Since the inception of Google we have been used to hearing them yell that the bidding model of Overture may lead to inaccurate results. However Google has followed suit by adopting a AdWords policy. However hats off to Google, for keeping their normal search results INTACT & following their principle of delivering results which are free from any bids.

So what is the AdWords program? Well, go to Google & search for something you want to buy or a service you require. See a few boxes on the right hand side? This is the AdWords Program.

How does it work??? Well, for the first step, identify your keywords & potential buyers. Then go to Google & create one or more advert's for every keyword that you have selected. Give a specific limit to spending on that keyword.

Every time a surfer searches using your keyword, your ad is displayed on the right side. Pricing for AdWords is based on the position in which they're shown. Google positions your ad based on how many users click on it over time. Current rates are $15, $12, $10 (per thousand ads shown) for positions 1, 2, and 3 respectively, and $8 per thousand for positions 4 and beyond.

Now for those of you who think that the Cost Per Click (CPC) program of Overture is a better option... DON'T FRET!!! Check out Google's new AdWords Select. With cost-per-click (CPC) pricing, you pay only when a customer clicks on your ad, regardless of how many times it's shown. As Overture, the minimum you pay here is 5 cents. However the difference here is that Google ensures that the gap between your bid & the nearest competitors is not more than 1cent for higher exposures. You simply set the same maximum cost-per-click for all your keywords, and the AdWords discounter will charge you the lowest cost-per-click necessary to maintain your position for each keyword.

Google seems to have filtered out Overture's drawbacks, the most significant being closing the gap between 2 bids, thus ensuring the most efficient use of your money. Other features of AdWords Select include, complete clickthrough rate reports, Scheduling start & end dates for a campaign, specifying maximum limit per day, editing text in the ads, etc.

So which one to go for... Overture or Google??? Your call!!! I'd say both are BIG & both are important. So whichever engine you decide to concentrate on remember the golden rule, "Choose SPECIFIC TARGETTED keywords" & not general terms, which will ensure that you get quality traffic & help you turn visitors into clients.

Hope you enjoyed reading this article... Look forward to hearing from you (for your comments as well as submission projects). So until next time... Happy Submitting!!!

Author - Vishal Sampat

Convonix Inc is a search engine optimization firm that offers customized SEO optimization and PPC campaign management solutions. We manage hundreds of SEO and PPC campaigns. Our clients include Web design firms, adveritising agencies, fortune 500 companies and SMEs. Other internet marketing companies can also Outsource SEO to us in India.

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