
- Blog Posts
Karina Nikolova is considered one of the veterans at internetwarriors. She cares deeply about SEA management, but she also enjoys developing marketing strategies for social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Her latest passion is in TikTok advertising. In addition to daily performance analyses and optimizations, she appreciates the successful communication with clients in her work.


- Blog Posts
Karina Nikolova is considered one of the veterans at internetwarriors. She cares deeply about SEA management, but she also enjoys developing marketing strategies for social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Her latest passion is in TikTok advertising. In addition to daily performance analyses and optimizations, she appreciates the successful communication with clients in her work.

- Blog Posts
Karina Nikolova is considered one of the veterans at internetwarriors. She cares deeply about SEA management, but she also enjoys developing marketing strategies for social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Her latest passion is in TikTok advertising. In addition to daily performance analyses and optimizations, she appreciates the successful communication with clients in her work.
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Google Ads Video Campaigns
May 6, 2024

Karina
Nikolova
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Many marketing experts today still consider YouTube to be a good way to increase brand awareness and generate cheap traffic. This assumption is indeed legitimate, as YouTube video ads primarily served this purpose in the past. But times have changed, and so have the opportunities YouTube offers marketers. While it used to be unimaginable to achieve many direct conversions with YouTube campaigns, it is now possible to focus your campaign on conversions and use automated bidding strategies such as “maximize conversions” and “maximize conversion value.” And this is thanks to one of the latest Google Ads video campaigns launched on the market - the video action campaign. Before addressing the main topic, I want to emphasize the significance of YouTube as a channel and highlight the importance of incorporating this platform into your marketing mix. [object Object] [object Object] [object Object] [object Object] Why YouTube? Image Source: Google Support In a world where digital presence is increasingly decisive, YouTube has established itself as a key platform in the marketing mix. This has been confirmed by several statistics in recent years. According to Statista, more than 2 billion users are active on YouTube every month worldwide, which corresponds to about 40% of global users. [object Object] In January 2024, YouTube secured the second place in the ranking of the world's largest social networks. This positioning is no surprise when you consider that only in Germany, about 72.6 million people use YouTube monthly, with a daily reach of about 37%, according to a survey from 2022. [object Object] The fact that many users spend a lot of time on the platform is evidenced by the 2019 Comscore study, which shows that YouTube offers the longest playback time among ad-supported streaming services. [object Object] Regarding the user demographics, YouTube is most frequently used by people aged 25 to 34 years, unlike platforms like TikTok, which are more preferred by a younger target audience. [object Object] YouTube's popularity is due to its numerous advantages. Users can learn, get inspired, become part of a community with shared interests, and discover new products. All these factors make the platform a powerful tool for advertisers looking to effectively engage their target audiences and increase brand or product awareness. Especially the possibility to reach users at the very moment they search for products or services is a decisive advantage. Moreover, many users consider the recommendations of their favorite YouTube creators in the purchasing process. [object Object] All in all, YouTube has proven to be “the place to be,” and as marketers, we want to advertise where everyone wants to be. What is a Video Action Campaign? Video action campaigns offer an efficient way to generate a higher number of conversions through a single automated campaign on both YouTube and other platforms. They are designed to directly encourage your audience to take action and not only scale conversions but also the overall revenue. However, this is not the first YouTube campaign type designed to encourage direct conversions. Video action campaigns are considered an evolution of the former TrueView for Action campaigns, which have not been available on Google Ads since 2022. While the latter offered many benefits, they lacked some of the advanced features integrated into video action campaigns. Google reports that compared to TrueView for Action campaigns, you can achieve up to 20% higher conversion rates with them. In this sense, the “True View for Action” campaign served as the foundation for developing the current YouTube campaign type. Where are the video ads displayed and what do they look like? YouTube allows advertisers to deliver their ads through various formats, including skippable in-stream ads, in-feed video ads, and YouTube Shorts. In contrast, True View for Actions could only use skippable in-stream ads. Besides the homepage feed, video ads can appear in the “Recommended Videos” section and on the search results pages. They are displayed not only on YouTube but also with Google video partners, significantly increasing reach. If you want to use video ads, they should be at least 10 seconds long. As for video ads themselves, the Google ad videos you want to use as ads must be at least 10 seconds long. Since the introduction of video action campaigns, Google Ads has improved the ad's appearance. Recently, the number of assets you can add to ad texts has been expanded. Currently, you can insert 5 call-to-actions, headlines, long ad titles, and descriptions per ad. However, some assets are not displayed in certain formats. For example, descriptions are not visible in skippable in-stream ads. For even stronger campaign performance, various additional assets can be integrated. These include site links, lead forms, or product