FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pay Per Click (PPC)?
Pay Per Click (PPC) is a type of online advertising where advertisers pay each time someone clicks on one of their ads. PPC includes ads for your business’s keywords in Google Search, digital banner image ads, and sponsored posts in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Learn more about PPC ads here.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
In a nutshell, SEO is making improvements to a business’s online presence to increase visibility for perspective customers who are looking for the products or services provided by that business. SEO is done both on the website and elsewhere online. Learn more about SEO here.
What is Google My Business?
All small business owners should be taking advantage of Google My Business. Its free and offers businesses a great way to improve their online presence, including bettering the chance of appearing in the coveted Google Local 3-Pack. Business owners can keep their services, products, hours, location, images, and contact information up to date. Much of the same information seen in the Google My Business “Knowledge Panel” displayed to the right of the search results on a computer appears atop a smartphone’s search results. This part of a small business’s online visibility allows users to call or get directions to a company even before visiting the website. Google My Business is also where a business owner can manage and respond to their Google reviews.
What are Keywords?
Keywords are the words and phrases that a potential customer might enter into a Google search when they are looking for information related to your business. They need to be planned for and placed within a webpage, both where users will see them and in where applicable in the page’s code. Careful consideration should be given as keyword variations are tastefully woven into the page copy, page title, images and image alt tags.
Are Keywords part of PPC?
Yes! Keywords are also used in Google Ads (AdWords) PPC marketing where businesses place bids on a set of keywords that trigger their ads. For example, a small high-end hotel in Portland ME, might select “boutique hotel Portland”, “luxury hotel southern ME”, or “best inns Portland ME” as keywords. When someone searches Google for one of their terms, the hotel’s ad will appear. When the ad is clicked, someone who is actively researching boutique hotels near Portland ME will arrive on their website.
What are Google Search Ads?
When someone searches Google for a product or service, the results at the top of the page are often ads. These ads show above the organic search results. The advertiser controls the message and only pays when the ad is clicked.
In Google Search ads (aka AdWords) Businesses place bids on a set of keywords that trigger their ads. For example, a plumbing company might select “plumber near me”, “plumbing repair”, or “water heater replacement” as keywords.
What are Google Display Ads?
Display ads are another type of Pay Per Click advertising. The Google Display Network consists of over two million websites that consumers browse. Advertisers show low cost banner ads of different sizes and shapes in various places on these websites.
What is Paid Social?
Promoted content seen in social media networks. About 20% of what you see in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn is advertising. Image and video ads can appear in the feeds of people who have shown an interest indicating they may be a potential customer.
What is a Facebook Pixel?
The Facebook pixel is a piece of code that can be added to a website that allows you to measure the effectiveness of your advertising by understanding the actions people take on your website.
What is Google Analytics?
A free website analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic. Google Analytics helps us understand where the website traffic is coming from and provides critical data on the user experience and much more.