Whether you’re a business owner or a marketing manager, you’ve probably already heard about keywords in Google Ads. But do you know how important they really are for you to Get Ready to Win with Google Ads? If so, have you considered using your own brand or company name as keywords in your ads? You want to get your name ‘out there’ right? So it may seem like a no-brainer at first. But there are pros and cons to this approach that must be considered. Let’s take a closer look.
The Pros of Using Your Own Brand Name for Google Ads as Keywords
Using your own brand name as keywords can be beneficial in some respects. This is because it helps potential customers find your business more easily when searching online. Especially if you have only just launched a website for the first time. This type of keyword also allows you to control how your company is presented on search engine results pages (SERP). This is especially important if there are other businesses with similar names to yours as the keyword competition will be higher. In addition, using your brand name in ads allows you to showcase exclusive offers or discounts you may have available that won’t show up in organic search results.
The Cons of Using Your Own Brand Name as Keywords
On the flip side, using your own brand name for Google Ads as keywords can be costly. This can be the case for a number of reasons. Including:
Other companies may also use it for their ads—especially if your business has a generic name.
This means you could end up paying for clicks from people who are looking for someone else’s company instead of yours.
If you have a good-ranking website already
This is especially if it ranks well for your company name – which any half-decent website should if the search engine optimisation (SEO) has been done correctly!
Using it as a keyword in your google ads could result in a lot of wasted ad spend… This is because your searcher may click on the ad to find your website – which they would have done if they clicked the organic result anyway.
Using your Brand Name for Google Ads depends…
At the end of the day, whether or not you should use your own brand or company name as keywords depends on several factors such as budget and competition level in the market. If you decide to go with this approach, make sure to monitor performance closely so that any budget spent on these types of ads doesn’t go to waste! If you’re using a google ads agency – make sure they know what they’re doing. A lot of the big boys like Yellow, Mediaworks, and NZME for example, outsource offshore and have a cookie-cutter approach to Google Ads. Which is why it is better to use a local company for Google Ads. You just need to be careful about how you choose your ad words company.
All things considered, using a combination of both targeted and branded keywords can help maximize traffic and conversions while still being cost-effective.
Are you looking for the best Google Ads agency in New Zealand? Well, look no further. We’re here to tell you that the search is over. But before we can get into who the best agency is, let’s discuss a few key elements of what makes a great digital advertising agency.
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What Does a Great PPC Ads Agency Look Like?
First and foremost, an excellent Google Ads agency will have experience and expertise in launching successful campaigns. They should also be knowledgeable about the latest trends in digital marketing, so they can help you stay ahead of your competition. Furthermore, they should have a proven track record of success with clients from various industries. This shows that they’re able to tailor their services to fit your company’s individual needs.
Another important factor when searching for the best PPC Ad agency is customer service. Is the team responsive and available when you need them? Do they take time to understand your goals and objectives? Are they willing to go above and beyond to make sure your campaigns are successful? A great digital ad agency will go out of their way to ensure that their clients are satisfied with their work.
Finally, it’s important to find an agency that understands the importance of budgeting and return on investment (ROI). A good agency will provide strategies that maximise ROI while still staying within budget parameters. This ensures maximum efficiency when it comes to spending money on ads.
Let’s Take a look at some of the Best Agencies in NZ in Google….
1. Back9 Creative
Back9 is one of the best Google Ads Agencies in New Zealand. And, we’re also the only Google Ads Agency Partner in Southland. What does this mean? To make and keep this ‘partner’ status, we need have current certified professionals. We need to meet a minimum standard in terms of Ad Quality Score. And we need to spend a minimum of USD $10,000 within a 90 day period. That’s a lot of converting Google Ads for our valued clients!
Here at Back9 Creative, we don’t normally include ourselves when we compile an article on the best. After all, you’re already on our website, right? However, we reckon when it comes to Google Ads in Invercargill and who’s the best, we’re right up there. So why not reach for higher honours? We can deliver with the best Google Ads Agencies in New Zealand without a doubt!
Too Good Digital’s core objective—when it comes to Google Ads—is simple yet powerful: to make you money, not just drive clicks. As an Auckland-based agency delivering Google Ads and PPC campaigns nationwide, their approach centers squarely on ROI and lead-generation. They aim to outperform competitors by crafting bespoke campaigns that excite conversions, backed by rigorous ongoing testing and real-time optimization of keywords, targeting, and bids to ensure every dollar spent is actually working for your business
3. Sprocket Digital
The Sprocket team lives and breathes digital; that’s why you’ll only find digital solutions on our list of services. What sets them apart from other online marketing agencies in Auckland, NZ? Well they say it is their no-fluff approach to creating a personalised digital marketing strategy that ticks all your boxes.
