Google Product Studio is now available within Google Business Profiles. This allows you to edit the background scenes of your products within your local listing using Google’s AI features. Product studio is already available within Google services including Google Merchant Center and Google Ads, and is now available within Google Business Profiles.
More details. Google community manager, Kara, posted about this news in the Google Business Profile forums and wrote:
“We’re excited to announce that you can now change the background scene of your product with Product Studio, a generative AI tool which helps you create engaging imagery to showcase your products.”
Here is what the feature looks like in my account – it says “Transform your product images with Al Quickly generate lifestyle scenes. To get started, upload a product image and select a theme.”
How it works. Google has a more detailed help document on this feature over here but here is how to quickly access this feature in your Business Profile.
To generate a scene for your product, click Edit productsGet started.
Select the image you want to edit.
Wait until the background from your image is removed.
Select a theme for your product.
Choose a generated image from the editor.
If you’re satisfied with the image, click Add image to product.
You’ll receive a confirmation to save the image, click OK.
Once you saved the generated image for your product, from the product editor:
Fill out the fields in the form.
To submit your product, click Publish.
US only. Google did not that “Only merchants in the US can use scene generation in product editor.” Google added, “When you use Product Studio, you agree to the Terms of Service (TOS).”
Why we care. If you manage products within your Google Business Profile account, quickly being able to make those products look more appealing to searchers might be a great thing to increase conversions and sales. Of course, you want to make sure you are happy with how Google’s AI improves your images and only accept changes that you feel will make a positive change to those images.
https://i0.wp.com/dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/gbp-product-studio-ai-xRAKWC.png?fit=1382%2C1678&ssl=116781382http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-02-03 12:29:152025-02-03 12:29:15Product studio now available within Google Business Profiles
Your prospects don’t want to buy SEO—they want to buy results.
I learned this the hard way.
After years of trial and error, I found a system. It consistently delivers what people want: more customers, revenue, and growth.
In fact, I’ve maintained a 75% close rate by focusing on one thing: demonstrating value before asking for the sale.
Think about it:
AI advancements. Nontraditional search results. Constant algorithm shifts.
SEO looks different every year. But these changes have made skilled SEOs more valuable than ever.
In this guide, you’ll learn my exact process for selling SEO services, backed by insights from industry veterans who’ve closed millions in SEO deals.
1. Prepare Your Sales Toolkit
As the saying goes, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
In other words, don’t wing it.
Sure, you can eventually throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks.
But if you want to successfully sell SEO services, you’ll need a few essentials.
Build Trust with Case Studies
Case studies are your bread and butter of selling.
They’re proof you know what you’re doing and an opportunity to show exactly what you can accomplish for your clients.
The key is to be specific.
You didn’t just increase demo requests.
You grew inbound leads by 40% with conversion-focused content marketing.
See the difference?
The more detail you provide, the easier it is for clients to envision these results for themselves.
And the likelier they are to trust you.
It’s especially helpful if you have a case study that addresses each client’s specific needs.
Kevin Indig, a growth advisor who has worked with companies like Nextdoor, Dropbox, Hims, and Reddit, believes there’s nothing more powerful than demonstrating real results.
Build out references and projects you can showcase. Very early on, it’s important to be able to show what the work for a client could look like at the hand of a live example.
If you’ve done it for someone else, you can do it for them, too.
Another perk?
Case studies are versatile.
Present them during client calls to get buy-in.
And highlight them on your site for prospects to read.
Pro tip: New to SEO? Exchange free or discounted SEO work for case studies and testimonials. For example, offer a free technical audit to a small business. Once they start seeing results, ask if you can document their success story.
Collect High-Impact Testimonials
Case studies are great.
But testimonials hit differently.
Why?
Because they come directly from your happy clients.
When clients explain the impact you’ve had on their business, it boosts your credibility with prospects.
So, let them be your ambassadors.
Follow these steps to collect testimonials:
Text or email clients a short feedback form
Ask them to share specific results (metrics help)
Keep it simple: “What was your biggest win from working with us?”
Offer to draft it for them (just get their approval)
Even better: Ask for a video testimonial.
If clients are willing to have their face and brand associated with your business, that’s a ringing endorsement.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
No matter how you collect the testimonial, what matters most is that it comes from a reputable person in the company.
Aim for a VP of marketing or founder for the most significant impact.
Pro tip: Place your best testimonials on high-traffic pages, such as pricing, services, and contact pages. Highlight them in post-discovery call emails and on social media to seal the deal.
Create a Lead Qualification System
Time is money.
Don’t waste it on unqualified leads.
Before you even have a first call with your prospects, ensure they fit your ideal client profile (ICP).
Make sure they:
Are the right type of company you want to work with
Are actually in need of your services
Aren’t looking to just sell you on something (it happens more often than you think)
Pro tip: Asking for project details is usually the best way to qualify a lead. It also helps you set expectations for your role and prepare for the initial discovery call. This way, you come to the meeting with a personalized approach that reflects what they actually need and explains how you can help.
So, how do you have a qualifying process before a prospect even reaches out to you?
Your contact form is your best friend here.
Add qualifying questions that will tell you from the get-go if this lead has potential.
Here’s what your contact form should ask:
Budget range
Services they need
Project details
How they found you
In my experience, the responses will tell you whether they’re a legitimate lead 95% of the time.
Once you control a niche, whether B2B SaaS, home care, or legal SEO, it will be much easier to grow from there.
I learned that the hard way when I first started posting on LinkedIn.
My niche and SEO posts were too broad.
The posts helped grow my followers quickly but not my revenue.
The majority of my followers were SEOs, not my actual ideal client profile.
So, I wasn’t generating leads.
That changed pretty quickly after I nailed down my niche.
After focusing my posts on B2B SaaS to help target my ICP—marketing VPs—I saw better results.
Instead of competing with every SEO agency out there, I have an easier time being seen by my ICP.
Plus, they know my services are designed specifically for them.
Another important decision will be how you want to structure your services.
Kevin recommends creating a clear distinction between freelancer and consultant work.
You need to know very clearly whether you want to do the work (freelancer) or guide/advise (advisor). Early on, I did a lot of the leg work because that’s where I felt most comfortable, but that didn’t match the advisor prices I charged and wasn’t what I actually wanted to do.
So, it’s important to know what work you want to do and where you can provide the biggest impact. If you want to advise, don’t agree to do any busy work. Focus on the strategy.
You’ll likely have to learn your preferences by trial and error at first.
But don’t be afraid to adjust if you have to.
Choose Your Pricing Model
Like your services, you’ll want to have your pricing figured out upfront, too.
This works well for a few reasons:
You understand your worth before going into a client call
You can use it to qualify leads before they reach out
Clients pay a fixed monthly fee for ongoing SEO work. You commit to a set number of hours each month.
Next, there’s package pricing.
This is what I use. Clients can choose from different packages that best suit their needs for SEO.
Here’s how I structure it:
SEO audit: $1,500
SEO consulting: $2,000
Fractional SEO: $3,500
Full management SEO: $6,000
Your third option is value-based pricing.
It’s riskier but can pay off big. You set goal targets with clients and get bonus compensation when you hit them.
Finally, there’s hourly pricing.
You bill based on actual time spent on SEO tasks. This is great for one-off projects.
Pro tip: Price your services based on value. Low rates might seem like a path to more clients, but they can attract lower-quality clients. My highest-paying clients are always my best clients—they pay on time, are pleasant to work with, and trust my expertise.
Keep in mind that every model is dependent on what works for you.
I’m personally a big fan of package pricing.
But that’s because I want my work to prioritize value over output.
Successful SEO sales require a reliable lead-generation system.
Here’s how I use both inbound and outbound marketing to build a steady stream of qualified prospects.
Inbound Prospects
Inbound marketing is the process of creating valuable content that attracts potential customers to your site when they’re actively looking for solutions.
This is the channel I’m most familiar with.
And the one that provides the most long-term value.
With inbound, you can build a long-term community that’s invested in your brand and create a stronger pipeline for leads at a much lower acquisition cost.
So, how do you find high-quality leads? It depends on your services and industry.
Personally, I’ve found the most success with:
SEO: Targeting high-intent searches coming directly from my audience
Reddit: Answering questions on subreddits where my ICP is
YouTube: Creating videos that help my audience overcome industry challenges. Works great for repurposing content, too.
Email marketing: Nurturing my email audience by sending them highly valuable content directly to their inbox
LinkedIn: Posting thought leadership content that establishes me as an expert within my field
As you can see, organic search and social are among my top traffic sources:
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When you’re starting out, I recommend playing around with each channel.
Once you find the channel that works, double down on it.
Pro tip: Don’t stretch yourself too thin. If you’re solo, it’s better to comfortably handle one or two channels than struggle with five. The goal is to build a community interested in your brand through quality content—not spam your audience.
Outbound Prospects
Outbound marketing is when you reach out to prospects through various methods rather than waiting for them to find you.
While I’m pro inbound marketing, it can be inconsistent.
Outbound can make up for that.
There are a few different ways you can target outbound prospects.
For example, I use a template similar to this to reach out to potential prospects through email:
Hi [Name],I noticed [company name]‘s content showing up for [specific keyword] but ranking on page 2. Looking at your competitors [(Competitor 1)] and [(Competitor 2)], there’s a clear opportunity to capture more organic traffic with some technical improvements.
I’ve helped other [industry] companies like [reference company] improve their search visibility and recently published a case study breaking down the exact process we used to increase their organic traffic by [X]%.
Would you be interested in seeing the case study? It includes specific tactics you could implement, whether you work with us or not.
Either way, I’ve also spotted a few quick SEO wins for your site that I’m happy to share.
Best, [Your name]
You can also use LinkedIn for outreach, but don’t expect to take the same approach as email.
Focus on social selling.
Interact with your ICP and find something in common with them.
Then, reach out to them.
Don’t treat them as just another automated message.
Focus on building an actual relationship with them.
Then, once the time is right, see if they’d be open to a coffee chat.
Ask if they’re facing any challenges with SEO and offer advice on how to help.
Chances are, they might just be willing to delegate that to you, anyway.
But when you’re deciding which marketing channels to use, I recommend this approach:
Pro tip: Blend one outbound channel with one inbound. Outbound brings quick wins, while inbound builds long-term success. Together, they offer a balance of quick wins and sustainable growth for long-term success.
3. Offer Strategy Calls
This step is often called a “discovery call.”
But I recommend using strategy call instead.
Why?
Well, you want to demonstrate perceived value before prospects even contact you—an additional incentive for them to take that next step.
And “strategy” implies they’ll get something tangible out of this call.
For example, point out issues they can fix right after the call. It’s an easy way to show you’re invested in them and have done your research.
Use this call to discuss your services and offer a glimpse into what working with you looks like to see the best conversion rates.