feeds. These elements can significantly enhance user engagement and conversions by providing additional interaction opportunities directly within the ad. Which creatives are suitable for video action campaigns? ABCD Principle Creating relevant advertising content is key to the success of any YouTube campaign. The first few seconds of a video are crucial in capturing the viewers' attention. Use visually appealing, high-contrast images and ensure that your brand is noticeable from the beginning and consistently present throughout the video. Try to tell a story within your video that highlights important USPs but also evokes emotions. End each video with a clear call-to-action (CTA) to encourage interactions. For more information, you can check out Google's ABCD principle for effective creatives. What bidding strategies can be used? Since video action campaigns focus on conversions, you can select conversion-related bidding strategies like “Target CPA.” It is important to note that the set campaign budget influences how quickly the algorithm can optimize the campaign for conversions. Particularly for the “Target CPA” bidding strategy, a daily budget is recommended that is at least 15 times the targeted CPA. The “Target ROAS” and “Maximize conversion value” bidding strategies are only available for video action campaigns once the campaign has achieved at least 30 conversions. Which best practices are recommended for video action campaigns? Using the WAVE tool on the Google Store Test different ad variations: Experiment with different CTAs, ad texts, and video content to find out what resonates best with your audience. As more users are mobile, it is advisable to include vertical videos among the ad materials as they are optimized for mobile devices. Use additional assets only when necessary: While the use of assets, such as lead forms, can improve your campaign's performance, this is not always the case. They can affect how your ads are delivered and user behavior. For example, a long lead form may cause users to abandon rather than convert. Furthermore, you should strategically consider whether different assets are even beneficial for the success of your video action campaign. Select the right conversion goal: This point is particularly important if many and different conversion goals are stored in the account. When creating a video action campaign, you should only retain those that are relevant, as the algorithm cannot distinguish between different conversion goals. Activate optimized targeting: With this option, Google promises about 20% more conversions. Set the right expectations: As already mentioned, video action campaigns are conversion-oriented, and as such, the algorithm prioritizes the conversions set as a goal in the campaign. You can certainly strengthen your brand or product awareness, but the prices you would pay for this, e.g., the average CPM, would be higher than with other Google Ads video campaigns. For this reason, you should be clear about what you want to achieve with YouTube as part of the marketing mix and which measures are best suited for this purpose. Why test the video action campaign? Testing is an essential part of every marketing expert's daily routine. Taking the known path might generally be beneficial but does not always work. Regular success on Google Ads requires staying up to date and testing what the platform has to offer. In this sense, I encourage you to give the video action campaign a fair chance and experience its unique features for yourself. If you need help planning, creating, or optimizing such campaigns, the Warriors from Berlin are happy to assist you. You can contact us anytime for a non-binding offer contact us .
How the YPP Guidelines Affect the Quality of YouTube Ads
Oct 15, 2021

Karina
Nikolova
Category:
Social Media

Table of Contents Is YouTube advertising part of your online marketing strategy? Maybe you haven't used YouTube yet. Perhaps you have been running YouTube Ads for years and are noticing a decline in performance. Indeed, the framework conditions have changed significantly in recent years, making it more challenging to find relevant channels and videos where you can place your ads. Why is this the case? Our YouTube Warriors have investigated this question. Of course, we not only present problems but also bring solutions on how you can still use YouTube effectively in 2021. How does advertising on YouTube work? If you are not yet familiar with YouTube Ads, here is a quick overview: On YouTube, the largest video platform owned by Google since 2006, companies and individuals can create their own channels and upload videos. These videos can be set to “public,” “unlisted,” or “private” to control who can view them. Public videos can be monetized, meaning they are available for advertising. This allows advertisers to run ad videos on these videos. There are different ad formats and placements, such as non-skippable ads at the beginning of a video. Billing is based on format, either by views, impressions, or clicks. How have the guidelines for the YouTube Partner Program developed? In 2012, the YouTube Partner Program was opened up to everyone. This allowed all channel owners to make their videos available for advertising. The result: a wide variety of small and large channels were available to advertisers. At the same time, the channels competed with each other for ad space. In April 2017, YouTube tightened the guidelines for participation in the Partner Program: the requirement was 10,000 views on the channel. Another tightening occurred in January 2018, which YouTube justified by raising standards to improve the quality of channels and videos for ad space. Specifically, this means that since then, 4,000 hours of public viewing time within the last 12 months and 1,000 subscribers have been required. With this revision of the guidelines, large channels benefited, and many small channels no longer met the requirements of the Partner Program. Since large channels typically target a B2C audience, monetizable channels in the B2B sector are becoming scarce, as they often can no longer participate in the Partner Program due to their size. What do the current YouTube guidelines mean for advertisers? The variety of channels and videos in