In order to optimize Google ads for SEM strategies you will need to understand their relationship. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a type of digital marketing strategy that focuses on the product’s website being visible on search engine results pages (SERPs).
SEM should not be confused with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) which uses organic rankings. SEM is paid search advertising and is also described as paid search or pay-per-click (PPC).
Utilizing SEM to its full potential can lead to an influx of growth in sales and expansion of their target audience. However, the process of optimizing Google Ads requires steps that must be learned thoroughly before implementation.
Top 5 Ways to Optimise Google Ads
Listed below are the top five ways to optimize Google Ads for SEM. These methods are more effective when used simultaneously rather than one at a time. It’s also important to note that the effectiveness of each method can only be assured if understood properly.
Keyword Research & Targeting
The first method to optimize Google Ads for SEM is PPC keyword research. Keyword research for Google Ads involves uncovering different keywords that align with the topic of your ad or brand content.
Creativity is required to place keywords that match the content. It’s important to put in a healthy mix of relevant keywords without stuffing them too close together.
A great tip with keyword research is to utilize negative keywords in Google Ads to exclude irrelevant searches. For example, your brand has nothing to do with the word “shoes” but is used repeatedly in the content. You can use Google Ads to place them into negative keywords and ensure that they don’t show up in SERPs for the keyword “shoes.”
By using negative keywords, a healthy mix of compelling content, and matching or related keywords, you can pinpoint exactly where you wish your ads to show up on SERPs. This is extremely helpful to pinpoint and target only the audience your brand is for.
Craft Compelling Ad Copy
A compelling ad copy is necessary to optimize Google Ads for SEM. High ranking in search results (SERPs) is crucial for ad visibility, but unappealing content won't engage users.
As such, Ad copywriting for SEM requires clear headlines and descriptions that can resonate with the target audience.
A call to action (CTA), such as inviting them to subscribe or learn more about the product and content can also entice them to further engage. Links within the CTA can make it more convenient for them to inquire more about the topic at hand.
Finally, an important part of a compelling ad copy is to highlight the unique selling points of the brand itself. The unique selling point (USP) of your brand is what makes you different from your competitors. What is the advantage they can receive from your brand that they won’t get from others? And what about your selling point makes their needs met more efficiently?
Leverage Landing Page Relevance
It’s one thing to optimize Google Ads for SEM, but it’s a whole other thing to keep them engaged in your website. Landing page optimization for ads ensures that your captured audience can continue to remain engaged with your brand.
To keep your brand engaging, ensure your ad copy seamlessly aligns with your landing page's content. This ensures that the audience that you’ve captured with your ad copy will receive the content promised on your landing page.
It’s also helpful to optimize landing pages for mobile or tablet devices. Widespread internet access demands responsive landing pages that adapt to any device, preventing awkward layouts on mobile and tablets. Continue the engagement by ensuring a smoother user experience for conversions such as purchasing, subscription, adding to cart, and other interactions.
Optimise Bidding Strategies & Budget
Bidding ads and utilizing budgets is preparation in order to optimize Google Ads for SEM. However, the competition in bidding is tough. There are two different types of bidding options you can utilize in Google Ads: manual and automated.
Manual bidding is a more hands-on approach during bidding for a keyword. Meanwhile, automated bidding is less hands-on but still requires some attention and effort. Depending on your Google Ads bidding strategies, you can overtake all your competitors for your keywords related to your brand.
PPC bid management strategies require financial investment and performance tracking. Optimize your budget by analyzing which keyword is more related to your brand and set your realistic budget allotment properly. This means prioritizing highly effective campaigns based on their performance.
Once you’ve mastered optimizing your budget and choosing the best bidding strategy for your brand, you can create an effective chance to win the bids of your keywords.
Conversion Tracking & Analytics
The benefits of optimizing Google Ads for SEM expand beyond just boosting engagement, bidding, and visibility in SERPs. Conversion tracking in Google Ads empowers you to leverage pay-per-click and click-through-rate data to optimize your campaigns.
Google Ads Tools unlock valuable insights. You can track how engaging your ad copy is, pinpoint which website elements generate the most clicks, and measure conversions driven by your user-friendly website design.
This can also give points to which parts of your website, landing page, or which ad copies are less than effective. Once you see the problem areas of your brand’s marketing, you can quickly find improvement solutions.
Conclusion
Optimize Google Ads for SEM to generate more ROI, engagement, and brand awareness. Utilizing these methods within Google Ads can generate priceless information and effective SEM strategies that will prove useful to your business’s growth.
Taking advantage of Google Ads’ ability to apply negative keywords and allow bidding management can secure your efforts to present your content to its best version. Meanwhile, creating perfected ad copies, ensuring seamless functions on your landing page, and continuing the engagement will have a long-term effect on your business’ growth and clientele.
However, these tips alone won’t get you far. Subscribe to our blog for more SEM and Google Ad tips and start on your digital marketing journey!