Search engine advertising (SEA)
Our range of services
Ad placement
in the search engines
Search engine advertising (SEA) is the most efficient use of ad placements in the search engines.
SEA is part of a marketing or brand building strategy.
SEA is the art of placing paid advertisements in search engines and thus directing demand-specific customer groups to one’s own website. SEA is therefore the paid counterpart to “organic” search results, which is based on search engine optimization (SEO).
How prominently your own ad (in competition with your competitors’ ads) is displayed by Google on the search results page depends on the keywords and the price you are willing to pay if the corresponding ad is clicked on.
You therefore submit a click price bid to Google for each ad. In the background of a search query, an auction is then running, so to speak. The higher your bid per click, the more likely it is that your ads will be played out, even in front of other ads, and sometimes even appear in front of dominant “organic” search results.
Ads are not very different visually from “organic” search results (except for the “ad” label) and are therefore often perceived by searchers as just another type of search result worth clicking on.
So with a higher budget alone, you can make it ahead of your competition. This also opens up marketing scope when the company’s own SEO strategy, which tends to be designed for the very long term, may not yet be effective.
SEO and SEA complement each other
Coordinating both methods perfects success.
The available space on a search engine results page is divided between the actual search results and matching ads. You would be optimally visible if you are well placed in both areas.
While SEO achieves the desired goal by placing search result links to one’s own website as high as possible, SEA controls the highest possible placement of ads compared to the competition. So, both actions, SEO and SEA, are intended to bring users to your site and encourage them to respond in a certain way (conversion).
SEA is also excellent for finding the optimal keywords for your own website: Which keywords bring the most sales in the end can be tested quickly and well here. In SEO, these keywords can be used as targets: When a web visitor searches with these keywords, you want your website to be as far ahead as possible in the natural search results.
SEA can therefore first push a campaign and SEO then take over more and more in the long term and replace the costly ads (SEA).
Why SEO and not just ads?
In both cases, it is of course important to have good landing pages that pick up the user precisely to his question, his keyword, provide sufficient qualitative information and then encourage the user to respond. This is one of the classic tasks of SEO.
Many websites are also not created in a vacuum. A brand often already exists that people are already searching for online. Or the website is not completely new, but a relaunch of an old site. Here the task of SEO is to direct here already existing searches for the brand or clicks on targets to the previous website to the desired target pages of the new website.
With SEO, there are no other costs (apart from the SEO costs), because the user’s click on a “natural” (i.e. not ad-driven) search result is free of charge for you as a website operator:
SEO therefore has the better return of investment (ROI) in the long term – once the campaign is up and running properly.
CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION
In the beginning, we always recommend parallel SEO and Google Ad campaigns:
- Via Google Ads, I get measurement data about which keywords convert well – I can then use that for the SEO campaign.
- With Google Ads, I can spontaneously and immediately control how many
conversions (i.e. sales/other goals) I achieve – and also focus on areas that may not yet be covered by SEO. - SEO should be there from the start, for example, to build up the relevant content in the first place that searchers expect after clicking on either the ad or the search result. In addition, SEO can target existing user flows (backlinks, brand search).
The successes through natural search results (SEO) are more likely in the long term, SEO offers, of course, then a better ROI and can gradually replace the ads.
How can the TBA support you with Google Ads campaigns?
As a digital agency, we offer our clients customized SEA campaigns, which are developed and implemented together with our high-performance partners.
Very great emphasis is placed on relevance, budgeting and positive return on investment (ROI).
Search engine advertising interfaces with brand management, content and design. This field of activity is therefore offered jointly by TBA-Berlin and our agency partner TBA-Hamburg, depending on the focus.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have in a personal meeting.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
When does SEA make sense?
Advertising in search engines is very easy to plan and control and is recommended,
- when quick visibility and immediate results are required,
- to address specific target groups,
- to stand out in highly competitive markets,
- a flexible budget and precise cost control are required,
- detailed measurability and analysis of campaign performance are required,
- other marketing strategies are to be supported, and
- for the introduction and promotion of new products or seasonal offers.
SEA or SEO – what will get me further?
SEA brings quick results through paid ads. SEO, on the other hand, offers long-term benefits by permanently positioning your website for relevant search terms.
SEO success is particularly expensive in competitive markets…
SEA is a calculable marketing alternative here.
SEO is particularly difficult in the “YMYL” (“Your Money Your Live”) industries because special requirements are placed on the trustworthiness of the website.
SEA is also a calculable marketing alternative here.
What does it cost to be at the top of Google with ads?
The cost of an ad on Google varies greatly and depends on factors such as the industry, keywords and competition. The price per click (CPC) can range from a few cents to several euros. In competitive sectors such as finance or legal advice, CPCs can be significantly higher, often in the double-digit range. It is important to set a budget and continuously optimize the campaigns to effectively manage costs.
How are the right keywords determined for a campaign?
We conduct comprehensive keyword research, analyzing your industry, competition and target audience to select the most effective keywords that will attract relevant and qualified visitors.
How long does it take until the first results are visible?
The first results can often be visible within a few days, as ads are placed immediately. However, a complete evaluation of performance and optimization takes about 1-3 months.
How is the success of SEA campaigns measured?
We use detailed analytics and reports that track clicks, impressions, conversions and other key metrics. This data helps us to evaluate and continuously optimize performance.
Can you do SEA yourself?
Why the TBA?
For example, if TBA has already been commissioned with brand management, web design or SEO, we usually know your product/service and your wishes very well, so you have everything from a single source. In difficult cases, we can fall back on a network of partner agencies.
