What Is Paid Search?

Have you been hearing a lot about the benefits of paid search, but you don’t understand the intricacies of search marketing? Digital Media Solutions is here to help. In this article, we’ve answered five of the most-searched questions about paid search. Click on your question below to see the answer.

1. What is the meaning of PPC in digital marketing? 
2. What is the difference between paid search ads and PPC? 
3. How do you know if your paid search campaign is working well? 
4. Is it okay to let Google automatically optimize my paid search campaign? 
5. How can I increase my PPC conversion rate?

1. What is the meaning of PPC in digital marketing?

PPC stands for “pay-per-click” which is typically a reference to how people pay for paid search advertising. However, PPC advertising can also include other forms of digital marketing for which advertisers pay by the click.

2. What is the difference between paid search ads and PPC?

Paid search ads are a type of PPC or pay-per-click advertising. However, PPC advertising can also include other types of digital marketing for which advertisers pay by the click. Additional PPC advertising methods include:

• Display advertising
• Affiliate marketing
• Retargeting

3. How do you know if your paid search campaign is working well?

In general, a paid search campaign is working well if it is successfully contributing to the overall marketing objectives. Paid search campaign performance can and should be measured by evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) including:

• Click-through rate (CTR)
• Cost per click (CPC)
• Conversion rate (CVR)
• Cost per conversion (CPV)

Many advertisers measure the success of paid search ads based on the metrics tied to an early milestone, such as a form fill. However, paid search campaign performance should always be measured based on the results of the milestone that most closely ties to the business goal, such as generating sales. Performance marketing technology, such as Sparkroom, can help with accurate paid search campaign evaluations. Sparkroom integrates with third-party paid search data sources (Google and Bing) to connect pre-lead to post-conversion data into a single paid search dashboard view with transparency into the complete customer journey from impressions through to bottom-of-the-funnel conversions.

4. Is it okay to let Google automatically optimize my paid search campaign?

It is okay, but not preferred, to let Google automatically optimize your paid search campaign. Typically, Google optimizations are made with the intention of optimizing lead volume and not necessarily scaling your final key performance indicator (KPI). Unless you are pushing offline conversion data from your customer relationship manager (CRM) back to Google, Google is not able to optimize on post-lead conversion milestone data or conversion performance.

5. How can I increase my PPC conversion rate?

There are infinite ways to increase PPC conversion rates. Here are four examples:

• Optimize landing pages: A clear call to action (CTA) and simplified form fields can deliver strong PPC campaign results. Continuous A/B testing of landing pages can improve PPC conversion rates.
• Dayparting: Traffic and conversion trends can help determine optimal days and hours for your campaigns to run. By reducing PPC media spend during time periods that produce fewer or no conversions, you can effectively improve the overall PPC conversion rate.
• Add phone numbers: Click-to-call technology allows advertisers to place phone numbers directly into PPC ad copy. By giving consumers the option to directly call you when they’re in research mode, you may be able to increase your PPC conversion rate.
• Remember mobile: Mobile usage is growing, and recent Pew Research Center data shows 77% of Americans own smartphones. Creating strong user experiences for mobile users can increase PPC conversion rates.

Are you looking to scale your customer acquisition efforts?

Digital Media Solutions (DMS) is a leading technology-enabled, data-driven digital performance advertising solutions provider connecting consumer and advertisers. Contact DMS today to take your customer acquisition campaigns to the next level.