Learn More About Your Prospect
Use the first call strictly as a way to understand the company and what’s currently going on with its marketing efforts.
I even recommend using a questionnaire to help you run through the call.
I usually ask these questions to help prepare myself for the SEO audit in the next step.
But prospects also appreciate that you seem invested in their company.
You’re obviously not just pitching yourself and are actively looking to learn more about them—something that’s often rare during the discovery phase.
Focus on Early Wins
Here’s a persuasive tactic: Give prospects actionable tips during the call.
Point out easy fixes they’ve missed to highlight your expertise and prove your worth.
For example:
“I noticed your product pages aren’t targeting money keywords. Here’s a quick fix that could boost your traffic…”
Or
“I researched some easy keywords you’d be able to rank for quickly. This includes…”
This gives prospects a reason to develop early trust with you.
This is something my friend Jacob Statler, founder of Stat Digital, highly recommends doing:
Show your prospects how you can get them quick wins that tie back to revenue. If possible, get them a win before working together during the sales process.
SEOs often give away high-level audits that they auto-generated with a tool, but these are usually not very actionable. I like to create mini-action plans of easy-to-implement opportunities. This builds trust and shows competency.
And if that quick win translates to results, all the better for you.
Highlight What Their Competitors Are Doing
This is such an underrated strategy.
If you think I’m joking, try it out for yourself.
I’ve been stumped before getting clients to commit to something.
But the moment I mention a direct competitor doing something they aren’t, they get tunnel vision.
This includes:
Their competitors’ top traffic channels
Articles their competitors have that they don’t
Articles their competitors created against them (this is my go-to if a client is ever opposed to creating alternative or category content)
It’s almost an immediate way to motivate your prospects, especially if you’re facing early resistance to a tactic you’re recommending.
Pro tip: Always lock in the audit with a hard date. Leaving the audit timeline open is a deal-killer. I schedule the audit presentation right after the discovery call. Vague follow-ups kill momentum.
Position the Audit as a Roadmap, Not a Selling Technique
Audits are my secret sauce for selling SEO services.
Why do they work so well?
I go above and beyond. While others send automated reports, I tailor each audit to my client.
This means I:
Never use a template; I always start fresh
Look at their product/offering/industry/ICP to put together my recommendations
Focus on specific tactics that drive value and have an expected outcome
I’ve found it not only gets additional buy-in but also keeps leads moving through the pipeline.
Once prospects see the issues affecting their site, they’re way more motivated to get started with services.
But this isn’t a selling technique.
If clients see the audit as a pitch, then you’re just another company pitching them.
When you position your audit as a roadmap, it’s much easier to present a legitimate vision for the client.
Ben Goodey, founder of the SEO growth agency Spicy Margarita, agrees that leading with value is essential.
My top advice for those looking to sell SEO? Know your audience doesn’t want to buy SEO. They’re business owners or team leaders who want to buy results—that is what you should focus on selling.
In my experience closing clients, the more freely you share your “how,” the more trust and enthusiasm you build with a client. So, share your tactics openly—people are typically willing to take a risk working with you if you’re an expert.
The idea is that the audit should be so helpful prospects can take the information and use it on their own.
“But why would you do that?”
Sure, it sounds like it wouldn’t make sense. But think about most companies that lack internal marketing teams.
Most of the time, they don’t want to handle marketing and SEO themselves.
They would rather outsource it to another team.
So, even though they COULD take the audit and run, chances are they’d rather have someone else manage it anyway.
Plus, if they do decide to move forward, it shows their level of trust in what you’re proposing.
Which is a great sign for longer-term engagements.
If you didn’t schedule the audit at the end of your strategy call, use this template to follow up by email:
Subject: Next Steps – [Company Name] SEO Strategy
Hi [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to discuss [Company Name]‘s SEO goals today. I wanted to follow up with a quick summary of what we covered and outline our next steps.
Your main goal: [specific goal mentioned in call]
Current challenges: [1-2 key challenges mentioned]
Priority areas: [2-3 areas of focus]
During our call, I noticed [specific quick win mentioned during call]. You can implement this immediately by [brief actionable step].
Next, I’ll prepare a comprehensive SEO audit for your site. Are you available to review the findings on [scheduled date/time]?
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Best,
[Your name]
Build a Reliable Stack for Conducting Your Audits
I keep my tech stack pretty consistent for most audits.
The ones I find helpful and recommend using are:
Google Search Console: Find crawling/indexing issues, quick SEO wins, and potential content topics
Screaming Frog: Uncover large-scale technical issues like missing canonicals or JavaScript issues
Google Analytics 4: Extremely useful if a client has set up conversion tracking. See what pages have previously driven conversions and how you can double down on that.
Semrush site auditing features: Identify housekeeping items to take care of, such as orphan pages, broken links, and redirect chains
Focus on Value, Value, Value
When you’re delivering the audit, focus on value.
And I don’t mean to just stuff it with data and overwhelm the client.
Remember: This is also for you, not just the client.
I find it helpful to start with an overall strategy, like how I’ll increase revenue by X% through SEO.
Then, I recommend SEO tactics that will help the client achieve the goal.
But this isn’t the time to be vague—I show exactly how I’ll hit that number.
When you start with a goal, the client has an easier time understanding what you’re recommending and why.
So, let’s say the goal for a B2B SaaS company is to increase demos and freemium signups through SEO.
A content roadmap based on topics that would drive leads
Side note: There will be times when clients still choose not to work with you despite all your work—and that’s okay. As long as your overall close rate increases, that’s all that matters.
5. Send a Proposal or SOW
Now comes the easiest part.
Sending out the SEO proposal or statement of work (SOW).
If you ran your audit properly and the client showed interest in what you had to say, the proposal should be a piece of cake.
Still, there are a few things to keep in mind during this step of the process.
Include Audit Findings
For the beginning of the proposal, include findings from the audit.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.
I usually use:
Google Docs for the template
Canva for custom graphics
Data screenshots if I have access to GA4 and GSC
Google Sheets if forecasting is involved
You’ll want to touch on the recommended priority tactics and how you’ll approach them.
You can also include a monthly timetable to visualize how you would structure each month of the engagement.
For me, it usually looks like this:
Month 1: Start with conversion rate optimization, technical SEO, optimizing your product pages, going after quick wins, and taking care of any on-page housekeeping
Month 2: Continue going after quick wins, start building out BoFu content
Month 3: Continue creating BoFu content, creating link assets, and backlink opportunities
Month 4-6: Build out a solid profile of MoFu content, continue going after quick wins
Help your clients understand how you’ll approach each month for the engagement.
This way, they’ll have a better reference point for understanding what you’ll be working on.
The success behind selling SEO comes from value, trust, and transparency.
Don’t neglect any of them.
Highlight Your Goals/Strategy/KPIs
This will be similar to what you did for the audit but in more detail.
First, lay them out as a goals section.
Then, explain specifically how you’re going to work towards those goals.
Here’s an example of what this looks like on my proposals:
Now, let’s break this process down.
First, I summarize each goal:
“Goal #1: Increase the quantity and quality of demo requests and signups coming from SEO.”
Then, I add more detail to show I understand what success looks like:
“The main goal of this engagement will be to increase the quantity and quality of leads from SEO (and other channels). We’ll want to establish a benchmark for demo requests/signups and then measure that against the performance of the engagement.”
Finally, I outline my action plan:
“To do this, I’ll help your team focus on sales enablement content that can help convince users to take that next step. This will also involve building out bottom-of-funnel traffic that can bring in qualified users who are in the market for your type of product.”
I also include a section that discusses the main opportunity behind the project.
What’s the ultimate value that’s going to come out of this engagement?
I’ll often structure it similarly to the goals listed above.
But it’s usually a more general overview of the project as a whole.
I generally save specific KPIs for the actual onboarding meeting (once they’ve signed the proposal), but I’ll usually have a section in the proposal that looks like this:
So, there are no specific percentages tied to those KPIs, just what we’ll be prioritizing.
Detail Contract Terms (Make Them Fair to the Prospect)
Ahh, the contract terms.
The fun part.
I highly recommend working with a lawyer on this one.
Your contract terms will be pretty consistent across most proposals, but they should be fair to you and the prospect.
The lawyer can help you put terms in place that safeguard you and your business during any engagement.
As for the actual general terms, I recommend including:
The hard start date so both parties can prepare appropriately
The length of the engagement so clients know how much to budget for
The pricing terms and dates
If the contract is rolling, month to month, or a fixed date project
The flexibility of the contract, meaning if clients are locked in or able to cancel at any time
Once you have that set, all you need now is a signature.
Then, you’re basically ready to get started with your client.
Bonus Tips to Keep in Mind When Selling SEO Services
Are you tired of hearing me talk yet?
I hope not.
I have some bonus tips that will help you refine your selling approach and close more leads.
Master the Follow-Up
My personal motto is simple:
Keep following up until you get a response.
Why?
Most leads won’t respond on the first try. Or the second. Or even the third.
So, reach out to prospects once a week to see where they are in the process.
This is where your CRM becomes your best friend.
It helps you:
Track when you last reached out
Set follow-up reminders
Note any previous interactions
Monitor prospect engagement
But here’s the catch:
This aggressive follow-up strategy works best with warm prospects.
Cold prospects? Not so much.
I won’t tell you to annoy your prospects.
But don’t be shy, either.
Use Traditional Sales Psychology
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m extremely grateful for that Sales 101 class I took in college.
I might’ve treated it as a joke in college, but that class has helped me drive thousands in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) just by using traditional sales techniques.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a schmoozer by any means whatsoever.
But psychologist Robert Cialdini’s principles of persuasion work extremely well throughout this entire process:
Reciprocity
People feel compelled to return favors, which is why free audits work so well.
When someone gives us something, we instinctively want to reciprocate.
Not in a manipulative way but as a natural response to receiving something valuable.
This subtle tactic can help you turn prospects into clients.
Social Proof
Your reputation is one of your greatest sales tools.
People want reassurance that they’re making the right choice—especially for something as important as SEO.
You can pitch yourself all you want, but if you don’t have any proof of results, why should they believe you?
The more people who vouch for you, the more people will trust you.
This could be:
Case studies
Brands you’ve worked with
Testimonials
Whatever it is, let your existing/previous clients be your most vocal supporters.
Authority
Establishing authority is huge for building trust.
When people see you as an authority in your field, they’re more likely to trust what you have to say.
As a solo consultant, I’m not interested in scaling to take on unlimited client profiles.
I want a small batch of handpicked SEO clients who are invested in working with me.
Usually, this comes out to five to 10 monthly clients based on the scope of services.
If I stretch myself too thin, I can’t give every client the attention they deserve.
So, if I have multiple prospects who are interested in that last position, my availability becomes scarce.
And as my scarcity increases, pricing can follow.
That’s not to say you should have leads fight over that last spot.
