Google AdWords?

[crayzblonde]

I've been using Adwords for some time now, maybe a year and a half, and for the most part, I've been very happy with it. It can still be confusing at times, especially when I set my max at say, $40/month and then one month I get charged $68! I recently signed up for the budget analyzer that they offer (still not quite sure what it is) but last month, I was only charged $2.98!

I have all of the search terms I can think of on there, prenatal massage, massage in (your city here), deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, etc., but is there anything else I can be doing? I'm trying to save money with this, and I know the saying, you have to spend money to make money, and even if I get one client a month that will make up for what I spend with them, but I just want to get the maximum visibility for the best price.

Now when I google random search terms, I don't even see my ad under the sponsor links where it usually is. My site shows up on the page elsewhere though, but I just feel like I'm missing something there.

Sorry if this post was confusing, I've been rambling lately...

 

[Pompal 09.]

I suggest that you get yourself listed on as many free directories as possible. There is a thread http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9329 that gives some site that provide free listing. There are other sites that charge a fee but give great exposure. I have gotten a lot of visits to my web site from http://www.spaindex.com. The annual fee is worth it.

 

[kristina]

Google AdWords?

I'm trying to save money with this, and I know the saying, you have to spend money to make money,

Actually, I have found this not to be the case. I have yet to spend one dime on advertising in nearly 3 years of practice. In fact, with so many free practice-building options out there, we have always refused to pay for any advertising!

I listed myself in a few free carefully-selected massage therapy directories (it helps that they also consistently have great Google rankings, showing up early in the search returns). I also signed up for Google's Local Results, which puts you at the top, at no cost. We optimized our website (legitimately) to make it search engine-friendly (and that has paid off bigtime!) And I ask for referrals without being pushy, offering a thank-you bonus to those who refer. Signing up for SpaBoom and SpaEmergency also helps, as does offering a small discount off the next appointment when you rebook it on the spot.

The above forms of advertising/client retention work much better (on average) than those forms you pay for, such as newspaper, TV, radio, yellow pages, etc. Sure, you might get more mass exposure, but that might work best for an establishment like ME who is catering to the entry-level masses (entry-level massage clients).

I know there are some individual exceptions; there are a few ppl on this board who have run little ads or specials in a small well-read community newspaper for a very reasonable cost and had great results with them! For ppl in big cities, however, this may be cost-prohibitive, and bring you more undesirable clientele than you bargained for.

Different things work for different ppl in different areas, for sure--but I just wanted to get the good news out there that it doesn't NOT necessarily take money to make money! Save yourself the cash!

Hope that helps!
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Sandra D]

Hi Jyoti, I had never heard of Google's Free Local Results. Thanks for mentioning it. I searched google, and found an area where you can submit your listing to Google Maps. Is this what you use? Does it show up when people do a regular google search, or only when they do a map search?

Google Local Maps - Free Listing

 

[Span]

Hiya Blisss

Yes, that's the one. To show up in Local Results for your community, you sign up with Google, provide a physical address for that community (you must physically practice in that community and have an actual address for it) and they'll send you a postcard to the address you provide. You then send it back. A few weeks later, there you are.

It's not just for a map search, it's for when they search in general.

Some interesting things I have found to watch for are: (others' experiences may vary)
* People often think we have a storefront. We get a lot of calls asking about our location. When they find we work from home, that actually deters some people. They don't understand the professionality of our home studio. Or, perhaps they're the type that likes to casually walk in and scope the place out (which is not possible with us, as we work by appointment only), (think the massage-on-demand type)...but who knows. Lots of casual, and sometimes flaky, people. Be ready to field some strange phone calls
* We provided our PO Box for the Google address, which puts the little flag they use on the maps in a totally different location than we actually are. They think we're on Main St, ks that's where the flag is on the map. We're not.
* Google will link to your site, but when ppl first click on your link in the Local Results, it takes you to a bare-bones Google page first, with your basic contact info and a link to your website, if you have one. People actually think THIS is your site. People would call and ask basic questions that are answered on the website and they'd say they found us on the web and I would assume they already clicked through to OUR website and looked around before calling. NO. They often don't bother clicking through to your own website from the Google site. Hope this made sense. Be ready to field a lot of BASIC (and sometimes repetitive) questions, too!
* You get lots of exposure being at the top, but many ppl actually don't pay attention to the Local Results because they think you've paid to be there. Focus on boosting your overall search ranking instead--ppl take that more seriously.

So, it's a mixed bag. Sometimes it can be a little annoying or strange, but most of the time it's good.

Hope that helps!
Hugs,
~Jyoti

Hi Jyoti, I had never heard of Google's Free Local Results. Thanks for mentioning it. I searched google, and found an area where you can submit your listing to Google Maps. Is this what you use? Does it show up when people do a regular google search, or only when they do a map search?

Google Local Maps - Free Listing

 

[Annamazing.!]

I submitted my info to Google Maps about a month ago. It should be showing up any time now. You can provide a phone number that they will call you at to verify your info, quicker than the post card but it still takes them quite awhile to add you.

 

[terrell]

Thanks for this thread.

ANyone have advice about how to optimize their website for searches?
I have to re-vamp my site I created back in 96!