the YouTube Partner Program brings several advantages for advertisers: for example, individual videos or channels can be precisely selected as placements, allowing for highly accurate control over the environment in which the video ad appears, creating greater relevance. Especially for niche topics, smaller channels and videos with fewer views but a better-matched target audience are very valuable. Particularly in B2B areas, where relevance and quality are much more important than mass distribution, this precise selection of placements is lost with the current guidelines of the Partner Program. While videos can still be researched in the Display Planner, channels and videos that were once perfectly matched are often no longer available because they no longer meet the requirements and are not monetizable. This means that it has become much more difficult to find accurate placements for niche topics. In 2021, the conditions are changing again with an adjustment of the guidelines. Those who operate a YouTube channel but do not meet the requirements of the Partner Program can no longer choose to keep their videos ad-free (i.e., not monetized). YouTube itself reserves the right to decide whether ads are displayed on these channels and videos. If ads are displayed, the revenue remains 100% with Google, and channel owners do not even receive information on where, when, and how often ads were shown in their videos. What this means for advertisers and to what extent small channels can again be used for advertising is unclear. The old diversity of long-tail placements has not yet returned. We will continue to monitor the topic and share our insights with you as always. Are YouTube Ads a suitable channel for your business? Are you unsure whether YouTube is suitable for your business and industry? A simple search gives you an initial impression of whether relevant placements are available and to what extent your target audience is present on YouTube and which content and topics are particularly popular. Search for the most important relevant terms on YouTube: Are there videos on your topic? Also, consider extended topics and terms that may interest your target audience (products, services, and questions you may not offer or answer yourself but are closely related to your topic because they describe a similar problem, for example). How many views and clicks do the videos have? How many subscriptions do the channels have? Are there interactions with the videos? Are the videos monetized? The answers to these questions and the results of your research give you an initial impression of whether YouTube Ads could be worthwhile or how important YouTube is as a platform for your industry. It is also advisable to consult external expertise—look for a YouTube expert who has experience with the platform. 7 Tips for improving your YouTube ad performance Do you want to improve the performance of your YouTube Ads? Here are 7 tips from our Performance Marketing Warriors, who have extensive experience with YouTube advertising. 1. Define your audience Our first tip may seem trivial, but knowledge of your audience is essential in all online marketing measures and thus also forms the basis for performing YouTube Ads. Who do you want to reach with your channel and content? What goal are you pursuing with your channel, videos, and ads, and for whom are they relevant? [object Object] If you already have a YouTube channel, you can learn more about your audience in YouTube Analytics. Also, consider which phase of the Customer Journey your audience is currently in: which topics and terms are relevant in this phase? Which related topics interest your audience? 2. Put yourself in the audience's shoes (User Intent) What is your audience looking for, what do they want to know, see, and do? The User Intent is also of great importance in all online marketing channels. Keep in mind to provide added value and not just purely promotional content. Your video content must be relevant to your audience—this is especially true for videos that you want to use to build organic reach. But also when creating video ad materials, make sure to engage your audience and convince them to watch more of your channel's content or visit your website. Advertising can and should also be entertaining or helpful. 3. Placements and Targeting A helpful tool for researching suitable targeting options is the Google Display Planner, which allows you to identify thematically suitable placements (YouTube videos or channels) where you can run your video ads. Alternatively, you can add placements directly when creating the campaign and use the search function. Especially in the B2B sector, the thematic focus of your YouTube advertising is important for reaching your target audience and generating relevant traffic. Take advantage of video remarketing campaigns and specifically target users who have watched a video from your channel or visited your website. If you have multiple videos available, set your campaign so that users do not see the same video every time but get a variety of videos displayed, reducing the risk of your advertising being perceived as too intrusive. 4. Use Frequency Cap “Blocking YouTube ads” is searched over 4,000 times a month, and over 300 times “YouTube ads annoy.” This user intent (seeking a solution to the problem of unwanted YouTube ads) suggests that YouTube Ads should be placed with sensitivity. Especially on a platform where it's rarely about purchase intent but primarily entertainment and information, commercial content is a sensitive topic. The “Frequency Cap” allows you to limit how often users see your ad videos, reducing the chance of them becoming annoyed and forming a negative impression of you or your brand (and giving your ad a “thumbs down” or skipping it). How much is too much also depends on the audience and the advertising or ad format; for example, B2B ads have proven successful about two to three times a week. Remember: less is more! 5. Use Exclusion Criteria Even if you have done extensive research beforehand, you should use exclusion criteria. This prevents your advertising from appearing on videos that don't fit you and your target audience because, for example, they don't offer the desired content quality. At a campaign level, you can set your criteria under “Inventory types” or “excluding types/labels,” such as videos with or without age restrictions. You can also exclude specific channels and videos. Working with a good YouTube agency, they will already have extensive lists of bad placements, which are continuously updated. 