But it is something to mention to your prospects, as it can make you seem like a more desirable candidate.
Keep Leads Interested
While each hard-set date will help keep prospects interested, they can still get distracted.
Other agencies may poach them, they can get pulled in new directions, or their schedule may become too tight.
Even the slightest hesitation can derail your efforts.
So, beyond moving them throughout the sales process, you can keep them interested in a few ways.
Post Client Wins on LinkedIn
Case studies work.
We know this.
But it’s another thing to put it out there for everyone to see–especially when you can use it as an opportunity to explain that case study in detail.
It also makes you way more desirable, so it might even trigger FOMO for them if they feel like others might reach out to you because of that case study.
Even from one case study post, I had three to four qualified leads reach out.
Provide a Reference from a Previous Client
This shows a huge amount of transparency that is surprisingly rare.
Even before they ask, offer them a client referral from a similar industry.
Focus on the Relationship, Not the Sale
People buy from individuals they trust, not just from salespeople.
Especially in the early stages, when a prospect can easily move on to another offering, you can keep yourself memorable by focusing on developing a relationship.
Be likable.
Be funny.
Be authentic.
Be personal.
Go beyond just being seen as an SEO provider.
Treat every prospect as an opportunity to develop valuable relationships, not generate sales.
And even if the lead falls through, that relationship still has value.
It can lead to future opportunities like a referral or a personal connection request.
Even if that lead doesn’t work out, it’s still an opportunity to expand your network for future opportunities.
Sell SEO Services Like a Pro
Selling in SEO is just a matter of delivering early value to your prospect.
I’m not even a salesperson.
I’m just an SEO who had to force myself to learn sales.
And honestly, if I can do it, you can do it, too.
Learn how to translate the value of your work into a language your prospects understand.
Now that you know how to sell SEO services, you can start landing clients more consistently.
But first, make sure you have the right tools to deliver the results your clients deserve.
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Google acknowledged that Performance Max (PMax) campaigns can be controlled through API placement exclusions — contradicting months of its own documentation and support guidance, according to new research from ad tech firm Optmyzr.
This revelation gives advertisers more programmatic control over their PMax campaigns than previously thought possible, potentially saving significant time and resources in campaign management.
The big picture. Performance Max campaigns, Google’s AI-driven ad format, have been a source of frustration for advertisers seeking more granular control over where their ads appear.
By the numbers. Optmyzr ran an experiment, running from Dec. 30 to Jan. 21. It showed:
Zero ad spend on excluded placements after implementing API controls.
Complete effectiveness of API-based exclusions, despite Google’s previous claims.
Faster implementation compared to manual UI controls.
Behind the scenes. Google’s documentation and AI help center had explicitly stated that placement exclusions would only work through their user interface, not via API.
Multiple support channels reinforced this incorrect guidance.
What they’re saying. Following the experiment, Google admitted that placement exclusions work through both the API and UI as we see in this response from Ginny Marvin, Google Ads Liaison:
Why we care. Performance Max campaigns represent a significant portion of many advertisers’ Google Ads spend, but the lack of control over where ads appear has been a major pain point. This situation also highlights a broader point: you shouldn’t take platform limitations as gospel, even when they come directly from Google. Testing and verification could reveal hidden capabilities that provide competitive advantages.
Bottom line. This discovery highlights a broader issue in ad tech: platform documentation doesn’t always reflect actual capabilities, requiring advertisers to actively test and verify functionality.
What’s next. As advertisers, you should:
Review your PMax campaign controls.
Consider implementing API-based exclusions for more efficient management.
Maintain active oversight despite automated controls.
Confidently question capabilities they may have strong reason to believe isn’t true.
Between the lines. The finding suggests other undocumented capabilities might exist across Google’s ad platforms, encouraging advertisers to question and test official limitations.
https://i0.wp.com/dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/google-ads-api-support-response-ZWcfTm.png?fit=1001%2C366&ssl=13661001http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-01-28 18:39:262025-01-28 18:39:26Google reverses stance on Performance Max campaign controls
Valentine’s Day is an interesting shopping event for ecommerce stores. Customers are looking for gifts that help express their love for one another, with flowers, jewelry, and other interesting options. It’s a great opportunity to attract and convert online shoppers. Here are some SEO tips to help make the most of your Valentine’s Day sale!
As with most sales, you need to plan ahead. Begin planning your Valentine’s Day SEO strategy as early as possible. Ideally, you’d start several months in advance. Research keywords related to Valentine’s Day and your industry to see what comes up. When the sale comes, you’ll be inspired and have new ways to promote your products. If you set up gift guide pages, do so in advance so search engines have enough time to index your pages. This increases your chance to rank when the shopping rush begins.
Create a landing page specifically for your Valentine’s Day sale. Use it to highlight your best deals and popular items that make great gifts. Keep the URL simple and undated so that you can update and reuse it yearly. This approach helps you build SEO value over time while keeping backlinks intact. It also makes your seasonal campaigns easier to manage in the future.
It doesn’t have to be just jewelry or flowers; there are plenty of interesting gift options, like tea
Optimize your product pages
Your product pages will probably see the most traffic and conversions, so be sure to optimize them. Use proper related keywords in the places where they make sense, but don’t overdo it. For example, instead of “Rose bouquet,” try “Classic rose bouquet for Valentine’s Day.” Yoast SEO for Shopify or WooCommerce SEO can help you do this.
Consider conveying that your products are made with a good heart without relying on traditional red heart symbolism. This could involve creative descriptions, imagery, or design elements that convey a sense of warmth, kindness, and generosity without being overtly literal.
As always, add high-quality images to your sales pages with descriptive alt-text, such as “red roses for Valentine’s Day delivery.” This will make your product pages more accessible and understandable for search engines. If you sell jewelry, create specific pages with phrases like “Valentine’s Day jewelry sale.”
When you have options to deliver your product, include the final delivery date in your communication to build trust and ensure customers receive their items on time.
Lego published a great gift guide on its site, including great images and content
Create gift guides and seasonal content
Content marketing drives traffic to your site. Good content can help shoppers find the perfect gift. For SEO purposes, Valentine’s Day gift guides can serve well. Make guides like “Top 10 gifts for her” or “Romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day.” In these guides, link to the proper product pages to make it easy for shoppers to buy the listed products.
Keywords like “Unique Valentine’s Day gift” or “Valentine’s Day flower delivery” work well in blog content. There are plenty of relevant content ideas. For instance, you could create themed infographics or videos to share on social media.
Focus on local SEO for delivery or pick-up
Is your business locally oriented, and do you offer local delivery or in-store pick-up? Optimize your sales for local searches! Edit your Google Business Profile and add details about your Valentine’s Day sales, opening hours, and local delivery options. Don’t forget to use location-specific keywords in your content.
Build a bond with your customers and encourage them to leave reviews. Positive reviews are an important part of building your local business. Use local SEO properly to attract customers needing last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts or same-day delivery.
Use social media and influencers
Social media is a great tool for promoting your Valentine’s Day deals. Remember to post appealing images of your products, such as flower arrangements, gift boxes, or jewelry. Depending on your business, Instagram and Facebook are especially good for showcasing your Valentine’s gifts. You might even try TikTok if you’re good at video content. TikTok even published a guide to help you with your Valentine’s Day sale.
Remember to think about influencers who like your brand. Influencers can create authentic content to drive traffic to your site. Be sure to include special offers to make them actionable.
Use user-generated content
Social media is also a great place to encourage customers to share their Valentine’s Day experiences with your products. Ask them to post photos of the gifts they purchased, the stories of how they were received, or even a review of the experience of buying from your store. You could even create a branded hashtag and promote it in your social media and email campaigns.
As your website is the focal point, remember to add these posts to it. User-generated content helps build trust and acts as social proof. It’s great for potential customers to see that other customers have had an excellent experience with your business. Seeing happy customers share photos of their Valentine’s Day flower arrangements or jewelry gifts can help others do the same. In addition, you are creating a human connection with your customers.
Run exclusive Valentine’s Day promotions
It’s not just about inspiring customers to want to buy but also about getting them to buy it. Special offers help shoppers complete that last step. Create urgency with limited-time deals, such as “20% off Valentine’s Day gifts for 48 hours.” You can also offer free shipping or discounts on bundles for couples.
Don’t forget to use your email newsletters to announce these promotions. Write subject lines like “Valentine’s Day sale — Shop the perfect gift now” to grab attention and get clicks to your site.
For a jewelry store, this is always a busy time, so it needs to come prepared
Add festive details to your website
A subtle way to get shoppers in the mood for Valentine’s Day is to add small festive design elements to your store. For example, you can update banners, landing pages, and CTA buttons with a subtle Valentine’s theme, such as hearts or pink and red color schemes. But be sure to keep it subtle.
You can directly link your Valentine’s Day landing page or related content from your website’s header navigation during the sale to improve your SEO. Many ecommerce stores use dynamic navigation to feature seasonal categories like “New In,” “Back to School,” or “Holiday Deals.” Adding a Valentine’s section makes it easy for shoppers to find your offers quickly.
Offer last-minute shopping options
Some people like to shop at the last moment, so please also cater to them. You can always offer digital gift cards and same-day delivery services. Highlight these offers prominently on your website with phrases like “Still looking? Get it today!” or “Instant Valentine’s Day gifts.”
PPC ads like “last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts” in search or on social media help target people needing an urgent solution. It’s a quick and easy solution to get sales from customers running out of time.
You won’t be the only one looking for last-minute Valentine’s gifts!
Track and adjust your strategy
Last but not least, monitor the campaign’s performance. Use analytics and internet marketing tools to track keyword rankings, traffic, and conversions. Find out which products or pages perform well and adjust your strategy where needed. For example, if certain keywords like “Valentine’s Day exclusive jewelry sale” drive traffic, create more content around those topics.
Keep an eye on your competitors, too. If they offer something unique, consider how you might adapt your approach.
That’s it for Valentine’s Day SEO
Planning and great content are the most important things to make your Valentine’s Day sale successful. A targeted campaign can attract more shoppers to your store. Optimize your product pages, create engaging content, and promote your offers via social media and email campaigns. Now, you’ll be ready to turn the season of love into a successful sales season.
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Microsoft Ads will soon roll out four major updates to Performance Max, significantly expanding your ability to target, measure, and optimize your campaigns.
These updates will give advertisers more granular control over their automated campaigns while introducing LinkedIn’s professional targeting data — a unique advantage over competing platforms.
What’s new. Here are the four new features:
LinkedIn integration. Advertisers in six major markets (U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, France, and Germany) will be able to tap into LinkedIn’s professional targeting data, including company, industry, and job function signals.
Reporting gets granular. Advertisers will be able to analyze performance by audience segments and track individual asset performance, providing clearer insights into what’s working.
