If you want fast results from online ads, PPC in digital marketing is one of the best ways to do it. PPC stands for “pay-per-click,” and it helps businesses get traffic by placing ads online. When someone clicks your ad, you pay a small fee. But that click can turn into a customer—so it’s often worth it.
PPC is used by big and small businesses, from online stores to local service providers. But to really get good results, you need to know how to run your campaigns the right way.
Let’s break it down step by step so you can learn the best practices to run a successful PPC campaign—even if you’re just starting out.
What Is PPC and Why Should You Use It?
PPC is a type of online ad where you pay only when someone clicks on your ad. These ads can show up on Google, Bing, YouTube, and even Facebook or Instagram.
So why use PPC?
- It gives fast results (unlike SEO, which takes time).
- You can target specific people who are looking for what you offer.
- You can track everything and see what’s working.
- You control your budget.
Whether you’re a small business or a healthcare PPC agency, PPC can help you reach your goals faster.
How to Set Up a Good PPC Campaign
Running ads online sounds simple—but to make it work, you need to plan things carefully. Here are the most important steps and tips.
1. Set a Clear Goal First
Before you create any ads, ask yourself: What do I want people to do when they click?
- Buy something?
- Fill out a form?
- Call my business?
- Sign up for something?
Knowing your goal helps you make better choices for your campaign. For example, a marketing company looking for leads will want ads that send people to a form or a free consultation page.
2. Use the Right Keywords
Keywords are the words people type into search engines like Google. Your ad will show when someone searches for one of your keywords.
To pick the right ones:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner.
- Look for keywords with buying intent like “buy shoes online.”
- Use long keywords like “affordable gym memberships in Miami.”
- Add negative keywords to block unrelated searches (like “free” if you don’t offer free stuff).
Good keywords help you get the right clicks—not just any clicks.
3. Organize Your Ads the Smart Way
Your PPC campaign should be well organized. Here’s how:
- Put related keywords in the same ad group.
- Write specific ads for each group.
- Link each ad to the most relevant landing page.
This helps your ads stay relevant and improves your Quality Score (which can lower your costs).
4. Write Good Ad Copy and Use Extensions
Your ad needs to catch attention and make people want to click. Write a short but strong message that shows your offer or benefit.
Here are some examples:
- “50% Off This Week Only – Shop Now!”
- “Book a Free Consultation Today”
- “Call Now for Fast Service”
Also, use ad extensions to give people more options and information:
- Extra links to your website (sitelinks)
- Call buttons for mobile users
- Special offers or features
All of this can help increase your clicks and get better results.
More small details like these make a big difference in your ad performance.
How to Improve Your Campaign While It’s Running
Setting up the campaign is just step one. To get the most out of it, you need to watch the results and make smart changes.
5. Track Everything
Make sure you’re tracking what happens after someone clicks your ad.
- Did they buy something?
- Did they fill out a form?
- How long did they stay?
Use Google Ads and Google Analytics to track conversions. This tells you what’s working—and what’s not.
As a marketing company, the Copify website presents PPC solutions that drive qualified traffic and boost conversion rates — helping businesses turn clicks into real sales.
6. Test Different Ads (A/B Testing)
Don’t run just one ad and hope for the best. Try out different versions to see what gets more clicks or conversions.
You can test:
- Different headlines
- Short vs. long descriptions
- Calls to action (like “Shop Now” vs. “Buy Today”)
Even small changes can lead to big improvements over time.
7. Improve Your Landing Page
Your landing page is the webpage people see after clicking your ad. If it’s not clear or easy to use, people will leave quickly.
To make a good landing page:
- Match it to your ad message
- Keep it simple and clean
- Make sure it works well on phones
- Have a clear button (like “Call Now” or “Sign Up”)
Google also looks at your landing page quality when deciding how often to show your ad and how much you’ll pay.
Tips to Make Your PPC Even Better
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can use some extra tricks to get ahead of your competition.
8. Use Remarketing to Get More Sales
Sometimes, people visit your site but don’t buy right away. With remarketing, you can show ads to those people again later—on other websites or apps.
This helps remind them about your business and increases your chances of getting that sale.
9. Use Local PPC for Local Customers
If your business serves a local area, you can target people in your city or town.
Here’s how:
- Set your campaign to show ads only in certain locations
- Mention your city in the ad copy (like “NYC Dentist”)
- Add a Google Maps listing
- Use call-only ads for people on phones
10. Schedule Your Ads Smartly
Don’t run your ads all day if your customers only buy at certain times.
For example, if you get the most calls between 10 AM and 6 PM, set your ads to run only during those hours. This helps you save money and get better results.
PPC Strategies for Different Industries
PPC works best when it’s tailored to the specific needs of your industry. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely brings the best results. Whether you’re in healthcare, law, real estate, or e-commerce, using a strategy that speaks directly to your audience can significantly improve your campaign performance.
Learn more about how healthcare PPC agency gives you access to proven ad structures, medical-specific keyword research, and compliant landing pages that are designed to increase patient inquiries and appointments.
Choosing a partner that understands your industry helps you avoid costly mistakes and get better returns from your budget.
What to Avoid in PPC
Even a good campaign can go wrong if you’re not careful. Here are some common mistakes:
- Too many broad keywords: You’ll get clicks from people who aren’t a good fit.
- Not checking mobile design: Most people use their phones.
- No testing: You won’t know what’s working if you don’t test different ads.
- One-size-fits-all ads: Use different messages for new vs. returning visitors.
- Bad landing pages: If your page is confusing or slow, people will leave.
Avoiding these mistakes will save money and improve your results.
Final Thoughts: PPC in Digital Marketing Works When Done Right
There’s a reason so many businesses use PPC in digital marketing—it brings in traffic fast and lets you reach exactly the people you want.
But to succeed, you need more than just money—you need a good strategy.
Use the tips in this post to:
- Set clear goals
- Pick the right keywords
- Write strong ads
- Track and test your results
- Improve your landing pages
And remember, tools like the Copify website can help with content and copy that improves your PPC campaigns.
So if you’re ready to take your PPC to the next level, focus on the right practices, avoid common mistakes, and keep optimizing for success.