How can you select the best SEM platform for your business?

1 Your SEM strategy and objectives

Before you start looking for a SEM platform, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your SEM campaigns. What are your main keywords, target markets, budget, and performance indicators? How do you plan to measure and improve your return on investment (ROI) and cost per acquisition (CPA)? How do you align your SEM efforts with your overall marketing and business goals? Having a well-defined SEM strategy and objectives will help you narrow down your options and find a platform that supports your vision and needs.

2 Your SEM platform features and functionality

When you’ve got your SEM strategy and objectives in place, you should evaluate different SEM platforms based on their features and functionality. Look for platforms that offer keyword research and management, such as discovering, analyzing, and organizing relevant keywords for your campaigns. Additionally, the platform should help with campaign creation and management by allowing you to adjust bids, budgets, and targeting settings. Reporting and analytics are also important; the platform should track campaign results such as impressions, clicks, conversions, ROI, CPA, and quality score. Finally, the platform should integrate with other marketing channels and tools and automate some of your tasks and workflows.

3 Your SEM platform usability and support

Another important factor to consider when choosing a SEM platform is how easy and convenient it is to use and access. You should look for a SEM platform that has a user-friendly interface, a responsive design, and a reliable performance. You should also look for a SEM platform that offers adequate support and training, such as tutorials, guides, webinars, forums, and customer service. You want to make sure that you can get the most out of your SEM platform and that you can solve any issues or questions that may arise.

4 Your SEM platform pricing and value

Finally, you should consider how much a SEM platform costs and what value it provides for your business. You should compare different SEM platforms based on their pricing models, such as monthly fees, pay-per-click fees, or percentage of ad spend fees. You should also consider the value proposition of each SEM platform, such as the features, functionality, usability, support, and results that they offer. You want to find a SEM platform that fits your budget and delivers a positive return on your investment.

Choosing the best SEM platform for your business can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding one. By following these factors, you can find a SEM platform that helps you create, launch, and optimize your SEM campaigns and achieve your marketing and business goals.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?