Smart conversion tracking. New conversion value rules will let advertisers adjust values in real-time based on business-specific factors like location and device usage, making automated bidding more precise.
New customer focus. You will be able to enable specific targeting of new customers, with options to either increase bids for new customers or focus exclusively on acquiring them.
Why we care. Should these long awaited changes fully roll out, it should give you more precise control over automated campaigns while providing better measurement tools and access to professional audience data. For B2B marketers especially, the LinkedIn targeting integration across represents a significant competitive advantage with these new sophisticated audience targeting opportunities.
What’s next. These features are in pilot, suggesting Microsoft is gathering feedback before a broader rollout.
Bottom line. Microsoft is positioning Performance Max as a more sophisticated alternative to competing automated ad platforms by leveraging its unique access to LinkedIn’s professional network data.
Google Ads recommendations often spark debate among advertisers.
While some are highly situational and require careful consideration, others can actively harm your account’s performance.
However, some recommendations offer valuable insights or significantly improve results when applied effectively.
This article explores the most common recommendations:
Those that should be ignored because they typically do more harm than good.
Those worth evaluating for the insights they provide.
Those that are almost always worth using to optimize your campaigns.
Recommendations I always ignore
Some recommendations are so poor that they are instant dismissals.
On rare occasions, one might be useful. However, spending hours looking through them all to find a single good one is a waste of time.
Optimize your budgets
Google is good at math. Their automated bidding generally works well. However, it seems they can’t do math regarding budgets.
Raising your budget by $46,200 per week to receive $35,600 more in conversion value is a quick way to go out of business.
After reviewing all 50 of these recommendations, I found that every single one would have caused a significant drop in ROAS or doubled the CPAs. In some cases, the CPAs were 10 times higher.
That’s why I always ignore budget recommendations.
Add broad match keywords
Broad match has its place, but only after carefully evaluating your account.
No one should blindly use this match type because it was a recommendation.
If your lost impression share budget is greater than 10%, and you primarily use exact and phrase match, adding broad match usually worsens your performance.
Your bid strategy dictates how well broad match will work for a campaign. You must evaluate your bid strategy before using broad match.
Some Google Ads recommendations are always worthy of evaluation.
These are my favorite recommendations that cause me to examine the account in more detail.
Remove conflicting negative keywords
Keyword conflicts occur when one of your negative keywords is blocking one of your keywords from showing.
These are always worth fixing, though fixing doesn’t always mean removing the negative keyword. Sometimes, it involves pausing the keyword instead.
Unfortunately, Google doesn’t check negative keyword lists for conflicts.
In about 90% of accounts I review, lists older than five years contain at least one conflict, and sometimes even thousands.
Many people ignore this recommendation because they want to temporarily block a keyword or aren’t sure if they want to show for it or not.
However, these keywords can still receive impressions and clicks.
If the search term matches your keyword and the negative keyword isn’t in the search term, the keyword can still show an ad.
This means you are showing for keyword variations but not the keyword itself.
These should always be examined and action taken to pause the keyword or remove the negative keyword.
Make your headlines and description more unique
I don’t care about ad strength since lower ad strength ads often outperform higher ad strength ads. I also ignore the recommendation to add more headlines.
Fewer headlines reduce the potential combinations, increase the data for each ad combination, and often improve your CTR and conversion rates.
However, most of the RSA recommendations are useful.
The recommendation to make your headlines and descriptions more unique often means you:
Have too many headlines related to the keywords in the ad group.
Don’t have enough CTAs, USPs, or benefit statements in your ads.
Adding a variety of assets generally improves both CTR and conversion rates.
When you see the recommendation to make your headlines more unique, examine your headline assets.
Then, make the necessary adjustments to ensure you are using a variety of headlines and not just headlines related to your keywords.
If you get a recommendation to include popular keywords in your headlines but already have two or three headlines with keywords from your ad group, it may indicate your ad group has too many disparate keywords.
In this case, consider splitting your ad group into smaller ones.
Review your keywords and check if your headlines match them well. If some keywords aren’t well represented in the ad, move them to a new ad group with more relevant headlines.
Always use
Some recommendations are always worth using. These are usually related to missing keywords, ads, or extensions.
Add extensions to your ads
Accounts grow and change, and it’s easy to miss something.
Almost everyone wants to use the sitelink and callout ad assets.
When I see this recommendation, I generally add the appropriate ad extension.
There are some exceptions, such as a recommendation to add the call extension to an ecommerce account.
Most accounts want to use several extensions, so it’s worth examining when you see a missing extension recommendation.
Disapprovals
Ad extensions or ads that have been disapproved don’t show. It’s a good idea to examine your disapprovals and fix them so they can be displayed.
These are straightforward recommendations. View what is disapproved, fix it, and resubmit it for approval.
The best way to see your top recommendations
The repair category offers the most useful recommendations, but the card view makes it difficult to identify which campaigns or accounts need the most attention.
Switching to the table view provides a clearer, at-a-glance overview of all your campaigns or accounts.
The table view will show your campaign or account and the number of ad groups without ads, keywords, or other disapprovals.
The table is highly efficient, allowing you to spot issues, address them, and move on to the next campaign.
Among Google’s recommendations, the repair category is the most valuable to review regularly.
Decoding Google Ads recommendations for smarter ad management
Overall, Google Ads recommendations often have a poor reputation, as many seem designed to push advertisers to spend more or surrender control over their accounts.
This has led many advertisers to tune them out entirely.
However, hidden within these recommendations are valuable insights that can genuinely improve performance.
The next time you encounter a recommendation, don’t dismiss it outright.
Instead, evaluate it carefully to see how it could benefit your account.
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Many ecommerce websites obsess over flashy designs and trendy layouts.
Big mistake.
Instead, you should focus on conversion-centered design.
That’s the blend of buyer psychology, user experience, and strategic design working together to turn visitors into customers.
Doing this can get you:
More sales
Higher average order values
Better conversion rates
Below, I’ve handpicked nine effective ecommerce website examples that follow a conversion-focused design. Use them as a blueprint to create your own online store that converts.
Crème de la Crème: Our Favorite Ecommerce Website Examples
Short on time to review every ecommerce website example on this list?
Focus on these three.
Study them. Use them as a template for your store. And watch your conversion rates improve.
1. Crutchfield
Crutchfield is a large electronics retailer specializing in audio, video, and car tech.
The company grew its business on expert product knowledge and top-tier customer service.
Their website stays true to this focus.
They have designed it with the customer experience in mind.
Despite offering thousands of products, the layout is clean, organized, and easy to navigate.
Take the homepage, for example.
It provides links only to popular products and categories.
By limiting the options to these key choices, it avoids overwhelming shoppers. (While also letting them dive deeper to find exactly what they need.)
Click one of these product category links, and you’ll find the pages are just as well-organized.
Take the “Smart Home” category, for example.
Easy-to-read text and clear images make sure you move through the site with ease.
The content is also easy to skim, which simplifies browsing and finding information.
Scroll down the page, and you’ll see options to search for products in different ways:
By use
By brand
By compatibility
By subcategory
This lets you shop in the way that works best for you.
You can either search for a specific product or browse through the available options.
Now, check out the navigation bar.
The mega menu is clear and simple, with dropdowns that guide you to the right section.
But what if you already know the specific product you’re looking for?
The intuitive search bar helps you with that.
It gives suggestions as you type—aka predictive text—to speed things up.
Once you’ve searched, narrowing the results is just as easy.
You can filter with options like:
Price
Features
Availability of virtual audio demo
Select the filters you want, and voilà, you customize your search results.
And you know what that means:
The quicker you can find a product, the more likely you are to buy.
Now, let’s look at the product pages.
They’re a perfect mix of SEO and user experience (UX).
For example, breadcrumbs show exactly where you are on the site and make it easy to go back a step.
And the product names and descriptions are also clear and easy to understand. They even include target keywords to help with search rankings. A nice touch.
What’s more, the reviews and testimonials are right where you can see them.
These help build credibility as you read more about the product.
Then, to make it easier for potential customers to click the buy button, Crutchfield uses “anxiety reducers” in strategic locations.
For example, near the “add to cart” button, microcopy highlights benefits such as:
Free lifetime tech support
60-day price-drop protection
60-day returns
Smart move. Why?
Asking someone to take action, like adding to cart, can trigger hesitation.
These anxiety reducers help ease buyer concerns and make the next step feel safer.
But what really sets Crutchfield’s website apart is how clear their focus on customer service is.
(After all, that’s their brand differentiator.)
On every page, they make it clear how quickly you can reach them.
First, their phone number is always visible at the top of every page.
And no matter where you are—homepage, category page, or product page—they always feature tech experts.
This reassures shoppers that a real, knowledgeable human is always ready to help.
These elements build trust in their business while making the shopping experience stress-free.
That’s why they top my list of ecommerce sites with conversion-focused designs.
How Crutchfield Looks on Mobile
Crutchfield’s mobile site is just as user-friendly as the desktop version. It ticks all the big mobile SEO boxes.
Pages load fast, and the search and filter options are clear, simple, and easy to tap.
All the trust signals are still there, too.
And here’s a superb touch:
The PayPal “Buy now” button gets prime placement on mobile, unlike the desktop version.
(While we obviously don’t know for sure, the team likely tested this and found it boosted mobile sales.)
Takeaways
Prioritize user experience: Focus on customer needs to help boost conversions and SEO.
Make your value proposition obvious: What makes your store and products different? Make sure visitors see that on every page.
Design product pages for people AND search engines: They should load fast, give clear details, and guide shoppers to buy.
Bang & Olufsen is a global leader in luxury audio and visual technology.
They’re known for sleek design features, cutting-edge sound, and refined Scandinavian craftsmanship.
Their website matches their brand, as the minimalist design oozes elegance.
Plus, the generous white space makes each product look like a museum piece.
The clean layout and modern font (Beosupremen) complete the Scandinavian aesthetic.
Browsing the site feels less like online shopping and more like exploring an art exhibit.
Now, check out the product pages.
It feels like something out of a premium lifestyle magazine.
High-resolution images capture your attention immediately.
Plus, the detailed, well-crafted descriptions speak to reason AND emotion.
The best part?
B&O have managed to do all this while optimizing for SEO.
For example, their product pages use keywords in the H1 tag instead of just the product name.
(In this case, “portable speaker.”)
They also use the keyword naturally throughout the page a few times.
Side note: H1 tags are the main headings on a webpage. Adding target keywords here can boost your SEO and make the page’s purpose clear to visitors.
And there’s more:
Bang & Olufsen’s website does a great job of linking online browsing with in-store visits.
Their homepage displays a call to action encouraging shoppers to “Experience in store.”
The same CTA copy also appears on product pages reinforcing B&O’s physical presence.
And here’s why that matters:
It shows they’re more than an online retailer.
This adds credibility and sophistication to the brand. It also helps boost buyers’ confidence in the brand’s legitimacy.