6. Optimize your own channel To use YouTube effectively, you should integrate your channel into your strategy. Although you also have the option to advertise a product or service directly with YouTube Ads and direct users to your website or online shop, your channel is a crucial complement. YouTube, as the second largest search engine, brings great potential for many different industries and topics. With an optimized channel, you create organic reach and become more visible as a brand. You can also use YouTube ads to advertise your channel and videos and increase your channel's number of subscriptions. 7. Complement YouTube Ads through collaborations If there are no or too few suitable channels and videos for relevant placements, remember that there are other ways to gain traffic and leads through YouTube. Besides your own channel, you can use collaborations to increase your reach. After the update of the YPP guidelines, smaller topic-specific channels can hardly monetize their videos through the Partner Program. As an alternative, you can enter into direct collaborations. This could mean, for example, that your service, product, or event is mentioned in videos. Looking for expert support for your YouTube campaigns? Do you want to generate more traffic via YouTube? As a full-service online marketing agency, we focus on performance marketing. Since we also manage other channels, we have an eye on your business and content marketing strategy and how the YouTube channel fits into it. Our YouTube Warriors have extensive experience, particularly in the B2B segment. Because we create and optimize YouTube channels and run YouTube advertising, we bring both perspectives, and can advise you on generating both organic and paid traffic via YouTube. We also offer a Masterclass on YouTube Channel Optimization. Contact us here ! Did you enjoy the blog? Share it now!
Search Intent & Ads Automation - The Future of Google Ads
Oct 1, 2021

Karina
Nikolova
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Table of Contents Google is continuously evolving. There are new privacy policies to consider, new technologies replacing old ones, and the user experience during searches is constantly being improved. For online marketers and advertisers, this means engaging with new features and guidelines and responding to them to achieve the best possible performance. The topic of "Search Intent" is not new, but it continues to gain importance. Why it's critical for Google Ads, the role automation plays, and where Google Ads may head in the future are revealed by our SEA Warriors in this blog post. The change in organic and paid search Over the past decades, Google search results have changed significantly. The original list of 10 links is barely remembered, and ads have evolved in format and presentation. Nonetheless, Google's goal remains the same: to display the most relevant results. This is relative to the search query and increasingly pertinent to each individual searcher with their unique prerequisites and requirements. With the help of machine learning, Google has been attempting for some time to better understand search queries and grasp contexts and meanings: what is the need/intent behind the request, and what type of result is relevant for this query? The context is becoming more important than the exact form of the word, both in SEO and for Google Ads. Individual factors also influence the result: location, device used, personal search history, the search history of people with similar interests, etc. A new feature in the search results in the USA provides insight into the selection criteria for search results: why is a specific result relevant to a search query? In the USA, users can access additional information for each organic search result, detailing the result and the associated domain, as well as why the result is relevant, for instance, due to local relevance, language, and keywords present on the page. In Germany, this feature has not yet been rolled out, but it is likely only a matter of time. The way people search has also changed: thanks to assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri, longer "conversational" search queries are increasingly being made, in the form of complete sentences or questions. For search engines, this raises the question: how can even more complex inquiries be answered satisfactorily? The goal is to understand search queries as a human would and thus identify the intent behind them. Semantic Search - Search Intent in Google Ads In search engine optimization, search intent has long been an essential topic. Strict optimization for exact keywords is long gone; semantic search recognizes contexts, synonyms, and similar terms. Google's goal: to recognize the intent behind every search. What is the intention of the searcher? To be informed, entertained, compare, buy, or solve a specific problem? The development does not surprise our experts: Google Ads is following this development, and search intent is playing a more significant role in paid search as well. Google is striving to align paid and unpaid results? As a result, the precise, very finely-granulated booking of keywords and the detailed structure of campaigns and ad groups will no longer exist in the future. Instead, Google is focusing on automation and using machine learning to understand how users operate, which ads, for instance, perform well, and which do not—regardless of manual optimization. What does this mean for Google Ads? Automation in Google Ads has been observable for several years now. It’s moving more towards smart bidding strategies , away from manual optimizations. An example of this is the Responsive Search Ads (RSA) , which were introduced in 2018. Google autonomously assembles ad headlines and descriptions, determining and displaying the optimal combination based on machine learning. The same applies to ad extensions , which are played out automatically: from a variety