Simple strategies to boost your Google Ads click-through rate
If you’re running Google Ads, you probably know that getting people to click on your ads is super important. Working out how many people are doing this after seeing your ad is called a click-through rate (CTR). Higher CTRs are the goal of every digital marketer.
But how do you get more people to click? Let's look into some super simple steps anyone can follow.
First, what’s click-through rate (CTR) anyway?
CTR is just a fancy way of saying how often people click on your ad compared to how many times it’s shown. Imagine your ad pops up 100 times, and 10 people click on it — that gives you a CTR of 10%. Easy, right?
A higher CTR is like getting a thumbs-up from your audience. It shows that your ad is relevant and interesting, which can help your ad show up more often, cost you less per click, and drive stronger results in your campaign overall.
Why should you care about CTR?
A good CTR is not just a regular digital marketing goal, it has a broad affect on how you will perform overall. For example:
Better ad placement: The higher your CTR, the better your ad will rank in Google Ads and the more it will show in Social Media. This means more people will see it.
Lower costs: A good CTR can lower your costs because Google and Meta as an example like to reward ads that people click on.
More conversions: More clicks usually mean more chances to turn those clicks into customers or leads.
But don’t get too carried away—lots of clicks don’t always mean lots of sales. So, it’s important to make sure the people clicking on your ad are the right people.
Easy ways to improve your CTR
Now, let’s talk about some simple strategies you can use to get more clicks on your Google Ads.
1. Pick the right targeting
Start by making sure you’re targeting the right people. On Google Ads this is about using the right keywords — those words or phrases people are typing into Google when they’re ready to buy something. Focus on specific, intent-driven keywords (like “best running shoes” instead of just “shoes”). For social media platforms, that’s about finding the right interests or using data lists to run lookalike targeting.
2. Use negative keywords
On Google Ads negative keywords are words you don’t want your ad to show up for. For example, if you sell new furniture, you might want to add “used” as a negative keyword. This way, people looking for used furniture won’t see your ad, saving you from paying for clicks that won’t lead to a sale.
3. Write clear and catchy ad copy
Your ad copy (the text in your ad) should be simple, clear, and to the point. Here’s how to do it:
Be direct: Tell people exactly what you’re offering.
Include a call to action: Use phrases like “Shop Now” or “Get a Free Quote” to encourage people to take action, whichever action you might want them to take.
Highlight deals: If you’re offering a discount or free shipping, say so right in the headline.
As always, consider your brand tone and voice when writing any copy and tailor it to the platform you’re running activity on.
4. Make use of dynamic keyword insertion
This is a tactic for Google Ads, and is just a fancy way of automatically adding the searcher’s exact words into your ad copy. It can make your ad feel more personal and relevant, which can lead to more clicks. Just don’t overdo it—too much can make your ad look a bit awkward.
5. Add ad extensions
Ad extensions are extra bits of information you can add to your ad, like your phone number, additional links to your site, or even customer reviews. They make your ad bigger and more informative, which can lead to more clicks.
6. Test different ad versions
Don’t just stick with one version of your ad—try out different headlines, text, and calls to action to see what works best. Google and social platforms will help by showing the better-performing ads more often, so use the data to make informed choices.
7. Use a keyword in your display URL
The display URL is the web address shown in your ad. Including a keyword here can reassure people that your ad is relevant to what they’re searching for, making them more likely to click.
8. Increase your bids for better placement
If your ads aren’t getting enough visibility, consider increasing your bids on Google Ads. Higher bids can get your ad into better positions, like the top of the page, which usually leads to more clicks.
9. Pause underperforming ads
Regularly check which ads aren’t doing well and pause them. This allows you to focus your budget on the ads that are getting clicks and bringing in results.
10. Make sure your landing page matches your ad
When someone clicks on your ad, they should be taken to a landing page that delivers what the ad promised. If your landing page doesn’t match up, people might leave without doing anything, which wastes your clicks and decreases your overall performance. Google and social platforms know if someone goes to a website and leaves immediately, and they penalise you for it.
11. Keep testing and tweaking
Finally, keep testing different strategies and tweaking your ads based on what’s working and what’s not. Google Ads is all about learning and adapting.
Improving your CTR isn’t just about getting more clicks—it’s about getting the right clicks from the right people. By following these simple tips, you can make sure your Google Ads are doing exactly what you want them to do: bringing in traffic that turns into customers. So go ahead, start experimenting, and watch your CTR climb!