Thanks to more than 35+ years working in and around big advertising companies, Sprocket takes the big agency experience and applies it to businesses of all shapes and sizes via their friendly, small agency feel.
4. Firefly Digital
Firefly is an Auckland-based Google Ads and Digital Marketing Agency. It was born in 2014 as a response to a flawed industry. There were limited digital options that helped businesses get ahead. With a passion for business, Anthony Baxter set forth to build an agency that focussed on growth, that was channel-agnostic, and didn’t play favourites with any platforms or strategies, but rather helped businesses with the best strategy and channel mix to achieve their goals.
Since then their team has grown quickly and has worked with over 700 businesses, in over 100 industries, generating over two hundred million dollars worth of sales for their customers.
5. Fizzypop
Fizzypop is a specialist paid search agency dedicated to delivering data-driven Google Ads campaigns that generate a real return on investment—not just clicks. As a certified Google Partner, they ensure accounts are structured to best practice, using multiple campaigns and focused ad groups to set the stage for powerful optimisations. Their meticulous setup includes integrating Google Tag Manager and Analytics so every success metric is measured and forecasted, meaning you’ll always have visibility into performance and no unexpected surprises. They handcraft each campaign starting at the keyword level, optimising across the full buyer’s journey from awareness to conversion, while layering their PPC with SEO efforts to maximise budget efficiency and ROI during seasonal peaks or high-priority periods.
6. Numero Agency
Numero was born in August 2016 by entrepreneur Richard Gilbert with a mission that is true to it’s name – make numbers matter for businesses.
Over the years they say they have managed to stand out in an overcrowded market for one big reason – They bring their clients a return on their investment i.e. RESULTS.
7. First Page
Auckland based Google Ads Agency, First page unashamedly says, they’re “the digital marketing agency that’ll put your competition to shame and deliver high-quality traffic that actually converts”.
As the top-rated digital marketing agency in NZ and self-proclaiming that they’ve ‘won more awards than Brad Pitt’, they might be worth investigating.
8. Digital Influence
Digital Influence brings nearly two decades of finely honed Google Ads expertise—since 2004—focused squarely on helping businesses reach customers at the precise moment they’re searching, whether online or locally. Their approach is consistently data-driven, crafted to deliver targeted traffic, boost conversions, and increase both online and in-store sales.
9. Pure Seo
Pure SEO is a Google-partnered digital marketing agency in New Zealand. The award-winning team of certified specialists delivers search engine optimisation, Google Ads, conversion rate optimisation, analytics, content creation, social media, and a range of internet marketing services.
So who’s the pick of this lot?
The answer is obviously very subjective! The question maybe should who is the best Google Ads Agency for you? And How do you choose the best marketing agency for your business needs?
Any of the agencies in the list above are plenty qualified to do the job. Ask yourself, do you want to deal with someone local? If so, choose someone in your region. If you’re not worried, then feel free to talk to any or all of them. The main thing is that you get the best fit for you and your business. If you can find an agency you feel as though you align with and can trust, then you’ll probably know the answer yourself.
Shop around, don’t get sold to too hard, and get choose the right fit for you. Good Luck!
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.
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,
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.
The quick answer is, Yes, you can. You can create a google ads account and set up an advert that’ll be up and running fairly quickly. But ask yourself, how well can you manage Google Ads? Do you understand the intricacies of:
Identifying key reports that will give you the most insight into your campaigns?
Are you comfortable interpreting the data in your account and knowing what actions to take to optimise your campaigns?
Can you explain key Google Ads data such as Ad Rank, Search Impression Share, Quality Score, or Interaction Rate?
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If you do, then you probably don’t need to read on, and I’ll bid you a good day. However, if those things seem a little foreign to you then perhaps you should consider outsourcing an expert to Manage google ads for you. Can, would, or do you service your own vehicle? Or if you employ people do you do your own employment contracts? And do you do all of your accounting with the aid of an expert in their field? Again if this is something to consider. Having an Expert manage google ads for you will ultimately give you the best opportunity to see measurable, tangible results – and a positive ROI. If you choose to manage Google Ads yourself, whilst it may seem easy to get started, it is virtually impossible for a novice user to know whether or not they are getting the best results possible, and there are a lot of parts to a successful campaign.
