In the competitive online advertising world, engaging and persuasive ad copy is essential for capturing attention and driving conversions. But crafting that perfect ad copy isn't always easy, especially when you're grappling with the pain points and challenges of making your campaigns stand out in a sea of competition.
If you're tired of pouring time and resources into your Google Ads campaigns, only to be left frustrated by lacklustre conversion rates, then this article is for you.
Over the next few minutes, I reveal the secrets to writing ad copy that truly resonates with your audience, addressing their concerns and solving their problems. I'll share 10 proven tips to create high-converting Google Ads campaigns that will not only engage your potential clients but also boost your return on investment.
It's time to turn your frustration into success and make your Google Ads campaigns work for you!
Tip 1 - Write What Your Potential Client Needs to Hear
When crafting ad copy, focus on what your potential clients are searching for and the problems they are trying to solve. Understanding your target audience's pain points will help you create compelling and relevant copy that speaks directly to their needs.
Example: It's the middle of the night, and someone is frantically searching Google for a plumber to fix a burst pipe in their home. They see your ad with the headline "24/7 Emergency Plumber" and immediately feel relieved that your business can help them at any hour. The headline addresses their urgent need and makes them more likely to click on your ad.
Tip 2 - Use Catchy Headlines
Your headline is the first thing users will see, so make it count. Use catchy and attention-grabbing headlines that make potential clients want to click and learn more about your services.
Example: A homeowner has been struggling with recurring leaky pipes. They're tired of dealing with the inconvenience and damages caused by these leaks. While browsing online, they see your ad with the headline "No More Leaky Pipes!" This headline grabs their attention because it promises a solution to their ongoing problem. Intrigued, they click on your ad to learn more about your plumbing services.
Tip 3 - Use the Exact Keywords in the Headlines
Incorporating the exact keywords that your potential clients are searching for in your headlines will improve your ad's relevance and visibility, ultimately increasing the likelihood of attracting qualified leads.
Example: Paul has just started a small business and is seeking help with his taxes. He searches Google for "tax preparation" and sees your ad with the headline "Tax Preparation Pros." Because your headline includes the exact keyword they searched for, it stands out. It reassures them that your business offers the service they need.
Tip 4 - Utilise Dynamic Keyword Insertion
Dynamic keyword insertion (DKI) allows you to automatically insert a user's search query into your ad copy, making it highly relevant to their search.
Example: A young couple are planning for their future and wants to find a financial planner. They search for "retirement planning" on Google. Because your ad uses dynamic keyword insertion, the headline changes automatically to match their search query, displaying as "Retirement Planning." The couple finds the ad highly relevant to their search and clicks on it to learn more about MoneyMasters' financial planning services.
Here's how to use Dynamic Keyword Insertion in your Google Ads:
- Sign in to your Google Ads account.
- Navigate to the "Ads & Extensions" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click the blue "+" button to create a new ad or choose an existing ad to edit.
- In the ad copy section, identify the headline or description where you want to insert the dynamic keyword.
- To insert the dynamic keyword, type a "{" (without quotes) followed by "KeyWord" (capitalisation matters).
- After "KeyWord", add a colon and your default text, which will be used if the user's search query is too long or if it doesn't meet Google's policy requirements. For example: "{KeyWord:Your Default Text}"
- Close the dynamic keyword insertion with a "}" (without quotes).
- Finish writing the rest of your ad copy.
- Save the ad and ensure it complies with Google's policies.
Once the ad is live, the dynamic keyword insertion will automatically replace "{KeyWord:Your Default Text}" with the user's search query, making your ad highly relevant to their search. Note that the capitalisation you use in "KeyWord" will determine the capitalisation of the inserted keyword in your ad copy:
- "KeyWord": Capitalises the first letter of each word in the search query.
- "Keyword": Capitalises the first letter of the first word in the search query.
- "keyword": Inserts the search query in lowercase.
Remember to monitor your ad performance and make adjustments as necessary. Also, be cautious when using dynamic keyword insertion to avoid potential policy violations or inappropriate keyword insertions.
Tip 5 - Utilise The Location Insertion Feature
The location insertion feature helps you tailor your ad copy to the user's location, making your ads more relevant and appealing to local searchers. This type of extension benefits businesses based in one area but operating in multiple locations.
Example: A Birmingham business is organising a networking event and searches Google for catering services in their area.
Although your catering business is based in London, you can travel. So you want to generate business from anywhere you can operate. In this case, you use the location insertion feature in your ads.
The location insertion feature automatically replaces "{Location}" with the user's location - in this case, Birmingham - making the ad more relevant and appealing to local searchers. The searcher comes across your ad with the headline "Catering in Birmingham", and seeing that your catering company operates in their area, the searcher clicks on your ad to learn more about your catering services.
Tip 6 - Utilise Dynamic Countdown Timers in Your Headlines for Special Offers
Adding a dynamic countdown timer to your headlines creates a sense of urgency, encouraging potential clients to act quickly before the offer expires.
Example: An event planner is searching for vegan catering services for an upcoming corporate event in Edinburgh. They see your ad, which offers a 15% discount for bookings before a specific date.
