There are a few things that you want to keep in mind before starting any kind of Google Adwords PPC campaign. First off, this post is not designed to baby step you through the Google Adwords PPC management system, but rather my intent is to help you avoid a few pitfalls that most beginners experience. After you’ve used the Google Adwords Keyword Tool to conduct your keyword research, you’ll want to use these keywords to specify keywords for your ad campaign. Make sure you realize if you’re looking at broad, phrase or exact keyword phrase matches and bidding accordingly.

To specify an exact keyword phrase match, list your keyword phrase as such: [keyword phrase]

The brackets will signify that you wish to bid on this exact keyword phrase and not some derivative phrase or phrase containing this phrase. If you want to target a general phrase that may be contained within another phrase, simply add quotes as such: “keyword phrase”

If you don’t use brackets [] or quotes “” to target your phrase you will be targeting a broad match. Broad match keyword phrases will be less specific and you can easily go through a lot of PPC money with little return.

This is lesson number one for PPC management. Expect more great, somewhat obvious tips to come.

Over the past week or so I’ve noticed an upgraded feature to the Google Checkout badge for Google Adwords ads in the SERPs (search engine results pages). It seems that you can now offer discounts to your customers for using Google Checkout to add a big, bright orange discount component to your Google Checkout badge.

Google Adwords, Checkout Badge

You may also notice that the second listing on page one of Google’s organic listings is my client, Dr. Todd. DrTodds.com offers a complete line of foot care products. There’s my plug of the week.