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How Much Money Should I Spend on Google Ads?

Posted on December 15, 2022October 26, 2023 by Phil

Are you wondering how much money to spend on Google Ads? That’s a great question! When it comes to marketing budgets, there is no “one size fits all” answer. How much Google Ads cost depends on several factors, including your target audience, the type of ad campaigns you are running, and the competitive landscape in your industry. To give you an idea of what other companies are spending each year, let’s look at how much the world’s biggest brands are investing in Google Ads.

Google Ad Spend By Industry

The amount that companies spend on Google Ads varies widely depending on their industry. For example, the top 10 advertisers across all industries spent $3.8 billion combined in Q2 of 2019.

Of those 10 companies, three were retail-focused

Walmart
Amazon
Home Depot

Two were technology companies:

Apple
Microsoft

Two were telecommunications providers

AT&T
Verizon Wireless

Two were auto manufacturers:

General Motors
Hyundai Motor America

And one was a pharmaceutical company

AbbVie

Google Ad Spend By Region

It is also important to consider where these ads are being served. The top 10 advertisers spent more than $2 billion dollars just in the United States alone during Q2 of 2019. That’s nearly half of their total budget for the quarter! Other countries such as Canada ($113 million) and Germany ($95 million) also saw significant investments from these major brands. This shows that it is not just domestic markets that have high ad spending but international ones as well.

What’s your Digital Strategy?

As you can see, there is no single “right” answer when it comes to how much money you should be spending on Google Ads each year. Or even each quarter or month for that matter! Every business has different needs and goals when it comes to their digital marketing strategy. However, looking at what the world’s biggest brands are doing with their ad budgets can provide valuable insight into trends within your own industry or region. Thus giving you a better understanding of where your own budget should stand in order to compete effectively! One positive is that Google Ads now charge GST in New Zealand, so at least you can factor that in and claim it back.

So where’s the best place to start with all of this digital marketing stuff? Well, to undserstand how much to spend on Google Ads, is to ensure you have an overarching plan. A Digital Marketing Roadmap it a great tool to have. Not only will it define your goals, but who to target and where.

Location Targeting: How to Make the Most of Google Ads

Posted on November 17, 2022December 27, 2022 by Phil

We’ve all heard the phrase “location, location, location” when it comes to buying real estate. But did you know it applies equally to digital marketing? That’s right – location targeting can make or break your Google Ads and other Cost Per Click (CPC) campaigns. Let’s take a look at why this is so important to get it right. And how you can make the most of your CPC/PPC efforts.

Why Location Targeting Matters

When it comes to digital advertising, one size does not fit all. Different audiences have different needs and interests. So if you want to maximize your campaign ROI, you need to tailor your message accordingly. Enter location targeting.

With location targeting in play, you can target ads based on geographic location. This means that people who are likely interested in what you have to offer will see them no matter where they are located. This helps ensure that every ad dollar spent is being seen by as many relevant eyes as possible. In turn, this means more profit for you! It’s also important to note that with today’s technology, precise targeting is possible down to the zip code level. That way you don’t waste money showing ads to people who aren’t likely customers; instead, those dollars are going towards connecting with those who actually matter – those who will help drive sales and revenue for your business.

Location targeting also works well in tandem with other types of targeting such as demographic or interest-based. For example, if you are a local restaurant advertising a summer special on ice cream sundaes for kids aged 12-17 living within 10 miles of your shop, then using these three criteria simultaneously will increase the effectiveness of your campaign substantially. The more narrowly targeted you can be with your campaigns, the better!

precision matters

The bottom line is this: when it comes to digital marketing (and really any type of marketing), precision matters – and having precise location targeting capabilities allows you to reach exactly who needs to see what message at any given time. Taking the time and effort necessary for proper location targeting pays off big in terms of increased ROI from CPC campaigns like Google Ads – so don’t forget it when planning out your next campaign! Google Ads, Digital marketing, SEO, and SEM are a minefield. It takes years to learn and master. And then it all changes… To maximise efforts and results it is always worth considering outsourcing to an expert whose job is to keep up with the changes. Then you biggest challenge becomes how to choose the right marketing agency for your business,

The Great SEO vs. PPC Showdown

Posted on November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 by Phil

will Here is is. The great showdown between SEO and PPC. In the world of digital marketing, there are two tried and true methods for getting your business’s website seen by potential customers: search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. Both have their own unique benefits, but which one is the right choice for your business? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to find out.

SEO vs. Pay-per-click: The Pros

Let’s start with SEO. The biggest advantage of SEO is that it’s a completely free way to get your website found by potential customers. That’s if you can do SEO yourself ofcourse. If so, you can optimise for techincal SEO, for the right keywords and relevant content clusters too. From there you’ll start showing up in search results. I mean it sounds easy right? Well yeah, it is… If you know what you’re doing. SEO is also a great long-term strategy. That’s because once you rank well in SERPs, you’ll continue to get results as long as you maintain your ranking.