How Bang & Olufsen Looks on Mobile
Bang & Olufsen’s mobile site keeps the same luxury vibe.
The minimalist design stays the same, with clean layouts and space for products to stand out.
The high-quality images load quickly and look stunning.
Navigation is just as smooth.
The large, clear buttons are easy to tap, and everything responds quickly to your touch.
All this comes together to create the premium, elegant feel you’d expect from B&O.
Takeaways
Speak luxury through subtlety: Skip the loud banners and hard-sell tactics. They create a salesy feel that cheapens a premium brand.
Balance image quality with page speed: Showcase your products with high-quality images. Also compress them so they load fast and stop visitors from bouncing.
Create a seamless shopping experience: Link your website to your offline stores. This makes everything feel more cohesive.
3. Misen
Misen sells high-quality cookware for home chefs and hobby cooks.
They transform everyday kitchen tools into aspirational must-haves.
Their website fully reflects this goal.
Bold typography and bright colors grab your attention.
And the compelling copy inspires you to level up your cooking skills.
What sets Misen’s website apart?
It speaks to four distinct decision-making styles.
Just look at their product pages to see this at work.
First, Misen wins over methodical buyers with:
Detailed specs
Material breakdowns
Clear explanations
This gives these logic-driven shoppers the data to make a confident purchase.
For emotion-driven buyers, Misen uses vivid images and GIFs, like the knife slicing through a grape.
These visual elements spark desire and help you imagine using the product yourself.
To attract competitive buyers, Misen uses bestseller badges and review counts.
These elements trigger FOMO and appeal to the desire to choose the best product.
Finally, for practical buyers, Misen features close-up shots of knives in action.
You’ll see hands gripping tools, before-and-after cooking shots, and precise cuts.
This gives practical buyers proof that the product delivers on its promises.
So go visit Misen’s product pages.
Study them. Copy what works. And your conversions will thank you.
How Misen Looks on Mobile
Misen’s mobile site proves that rich content and video can work on smaller screens.
They also embrace long copy, pairing text and visuals with precision.
Images appear right where they’re needed, making browsing smooth and intuitive.
But that’s not all.
Social proof, like user-generated content (UGC), appears at just the right moments to nudge shoppers to buy.
Misen’s mobile pages make it clear:
Premium design and performance can work perfectly even on smaller screens.
Takeaways
Design for different buyer mindsets: Show your product working in multiple ways to appeal to different buyer types.
Make images tell stories: Skip stock images and basic product photos. Show your products in action to evoke curiosity and desire.
Keep mobile fast but premium: Compress images to load high-res product shots and videos quickly. This keeps the premium feel while boosting performance.
Top tip: Want to know if images are slowing down your site? Run Semrush’s Site Audit. It flags issues like uncompressed images and slow-loading pages. Fixing these can help keep your site fast.
Managing thousands of products while staying fast and user-friendly.
The best sites drive conversions by focusing on key elements like:
Fast load times
Simple navigation
Streamlined checkout processes
These elements aren’t optional. They directly impact conversions, user experience, and customer satisfaction.
4. Sephora
Sephora is a global beauty retailer with a wide selection of products.
The website feels like browsing a sleek, organized beauty aisle (without the crowds).
One of Sephora’s smartest conversion plays is “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS).”
It’s a way to reduce cart abandonment, and Sephora makes it impossible to miss.
But that’s just the start of their user-friendly design.
Their intuitive navigation menu makes browsing simple.
The menu dropdown appears instantly when you hover, and categories are easy to find.
Bold fonts highlight main categories, while subcategories use lighter fonts.
This makes scanning super easy, so you can easily find what you’re looking for in the mega menu.
The category pages keep this same attention to detail.
Popular filters like “Vegan” and “Clean” sit right at the top, making it easy to sort by preference.
The site also uses faceted navigation. This lets shoppers filter results based on specific criteria, like price or brand.
It’s especially helpful for large ecommerce sites with extensive product catalogs.
Now, let’s look at Sephora’s product pages.
Key product details like price, availability, and shipping info are clearly displayed.
This gives potential customers the details they need to make a confident purchase decision.
The product photos do some heavy lifting, too.
First, Sephora uses unedited images to show real results.
It also includes influencer videos that show real people using the product.
Then, there are photos with ingredient callouts that highlight key benefits.
As you can see, everything about Sephora’s product pages encourages action:
Clear product details help visitors understand the value
Social proof like unedited photos and videos builds trust in the products
These elements work together to make it easy for visitors to take the next step and buy.
Side note: Images can have a huge impact on conversions. But don’t rely on standard shots. Mix in other types of visuals, such as influencer content and action shots, to bring the product to life. And make sure to pair them with conversion-focused copy that drives home the product’s benefits.
How Sephora Looks on Mobile
The mobile experience on Sephora is just as user-friendly.
But you’ll notice one big difference from many ecommerce site designs:
The hamburger menu is missing.
Instead, Sephora uses a scrollable text-based menu at the top.
And a bottom navigation bar that pops up when tapped.
This design isn’t typical, but it reflects Sephora’s customer-first approach.
How so?
Their customer research has shown that the hamburger menu was causing friction. So they removed it.
“We (also) discovered that a bottom navigation helps users quickly orient themselves in the app and allows them to multitask.
The changes we made were good for our users—and for our business. We saw immediate improvements in app engagement, satisfaction, and perception of speed, which ultimately led to increases in conversion and revenue that surpassed our expectations.”
Takeaways
Bridge online business and in-store shopping: If you offer in-store pickup, make it impossible to miss. Don’t bury it in the checkout process.
Simplify navigation: Use scrollable menus with clear, readable labels that guide customers naturally.
Make data-driven decisions: Ask your customers what they like and don’t like about your site and make changes based on these insights. And use tools like heatmaps to find out what elements of your site are acting as stumbling blocks.
They offer a range of products from riding gear to bike parts.
A big part of their conversion strategy?
Building a community.
Their “Riders Preferred Membership (RPM)” offers members exclusive perks and benefits.
The moment you land on the site, it’s clear that members get special treatment.
This taps into a powerful psychological driver: the need to belong.
But RevZilla’s strategy goes beyond community.
The site is also filled with customer-centric features that speed up the buying process.
Just look at the header.
You’ll find a search bar and the “SHOP YOUR RIDE” button.
The search bar supports average users just browsing the site. These are the shoppers casually exploring options or researching gear.
But “SHOP YOUR RIDE?”
It’s for riders who know what they’re looking for and want to find products fast.
Just enter your bike’s make, model, and year…
…and the search results instantly filter into products that fit your ride.
How about that for search personalization?
RevZilla also uses dynamic personalization.
It detects the customer’s location and updates shipping details automatically.
It’s a small touch, but it makes customers feel seen.
And the customer-focused design elements don’t stop there.
Check out their “Find Your Perfect Helmet” tool:
It’s an interactive product quiz that asks simple questions to match users with the right helmet.
This interactive element boosts engagement.
It also reduces decision fatigue, making it easier for customers to buy.
This is exactly the kind of thoughtful design that makes shoppers feel like the entire site was built just for them.
How RevZilla Looks on Mobile
RevZilla’s mobile site is perfectly adapted for mobile users.
The sticky header keeps essential navigation tools within reach at all times.
This includes the search bar and the “SHOP YOUR RIDE” feature.
Navigation on mobile is also smooth and responsive.
Filters, buttons, and dropdowns are perfectly sized for touch, and navigation paths are simple and clear.
The checkout process is just as thoughtful. It’s designed for speed and simplicity.
There are also progress indicators that show you where you are in the process. And form fields are kept to a minimum.
Plus, RevZilla offers guest checkout, which is a way to reduce cart abandonment.
Takeaways
Build a community, not just a customer base: When customers feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re more likely to stick around and spend more.
Personalize the shopping experience: The more personalized the experience, the more engaged users become—and engaged users convert. Could your ecommerce website emulate the “Shop Your Ride” feature?
Optimize the checkout process: Guest checkout, clear next steps, and fewer form fields remove friction. This makes it easier for users to complete their purchases.
Luxury Ecommerce Websites
Luxury ecommerce sites need to radiate sophistication and exclusivity on screen.
Not an easy task.
So, how do they create that kind of experience?
With:
High-quality visuals that capture the product’s exclusivity
Minimalist layouts that create a refined and polished aesthetic
Curated design elements that reflect the brand’s elegance
But here’s the real challenge:
How do they exude elegance without slowing the site down?
And if that’s not tricky enough, they also have to nudge customers toward a purchase.
In a subtle way, of course.
6. Tiffany & Co.
World-renowned luxury jewelry store, Tiffany & Co. transforms online shopping into a refined experience.
The site carries the same aura of exclusivity as stepping into one of their flagship stores.
The moment you land on the site, you’re unmistakably in Tiffany’s world.
The iconic Tiffany blue frames every page. And you can feel the elegance in every detail.
The typography is subtle and unobtrusive.
(Just like a butler. Always present but never in the way.)
Then, there are the visuals.
High-resolution images take center stage, showcasing the craftsmanship of each product.
Even the mega menu exudes refinement.
Generous white space, carefully chosen fonts, and a clean layout come together to create a truly luxurious feel.
And here’s something that goes against typical ecommerce best practices:
You won’t find star ratings, review snippets, or social proof bars anywhere on the site.
What’s more, the luxury feel goes beyond design choices.
Tiffany & Co. doesn’t rush you into a purchase.
Instead, they make it clear that a slower, more personal shopping experience is an option if you want it.
For example, they offer virtual consultations with jewelry specialists.
This helps customers make better decisions through one-on-one advice.
Then, for diamond purchases, experts are readily available for personalized guidance.
And for customers who want to see and feel the pieces in person, they can easily book in-store appointments.
Yes, these paths to purchase may take longer.
But they make the target audience feel seen and valued.
After all, when you’re spending thousands on jewelry, the experience matters as much as the product.
How Tiffany & Co. Looks on Mobile
The mobile experience keeps Tiffany & Co’s signature elegance intact.
A standout feature is the “Mobile Virtual Try-On” tool.
It uses augmented reality (AR) to let customers see how jewelry looks on them using their phone’s camera.
This feature reduces purchase anxiety and gives customers the confidence to move forward.
Takeaways
Make your site look the part: Prioritize minimalist design, lots of white space, and uncluttered layouts.
Skip the hard sell: People don’t generally buy luxury items on impulse. Embrace a slow, thoughtful approach and do away with urgency tactics.
Break best practices if they don’t fit your brand: Skip review stars and ratings if they feel off-brand. But make sure you replace them with stronger conversion triggers like brand authority. Or, say, Anya Taylor-Joy’s face on your homepage.
7. Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is one of the most iconic and recognized names in fashion.
Its website carries the same confidence and authority that only a legacy brand can.
