Yesterday I wrote about Broad Match versus Narrow Match in AdWords. Today I will offer what on the surface may seem like an obvious and simplistic suggestion.

Part Three of “AdWords for Newbies” is about the competition and what it can do to help you get started.

Before you start setting up campaigns, look at what the competition is doing. Look at their ad copy, their display URL, and see how everything works together.  What caused their ad to stand out?  Would YOU click it?  What can you learn from each ad?

Yahoo has a tool that allows you check out the other ads while you are doing you own within the interface.  With Google, you have to do an old-fashioned search.  Of course, focus on the ads at the top…those are doing the best.

Remember though that researching the competition does not end when you launch the campaign.  It should be done at least quarterly, if not monthly, for your major keywords.  There are always new  (and often better) fish in the sea, so don’t get complacent about checking up on them.

Your competition can be your most valuable learning tool.  While I certainly NOT advocating copying them (please, don’t do that, it’s just wrong), you can certainly get some good ideas of your own from them.

Previous Posts in This Series:

Part One - Getting Started with AdWords

Part Two - Broad Match vs. Narrow Match