Clever Ads?
Clever Ads offers FREE Google advertising solutions so businesses can advertise online, no matter their size, budget, or industry. They are proud Premier Google Partners with more than 100,000 happy clients and are 100% safe to use.
Clever Ads brings you all kinds of tools and integrations so you can advertise with confidence. Their platform is so user-friendly and simple, it’s perfect for anyone – from small to medium enterprises, to beginners and experts in the field. Just log in with your Google account to begin.
The Clever Ads suite includes, but is not limited to:
- Campaign Creator
- Clever Audit
- Keyword Planner
- Banner Creator
They also have an app that’s available for iOS and Android devices so you can manage ads on the go. Not sure how or where to get started? You can read their blog. Here, experts share their insights as well as handy guides for everything related to marketing and advertising online. You may join their Slack community, as well, to connect with fellow business owners and marketers.
How to get started with Clever Ads tools
Using Clever Ads tools is fast and straightforward. After you’ve logged in, all you need to do is link your Google Ads account. Haven’t made one yet? Don’t worry, they will create one for you in just a few clicks.
Once inside the dashboard, you will see four options on the homepage: the Keyword Planner, the Campaign Creator, the Banner Creator, and the Clever Audit.
For beginners, you can quickly and easily make a Google Ads campaign with the Campaign Creator. In just four simple steps, you can launch this campaign which will include: Display Ads, Search Ads, and Remarketing Ads. The final step will show the suggested budget per day. Adjust it based on what you’re willing to spend. Complete the process by adding a valid payment method.
If you already have an active Google Ads campaign, you can do a Clever Audit instead. The platform will show you an Audit score, and below that, some tips on how to maximize the campaign. The recommendations are categorized from High, Medium, to Low Impact. Click on a Tip to read more and try out related services right on your dashboard!
Boost your digital marketing strategy by searching for relevant keywords using their Keyword Planner, or by making a fresh banner ad with their Banner Creator. All these amazing features are available to you for FREE.
Observe Fresh Tactics for Google Ads in 2021
Despite the many changes in the digital marketing arena in the past decade, Google Ads remains relevant because it works. It’s a great complement to other digital marketing strategies as well, such as SEO and content.
Here are more tips to help you better manage your campaigns:
- Schedule regular campaign audits. The ideal is doing one monthly. But if that’s impossible for you, a quarterly audit should suffice. Be sure to download the Clever Ads app so you can perform a free Google Ads Audit even during a day at the beach.
- Separate your search network campaign from your display network campaign. Don’t default to the Search with Display Select as this can get very expensive. Instead, create one campaign for each, with separate budgets, too. This can also help you see which campaign brings in ROI.
- Be analytical about your keywords. Just because Google lists a keyword as relevant, doesn’t mean it is. Use the Clever Ads Keyword Planner to identify top-performing keywords in your niche and see how they cost per click.
- Consider your gross margins and average order values in the equation. It’s possible that Google Ads may be too costly for you if your product/service is priced too low. For example: if you’re selling stickers for $5, then an ad for $0.5 may be too steep in the long run.
Be smart and agile in these cutthroat times. If Google Ads can last for 20 years and more, so can your business. With the help of Clever Ads FREE tools and integrations, you can maximize your digital marketing strategies so you reap the benefits.