The colors are rich and striking.
And the oversized product images command attention.
Then, there’s the iconic LV monogram which signals status and quality.
Head to one of their product page, and you’ll see something unique.
The first image is often a lifestyle shot.
It’s like seeing the product on the runway which helps reinforce the brand’s aspirational nature.
Next, check out the unique navigation menu.
Click the hamburger icon, and a list of product categories slides in.
Click one of the product categories and a subcategory appears.
Choose one and click. And yet, another subcategory slides in.
It’s an approach that’s visually clean and easy to follow, thanks to the ample white space.
And if you use the search function, a full-screen window will appear with images of trending products and bestsellers.
As you type, search is predictive, and results populate instantly.
No need to hit enter. Everything happens in real time.
All these design elements make the site feel like LV truly understands its customers.
And that’s exactly how you want your customers to feel—luxury site or not.
How Louis Vuitton Looks on Mobile
Louis Vuitton’s mobile site keeps the same smooth, refined experience.
For example, the “Find in Store” option is easily accessible.
And search works just as beautifully as it does on desktop.
Predictive search offers instant results that make browsing fast and easy.
Takeaways
Create a great search experience: Use predictive search or quick links to trending products. These can make browsing easier and more engaging.
Offer omnichannel flexibility: Add features like “Find in Store” to improve user experience. These give customers more control over how they shop, which helps increase sales.
Subscription-Based Sites
Subscription ecommerce sites have one job:
Convince people to pay every month.
Tough business.
To do that, they must clearly show value and build trust.
Key elements include clear pricing, smooth signups, and risk-free trials.
The goal? Make it feel easy to start and enticing to stay.
Side note: The FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” rule requires subscription sites to make a cancellation as simple as signing up. So your website should make it just as easy to cancel as it is to join.
8. HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a major name in the meal kit delivery space.
Its website has a clear focus:
Stand out in a crowded market.
Here’s how they do this.
The homepage makes their unique selling points clear.
It starts with a bold value proposition for why visitors choose them:
15-minute meals (for people looking for speed and convenience)
America’s #1 meal kit (social proof)
Up to 10 free meals + free breakfast for life (attention-grabbing incentives)
The “Get Started” CTA is perfectly placed for warm visitors ready to buy.
And the image next to it isn’t just eye candy—it’s functional.
Each image is paired with text, making it easy for visual scanners to find key information.
Plus, to make the subscription even more appealing, HelloFresh emphasizes control and choice.
For example, customers can browse menus before committing.
This makes the process feel flexible and low-pressure.
Plus:
Key features and benefits are clear throughout the site.
You’ll see images that show just how easy the meals are to prepare—kids can even get involved.
And the onboarding process?
It’s friction-free.
The first step is simple: enter your zip code to confirm deliverability.
This way, customers immediately know if HelloFresh delivers to their area.
(So they don’t waste time going through the process only to find out it’s unavailable.)
From there, the entire process is busy-user-friendly, with minimal typing required.
This keeps the experience effortless—exactly what customers want when signing up for a subscription.
How HelloFresh Looks on Mobile
Unfortunately, HelloFresh’s mobile site doesn’t match the sleekness of its desktop version.
For example, some text in the hero section of the homepage is hard to read.
One smooth aspect, however, is the signup process.
The same progress indicators show the steps you need to take.
And moving from step to step feels intuitive and smooth.
It’s the kind of signup you can complete while watching a Netflix show on your couch.
This low-friction process makes it so much easier to complete the signup process.
Takeaways
Lead with your differentiators: Show visitors why you’re better than the competition as soon as they arrive.
Don’t make signups a chore: When shoppers are ready to commit, make it quick and easy.
9. First Day
For our last ecommerce website example, let’s look at First Day—a store that sells supplements.
Unlike HelloFresh, they offer many products with both one-time payment and subscription options.
If you look closely, it’s clear that getting people to subscribe is a major focus.
The navigation menu, for example, includes only three links:
Shop
Learn
Subscribe and Save
The “Subscribe & Save” link takes you to a dedicated page explaining a First Day subscription.
Giving the page its own spot in the nav bar underscores its importance.
But here’s the best part:
First Day doesn’t rely solely on this page to sell subscriptions.
Instead, they integrate subscription nudges throughout the site.
It’s on the hero section of the homepage, for example:
And the product pages also reinforce the subscription as the preferred option:
Yes, a “One-Time Purchase” is available. But it’s downplayed compared to the subscription.
Now, you might think all these subscription nudges would feel overwhelming or pushy.
But here’s the thing:
First Day’s site integrates them so naturally that they don’t ruin the shopping experience.
And that’s the key for subscription sites like this: aligning business goals with a user-friendly experience.
How First Day Looks on Mobile
First Day’s mobile site keeps the subscription focus.
For example, when you click the navigation icon, the first button takes you to the “Subscribe & Save” page.
The product pages also maintain its emphasis on subscriptions as the preferred option.
But what’s even more impressive is how the site seamlessly integrates this focus.
For example, the product pages continue to use conversion-focused design best practices.
Look at the product descriptions. They’re laid out for easy scanning.
This helps users quickly absorb important information.
Plus, the site reinforces trust with credibility boosters.
You’ll see customer reviews all throughout, for example.
And there’s even a section for media mentions.
Together, these features create an experience that draws visitors in and keeps them informed.
And they’ve managed to do all this while consistently promoting their subscription option throughout.
The result?
Visitors have plenty of chances to see the value of subscribing—a must for any subscription website.
Takeaways
Design with your subscription goals in mind: If your goal is to get more subscriptions, ensure visitors see the benefits clearly. And don’t be afraid to nudge them towards subscribing (naturally) across your site.
Balance business goals with UX: Design your site to guide customers toward goals like subscribing or purchasing. But make sure it doesn’t ruin the shopping experience.
How to Create a Conversion-Focused Ecommerce Website
1. Optimize for User Experience
Make it easy for visitors to find what they came for, fast.
Here are some areas to prioritize:
Simplify navigation so users can browse with ease
Structure category pages to make product discovery simple
Streamline the checkout process to reduce friction and speed up purchases
Create persuasive product pages that highlight key benefits and drive action
“Design your processes for what you perceive to be a busy, lazy, drunk, amnesiac idiot—what lawyers call a “moron in a hurry” (really). Even geniuses with time on their hands will be grateful that you did.”
2. Speed Up Your Site
Page speed affects everything: SEO, conversions, and brand perception.
And so speeding up your site is one of the most impactful changes you can make.
For example, Vodafone ran an A/B test focusing only on page speed improvements.
Want more buyers and sellers from Google without relying on Zillow or Redfin?
Or more leads for listings that support your cold-calling and door-knocking efforts?
Then, become skilled at real estate SEO.
SEO is about ranking your site in search engine results pages (SERPs). This will attract qualified buyers and sellers to your agency.
Just look at Campion & Company, a small real estate agency in Boston. They outrank Zillow for high-value property searches like “Burrage Mansion.”
And that’s just one keyword.
This agency ranks for 19K different search terms on Google—all driving potential buyers directly to their listings.
All thanks to SEO.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to conduct keyword research for high-intent terms, create lead-generating content, and dominate the local SERPs.
But first, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of SEO.
Why Is SEO Important for Real Estate Sites?
Real estate SEO helps your listings show up in search results when people look for homes online.
This includes Google Maps when people search for things like “realtor” in your area.
Why does this matter?
According to a study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 100% of Americans who bought a house in 2024 used the internet to search for a home.
And more than half (52%) of recent buyers found the home they ultimately purchased online.
SEO lets you reach these buyers when they’re actively looking to buy.
But it’s also a cost-effective way of capturing online demand.
For example, the cost-per-click of a Google ad for the keyphrase “real estate companies in West Palm Beach Florida” is $5.67.
But SEO can get your business to appear directly under those ads without spending a dime.
This puts you in direct control of lead generation. Which means no more relying on expensive ads or third-party directory sites.
Sounds ideal, right?
Now that you’ve seen what real estate SEO can do for your business, let’s start with the most important first step:
Conducting a quick technical audit to see if Google can actually find your website.
(Because if it can’t, other SEO strategies don’t matter.)
Step 1: Make Sure Google Can Find Your Property Listings
The best way to check if Google knows your site exists?
This will tell you which pages from your site are in Google’s index, which aren’t, and why.
Some red flags to watch out for:
Your indexed pages WAY outnumber your actual pages (this usually means Google’s finding pages it shouldn’t)
Google’s only indexed a fraction of your pages (meaning potential clients can’t find most of your listings and services)
Important pages show up under “Error,’” “Valid with warnings,” or “Excluded”
Not sure why Google isn’t indexing your pages?
The “Why pages aren’t indexed” report is your friend here.
It’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong—like a redirect error or improper canonical tags—and how to fix it.
If you have unindexed pages, you can manually request indexing.
This is super helpful for new listings you want to appear ASAP.
Pro tip: Don’t have the time or desire to handle SEO issues? Delegate them to a pro. A skilled website manager can tackle indexing issues, implement fixes fast, and keep your site climbing the rankings—while you focus on closing deals.
Step 2: Find Keywords That Drive Leads
To increase leads, you need to show up on Google for the terms homebuyers search for in your area.
But it’ll take a strategic plan to beat the big real estate directory sites.
For example, here’s what the search results look like for “Raleigh homes.”
Directory sites dominate the SERPs, including Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.
Enter a neighborhood into the search bar and click “Search.”
The tool will return a list of keywords and important metrics for each one.
This includes:
Search volume: The average number of monthly searches for a specific keyword in Google
Keyword difficulty (KD): A score from 0-100 that estimates how hard it would be to rank on the first page of Google for that keyword
Search intent: The primary purpose or goal behind a user’s search query—informational (learn), commercial (compare/buy), navigational (find site), or transactional (take action)
While the list will typically include some long-tail keywords already, you can add filters to narrow it even further.
Here’s how:
Select the “KD %” filter and type “0-50” in the custom range.
Then, click the “Intent” filter and select “Transactional” and “Commercial.”
Filtering this list for “Commercial” and “Transactional” will limit the list to terms people search when they’re looking to buy a home.
Now, you have a list of long-tail keywords you can use to optimize your property page.
For example, “boylan heights raleigh homes for sale” receives 40 searches a month and has a keyword difficulty score of 3, meaning it should be super easy to rank for.
It also has transactional intent, which tells you these searchers are ready to buy.
Even better?
The SERP for this keyword is a mix of directory sites and local realtors, so you know you’ve got a shot at ranking.
Now that you’ve got your target keywords, it’s time to use them strategically on your property pages.
Step 3: Optimize Your Property Pages for Conversions
It should describe the page’s contents and include the main keyword.
It doesn’t have to be the exact keyphrase—you can use a variation of your target keyword in your H1 like We Know Boise Real Estate did.
