Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said, “If it isn't on Google, it doesn't exist.”
This probably holds true for the people who perform 100 billion Google searches every month. Many of them are your customers or prospects looking for products or information you provide. But are they finding it? Do you exist?
Experts estimate between 67%–86% of search engine market share belongs to Google. And your position on Google’s search engine results page (SERP) matters.
So, how do you get to the top of the first page of Google to get those precious clicks to your website?
Google AdWords is your ticket to the top of Google
It’s very difficult for a small- to medium-sized business to show up at the top of Google’s organic search results unless its product or service is very unique. Google is constantly changing its algorithms, and even if you’re implementing SEO best practices, the competition is stiff and the process is slow.
While you should still follow best practices to increase organic search rankings, putting most of your efforts into paid search results is the way to go. AdWords, Google’s online cost-per-click (CPC) advertising platform, can get you to the top of Google instantly.
Being in the know about AdWords will give you the best opportunity to get to the top of Google. As simple as Google makes AdWords out to be, there is much know.
Ads in the top positions usually have higher click-through rates and give you access to certain ad extensions and features available only in these positions. (Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.)
7 tips for getting the top AdWords position
Your Google AdWords position is determined by your Ad Rank (a combination of your bid and Quality Score) in the Adwords Auction. Increase your Ad Rank and increase your position.
- 1.
Monitor and adjust bids.
Try to bid high enough to compete with other advertisers who are bidding on the same keywords you are. The estimated first page bid feature helps you figure out how much you need to bid to compete for a top spot on the page.
- 2.
Be relevant.
The highest bid doesn’t always win the top spot. Google wants the most relevant ads in the highest positions. Using relevant keywords and ad extensions and formats as well as creating relevant ads and landing pages will improve your quality score.
- 3.
Refine your keywords.
Research other advertisers in your market for concepts or themes you might be missing, and keep phrases short. According to Google, keywords that contain five words or more drive less than half the volume of clicks and impressions on average compared to shorter keywords (those with two to four words).
- 4.
Be specific.
Create specific ad groups based on themes that make sense for your business. Then, create specific ads within these groups, using clear keywords and descriptive ad text. This will increase click-through, which will improve your Quality Score.
- 5.
Keep your account up-to-date.
Small but regular refinements could have a big impact. Google AdWords is constantly evolving and adding features to help you better target prospects.
- 6.
Learn from your successful ads.
Look at your data and figure out what your best ads have in common. Apply what’s working to other ads.
- 7.
Hire an AdWords expert.
AdWords can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Consider hiring someone who has done it before—many times. An AdWords expert will be up-to-date on the latest AdWords features, will know how to create ads that stand out and will maximize your ROI.
A guaranteed top spot on Google
No one can guarantee you a top spot on Google. However, if you follow the above tips you will very likely get there.
It’s also worth mentioning that ranking higher in Google Adwords search results isn’t always better. Analytics and conversion tracking can help you determine if perhaps a lower position is ideal for you.
Need help creating a successful Google AdWords campaign and maximizing your ROI? Contact Greenleaf's AdWords experts today!