of different media (images and videos), Google displays different variations. The algorithm learns from this, which compilation performs best and uses this knowledge to automatically optimize ads and extensions. Through these additional details, semantic search queries, for instance, can be answered in the future. The adjustment of keyword match types also indicates the direction in which things are headed: the "Broad Match Modifier (BMM)" has been combined with "Phrase Match," and "Exact Match" is no longer as exact as it was in the past but now also includes keyword variations that Google has identified as relevant. The future of Google Ads Managers What does the future hold for Google Ads? The trend indicates it: manual optimization options are increasingly disappearing. Eventually, there will probably only be smart campaigns into which a keyword list, ad text, and creatives are fed, the ROAS is set, and Google takes care of everything else. Given the increasing automation, we might ask: will Google Ads managers become obsolete in the future? Certainly not, though the focus of the work is gradually shifting from manual, craft-based work towards much more strategic consulting. The fewer minor adjustments that can be made, the more critical the few optimization options remain for advertisers in Google Ads, such as the creation and optimization of ad texts, monitoring, adjusting the ROAS, or optimizing landing pages. Experienced SEA experts also keep an eye on the overlaps with other channels as well as the company's overall strategy. How can more qualified traffic be generated overall? Which other channels besides Google Ads are sensible and promising for the industry and the company? What does the customer journey look like? This could mean, for instance, developing funnel concepts or even just defining the target group precisely. Thus, SEA managers will continue to exist, but the demands on this already complex job are likely to rise rather than fall. More than ever, it’s about looking "beyond the horizon," beyond one's channel, and taking the high-level view of the company's strategy, including various measures and channels that lead to the goal. Tips for lasting success with Google Advertising in times of automation The future might bring only Smart Campaigns, but manual adjustments are still possible. And even with automated campaigns, there are several levers to influence success. Here are the key tips from our SEA experts . Even though the future is leaning more towards automation, manual campaigns are still possible. The SEA Warriors team relies on manual optimization for new campaigns to understand the background and not to leave everything 100% to the "black box" Google: what works in campaigns and what doesn’t? And even with increasing automation, testing remains important . Which creatives work best? Which landing pages have the best conversion rates (keyword A/B Testing)? In choosing keywords : don't add too few, but rather broaden the terms a bit to avoid missing out on potential. Overly restricting leads to reduced reach and higher click costs. Depending on the goal, it may be especially useful in new accounts to maximize clicks and bring as many users as possible to the website or online shop. On the one hand, a certain minimum amount of data is necessary to derive conclusions. On the other hand, Google learns how users function only through sufficient data. Empathy is crucial for all online marketing channels: understanding the needs and intentions of the target audience , putting oneself in their shoes. This also includes asking: where is he or she in the funnel? What is the current search intent, and what is the next step? Is it just about gathering information, comparing providers or products, or is there already a specific purchase intention for a specific product or service? Depending on the position in the customer journey and intention, the approach and offer to the target audience differ. Accordingly, landing pages, ad texts, and creatives must be selected and precisely aligned with this intention. And fundamentally: A holistic online marketing strategy , which considers all relevant channels, a consistent user address, correct tracking, and diligent monitoring are prerequisites that remain important regardless of automation or new developments in Google Ads. Sustainably successful Google campaigns and ads with the internetwarriors Would you like to optimize your Google Ads campaigns and make the most out of your budget? The internetwarriors SEA experts bring years of experience with small and large accounts, small and large budgets. We stay constantly updated with changes and new features and developments. As a Google Premium Agency, we work directly with Google and are often invited to new beta tests. This allows us to try out changes earlier and gather experiences before these innovations are rolled out for all accounts. As a full-service agency, we also bring expertise in other channels, such as SEO and web analytics. This creates synergies between the individual channels and allows us to maintain an overview of the entire online marketing strategy and your overall performance. We will guide you and your Google Ads account strategically into the future. Contact us , we’d be happy to create a non-binding offer for you! Did you enjoy the blog? Recommend it now! Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn Envelope WhatsApp AUTHOR
Why Usability Is So Important for Your Website
Jun 11, 2025

Nadine
Wolff
Category:
SEO

