Category: News & Trends

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Don’t Leave Your Pocketbook Open for Google

I have to say that even though I have seen some businesses be hugely successful using Google AdWords, I have also seen some who have not. Based on this, I strongly advocate not leaving your pocketbook open to Google as they will try to spend every cent you allocate for clicks.

These are my tips for business owners:

1. If you are new to AdWords set aside a budget of $500 to $800 for clicks for a 30 day period for a testing time frame of at least three months.

2. Don’t start on AdWords until you have conversion tracking in place to measure leads generated by AdWords.

3. If you do not have a website analytics program installed, install free Google Analytics at least two weeks prior to hiring your account manager. Help them do a better job by identifying what is happening on your website in regards to traffic and keywords.

4. Use a professional account manager for your AdWords keyword research, ad text creation, and account management. The input that a professional manager can give you will help you to better understand how to market your business more effectively based on click activity and trends that they see happening from the activity in your account.

5. Don’t give up after just 30 days of traffic. Plan on really giving it a go for three months. Then if you do not see results from an increased number of leads, close your pocketbook and move out of Google AdWords and try another marketing approach. You may want to consider organic optimization, email marketing, blog advertising, or even print media advertising depending on your product or service.

It simply makes good business sense to feed with your cash investment things that provide a return for your business. Do not fall in the trap of paying Google for clicks on AdWords if the activity is not providing results, but be realistic about the results you can expect from your AdWords program as well.

AdWords can really work for you, I’ve made it happen for clients, but for some, AdWords is simply not the most practical approach. You will however not know if AdWords is for you unless you really make an honest try.

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One of only 236 Google AdWords Qualified Professional in the World

Nancy McCord is a Google AdWords Qualified IndividualI have been a Google AdWords Qualified Professional for nearly four years which is just about as long as Google has had the program for professional AdWords managers. Recently I found out that I am one of only 236 AdWords Qualified Professionals in the world. Wow, actually I thought there were more, but according to the www.Google-Advertising-Professionals.net that’s all there are.

You can check out their directory and find a professional who can speak and write in your own language. If you’re based in the United States, call me first at 301-705-7303, to receive first class service. In fact I just set up an account this past week for www.LeadBoosterClub.com and here’s the unsolicited comment that Kathy Goughenour sent to me after we had set up her account and helped her fix her website in preparation for her new AdWords campaign.

You need to rename your Google AdWords Quick Start Plus program to Faster-Than-a-Speeding-Bullet program.  Nancy started work on my Google AdWords program Thursday morning and by Friday evening she’d set up my Google account, written 4 landing pages, rewritten my home page, generated what seemed like thousands of keywords, researched my competition, written 12 (it could have been more, I lost count) brilliant Google ads.  Saturday morning she put the Google AdWords campaign into action.  Whew!  I was worn out watching her work.  I forgot to mention that she’d never heard of my business before.  She grasped my business concept, understood my target audience, and made me feel that anything was possible.  Thank you, Nancy McCord, for making me believe in miracles, again.  I believe.

Kathy Goughenour President – www.LeadBoosterClub.com

Thanks Kathy for your kind words. Google AdWords services are one of our core businesses. I love working with Google AdWords. I consider each client’s needs like a big puzzle – how best can I create a program to get results, not just clicks, but real leads.

So if you’re looking for one of only 236 Google AdWords Qualified Professionals to help you, and a passionate one focused on your success, look no further.  For more information we invite you to review our AdWords set up and management program.

 

 

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Hostway Improves Customer Service

Wondering what the problem is.I have been a long term customer of Hostway, nearly eight years, they provide web hosting for my blog and 1,500 page website. In the recent past, they have taken a black eye for their customer service in part due to growing pains. However, there has been a change recently that I wanted to share with you that bodes very well for Hostway.

It appears that Hostway has, like many other companies, outsourced its customer service to India to start to provide rapid response service. This is actually not a bad thing at all. Recently I had an issue with my own site. The call time to tech support was dazzling only five to eight minutes to speak to an actual person. This is a huge improvement. Customer’s when they have a problem have a very high frustration level and the ability to speak to a real person with a sense of immediacy is very important.

Within one day, my issue had been escalated to second tier tech support and I really feel that problems are under control. Kudos Hostway for the improvements that you have made in your customer service process!

In the real world, there will be problems it is a fact. No hosting company will ever be trouble free, but it is how these problems are dealt with – with a sense of urgency, courtesy, and grasp of the nature of the problem that mitigates impressions that can damage a businesses reputation. In this case, even though I had a problem, the way Hostway has handled it has been excellent and worthy of this post to say thank you! Specifically to Nick Taylor in the Hostway Canada office – Thank You Nick!

 

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Microsoft adExcellence Does Away With Recertification Test

Nancy McCord is an adExcellence Member.I’m scooping even Microsoft on this one. Microsoft adExcellence Members will no longer need to annually retake the certification test. Take the test once and you’re in.

I know this because for the past two days I have been trying to retake the test to renew my annual certification and cannot. Nolan at the Microsoft adExcellence membership center has told me that Microsoft will be changing their FAQ page in the training site and will be sending out a letter to all adExcellence Members on this topic.

AdExcellence joins the Yahoo Sponsors ed Search Marketing Ambassador program in not forcing professionals to retake their test. Google AdWords requires their Google Qualified Advertising Professionals to retake the exam every two years.