Managing Google Ads
Managing a Google Ad account is not simply looking at the reports once a month and making a couple of random tweaks. It’s about knowing exactly what’s happening in the account day to day. And then being able to dedicate time each week to check key reports. It’s also important to understand how to research ppc keywords, costs per click, and even the user’s search intent. Then there is the landing page each ad directs the user to. Is it optimised for user experience, is it even relevant?
Google is pretty smart – we all know this. But an expert in Google ads will make calculated adjustments and apply new opportunities to maximise traffic, conversion, and ultimately revenue.
In competitive industries, like law firms, travel, and tourism, or Finance and insurance to name a few – this requires daily check-ins and adjustments to bids strategies, for example, just to maintain the ad position and level of traffic to the website.
A lot can happen in the space of a month. Google Ads is definitely not a “set and forget” platform, so don’t be tempted to think that a profitable campaign will remain profitable without any intervention from you. It’s likely that it’s taken months, maybe years, to get it to a profitable state, and it will continue to require work and time to keep it profitable.
You Can Lead a Horse to Water…
You may have heard the saying ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’. This also applies to Google Ads. And in particular your website. Imagine the information (or content) on your website is the water. Once you lead your prospects to said water, you need to ensure they find what they are looking for. Simply put, what do you want those visitors to do once they get there? And how easy is it for them to drink – or take that action – How will you make them stay longer? How will you convert them into contacts and then customers?
And if they do convert, what is your lead nurturing process or strategy?
These are all relevant questions to be thinking about and if possible answering before you even set up the Google Ad account.
Why you shouldn’t Manage Google Ads yourself
On more than one occasion I have heard from clients who tried to manage Google Ads on their own. And all too often, have made a complete mess of it. They end up spending thousands of dollars and have no idea if they got any ROI from it. We’re all human, and with digital marketing being such a minefield, we understand the attraction to manage Google Ads yourself.
Google encourages you to have a go, with their ‘easy’ AdWords Express offer that pops up with every Google service you sign up to. It seems by doing it yourself you will save on agency fees. There are so many companies offering SEO and Google Ads services. They hail from who knows where around the world at seemingly cheap rates. (if you’re like me you get at least a few emails a week in your inbox) All the Google Ads companies claim to be “experts” Yellow Pages have sale reps selling Google Ads every time you want to talk about how expensive their adverts are. It’s really hard to know who you can trust and at least if you manage your digital marketing yourself, you’re the one in control right?
If you have tried outsourcing to digital marketing companies before you may have had a bad experience. Unfortunately, as marketing companies, even the honest ones, often get tarred with the same brush, or worse we inherit the distrust or the baggage the client carries with them from the previous firm.
There are still a number of reasons you’ll see better results using a certified expert to manage Google Ads and should avoid trying to do it yourself –
Being found in ways you don’t want to be
Showing the Search Results in the wrong locations
Being found for the wrong keywords
Appearing for negative searches
It’s always Changing
Get a professional to Manage Google Ads for you
Like the references above in the first section, about vehicle servicing legal contracts and accounting practices, there are some tasks or jobs we don’t (or shouldn’t) do ourselves. Factors like not having the time, resources, or expertise to do them as well as they need to be done all contribute here.. Some people may ‘have a crack’ at certain tasks (probably) to save money, some may just enjoy learning or doing it themselves. When it comes to digital marketing and Google Ads, it all depends on how much time you have to learn and keep up-to-date with the ever-evolving changes. It’s a well-known fact that time is our most valuable commodity – in fact, the one thing on earth we can literally never obtain or acquire is more time. Smart people understand that swapping money for (other people’s) time is an investment – after all, we can always get more money – but we can never get more time!
The Damaging Effects of upsetting Google
We see this so often. To save money, people sacrifice their time to create their own templated websites. Often they try to do their own SEO and manage Google Ads themselves too. Months down the track, they give up in frustration and ask for help. Or worse – they deduce that digital marketing doesn’t work! The trouble is that on the internet, some things last a long time. A website that has been penalised by Google or damaging SEO practices can take months (or more) to put right. If you’ve tried to manage Google Ads yourself, we understand you’re probably just trying to lead your horse to water. But you may be just getting led down the garden path… You could actually be doing or already have done some lasting damage that will take time to put right. If you’re spending a bunch of money on Google Ads but not getting results, or even worse, you have no idea if you’re getting results at all – the best advice we can give you is, STOP! Talk to someone who understands and get yourself back on track.