Website usability means that users can reach their goals without frustration, overthinking, or detours—whether their goal is to get information, make a purchase, download something, or get in touch. The easier and smoother your website is to use, the more likely visitors are to stay—and come back. Good usability not only saves time but also builds trust and improves the perception of your company or brand. Especially in the digital market, just a few seconds often determine whether someone stays or leaves. Therefore, it's crucial that your website is logically structured, easy to understand, and technically impeccable—for all users, on every device. In this article, we'll provide you with an overview of the fundamentals of website usability, explain why it's so important, and outline which aspects you should consider. What is Usability? Usability can be translated as "usability" and describes the ability to achieve the desired result without difficulty. The term "user-friendliness" is also often used. Optimal usability means that a product, service, or website fulfills its intended purpose precisely. On a website, this could mean a completed purchase, the provision of relevant information, strengthening your brand, etc., depending on the intention. Usability is a key factor in determining whether and to what extent visitors engage with your website content or move on to another site. It is an important factor in customer satisfaction and website quality. A usability analysis can help identify errors, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement on the website. What does Usability encompass? Website usability includes all aspects that affect the user-friendliness of a website—how simple, understandable, efficient, and pleasant it is to use. Many factors interact to create a positive user experience. Specifically, they include: Navigation and Structure: Clear page layout (e.g., an easy-to-navigate menu, logical hierarchy), simple, logical navigation, breadcrumb navigation, and an easily searchable effective search function Layout and Design: A consistent layout across all pages, a visual hierarchy (important elements stand out), responsive design (works on all devices), and appropriate use of colors, font sizes, and spacing Content and Language: Clear, understandable language, relevant, up-to-date content, good readability (paragraphs, titles, lists), and accessibility (e.g., alt text, contrasts, keyboard accessibility) Interactivity and Feedback: Meaningful feedback (e.g., after clicks, forms), helpful and friendly error messages, and buttons and links that are clearly recognizable Loading Times and Performance: Fast loading times of pages and content and technical stability (no crashes, malfunctions) Accessibility: Support for screen readers, keyboard operability, good color contrasts, and scalable font sizes Trust and Security: SSL encryption, transparent data protection information, and a professional appearance (e.g., legal notice, contact information) Conversion Support: Clear calls to action (e.g., "Buy Now," "Learn More"), no distractions from the actual purpose of the page, and support for processes like forms or checkout What are the Goals of Website Usability? The goals of website usability are aimed at designing websites so they can be used effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily by users. Interaction should be as intuitive as possible to lead to the desired outcome. Jakob Nielsen - one of the leading experts on usability, who has been studying the topic for decades - developed 5 key criteria of usability : 1. Learnability Goal: New users should be able to quickly understand and use the website. Navigation, structure, and functions must be intuitive . Example: A first-time visitor immediately understands where to find information or how to make a purchase. 2. Efficiency Goal: Experienced users should be able to complete their tasks quickly and effectively . Optimized workflows, fast loading times, and clear paths lead to goal achievement. Example: A repeat customer can reorder with just a few clicks. 3. Memorability Goal: Users who haven’t visited the website for a while should be able to easily use it again. This is helped by consistent design, familiar symbols, and a logical structure. Example: A user remembers how to find customer support even after weeks. 4. Errors (Error Prevention and Handling) Goal: The website should be as error-tolerant as possible and help users avoid or correct errors. This can be achieved through clear and understandable error messages, opportunities for correction, or well-thought-out forms. Example: An incomplete form clearly indicates what is missing without deleting all input. 5. Satisfaction Goal: Using the website should be a pleasant experience and generate positive feelings. An appealing design, useful content, and easy navigation lead to higher satisfaction among users. Example: A user-friendly interface with clear texts provides trust and enjoyment while using the site. How Can Usability Be Measured? Measuring usability means systematically evaluating the user-friendliness of a product or website using specific criteria, tasks, and user tests. While usability is partly subjective, it can be objectively measured if you use the right methods. Aspects of the above five listed criteria - learnability, efficiency, memorability, error prevention, and satisfaction - are often tested. Various methods are employed for measurement: Usability tests with users who have to perform specific tasks Questionnaires filled out by users after a test An expert examination based on specific criteria (does not replace user testing) Analysis of analytics and user behavior through web analysis tools, heatmaps, or mouse tracking A/B testing - different versions are tested against specific questions and data Why is Usability Important? There are numerous positive impacts of good website usability and just as many reasons why you should pay attention to good user-friendliness. It makes it easier for users to navigate your website, helps you stand out from the competition, and enhances the impression you leave on potential customers. Let's take a closer look at the individual reasons: Users Want to Be Guided A good website makes it easier for users to navigate. It allows them to quickly get to their desired goal (completing a purchase, downloading a document, finding the needed information) without thinking too much. The offered content should be self-explanatory in terms of the positive user experience. In fact, users don't want to think about how to do something on a website. They want to be guided and don't want to search laboriously for certain elements and "discover" the website on their own. They want to intuitively reach their desired goal as quickly as possible. The content offered needs to be self-explanatory for a positive user experience, and any interactive elements should be directly usable. Website Usability as a Competitive Factor The lack of willingness