PPC, on the other hand, offers a few advantages of its own. First, it’s a great way to get immediate results. Unlike SEO, which can take months or even years to show results, PPC ads can start generating clicks and leads right away. Second, PPC gives you complete control over where your ads appear and who sees them. You can target specific demographics, interests, and even locations. That means that only people who are going to be interested in what you’re selling will see your ads. Which also means it will cost you only when they click.

SEO vs. PPC: The Cons

Of course, nothing is perfect, and both SEO and PPC have their fair share of drawbacks. For SEO, the biggest downside is that it can be very time-consuming and difficult to achieve high rankings in search results. It requires constant vigilance and effort to make sure your site doesn’t slip in the rankings, which means it may not be the best choice if you’re short on time or resources.

Meanwhile, PPC can be quite expensive if not managed properly. Since you’re paying for every click on your ad, it’s important to make sure that those clicks are actually leading to conversions; otherwise, you could end up spending a lot of money with little to show for it. Additionally, PPC can be somewhat unpredictable; it’s hard to predict how successful a campaign will be until after it’s already underway which can make it difficult to budget for.

So which is better for your business

When it comes down to SEO vs PPC, which is better? Well, the answer may surprise you: the best option is usually a combination of both! By using SEO to organically rank high in search results and supplementing those efforts with targeted PPC campaigns, you can get the best of both worlds: increased visibility and traffic without breaking the bank. Contact Metric Marketing today to learn more about how we can help you create a holistic digital marketing strategy that gets results!

9 Signs You Need Help With SEM

Posted on November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 by Phil

If you need help with SEM, you’ll probably find yourself asking “what is sem?” or “what does sem even stand for?” If that’s the case, you might need some help with SEM (Search Engine Marketing) (SEM) campaign. Not to worry, we’re here to help! Here are 9 signs that it might be time to seek out professional help for your SEM efforts:

You don’t know what SEM is.
A lot of people get SEO and SEM meaning confused. If you’re not even sure what SEM is, then it’s probably time to reach out for help. Search engine marketing is a broad term that encompasses everything from pay-per-click advertising to search engine optimization. A good SEM agency will be able to help you figure out which tactic (or combination of tactics) is right for your business.
You’re not seeing any results.
SEM is all about driving results. So if you’re not seeing any ROI from your efforts, it might be time to seek out some professional help. A good agency will be able to analyse your current strategy and make recommendations for how to improve it.
Your competition is killing you.
If you’re losing ground to your competitors, it might be because they’re investing in SEM and you’re not. Or, it could be that they’re investing in SEM and doing it better than you are. Either way, bringing in some outside assistance to help with SEM can give you the boost you need to catch up (and even surpass) your competition.
You don’t have the time or resources to do it in-house or by yourself.
SEM takes a lot of time and effort. If you don’t have the resources to dedicate to it, then you’re unlikely to see the results you want. Hiring an agency frees up your time. That means you can focus on running your business. After all, you are the expert at that! If you find the right team to help with SEM you’ll more than likely still be involved. Afterall, collaboration and teamwork, make the dream work!
You don’t know where to start.
There’s a lot that goes into SEM, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, then that’s a good sign that you need help with SEM. It might be time to call in some reinforcements. An experienced agency will know where to start and how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to search engine marketing.
You’re not keeping up with the latest trends.
The world of SEM is constantly changing, and if you’re not keeping up with the latest trends and best practices, then you’re likely falling behind the competition. A good agency will make sure that your campaigns are always up-to-date so that you can maximize your results.
You’re missing out on valuable data.
If you’re not tracking your results or analyzing your data, then you’re missing out on valuable insights. Those insights could help improve your campaigns. An experienced agency will be able to track your results and provide useful insights and recommendations based on what they see.
You’re wasting money.
If you feel like you’re throwing money down the drain with your current SEM strategy, then it’s probably time for a change. A good agency will be able to save you money by optimizing your campaigns for maximum efficiency – a GREAT AGENCY WILL MAKE YOU MONEY.
You just need someone else’s opinion.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to get an outside perspective on y our business. If you feel like you’ve been in a rut when it comes to y our S EM strategy , hiring an agency can help you break out of it by providing fresh ideas and new perspectives.

If any (or all) of these apply to you, don’t despair! There are plenty of professionals who can help with SEM and get your campaign up and running in no time. So get out there and start Googling (err, we mean searching)! Or just. contact us 😉

SEM can be complex and confusing

It’s like anything you’re not an expert in really, and yes it can be complex and a little confusing at times, but it doesn’t have to be! If you’re finding yourself lost in a sea of acronyms and technical jargon, it might be time to seek out some professional help. Luckily, there are plenty of experts out there who would be more than happy to lend a helping hand. So don’t be afraid to ask for help…your business will thank you for it in the long run!

