Consumers search for virtually everything. This includes the things that small businesses do, from restaurants to bespoke products. When consumers search they get organic results along with paid results. Paid search ads are systematically designed to be relevant. As a result, they’re often useful at getting consumers where they want to go. Consumers don’t tune out paid search like other types of digital ads.
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Search ads can be a small business opportunity. While larger advertisers pay massive amounts to place their ads via search, we highlight smart ways small businesses can create their own tailored search campaigns on small budgets.
This course shows small businesses how to create and execute search campaigns on Google Ads Search (formally AdWords). Through an introductory overview, students are guided through the official Google Ads Search training materials where they will ultimately earn an official Google Ads Search Certification. Beyond Google materials, practical campaign creation and optimization best practices and exercises are provided by real experts.
What You Will Learn
- Understand why search can be a powerful part of any marketing campaign
- Plan a search campaign, including: setting economic goals, defining targeting parameters, and aligning a campaign with business goals
- Build a search campaign from start to ongoing optimization
- Leverage Google’s tools including optimization score, campaign planner, and automated bidding
Course 2 of 4 in the Digital Advertising Strategy Specialization.
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Search Basics
We’ll start high level with an overview of the attributes that make search such a valuable tool for marketers. You’ll learn about the terms and basic systems of how Google and paid search customers use search to get their message in front of users. You’ll understand the key components of how an advertiser can move his advertisement up the search rankings.
WEEK 2
Google's Take on Auction Ads
This week you’ll start your preparation for the Google Ads Search Certification with the first five Google study guides. You’ll build off your understanding of the value of search with an introduction to some of Google’s complementary products. Within search, you’ll learn how Google represents the components of their auction and how ads are ranked. You’ll get exposure to Google’s advice on building text ads and dive into ad extensions and how they can make your ads more dynamic.
WEEK 3
Google's Take on Bidding, Audiences, and Tools
This week you’ll complete the Google Ads Search study guides in preparation for your certification. You’ll learn about the many data-driven tools that Google has developed to make search campaign management more accessible for small businesses. These include automated bidding systems, campaign optimization scores and recommendations, and the performance planner. You’ll also learn how to use audiences to take advantage of what Google knows about its users to help advertisers target a specific group. At the end of this module, you will be required to pass the certification exam.
WEEK 4
Google Ads Campaigns
Now that you’re armed with your Google certification and have a mastery of the key concepts in search, you’ll put that understanding into action by creating a campaign with keywords, ads, and ad groups. This module covers the critical concepts needed to prepare for building your campaign including developing economic goals for the campaign. Then you’ll learn the best practices for making decisions around campaign settings and structure. You’ll also learn some practical optimization techniques to keep your campaign performing well.
WEEK 5
Capstone Project: Practical Campaign Optimization
This week we put it all together in an actual search campaign. You’ll put into practice all the concepts you’ve learned and get familiar with the Google Ads environment through a guided final assignment. This assignment encourages you to take everything you’ve learned about Google Search and use it to develop an effective Google Search strategy.