H2s are the main subheadings that go underneath your H1 to organize your content and make it easy for readers to find what they’re looking for.
Include the location name in some of your page’s H2’s as well:
This makes it crystal clear to search engines exactly what this page is about, which increases your chances of ranking.
Just ensure your page headings read naturally and avoid keyword stuffing.
Include Internal Links
Internal linking connects your location pages together, helping you rank higher in search results.
It also keeps website visitors engaged longer as they explore other pages on your site.
For example, We Know Boise’s Barber Valley page includes hyperlinks to every other neighborhood in East Boise:
When you click a neighborhood, it takes you to a dedicated page on We Know Boise’s site for that location.
This lets Google understand the relationship between these pages on your site.
Which will help you rank for your target keywords—and ultimately land more leads.
Pro tip: Don’t gate your content. Requiring visitors to provide personal details to view property listings can negatively impact your SEO efforts. Many potential clients will hit the “back” button and head to one of your competitor’s sites instead, reducing your chances of ranking.
Create Detailed Listing Pages That Convert Browsers into Buyers
The more information you provide on your property pages, the more likely visitors are to book a viewing.
It also helps with lead qualification, as they’ll know upfront if the listing is likely to be a fit.
Include:
A detailed description of the property
A description of the local amenities
High-quality images of the entire property
A map showing the property’s location
Look at the big directory sites for inspiration when creating your listings.
For example, Trulia includes high-quality images and essential information like address and price prominently at the top of the listing.
They follow this up with a “Local Information” section that includes a map, description of the area, and information on local restaurants, shopping, and schools.
Next, comes the “Home Highlights” at a glance, such as the HOA fee, price per square foot, and how long the property has been listed.
Then, an expandable drop-down menu with even more details like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and more:
Trulia also showcases what locals say about the area to give prospective buyers an inside look into the area:
Notably, they also include an interactive mortgage calculator set to the home’s listed price.
Doing something similar will help you get more leads from your property pages.
Step 4: Dominate Local Search Results with Your Google Business Profile
Search “[your location] real estate agents” in Google.
The top organic result is almost certain to be a Google Local Pack—a SERP feature that appears for location-specific searches—featuring three local realtors:
It goes without saying that you should prioritize landing in one of those three spots through your real estate SEO strategy.
This is especially vital for a local realtor since the rest of the organic results are likely to be dominated by directory sites:
Here’s how to optimize your site to appear in the Local Pack for your area:
Enter your business name, category, location, and contact information
Verify your business by the method offered to you by Google (usually by a phone call or a postcard sent to your business’s address)
Fill Out and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Once your Google Business Profile is verified, fill it out with as much information as possible—including all the areas you have listings:
Add plenty of high-quality photos of your team, current listings, and properties sold.
Do this regularly to show Google you’re a legitimate business worthy of ranking at the top of the Local Pack.
Plus, it’ll help sell your company to potential clients—and agents who might be looking for a new agency.
You also have the option of writing a brief description of your business, which will appear under the heading “From [your business’s name]’:
Include target keywords in this section.
Things like:
[Your area] real estate
[Your area] homes for sale
[Your area] real estate agent
[Your area] realtor
Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews
It’s good practice to ask all your customers to leave you a review on Google.
After all, 35% of people say a real estate agent’s reputation is the most important factor when they’re choosing a realtor to sell their home, according to NAR’s study.
Plus, the more positive reviews you receive on Google, the more likely you are to appear in the Local Pack for relevant searches.
Your business’s overall rating and review highlights will appear on your Google Business listing:
As a best practice, respond to every review you receive on Google.
This includes the positive ones:
And the not-so-positive ones:
This will show potential clients that you care what people have to say about your business and respond to their feedback.
It’s also another signal to Google that you’re a well-run business that deserves to sit at the top of its local results.
Get as Many NAP Citations as You Can
NAP (name, address, and phone number) citations are a huge deal when it comes to local SEO.
The more websites that list your company’s NAP correctly, the more confident Google is that those details are correct—and that you’re a legitimate business worth sending searchers to.
But manually adding and updating citations isn’t a good use of anyone’s time.
Instead, use a tool like Semrush’s Listing Management, which automates the process.
By connecting your Google Business Profile, the tool will automatically distribute your details to vital directories for your industry.
Search your business to find out how many correct NAP citations it has online:
The tool will show you where your NAP details are listed incorrectly—or not at all to help you improve and expand your presence.
Use Google Posts to Advertise Property Listings
Google Posts are updates that appear at the bottom of your Google Business Profile.
They’re the perfect place for you to advertise your latest listings.
Plus, Google is less likely to display your Business Profile at the top of local search results if it’s inactive. Which means making a Google Post about each of your new listings will help you rank in the Local Pack.
Create a Google Post by clicking “Add update” in your dashboard:
Step 5: Start a Blog to Establish Your Agency as an Industry Leader
Rank for more keywords and strengthen your site’s authority by creating a blog.
Write High-Quality Blog Content
Blog content can drive highly relevant traffic to your site.
The key is finding topics homebuyers are actively searching for online.
Search for your service area in the tool, such as “Cambridge MA.”
You’ll see an Overview report with keyword data.
Click “View all keywords” under the “Questions” report.
Now, you’ll see a list of questions people ask Google about this area.
Including the search volume for each term, intent, and keyword difficulty.
Review the list to find questions that would make great blog post topics.
Ensure they’re relevant and aim for low difficulty and moderate search volume.
For example, “What is there to do in cambridge ma” gets 320 searches per month and has a low keyword difficulty score of 20.
This means it should be fairly easy to rank for, which is especially important if you have a new site or one that lacks authority.
Create Neighborhood Guides
Neighborhood guides are a tried-and-true way to rank in the SERPs. (Note: these can work well as site pages or blog content.)
For example, Trulia created a neighborhood guide for every neighborhood where they have listings.
That subfolder drives 611.2K visits to the Trulia site each month.
And it has 11K backlinks:
These pages work.
And your content marketing strategy should revolve around them.
But how can you compete with Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin’s neighborhood pages?
With high-quality, comprehensive content that highlights your local expertise.
For example, New Orleans real estate agency Crescent City Living has a neighborhood guide that outranks all the directory sites for “Seventh Ward New Orleans”:
How’d they do it?
Well, compare Crescent City Living’s guide to Trulia’s, and you’ll see significant differences:
Crescent Living’s page was clearly written by someone who knows the area.
It describes Seventh Ward’s colorful Creole cottages and beloved Marching 100 band.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-01-23 12:01:282025-01-23 12:01:286 Steps to Win at Real Estate SEO
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is one of the most effective paid channels helping businesses increase visibility and build awareness.
If you’d like to learn about the state of PPC in 2025, find the latest data on PPC usage, most used ad platforms, and PPC benchmarks, we’ve curated a list of 24 essential PPC statistics to help you answer these questions.
General PPC Statistics
Among surveyed pay-per-click (PPC) marketers, Google (98%), Facebook (76%) and Instagram (70%) are the most widely used advertising platforms (Statista)
Here’s a full breakdown:
Digital Advertising Platform
Share of PPC Professionals
Google (excluding YouTube)
98%
Facebook
76%
Instagram
70%
Microsoft (Bing)
67%
YouTube
67%
LinkedIn
48%
TikTok
31%
Pinterest
24%
Amazon
17%
X (Twitter)
15%
Reddit
11%
Apple Search
11%
Snapchat
9%
Quora
4%
Yandex
2%
Baidu
1%
Yahoo! Japan
1%
Other
6%
Among PPC practitioners with a monthly budget between $50K and $500K, Google, Facebook, and YouTube are the top 3 most used advertising platforms (PPCsurvey)
Here are the exact numbers:
Ad Platform
Adoption ($50K – $500K PPC budget)
Google (excluding YouTube)
99%
Facebook
79%
YouTube
75%
Instagram
74%
Microsoft (Bing)
73%
LinkedIn
46%
TikTok
28%
Pinterest
20%
Amazon
15%
X (Twitter)
11%
Reddit
10%
Apple Search
7%
Snapchat
6%
Quora
4%
Yandex
1%
Baidu
1%
Yahoo! Japan
1%
Other
8%
73% of B2C marketers stated their organization used PPC advertising in the last 12 months (Content Marketing Institute)
64% of B2B marketing professionals say they used PPC advertising at their organization in the past year, which is only behind the usage rate of social media advertising at 73% (Content Marketing Institute)
93% of marketers say pay-per-click (PPC) as a marketing channel is “effective” or “highly effective”, making it the 2nd most effective channel after content marketing (96%) (eMarketer)
Only 10% of surveyed marketing professionals identify PPC as a primary focus for their budget allocation (eMarketer)
Among surveyed marketing specialists worldwide, 49% claim it became harder managing PPC campaigns today than 2 years ago (PPCsurvey)
Among in-house teams, the average monthly PPC spend is $950,000, while freelancers usually manage an ad budget of around $575,000 per month (PPCsurvey)
Here are the exact numbers:
Monthly PPC spend
In-house
Freelancer
More than $3M
5%
3%
Between $500K and $3M
14%
10%
Between $50K and $500K
41%
38%
Between $5K and $50K
29%
33%
Under $5K
11%
16%
According to surveyed B2B marketers, PPC advertising ranks as the most effective paid channel for content marketing activities, with 61% of respondents citing it as effective, followed by social media advertising (49%), and sponsorships (48%) (Content Marketing Institute)
Search Ads Statistics
Paid search spending in the US is estimated to reach $124.59 billion in 2024, showing an 11.1% year-over-year increase (eMarketer)
The average cost-per-click for advertisements on Google ads stood at $1.16 (eMarketer)
The average cost per click for search ads across multiple industries on Amazon was $1.50 (eMarketer)
The average benchmark bounce rate for paid search is 43.9% (Contentsquare)
The average click-through rate for Google search ads is 3.17%, based on data collected from multiple industries (WordStream)
On average, paid search campaigns are reported to generate a conversion rate of 2.55% (Contentsquare)
Paid search accounts for 29.7% of total media ad spending in the US (eMarketer)
Analysis of over 43 billion website visits found that paid search accounts for 23% of traffic share, behind direct (27.6%) and organic search (26.7%) (Contentsquare)
The share of new visitor traffic attributed to paid search is 27.6%, which is more than any other marketing channel (Contentsquare)
Paid search accounts for 39.5% market share of digital advertising, more than any other advertising format (display, video or audio) (IAB)
In the US, Google dominates the search advertising market, accounting for 50.5% of the total search ad spending (eMarketer)
Amazon’s share of the overall search ad spending in the US is 22.3% (eMarketer)
75.78% of Google’s revenue came from advertising in Q1-Q3 2024 (Alphabet)
AI Use for PPC Statistics
75% of PPC professionals say they use generative AI at least “sometimes” for writing ads. Other common use cases include keyword research (60%) and writing emails (52%) (PPCsurvey)
Here are the exact numbers:
Use Case
Share of PPC Professionals Who Use AI at Least “Sometimes”
Writing ads
75%
Keyword research
60%
Writing emails
52%
Audience research/analysis
48%
Writing/editing scripts
45%
Landing page optimization
41%
Generating insights and suggestions
41%
Strategy
38%
Campaign creation
38%
Reporting
31%
Among PPC professionals that use AI at least “sometimes” for writing emails, 71% claim they’re satisfied with results generated by AI (PPCsurvey)
Use Case
Share of PPC Professionals Satisfied with AI Results
It provides data and insights that will help you target the right keywords for your audience.