Google Business Profile – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Posted on November 11, 2022June 19, 2024 by Phil

You may have seen it before. You do a search on Google for a local business and up pops a little box on the right-hand side of the screen with the business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and even reviews. That little box is called a Google Business Profile (GBP) , and it can be a powerful tool for businesses if it’s used correctly, and there are a number of reasons why you should have one.

The Google Business Profile Good

Google My Business listings are free and easy to set up. All you need is a google account (which most people already have) and some basic information about your business. Once you’ve claimed your listing, you can add photos, post updates, respond to reviews, add products and more.

Imagine you own a nail salon. If your business has an optimised profile, when a potential customer or client searches for a business close by (e.g nail salon near me), your nail salon will likely be ranking near the top and will gain new business over a competitor nail salon who may not of optimised or claimed their listing.

The GBP Bad

While Google My Business listings are free and easy to set up, they’re not always accurate. That’s because anyone can edit or claim a listing—even if they’re not associated with the business. This can lead to wrong information being displayed on your listing, which can frustrate potential customers who are trying to reach you. There is nothing worse than searching a stores business hours in Google only to find out that they’re incorrect and the store is actually closed when you thought it was open. Negative customer experiences can lead to Google reviews that may harm your business too.

The Google Business Profile Ugly

Inaccurate GBP listings can actually hurt your business if they’re not updated or corrected in a timely manner. That’s because potential customers who see the wrong information or can’t see what they need are likely to go to one of your competitors instead. In addition, if you have duplicate listings (meaning there are two or more listings for your business), this can also confuse potential customers and hurt your chances of being found online.

Make sure your Google Business Listing is up to date

Having an accurate Google Business profile listing is essential for businesses that want to be found online – plain and simple. If you don’t have a GBP listing, now is the time to create one. And if you already have a listing but it’s inaccurate or out-of-date, take the time to claim or edit it. Post updates and information regularly. This is also important as Google makes updates frequently. So that said, you want to ensure potential customers will have the correct information about your business. Your future customers will thank you for it!

Updated 19 June 2024

Google Display Ads – Why You Should Use Them

Posted on October 28, 2022October 28, 2022 by Phil

There are many reasons to use paid advertising. Here are 9 reasons to use Google Ads in general. Google Display Ads are a type of advertising that falls under the Google Ads umbrella. They allow businesses to show ads on websites across the internet. Display Ads are a great way to reach new customers, and they can be very effective in driving brand awareness and website traffic.

There are several reasons why you should use Google Display Ads for your business.

Effective at reaching new customers.

Google Display Ads are very effective at reaching new customers. When someone visits a website that is part of the Google Display Network, your ad has the opportunity to be seen by that person. This gives you the chance to reach people who might not be familiar with your brand or your product.

Flexibility to fit your specific marketing goals.

Google Display Ads are very flexible. You can customize your ads to fit your specific marketing goals. For example, if you want to increase brand awareness, you can create an ad that is designed to generate interest and awareness for your brand. If you want to increase website traffic, you can create an ad that is designed to drive traffic to your website. And if you want to increase sales, you can create an ad that is designed to generate leads or sales for your product or service.

Affordability

Finally, Google Display Ads are very affordable. You can set a daily budget for your campaign, and you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. This makes Display Ads a great way to stretch your marketing budget and get the most bang for your buck.

How to use Google display ads

Google Display Ads come in all shapes and sizes. The key to making them work for you is to create ads that are relevant to your target audience and that stand out from the rest. Here are some tips for creating effective Display Ads:

1. Define your target audience.

The first step in creating effective Google Display Ads is to define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your ads? What are their interests? What are their demographics? Once you know who you’re targeting, you can create ads that are relevant to them.

2. Write compelling ad copy.

Your ad copy is what will make or break your ad campaign. Your copywriting for your ads needs to be attention-grabbing and that offer value to your target audience. Don’t try to sell them on your product or service; instead, focus on how your product or service can solve their problem.

3. Use eye-catching visuals.

Your visuals need to be eye-catching and relevant to your ad copy. If you’re selling a product, use high-quality images of the product. If you’re selling a service, use visuals that depict the benefits of the service. And make sure your visuals are optimized for all devices—you want your ads to look good on both desktop and mobile devices.

4. Test, test, test!

The only way to know if your Google Display ads are effective is to test them. Try different versions of your ads and see which ones perform the best. Then, continue to refine your ads until you’re getting the results you want.

Reach New Customers and Drive Sales with Google Display Ads

Display Ads can be a great way to reach your target audience and grow your business. If they’re done right. Display Ads are a great way to reach new customers and drive brand awareness and website traffic. If you’re looking for a flexible, affordable way to market your business, then you should definitely consider using Google Display Ads. In saying that like any tactic in marketing using them in isolation is not always the best option and may not give you the best ROI. Consider using a Google Certified expert and incorporating Display ads into your overarching marketing strategy.

It is important to also understand the role your website plays in your paid advertising strategy – which falls under Search Engine Marketing or SEM. You can send as many people as you can to your website, but if your website sucks it won’t convert.

Category: Search Engine Marketing