Article: Paid Search Ads (SEM)

The Beginner’s Guide to Paid Search Ads: How to Get Your Business Found on Google

In today’s digital world, the first place people go when looking for a product or service is Google. Whether they’re searching for a “plumber near me” or “best bakery in Elkhart,” businesses that appear at the top of search results get the most clicks, and the most customers. That’s where Paid Search Advertising comes in.

What Are Paid Search Ads?

Paid Search Ads (also known as Search Engine Marketing or PPC — Pay-Per-Click Advertising) are the sponsored results you see at the top of Google when you type in a keyword.
Businesses pay to have their ads shown when someone searches for specific terms related to their product or service.

The best part? You only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad.

For example, if you’re an HVAC company and someone searches “AC repair near me,” your ad can appear above all the organic results — instantly getting you noticed by high-intent customers.

How Paid Search Ads Work

Paid Search Ads work through an auction system on platforms like Google Ads. Here’s how it breaks down:

You choose keywords — words or phrases your potential customers are typing into Google.
You write ad copy — the text people see when your ad appears.
You set a budget and bid — how much you’re willing to pay per click.
Your ad enters the auction — Google ranks it based on your bid amount, ad relevance, and landing page quality.
Your ad shows up — and you only pay when someone clicks.

Paid search ads should never be unprofitable, every click is an opportunity to generate a lead, call, or sale. At Favze, we help Middlebury and Elkhart County businesses create data-driven search campaigns that deliver measurable results and ensure every ad dollar works hard for your growth.

Riley Catalano
CEO of Favze

Why Paid Search Ads Matter for Local and Small Businesses

Paid Search Ads are one of the most powerful tools for small and local businesses because they:

Put you in front of people who are actively searching for what you offer
Deliver instant visibility — unlike SEO, which can take months
Let you control your budget — you decide exactly how much you spend
Provide measurable results — see exactly how many clicks and conversions your ads generate
Boost local leads fast — ideal for businesses in smaller communities like Elkhart or Middlebury

When done right, paid search campaigns can turn just a few dollars in ad spend into a steady stream of local customers, and at Favze, we make sure every campaign is set up correctly to deliver measurable results for Middlebury and Elkhart County businesses.

Tips for Running Successful Paid Search Ads

Start with specific keywords — Avoid broad terms like “marketing” and go for intent-based ones like “digital marketing agency in Elkhart.”
Use negative keywords — Tell Google what not to show your ad for (for example, adding “free” as a negative keyword).
Write clear, compelling ad copy — Highlight benefits, add urgency, and include a strong call to action.
Optimize your landing page — Make sure it’s fast, relevant, and matches your ad message.
Track your conversions — Use Google Ads and Analytics to see what’s working and where to improve.

Final Thoughts

Paid Search Ads aren’t just for big companies, they’re one of the smartest ways for small and local businesses to grow fast and reach ready-to-buy customers.
When set up correctly, they can deliver immediate visibility, qualified leads, and a high return on investment.

If you’re ready to put your business at the top of Google, Favze can help you launch and manage your Paid Search Campaigns, so you can focus on running your business while we bring in the clicks.

Complete the form below to have your free consultation.