The dynamic countdown timer in the headline creates a sense of urgency by showing how much time is left to take advantage of the offer (e.g., "15% Off - Ends in 3 Days"). FOMO kicks in (fear of missing out), and feeling pressured to take advantage of the deal, the event planner clicks on your ad and decides to book.
To use dynamic countdown timers in your Google Ads, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Ads account.
- Navigate to the Ads & Extensions tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click the blue "+" button to create a new ad or choose an existing ad to edit.
- In the ad copy section, identify the headline or description where you want to insert the countdown timer.
- To insert the countdown timer, type "{=" (without quotes), followed by the "COUNTDOWN" function.
- Inside the parentheses, provide the following parameters:
- a. The end date and time in the format "yyyy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss" (e.g., "2023/04/30 23:59:59" for April 30, 2023, at 11:59:59 PM).
- b. The language code (e.g., "en-US" for English).
- c. The number of days before the end date when the countdown should start displaying (e.g., "5" to start the countdown five days before the end date).
- Here's an example of the complete countdown timer code: {=COUNTDOWN("2023/04/30 23:59:59", "en-US", 5)}
- Close the countdown timer with a "}" (without quotes).
- Finish writing the rest of your ad copy.
- Save the ad and ensure it complies with Google's policies.
Tip 7 - Try Pinning Headlines to Positions in the Ad
By pinning headlines to specific positions in your ad, you can test and optimise your ad copy for maximum impact. This tactic can sometimes yield impressive results, replacing the now-obsolete expanded text ads.
Example: You own an airport shuttle business called FlyShuttle and advertise your services on Google Ads. You decide to test and optimise your ad copy by pinning the headlines to specific positions. This way, you ensure that "FlyShuttle Airport Ride" always appears as the first headline while "On-Time & Comfortable" appears as the second.
Potential clients searching for airport transportation in Devon see your ad with the pinned headlines, which convey the nature of your service and its key benefits. The consistent positioning of the headlines addresses their needs, and searchers are more likely to click on your ad.
To pin headlines in Google Ads, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Ads account.
- Navigate to the "Ads & Extensions" tab in the left-hand menu.
- Click the blue "+" button and select "Responsive Search Ad" to create a new ad or choose an existing responsive search ad to edit.
- You'll see multiple input fields for adding headlines in the "Headlines" section of the ad creation/editing interface.
- Write the headlines you want to pin in the respective input fields.
- You'll see a "Pin" icon (resembling a drawing pin) to the right of each headline input field.
- Click the "Pin" icon for the headline you want to pin and select the position you want to pin the headline to: "Headline 1," "Headline 2," or "Headline 3."
- Repeat this process for any other headlines you want to pin to specific positions.
- Complete the rest of your ad, including descriptions, and save your changes.
Once your responsive search ad is live, the pinned headlines will always appear in their designated positions. Remember that pinning headlines limits the system's ability to generate ad combinations automatically.
Tip 8 - Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Your USP is what sets you apart from your competitors. Make sure to highlight the unique aspects of your service that will make potential clients choose you over other options.
Example: Your airport shuttle service stands out from competitors by offering free Wi-Fi on board. Your ad highlights this unique selling proposition with the headline "Free In-Shuttle Wi-Fi." Travellers who value staying connected during their airport commute see your ad and are enticed by the added benefit of free Wi-Fi.
This USP makes your service more appealing and sets you apart from other airport shuttle options, increasing the likelihood of potential clients choosing FlyShuttle.
Tip 9 - Use Social Proof to Build Trust
Incorporating social proof, such as customer reviews or testimonials, can help build trust with potential clients and make them more likely to choose your services.
Example: LegalEagles has received numerous 5-star reviews from satisfied clients. You leverage this social proof in your Google Ads campaign by using the headline "5-Star Rated Solicitors." Potential clients searching for legal services in your area come across your ad and feel reassured by the positive reviews.
This social proof helps build trust with potential clients, making them more likely to choose LegalEagles for their legal needs.
Tip 10 - Add a Call-to-Action (CTA) to Encourage User Engagement
A clear and strong call-to-action can make a significant difference in getting users to take the desired action, such as clicking on your ad or contacting your business. Encourage potential clients to take the next step by using action-oriented phrases.
Example: To encourage potential clients to take the next step, you use a clear call-to-action in your ad with the headline "Schedule a Free Consult." This CTA invites searchers to engage with your solicitors' office by scheduling a free consultation to discuss their legal concerns.
The action-oriented phrase motivates potential clients to click on your ad, leading to increased engagement and a higher likelihood of them choosing LegalEagles for their legal services.
In conclusion, crafting the perfect ad copy for Google Ads requires understanding your target audience, using attention-grabbing headlines, incorporating relevant keywords and dynamic elements, and testing different strategies.
It's important to remember that no single approach guarantees success. Always test and analyse the performance of your ads to determine which elements resonate most with your audience. Keep experimenting and optimising your campaigns to maximise ROI and attract more leads and sales.
Do you need help implementing these tips?
I can provide a FREE Google Ads campaign audit to help you optimise your campaigns and boost your ROI. Contact me to claim your FREE Google Ads audit and maximise your advertising success today!