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Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is still one of the most powerful forms of online marketing because it’s so targeted, but it’s not always easy to get right. Whether you’re new to PPC advertising, you’re a seasoned professional, or you’re responsible for PPC training, there’s always more to learn.
Unfortunately, Google and other paid search programs are frequently updating their tools and procedures without much notice. So with this in mind, here’s a list of ten resources, including training centers, blogs, and online publications, to help you and your team stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices in PPC marketing.
Training
PPC University
This free educational resource from WordStream is organized into three modules, from beginner level to more advanced. It’s full of everything you need to know about PPC, from the basics through to more advanced techniques like retargeting and mobile PPC. As each lesson builds on the last and with a vast collection of material, it’s a great resource for anyone who wants to get to grips with PPC advertising.
http://www.wordstream.com/learn
PPC Chat
Although it’s not technically a training course, the weekly topics covered during PPC Chat on Twitter are useful for anyone wanting to learn more about PPC marketing, from basic concepts to advanced theories. Every week, experts from around the world join to share knowledge and discuss a wide range of PPC topics. The hashtag “ppcchat” is also used throughout the week for news, information, and debate.
http://ppcchat.co/
Certified Knowledge
With online courses and a dedicated blog, this PPC marketing resource is used by many marketing professionals to keep up to date with Internet marketing news and best practices. There are live training events, webinars, and other tools to help anyone who wants to take their knowledge and application of PPC advertising to the next level. Enjoy the free trial or sign up and you’ll get access to hundreds of Adwords video lessons.
http://certifiedknowledge.org/
Google AdWords Help Center
It’s no surprise that Google has invested a lot of time into PPC education; after all, they’re the main beneficiary of the majority of the world’s PPC activity. Their resource center is packed with articles, guides, online courses, and tools to help anyone become a PPC pro. There are even exams you can take if you want to get certified in Google Adwords. For fans of video training, there’s a dedicated AdWords YouTube channel to ensure you get the most out of your PPC campaigns.
https://support.google.com/adwords/
Blogs
Inside AdWords
If you’re already using the AdWords Help Center, you’ll have easy access to its official blog featuring all the latest news on AdWords, and articles from other Google blogs such as the Google Analytics Blog. Whatever industry sector you’re in, there’s sure to be an article relevant to your business.
http://adwords.blogspot.com/
PPC Hero
This is a widely respected resource for anyone wanting to keep up to date with the best practices in PPC marketing. Its style makes learning about PPC interesting as well as entertaining. There are many articles for beginners, as well as regular whitepapers and webinars for the more experienced.
http://www.ppchero.com/
Search Engine Roundtable
If you’re not sure where to start, this is a great place to find a collection of the most interesting and useful articles, threads, and reports for learning how to manage PPC accounts of any size. You’ll also learn valuable lessons in how to use pay-per-click ads in conjunction with organic SEO and social media marketing.
https://www.seroundtable.com/
Beyond the Paid
As well as paid strategies, this blog addresses all aspects of search engine marketing, from AdWords and Bing Ads, to marketing books and exclusive conferences. The PPC strategy section has a variety of tips for experts and newbies alike.
http://www.beyondthepaid.com/
Online Publications
Search Engine Land
Most people in online marketing have come across Search Engine Land at some point. It covers every aspect of the search marketing industry, providing news, analysis, and tips, and it has its own PPC exam too.
http://searchengineland.com/
Web Marketing Today
You may not be running a large organization with an unlimited marketing budget, but anyone marketing a small business can benefit from PPC advertising with some basic knowledge. Web Marketing Today features articles, tutorials, and webinars ideally suited to helping smaller business succeed with online marketing.
http://webmarketingtoday.com/
In Summary
As search engines and social media channels become increasingly sophisticated, keeping abreast of online advertising news and best practices is crucial if you want your business to succeed in the long term. These resources are a good starting place for you or your team members to get to grips with this important form of online marketing. Ultimately, having more marketing knowledge will increase your potential for online success.
Are you struggling to generate online leads? Do you need help with web development and digital marketing strategies? Give me a call today, without obligation, and let’s get your business seen by more online customers!