to stay on a website just because is partly due to the market situation. In the online world, a competitor is just one click away. Unlike a physical shopping street, there's no need to walk past a series of stores. The reality is usually different. Most companies don’t have the luxury of offering something so unique (services, physical products, digital products like apps) that users would endure a cumbersome website. Instead, well-prepared and easily accessible website content has the power to convince users to complete conversions on your site rather than a competitor's, making usability a crucial competitive factor. Your website needs to make a good impression from the first second. Many website owners are unaware that users often judge the entire company based on their first impression of the website. A poorly maintained website can negatively impact the entire company's image. Users might question whether the company is capable of offering good service if it can't even manage to keep basic things on the website in order. While this assumption is often incorrect, it illustrates the potential consequences of poor website usability. Usability is More Than Just Good Design The challenge in website design is that it's unlike any other medium because people often have different expectations for how websites are used versus how they're actually used. When website owners and designers sketch out a site, they have a certain image in mind. It's often assumed that users will study all the content thoroughly. But in reality, users often only skim through a page initially. They quickly scan the text and click on the first link that seems interesting or appears to be the closest to their searched goal. As a result, a large portion of the page might not be actively noticed by your users. How users read a webpage greatly depends on their goal in mind. They focus on words and phrases that match their personal interests, known as trigger words. If they don't find these on your website, it can still be beautifully designed and contain seemingly informative content, but it won’t hold their interest. Technical Performance is Part of Usability too Besides graphical design, technical preparation is a key aspect of usability. While large images, videos, interactive graphics, and other moving elements may look visually appealing, they significantly increase loading time. The problem is not all users have access to a fast internet connection. Ideally, a good load time is important for two main reasons: it reduces the chance that visitors lose patience and leave the website, and page load time is becoming an increasingly important ranking factor for search engines. Usability Engineering Usability engineering is a structured and systematic process for developing user-friendly systems, where the usability of a product—or, in this case, a website—is deliberately planned, tested, and improved throughout the development process. This means that usability should ideally be considered from the conception of a website or a relaunch. Good usability doesn't happen by chance; it's systematically planned and tested. SEO and Usability – A Strong Team SEO ensures the necessary flow of traffic through organic search results. But you shouldn't focus solely on generating traffic. Without usability, your visitors will quickly leave again, often without converting. If you only focus on usability, you will reach a significantly smaller group of visitors who may convert well, but due to the small number, may not generate enough revenue to financially sustain the company behind it. Choosing usability doesn't necessarily mean writing off SEO. If you think SEO is just about ranking first in Google's organic search results and driving traffic to the website, you're not thinking broadly enough. SEO measures aim not only for top placement in search results but also ensure that users can find their way around the site. This goal is shared with usability. Classic OnPage SEO measures include, for example: Clear page structure Logical navigation Breadcrumbs and HTML sitemaps Pagination Avoidance of 404 error pages Logical internal linking On closer inspection, it becomes clear that these points simultaneously significantly improve user navigation. So, there are indeed significant intersections between the two online marketing disciplines, which do not contradict each other. Good SEO specialists and user experience managers are aware of this close connection and ensure that all elements of the website complement each other effectively. Website Usability and Accessibility/Accessibility In the context of website usability, the topic of accessibility is also important. Both disciplines pursue the same goal of facilitating the use of websites, but they are approached from different perspectives: Usability aims to improve user-friendliness for as many people as possible. Accessibility seeks to make the website fully usable for people with disabilities (especially visual and hearing impairments). Numerous measures improve both web usability and accessibility (for example, a clear structure and understandable language or good contrasts). Accessibility also requires compliance with technical standards such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), including screen reader compatibility or alternative texts for images. Since the Accessibility Enhancement Act , you should assess (or have assessed) whether your website is not only user-friendly but also accessible. This is important to ensure that people with disabilities can use your website without restriction. Usability issues usually only become apparent when expected conversions don’t occur. Retrospective improvements can be expensive or, in extreme cases, unworkable. That's why you should focus on a good user experience at the launch or relaunch of your website. However, this doesn't mean that you should completely disregard usability in favor of SEO. Those who believe that SEO is only about ranking first in organic search results and driving traffic to the website are thinking too narrowly. In addition to good placement in organic search results, SEO measures also aim to ensure that users can navigate the website. This goal is shared by search engine optimization with usability.
