Tag Archives: online advertising

Google Ads: An Effective Addition to Your Local SEO Services

Last Updated On August 13th, 2014Google AdWords, PPC Advertising, , , , , , , , ,

Google Ads is a service that allows users to create and run pay-per-click ads for their business. Pay-per-click (PPC) means just that, that you only pay for the ad when someone clicks on it. These ads are displayed along with the search results when someone searches Google using one of your keywords. The ad will appear under “Sponsored links” in either the side column of the results page or the top row above the free search results.

The main advantage of Google Ads is that since you choose relevant keywords for your ad, it allows you to advertise to an audience that’s already interested in your business. When potential customers search for your keywords on Google, your sponsored ad will appear above or next to the natural search result (see image). With Google Ads, you get the freedom of choosing from multiple ad formats that can include text, images and videos.

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This Is What Google Sponsored Ads Look Like On The Search Results Page.

PPC marketing is especially valuable to those local businesses who are in very competitive industries or industries where you travel to the customer rather than the customer coming to your physical location. This is because Google Maps is geo-targeted which means its hard to get exposure in a certain location without a physical address. For example, if your business is in Huntington Beach, but you would like to service customers throughout Orange County as well as Los Angeles County, the easiest way to reach your target audience would be with PPC ads. In fact the entire PPC system can be customized so ads appear exactly in the area where your target audience resides. At Local Splash, the option of PPC advertising is available to all of our clients through our premier local SEO services. We will work with you personally to target those zip codes, days of the week and time of the day you’d like your PPC ads to appear.

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If Your Business Is In Orange County But You Would Like To Service Customers Throughout Orange And La Counties, Ppc Advertising Can Help.

The cost of your Google Ads PPC ads varies depending on the audience you are trying to reach and the location of your business. There’s no minimum monthly charge for Google Ads. You have full control over how much you’re willing to spend each day as well as how much you’re willing to pay per click or per impression (your ad being seen in the search results). The best part about a PPC advertising campaign is that you pay only for clicks on your ads or for impressions your ads receive.

The price per click of each ad also depends on which keywords you want to use. The more competitive keywords, or the keywords that people want to use the most cost more money per click. These are generally broad keywords; for example, “salon.” The more targeted and specific keywords tend to cost less because there is less competition for them. An example of a targeted keyword is “huntington beach salon” or “hair stylist orange county.” Being more specific when choosing your keywords is a good idea because targeted keywords convert to business and phone calls. You can use the Google Keyword Tool to view keyword traffic and cost estimates then make a decision about choosing the right keywords in order to maximize your budget.

Once you get your account set up, you can analyze your Google Ads reports to figure out which ads are working for you and which ads need to be replaced or altered. PPC campaigns are all about trial and error because what works for one business might not necessarily work for yours. If you aren’t familiar with PPC advertising, it can be complicated and in many cases it’s best to let a professional handle your campaign.

Local Splash will take care of all aspects of your paid ad campaign. Local Splash only charges a 25% fee to manage the majority of our clients PPC campaigns. Many companies may charge up to 50%. For customers who spend $500 or more on their Google Ads campaign, Local Splash charges even less for management. For example, customers that spend $1000 or larger on their PPC ads, will only be charged an 11% management fee by Local Splash.

Local Splash currently has 14 Google Ads Qualified team members who have demonstrated expert status in Google Ads by taking and passing both the Advertising Fundamentals exam and one advanced-level exam. These individuals have received a Google-branded certificate that showcases their Google Ads knowledge.

According to our Local Splash Google Ads Certified experts, any business that goes out to service their customers should definitely think about using PPC marketing to reach customers that may not be in their direct area. However, companies that have a physical business location can benefit just as much as those that don’t. This is simply because Google only allows 5 keyword categories on Google Places accounts and their Google Ads accounts allow up to 2000 keywords. The additional keywords will help your business show up for more keyword phrases, therefore increasing the chances of potential customers finding you rather than your competitors.

Are you ready to start your pay-per-click advertising campaign? Call one of our friendly customer service representatives and let one of our Google Ads experts set up a campaign that will give you the maximum bang for your buck today.

Everything You Need to Know About Using Google Coupons to Enhance Local SEO

Local Maps SEO, Local Search Techniques, , , , , ,

Google Coupons are an enhancement to your Google Maps business listing. The printable online coupons show up when searching for local information on Google Maps search results and business listing pages. The coupons can be printed out directly from a computer and redeemed at the physical store location of a local business. These coupons can also be redeemed by showing the coupon on your mobile device at the physical store location.

For Google Maps users, coupons provide additional relevant business information and help create a better overall local search experience. For businesses, coupons are another way of reaching out to potential customers online. Coupons are completely free and easy to use. Businesses can log into the Local Business Center at Google Maps to enter in coupon information. Once the coupon information is entered, the coupon is displayed on Google Maps within a few hours.

