What is Google paid search or PPC?

First things first! What is PPC? Well PPC stands for Pay Per Click. It's Google's paid search environment and if managed correctly can be a very effective method of directing traffic, sales and enquiries to your website. This works on a CPC (Cost Per Click) bidding strategy.

Firstly it's important to know that Google has two main methods of delivering results to its users. Let's start with a seasonal keyword: "festive Christmas jumpers".

So starting at the top, the first set of results you'll see are the paid ads. You'll know that these ads are paid, when you see the little bold Ad * prefixing the URL. For me, this first set of results are in the form of Google's shopping campaign (another paid channel). Next down you will probably see some more sponsored Ads * returned, maybe two or three. Then, a little further down you will start to see the Google organic (free) search results appear.

So, the key difference in the different results is that the Ads * are served from Google's paid channel and the organic listings further down are the 'free' listings, the results of which, are based on the content and merit of the website being indexed.

So how does PPC work then?

I like to use this analogy. Imagine having a half-page advert on the centre pages of the Telegraph ... for free. You only start to pay for that ad if someone picks up the phone and rings the sales number or physically takes an action to contact you as a result of that ad. If it's irrelevant to them, and of no interest, then you pay nothing.

Sounds good right? It is. It does work (for most), but I can't stress enough, be sure to work with the right partner as sometimes the DIY approach or making the wrong choice can be incredibly costly. Work with an agency that takes the time to understand your business, your products or service, and have the skills and expertise to generate quality, relevant traffic to the key areas of your website.

Here are some classics do's and don'ts when advertising with Google Ads:

Do structure your campaign(s) well & serve relevant ads and ad groups within specific campaigns
Do have a budget & impose strict daily campaign budgets, don't necessarily use the recommended amounts
Do start small, try to target specific areas with specific terms. Be specific!
Do start by using ad scheduling so you're not serving outside working hours (if this was of relevance to your business)
Don't listen to your mate down the pub that tells you to put up a simple campaign and send traffic to your website, Google will do the rest!
Don't be fooled into thinking that just because your Google Ad campaign is sending traffic to your website, that it's working for you (generating ROI)
Don't run just one ad in one Ad Group, use Ad rotation trialling different terms and key USP's
Don't jump straight into display or re-marketing campaigns. Focus on making search generate ROI first.

We have helped many businesses over the years run successful PPC campaigns. We are honest, trustworthy and completely transparent with everything we do. By working (in correlation [correl8 tion] .... get it!) with our customers, ensures the best possible success for any marketing campaign. Please contact us for a friendly chat to see if we can help.

04 Nov, 2021

Si Bland Marketing

Jargon Busting

What our customers say

Correl8 have been absolutely brilliant. They took our initial ideas and created a website that we are proud of for its design and functionality. Over the years they have created add-on modules that meet our specific requirements like a blogging module and a testing module. One of the key things for us is their customer service – very quick to respond in a very helpful and supportive way. Overall, a great partner!

Phil Hopkins

Chief Executive - The English Language Centre

Correl8 have constantly delivered to a high standard our bespoke system requirements from website through to back office developments. Commitment to project scope and working within agreed timeliness is a key focus and they have been excellent in project delivery on time. They have a great business partnership philosophy in helping us bring alive dynamic solutions and meeting our evolving system requirements.

Damien Mooney

Managing Director - Cruising Excursions

I have both known and worked with the guys at Correl8 for well over 10 years now, and in that time they have never failed to deliver work and technology to the highest standard. That was why I was confident that they were the right partner for my new business. The system and reservation platform that they have developed is so unique and powerful, it allows us to quickly and easily contract new suppliers and homes and have them on-sale in the UK.

Michael Eames

Managing Director - Orlando Villas Direct

Correl8 have consistently delivered and supported Hovertravel as a business moving forward. They fully understand what we need to achieve from our online presence and completed the initial work within the projected deadline and budget.

Julie Robson

Hovertravel - Sales and Development Manager

We are delighted with the services provided by the team at Correl8. They are friendly and professional and posses all the skills and expertise necessary too help us to drive the business further forward. I would not hesitate in recommending Correl8 to any company looking to compliment any digital marketing services with very capable and reponsive in-house web developers.

Emma McFarlane

KpH Group - Sales & Marketing Executive

After receiving notice from our current system suppliers, we were left looking for an alternative that could support and develop our online business further. Correl8 came recommended to us by a partner, and we invited them along for to the office an initial visit. Their knowledge, experience and professionalism in this industry was evident. We are delighted with the work and support they have given us to date, all within timescales indicated, and would have no hesitation in recommending their services to any other business.

Karl Lapage

Coach Direct - Managing Director

I have used many different website content management systems to update content, write blogs and post articles. I can honestly say that the Correl8 CMS is far better than all of them. It's intuitive and easy to use and if you require more functionality, it can be added in for you. Plus, if you do find you occasionally require a little assistance, then the developers are quickly on hand to help.

Alexandra Wilks

Wimbledon School of English - Digital Marketing and Marketing Officer

Simon and the team at Correl8 have assisted not only us but a lot of my close business associates with their websites and digital marketing services. I would have no hesitation in recommending Simon and all the staff at Correl8. Their work is second to none.

Gary Streets

Colvin - Group Director

We didn't really know what we wanted when we started and we must have been very painful customers to deal with as we made him re do a couple of websites from scratch as we kept changing our minds and our brief. All the way through the process Si remained calm and helpful and for a technophobe like myself, he made the whole process seem vaguely understandable. I would highly recommend both him and Olly...and all the team at Correl8.

Chris Cole

Alliance Buying Group - Managing Director

The team at Correl8 has been supporting the development of our online business for more than 6 years now and we've been delighted with the service we've received. Most recently, they provided us with a new, mobile-friendly website and enhanced our entire back-end booking system, all within a very tight time scale. We had quite a few unique requests with what we required the new system to do, and they had no problem building this into the platform. Overall, extremely pleased with their work. Great team to work with and can't speak highly enough of them

Miles Saward

Sport Options - Managing Director

What a great company to work with, they have been working with our company recently, particularly on digital marketing - the results are great. Fabulous attention to detail, contact and customer service. Well done indeed.

Kevin Bishop

Town and Country Legal Services LLP, Senior Partner

A big thank you to Simon and the team at Correl8 who are assisting us with our digital marketing services and how we engage with our customers. A really nice group of people to work with. Honest, reliable and knowledgeable.

Simon Robinson

Baldwin Robinson Law. Senior Partner

Correl8 got a feeling of what our business is all about, and the way we wanted to go forward with the look of the website. We came into the process with no technical knowledge and you were both very patient in taking us through every stage until we had the perfect look and you have helped us steer the business in a more up-to-date way. I am delighted with our new website, which I believe conveys traditional jewellers but with modern ideas and some excellent pre-loved jewellery together with new and modern gold and silver jewellery. Thank you once again for all your help and professionalism.

Andrew Browne

J.J. Browne & Son Jewellers Limited, Director

A great team to work with, always professional in their approach as well as an understanding of every client's needs. They are able to create bespoke digital solutions that work with your business. 100% recommend!

Jonathan Docksey

Design JD, Director

We have worked with Correl8 for a number of years. A very professional team who offer a great solution. I would thoroughly recommend.

Simon Wright

Operations Director, ReAD Group