Google Adwords - Anyone tried it?

shoelaces · Posts: 21

I received a $100 Google Adwords coupon from a company that hosts another of my websites. So I am thinking about trying Adwords to use at least the $100 and see if it helps me get more sales.

Just wondering if anyone has tried Adwords to bring traffic to their stores? If so has it helped in getting you more sales?

My store is http://www.shoelaces.ecrater.com/

Paula

acread · moderator Posts: 9883

I haven't heard anyone having successful results from Adwords. Sellers try (and spend a bit of money) then leave I think. At least that's the feel I've got at the forum.

Most people don't like clicking on Google Ads (I know I don't most of the time). And unless the ads will be located in high traffic area they won't work.

But if it is free I guess you can try it. Just make sure it is not sealing you into a deal (like after the $100 finishes you should be able to stop it.)

thelivesandlovesofmaggiethecat · Posts: 5981

I got an offer from Google for the same $100 free. I haven't looked into it as I think the free bit gets used up very quickly and then you have a huge bill for the rest of the month or however it works.

If anyone has had success using the adwords, I wish they would post here with how they did it.

Comics-Emporium · Posts: 168

I also got one of those $100 coupons a few weeks ago but haven't really found out to much about it. I wouldn't mind trying it out if it would automatically stop at the $100 mark but I doubt that it would

kjscreations · Posts: 1056

LOL... I got one too.... I doubt I'll try it but ya never know. I'll never PAY for it though.

Comics-Emporium · Posts: 168

Well I decided to try it out. There's a $5.00 activation fee(Which can't be taken from the $100 coupon)

But it lets you set a limit on how much you want spend on the ads each day, so I set mine to just enough for each day till the $100 coupon runs out. And you can cancel it anytime you want.

I'll give it shot for a little while and let you know how well it worked out

RustyFarmall · Posts: 329

I started a campaign myself. I'm getting lots of impressions, and several clicks, but so far NO results. I doubt I will continue after the $100 runs out unless I start seeing some positive results and sales.

nothingnew · Posts: 510

waaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaa i didn't git oNe Sad

No biggie. a freind of mine tried it last year when we both used rl and she said the clicks add up real fast with high charges and she saw no results from it.

antiques-collectibles · Posts: 77

I had a coupon last Spring and used it. Lots of impressions and clicks, but no results. At least it only cost the $5 at the beginning, and was worth the education. Next time maybe they will just offer me $100 cash and leave it at that. Yeah, right. Rolling Eyes

momsretro · Posts: 439

My advice for Adwords:

Check your reports often and keep an eye on things. You can spread that money out over several months. Be careful otherwise Google loves to use it up pdq.

Be careful with your keywords. Try to focus on just a few. Use a search phrase, not two words together. For example, wall clock returns your ad on either of those two searches. If you only want people who are searching for "wall clock" make sure it's a phrase. Think backwards when picking keywords; how would you search for your items?

If you can promote your website do that, just make sure there are obvious links to your store. Make a special 'store' page if needed. If you decide to change selling venues you'll be glad your site has all the exposure.

You can stay out of Google Search and target your ads by website by using their Content Network. So, for example, you can target your ads only to show on Kovels.com.

Check your Placement Performance Report every other day. If you see your ad showing 2,000 times on a myspace page, you should block that domain.

I got a coupon too. I'm thinking of using it for the Content Network, Google Search has never helped me much. If anything else it will help build brand awareness. It bugs me about the $5.

antiques-collectibles · Posts: 77

RustyFarmall · Posts: 329

Momsretro has good advice. I was looking through my reports, and found one particular website that had recieved an outstanding number of impressions with a 100% click through rate. I had never heard of that website, so I visited it, and found that the subject matter of that website was only very remotely related to what I wanted and the chances of an actual sale resulting from click throughs from that website would be a big fat zero, so I excluded that website along with several others.

momsretro · Posts: 439

I used to call the Placement Report the "Block this URL Report".

I can't imagine how Google would think my ads belonged on some of the sited they picked! Shocked

AmericanOriginals · Posts: 15

I am trying adwords right now, I started using it on Nov 4 2009, so far I have had zero clicks but 3,129 impressions with a position of 6. I am seeing some traffic, but most of it is direct or from here. So far my total spending is zero, but I am keeping a very close eye on the amount spent, I have limited it to 10 bucks a day, I want traffic, but I want quality traffic, by that I mean, I don't want to see a bunch of clicks say from India or China, that would only mean they are looking at what I sell and then contact me for their products. After this weekend I am changing to concentrate only on Europe and United States and Canada. If no results after next week, then I will drop adwords.

viewfinders · Posts: 446