ulateYou know you’ve seen them…those “Sponsored” ads and pictures that pop up and flood the page whenever you use Google to search for a product. Referred to as PPC (pay-per-click) ads, these are in fact Google’s top source of revenue—so you can rest assured they’re here to stay.

Although this is yet another marketing tool at your disposal, PPC ads may or may not be right for you. Check out these benefits of PPC advertising so you can decide whether or not they make sense for your business.

You Can Get Business Now

It can take anywhere from weeks, to months, to a year (likely 6-12 months) before revenue from your inbound marketing efforts begins hitting your bank account. With PPC—on the other hand—you only need to perform some research and execute administrative tasks to get started. It is in fact possible to launch these campaigns within days after signing a contract, though exact timing depends on how quickly your vendor can get you up and running.

You Don’t Need a Massive Budget to Start, But…

Yes, it’s true: you can dive into PPC advertising with a few hundred bucks and see immediate leads. However, Google’s Quality Score dictates you tread carefully: weighing factors such as the quality of your landing page and how relevant your ads and keywords are to the person viewing your ad. The higher the score, the less you pay per click. The lower your score, the more you pay.

With this in mind, it’s important to establish a thoughtful ad and landing page so you can nab those leads. Remember to slow down and avoid mistakes, however, or you could cost yourself money.

You Can Compete with the Big Dogs…

…For at least some keywords anyway. The cost per click ranges from a few cents to dozens of dollars for terms such as “auto insurance quote.” Lower-cost keywords, nevertheless, mean you can compete with industry leaders early and often: even if it’s just you working alone from your basement or apartment.

Increase Your Local Visibility

If you’re a local business, you can pre-qualify traffic based on location. This helps ensure you’ll immediately drive the right people to your site. When people search using local terms, they’ll also see your ads and therefore generate heightened awareness of your brand in your local area.

Keep Control of Your Budget

Although PPC costs can accumulate quickly, daily limits ensure you won’t exceed your budget. In doing so, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of local advertising without worrying about unexpected costs.

So, Is PPC Right for You?

New to online marketing? PPC can help you enjoy a big boost right from the get-go. And if you already engage in online marketing practices, it provides a great strategy to diversify your marketing efforts.

Keep these benefits in mind when assessing if PPC is right for your business either now or in the future.