One of the common issues that marketers face when using Google Adwords, is that the use of popups on the target page for their ad is not permitted. Many Adwords advertisers just completely remove popups from their web site, which can not only significantly damage the profitability that results from other traffic sources, but, as we shall see, it is also not entirely necessary. This article looks at alternative solutions, which when implemented can virtually double the ROI (Return On Investment) for Adwords ads.

It is well recognized that by capturing the visitor's email address, and then following up with them via an effective auto-responder campaign, marketers can more than double their chances of clinching the sale. Popups can be a very effective way of doing this, often helping to convert 50% of more of visitors to subscribers.

With Google Adwords however, because popups are not permitted, you need to look for other ways in which you can maximize the visitor-to-subscriber conversion ratio, and thereby also maximize the value you get out of each click-through to your web site.

Here are three main ways in which you can do this:

1. Set your target page for your ad as a so-called 'name squeeze' page - this means the whole page you direct them to is focussed on one thing, to get their name and email address, following which you can always redirect them to your normal sales page to try and 'make the sale'. You still need to make sure of course that your ad accurately reflects your target page.

As an example of how to do this, let's say you sell cheap widgets, and your ad is displayed for the keywords 'cheap widgets'. Write a report or an ebook on 'How To Choose The Best Cheap Widget' and offer it for free on your name squeeze page, in return for their email address.

2. Use a special type of popup that doesn't actually display in a new browser window, but 'hovers' over your existing web page - this type of popup is not detected by Google (nor for that matter can they be prevented by popup blocker technology), and works in a similar way to dynamic menus, which of course are perfectly permissable. I have been using this type of popup very successfully for many months in conjunction with Adwords.

You can get a free copy of the software I use by sending a blank mailto:optinover@takanomi.par32.com.

3. Put popups on other pages - Google does not stipulate that you should no popups on your web site, only on the target page for your ad. This means that if your target page encourages visitors to click through to other areas of your web site, you can add put popups on these other pages to help capture your visitors email address.

For example, if you have a long sales letter, try splitting it up onto two or more pages. Your popup(s) can be placed on any of the other pages. I use PopUpMaster Pro to ensure that the popup does not appear if certain links are pressed - this means that you don't show the popup to visitors who click through to read other pages of the sales letter or to order, but otherwise (if they leave your web site) you show them an exit popup to try and grab their email address before they are 'lost forever'.

Use one of the above methods, and you should find that you capture the details of many more visitors who click through from your Google Adwords ad - and by doing this, together with an effective autoresponder campaign, your return on your ad could greatly increase too.

Copyright 2004 Steve Shaw