Google has made it even easier for local business to advertise online with them with their recently launched product: AdWords Express. It has already hit US and European markets, AdWords Express is designed to make advertising online a breeze. Managing a business takes a lot of time, and AdWords Express is designed to fit in easily with a business owner’s busy schedule. With AdWords Express, business get all the benefits of online advertising that helps target interested customers, without the daily hassle of managing ads. There has been no indication of how many local business’ have signed up in the markets where this is available, or what the success rate has been. All we know is that it will probably hit South African shores soon.
Google AdWords Express is designed very well with a slick UI and 3 simple steps to complete before a business owner’s ads begin appearing on relevant searches. The simplicity of Google Adwords Express extends beyond the set up process, advertisers do not even need a website, they can either direct potential customers to their free Google+ page or get them to contact them directly.
AdWords Express allows business owners to reach customers within a certain radius around their business, making it the ideal product for business such as restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and local service providers. AdWords Express generates keywords based on the business category and then manages the ad automatically, eliminating keyword research and campaign management. How effective this tool is remains to be seen.
Google outlines the benefits of advertising with AdWords Express for small business:
- Create an online ad quickly and easily.
- Attract more local customers to your website or Google+ page.
- Pay only when people click on your ad.
- No ongoing management is needed after sign-up. AdWords Express runs your ads for you.
- Review the effectiveness of your ads in your dashboard.
Businesses that Google suggests are a good fit for AdWords Express:
- Local service providers, such as home or auto repair, doctors, hairdressers
- Local restaurants & cafes
- Local retail stores & boutiques
- Local hotels and B&B’s
It will be interesting to see the uptake in the South African market and the success thereafter. If it works the impact of express PPC will be huge with small business jumping onboard to increase their online visibility, it will grow business and in doing so create more opportunities for digital companies such as Web Smart.