Search engines like Google allow businesses and individuals to buy ad listings in their search results. This is called a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaign. These campaigns have become increasingly popular due to the fact that they can target specific audiences and geographical locations. Google’s PPC service is called AdWords. With Google AdWords, you can reach the right audience either locally or globally. Did you know that 81% of people click on a sponsored link when looking for health information online. This supports the fact that, contrary to popular belief, people do click on sponsored results!
Pay-per-click campaigns have several benefits:
- Attracts targeted patients – An effective PPC campaign can increase leads. PPC conversion rates are 1.5 times higher than SEO. In fact, a 2011 Google study showed ad click percentage was as high as 89%
- Control – You can set the budget and the targeted location, as well as pause the campaign at any time. With Google AdWords, you only pay for clicks, not just impressions.
- Quick results – You can get immediate results with PPC. Natural search engine marketing or other forms of advertising can take weeks or months to change behavior in medical searches. Most Pay Per click campaigns can activate and get results within hours or days.
- Measures the success – PPC campaigns deliver a strong ROI by setting exact relevant keywords, language and daily budgets. And remember, you pay Google only when someone clicks on your ad and lands on your website.
SEO and PPC complement each together.
With PPC, you can determine which keywords drive traffic and conversions. Then you can incorporate those keywords within your organic SEO efforts to optimize clicks to your website. Google advocates that “brands with a #1 organic search ranking can get 50 percent more clicks on average by paying for an accompanying ad.”
PPC is one of the most effective and measurable forms of digital marketing to reach your target audience on the internet. Your Practice Online will manage your entire PPC campaign and provide you with metrics to ensure your campaign is successful.
Sources:
1. http://geovoices.geonetric.com/2012/11/infographic-how-health-consumers-engage-online/
3. http://sq1.com/blog/whitepaper/how-ppc-can-drive-more-traffic-than-organic-search-alone/