There a many advantages to using Google Coupons such as:

  • Google Coupons help make your Google Maps business listing more complete. The more enhancements you can add to your listing, the more chances you have to better your local SEO. Google rewards “complete” listings with higher rankings, so adding coupons could help boost you to the top.
  • Google Coupons help you stand out from the competition. Think about it, if you were trying to choose between multiple businesses that offer the same service or product, wouldn’t you rather go with the business that is offering a coupon or discount? People love to think they’re getting a deal and many people are likely to use your product or service just because there is a discount. Bottom line, your coupon can help you stand out in a crowd of competitors.
  • Google Coupons give you a way to reach out to your customer and gain customer loyalty. If you’re offering coupons to rope in new customers as well as reward existing ones, you’re building customer loyalty. Your customers will remember that your business gave them a really great deal and the next time they need your product or service they’ll call on you. Also they’ll recommend the great deal you gave them to friends, opening up a whole new world of potential customers.

Local Splash would be happy to set up your Google Coupons for you. If you’re ready to get started, give our customer service representatives a call at 877-63-LOCAL.

Ask a Local Splash Customer Service Representative

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Do you have a quick question about your local SEO service? It might be the question many other clients have. For this reason, we’ve put together a short FAQ for our customers. Check it out to find out more about the services we provide.

Q: Why is there a category on my listing that is not relevant to my business?
A: If you have other business listings, sometimes Google will merge the categories from your other businesses and they will appear on your listing. This often happens before you claim your business. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to stop this; however the more relevant/correct information you have on your business, the more that one irrelevant detail will not matter. Rest assured that Local Splash will do everything we can to make sure your information is updated and correct.

Q: Why are there so many different statuses for my listing when I look at the directories in the back office?
A: Each directory has different lingo to establish whether a listing is submitted, approved, disapproved, etc. Local Splash uses the term “prepared” for a listing that has been submitted and approved. If your listing says “pending” it means it has been submitted but not approved yet. However each directory is a separate company and has its own terms. Look for words such as “approved,” “submitted,” etc. and if you have a specific directory that you do not understand, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask.

Q: Who are Local Splash’s partners? Why do we choose to submit to them?
A: Local Splash partners with Google Places, Merchant Circle, SuperPages, Oodle, YahooLocal, RateItAll, Yelp, Facebook, Acxiom, Relevant Yellow, AboutUs, Twitter and YellowBot. We’ve chosen these directories to partner with and submit to because over the years we have come to see that they are reputable directories. Also when a business is submitted to all of them it gives maximum exposure to their online listing, which will bring more traffic and sales to your company.

Q: How can I see how many clicks I have from Google Ads?
A: If you visit the Local Splash Website and log into the back office by choosing “Client Login” on the homepage, you will be able to see all of your reports. Click the blue icon on the dashboard and you will be able to see the number of impressions (how many times your listing has appeared in the search results), the number of clicks to your link and the top 10 search queries that lead people to your link.

Q: How can I print a receipt or invoice for Local Splash services?
A: If you log into the back office by choosing “Client Login” on the Local Splash homepage, you can view your billing history and from there, print a receipt or invoice for our services.

Q: I did not receive a Welcome Email. What’s the problem?
A: There have been times where our sales team will accidentally type your email address wrong which will result in your Welcome Email getting lost in cyberspace. We are so sorry for this inconvenience, but we are only human, sometimes, like everyone else we make mistakes. Don’t worry though, our customer service representative will be contacting you within a few days and we will verify your email address during the client interview and resend your Welcome Email so you will not miss any information.

Q: I want to add pictures to my Google Places listing. How can I do this?
A: Send us the pictures and we will gladly put them up for you on your Google Places account.

Q: I want to add a coupon to my Google Places listing. How can I do this?
A: Two ways. You can either send us the information for your coupon (with or without a photo, depending on what you prefer) and we can post it for you. Or you can log into the Local Splash back office by clicking “Client Login” on the Local Splash homepage and build the coupon yourself using our new Google Coupons template.

Q: I want my listing to be found in the big city near mine, not only my local area. How can I make this happen?
A: In order for your business listing to be found in a big city, you need to have a mail box address for that city. This will enhance your placement on Google Maps.

Q: Why is my Website not coming up on the first page of the search results?
A: Your Website is not optimized for the search engines. Local Splash creates and optimizes a landing page for your business and attaches it to your Website (if you have one). Because your Website is not optimized and your landing page is, it is likely that your Website will not show up on the first page, however, your landing page will, which will lead customers right to your business location or Website.

Q: What do I need to do after my client interview?
A: Sit back, relax and let Local Splash experts do the work. Our editors are busy doing work for you behind the scenes and you will be able to see your business listed in the organic search results in a few weeks.

Q: What is a CWA?
A: Custom Web Address or (CWA) is a landing page Local Splash creates for your business. We optimize this landing page with keywords to help boost your rankings. The URL consists of keywords that are highly relevant to your business which is extremely important for local SEO. If you have a Website already, we can put the web link URL on the CWA in order to drive traffic to your Website. The CWA also has your business address and other contact information to lead customers directly to your business location.

Still have a question? Check out our main FAQ page on the Local Splash Website or contact one of our friendly customer service representatives. Call 877-635-6225 during our business hours, 7:30am-5:30pm PST.