More data isn’t always better.
So, focus on the key metrics: search volume, keyword difficulty, and search intent.
Search Volume: The average monthly searches for a keyword
Keyword Difficulty (KD%): A measure of how hard it is to rank for a keyword. It’s based on the link profiles of the top 10 ranking pages.
Search Intent: The purpose behind a user’s search query. It’s categorized as transactional, informational, commercial, or navigational.
Stick to these essentials to guide your keyword strategy effectively.
Define Commercial Opportunities
The commercial value of a keyword varies for each business.
What may be a high-value commercial keyword for a competitor might not be for you.
For example, let’s say you have top-rated resorts in Mexico. You might see “all-inclusive resorts in Mexico” as a valuable keyword.
Now, imagine you manage one outdated, overpriced resort there. Your chance to profit from this keyword is likely much weaker.
When evaluating a commercial opportunity, ask: Will this page convert visitors?
Categorize each keyword into the following:
0. Not Likely: We don’t offer anything related to the user’s intent
1. Unlikely: We offer something related to the user’s intent, but it doesn’t directly address the user’s needs
2. Potential: We offer a solution that could meet the user’s intent
3. Likely: We provide the best solution for the user’s intent
This approach helps focus your efforts on the most commercially valuable keywords.
Pro tip: Before using a keyword, check its intent. Analyze the top-ranking content in the search results. A keyword like “Mexico vs. Ecuador” might seem perfect for a travel site selling flights to both. However, a quick Google search may reveal that the user intent is related to soccer, not travel.
By knowing what users want, you can avoid irrelevant keywords. This will ensure your content matches user intent.
It also increases your chances of ranking and converting.
Step 3: Create a Keyword Map
Once you’ve gathered your keywords, the next step is to build an SEO keyword map.
Here’s how:
List existing pages: Use an SEO spider tool like Screaming Frog. It will list all existing pages.
Filter irrelevant pages: Remove any pages that won’t serve as SEO landing pages. Focus only on those that have the potential to drive organic traffic.
Pair pages with keywords: Use Google Search Console (GSC) to find queries that generate the most clicks for each page.
Assign target keywords: Assign one keyword from your research to each relevant page.
Avoid keyword cannibalization: Target each keyword with only one page. This prevents competition between your own pages for the same search query.
SEO for travel websites often involves optimizing destination-specific and service-related keywords.
These efforts help drive organic traffic to your site.
By mapping keywords to pages, you’ll have a clear strategy. It’ll help you optimize existing content and find gaps for new content.
Step 4: Form a Content Strategy
With your keyword research and keyword map in place, it’s time to create an SEO content strategy.
To maximize organic revenue, prioritize content targeting bottom-of-the-funnel keywords.
These are high-intent keywords where users are closest to making a booking decision.
By focusing on this stage first, you’ll drive more immediate conversions and revenue.
Target Commercial Keywords
In your keyword sheet, filter for keywords with commercial scores of two or three.
This filter will give you keywords with high commercial intent. They’ll match what you offer.
Think “Cancun resorts,” “flights to Hawaii,” “Las Vegas hotels,” or “Punta Cana excursions.”
For each keyword:
If a landing page is ranking, optimize its content to boost performance
If none of your pages are ranking, decide whether to create a new landing page or optimize an existing one
Finally, create a timeline and roadmap for implementing these optimizations.
This helps ensure steady progress toward your content goals.
Build Topical Authority
After covering your commercial keywords, it’s time to move up to the middle of the funnel.
Focus on keywords like “things to do in Miami,” “best time to visit Japan,” and “best beaches in Puerto Rico.”
These keywords are primarily informational and have lower conversion rates.
Cluster these topics to help search engines understand your content.
You’ll signal to search engines that your site is a trusted travel resource.
Blog pages often cover these topics best. But you can use landing pages if they fit your strategy.
Create a Topic Map
Up to this point, your SEO content strategy has been based on keyword data.
Now, it’s time to explore new topic ideas by leveraging topic maps.
To do this, use an AI tool like Claude or Chat GPT to uncover relevant topics for specific destinations.
Here’s an example of a prompt you can use:
“Please provide a table listing the key topics related to travel in Mexico. The table should have three columns: categories, subcategories, and subtopics. Each subtopic should have its own row.”
Then, copy your topic map to a sheet. Use a ChatGPT plugin like Whimsical Diagrams to visualize it.
Use the following prompt: “Generate a mind map from this table: {paste table}.”
Repeat this process for each destination you serve.
Add any new topics to your content roadmap.
Cover a wide range of content that appeals to search engines and your audience.
This approach fills gaps in your strategy. It keeps your content fresh and competitive.
Tap Into the Travel Content Loop
The travel experience is cyclical.
Here’s how the journey typically unfolds:
Inspiration: “That’s beautiful, where is that place?”
Education: “Tell me more about this place”
Booking: “Let’s go there”
Inspiration again: After the trip, the traveler dreams of new adventures. This sparks the loop once more.
Travelers constantly seek beauty, adventure, and new connections.
Your content strategy should reflect this ongoing loop.
To build a successful travel content strategy off the back of this loop, think beyond SEO. This is especially true for inspiration, where social media is vital.
SEO is about fulfilling a need for information.
So, focus on education and answering users’ specific questions.
Inspiration, however, often comes to people when they’re not actively searching for it.
That’s why inspirational content must be:
Visual and destination-focused
Pushed to users, igniting wanderlust
Once the audience is captivated by a destination, they might seek more information. That’s where SEO comes in to guide them further down the funnel.
When planning content, ensure synergy between inspirational and informational content.
For example, let’s say you publish an SEO-optimized article like “The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica.”
Coordinate with your social media team to release visual, inspirational content.
This integrated approach keeps your audience engaged at every stage of their journey. Whether they’re exploring on social media or searching for information online.
Step 5: Establish a Content Creation Process
Your content strategy is ready.
Now it’s time to establish a streamlined content creation process.
Here’s how that might look:
Keyword selection: Choose primary and secondary keywords based on your content calendar
Writer briefing: Provide clear, detailed briefs for high-quality content
Write: Focus on comprehensive, unique content that goes beyond top-ranking pages
Edit: Align with the brand’s tone and ensure scannability
Optimize: Fine-tune for SEO—headings, body content, internal links, and meta
Add photography: Use images that follow guidelines and enhance user experience
Publish and promote: Share across social, email, and other channels to maximize reach
Translate: Expand reach by targeting non-English keywords
Pro tip: After headlines, image captions are the most read by users. Add a commercial message or a call to action to your image captions. It will help boost engagement.
To AI or Not AI?
When it comes to your content creation process, a key question is how much of it should involve AI.
The answer depends on your goals.
One thing is certain—it’s tough to stand out in a sea of mass-produced AI content by just publishing more AI content.
Craftsmanship and authenticity are what make content truly stand out.
“To beat AI, become more human.” – Wesley van der Hoop, PPC + SEO at Unique Vacations Ltd.
For example, let’s say you’re writing about “the best restaurants in Amsterdam.”
Instead of simply copying the list from TripAdvisor, go beyond the surface:
Experience the destination firsthand
Talk to locals and uncover hidden gems that aren’t widely covered
Engage with restaurant owners. Try their signature dishes. Share deeper insights than current online articles.
AI should play the role of an assistant, not the solution.
That said, AI can still assist in the content creation process.
It can help create content briefs, structure the content, and suggest data points.
This lets writers focus on the human elements. They can craft unique, authentic content that AI cannot replicate.
In this hybrid approach, AI handles repetitive tasks.
Meanwhile, your team focuses on insights, experiences, and personal connections.
Step 6: Set Up Tracking and Measuring
Begin by measuring your current performance to understand where you stand.
Define and track both macro and micro conversions. Use your travel site’s analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics 4).
For most travel websites, the macro conversion will be bookings and revenue.
Micro conversions may include actions like account creation or requests for more information.
They can also involve newsletter sign-ups, brochure requests, and travel guide downloads.
Once tracking is set up, integrate SEO tools like Google Search Console (GSC).
Use a rank tracker to gain deeper insights into what’s happening on the SERPs.
Finally, create easy-to-understand dashboards that blend different data sources. They let you track progress and show results to stakeholders at performance meetings.
Step 7: Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Local SEO is essential for improving visibility.
It’s particularly important for attractions, restaurants, bars, and accommodations at popular destinations.
Google can struggle to determine which of your pages to prioritize.
It can also lead to crawling, indexing issues, and loss of link equity.
In severe cases, it can also trigger manual penalties.
The seven most common types of duplicate content on travel websites are:
Destination descriptions: Frequently reused descriptions of popular travel destinations across multiple accommodation pages
URLs with filtering parameters: Filtering options (e.g., “?sort=price”) generate different URLs. These may show similar content.
Pagination: Ensure paginated lists of destinations or accommodations are distinct or canonicalized
URLs with UTM parameters: Parameters like “?utm_source=social-media” track traffic. But they can also create duplicate content issues.
Split URL tests: A/B testing may create duplicate content. It does this by generating alternative versions of the same page.
Dynamic URLs with session IDs: When indexed, they can cause duplicate content issues
M-dot URLs: They’re rare today. But if used, link them to their desktop versions.
Use Semrush’s Site Audit tool to identify duplicate content. Mitigate it by implementing canonical tags.
Use Structured Data
Structured data helps search engines better understand and display your content.
For travel websites, this can lead to rich results like pricing and star ratings.
These features can help boost click-through rates.
Structured data can also improve your site’s rankings.
How?
By providing search engines with clearer context for your content.
Pro tip: To further enhance SEO, implement structured data using the LocalBusiness schema. This helps search engines understand and validate your business information. It includes key details like category, location, and operating hours. Properly structured data can positively impact your rankings in local searches.
Step 9: Optimize UX with a Mobile-First Approach
Users have been living in a mobile-first world for some time, and Google was quick to follow.
Travelers may book on desktop. But they often make the decision to book on mobile.
Focus on quick load times and ensure strong Core Web Vitals performance.
Search engines like Google favor fast-loading content.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-01-23 11:57:472025-01-23 11:57:47How To Improve Your Travel SEO In 10 Steps
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