Many small business owners struggle with advertising their services and products. Either the traditional mediums of advertising are too expensive or they do not know how to advertise online. Google AdWords allows businesses to advertise their business in a very targeted and inexpensive way. Be careful though- without a bit of knowledge you could spend lots of money on GoogleAds with no results.

The New York Times recently discussed Google AdWords and came up with a few tips for new users. Lets start with the basics.

What are Google AdWords?

Google AdWords are keyword-driven ads that show up on a Google search page under the header “sponsored links”. When a person searches for something related to the keyword(s) you select, they will see your advertisement. Let’s say the keywords you chose to use were “massage therapist los angeles”. When somebody enters “massage therapist los angeles” or “massage los angeles”, your ad will pop-up along with the Google Search Results. The more money you spend on the Google AdWords campaign, the higher your advertisement will rank.

 

How Much Does it Cost?

Google AdWords are pay-per-click. You only pay Google when someone clicks on your advertisement. You can determine the maximum you are willing to spend per click and set a daily maximum budget.

How Do I Get Started?

Check out Google AdWords. Once you sign up for an account you can get started. First you will create a text advertisement with a link to your website. You will then choose the keywords you wish to target. Next, choose how much you want to spend on the campaign, the geographical region, and language.

Tips for Your Campaign

The New York Times article discusses a few tips for successful AdWords campaigns. A few highlights are:

  • Set a Budget: Without one, you could be spending thousands of dollars without even knowing
  • Focus on Local Markets: If you have a physical location, it may be best to run your campaigns within a reasonable distance of your city
  • Narrow Your Keyword Net: Use brackets [massage therapist los angeles] for an exact phrase search