Why Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) Should Not Be Missing From Any Marketing Mix
Jun 2, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Microsoft Advertising (previously known as “ Bing Ads ”) is a powerful addition to Google Ads, offering numerous advantages such as comparatively lower click prices and advanced targeting options. Are you already using Microsoft Ads, or have you limited your advertising to Google so far? In this article, we explore why it's more worthwhile than ever for companies to invest in Microsoft Advertising , what differences and benefits the platform offers, and why the topic of generative AI should not be overlooked. What is Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads)? To begin, here's a brief overview: Microsoft Ads (formerly known as “Bing Ads”) is Microsoft's advertising platform , enabling companies to engage in search engine marketing (SEM), similar to Google Ads. Ads primarily appear on Bing's search results pages, but also on Yahoo, AOL, and partner networks, as well as in Microsoft products like Edge, Outlook, Windows, and the Microsoft Audience Network. Microsoft Advertising was launched as “Microsoft adCenter” in 2006, rebranded to “Bing Ads” in 2009, and finally to “Microsoft Ads” in 2019. With Microsoft Ads, for example, it’s possible to run keyword-based Text Ads (Search Ads) and also offers Shopping Ads that require a Microsoft Merchant Center feed, Responsive Search Ads , as well as native advertising in the Microsoft Audience Network and Remarketing . Bing in Search Engine Ranking and Technological Innovations When people search the internet, they often “Google.” Over time, the term “Googling” has become embedded in the language of most people and even made it into the 23rd edition of the Duden in 2004. It’s perhaps no surprise that “Googling” originated from the namesake search engine. Other search engines still remain in Google's shadow, often slipping from memory when it comes to marketing efforts. But is this justified? Bing may not automatically come to mind first when thinking about internet research. Nonetheless, the platform has undergone many positive changes and established itself as a solid alternative to Google. In recent years, Bing's market share has steadily grown , while Google currently remains stable (albeit at a high level). According to Statista, Bing's market share was 11.75% globally in April 2025, compared to around 8% three years prior. In Germany, Bing even holds a 15% market share . The Microsoft Search Network leveraged by Bing includes other search engines such as Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia, collectively reaching a significant number of users. This enhances the opportunities for advertisers on Microsoft Ads and increases the potential visibility of their ads. While the Microsoft Search Network still falls short of Google in absolute terms, it has carved out a stable place in the market. It is expected that Bing’s market share will continue to rise, as more people seek alternative search engines in an era of growing privacy concerns. Microsoft, like Google, continually invests in technological innovations to make Bing more appealing to users. This is demonstrated not only by the new AI features continually being implemented in Bing , but also by a general massive increase in interest around Artificial Intelligence among internet users. This development naturally benefits Microsoft Ads as well. For example, Microsoft Office products offer the possibility of integrating Copilot into an extended license. Copilot is Microsoft’s AI-based agent that draws on Bing as a search engine when needed. Advantages of Microsoft Advertising over Google Ads An important factor that sets Bing apart from Google is the demographic composition of its users. While Google appeals to a broad audience, Bing is particularly popular among middle-aged individuals and business professionals . This can be advantageous for companies looking to target these specific audiences. Decision-makers and influencers can be particularly well-reached this way. [object Object] Often overlooked, but just as important: On most work PCs running Windows, Microsoft Edge is the default browser, making Bing the default search engine . Cortana also pulls its results from there. This greatly increases the likelihood that a search query on Bing will occur in a business-relevant context. Additionally, the majority of traffic consists of desktop users. These factors can further positively influence the quality of traffic . Another advantage of Microsoft Advertising is the native integration of LinkedIn targeting . As Microsoft owns LinkedIn, advertisers can access the extensive professional data of LinkedIn users and target their ads more precisely. The attributes “Job Function,” “Company,” and “Industry” are available for more tailored targeting. Bid adjustments can be used, for example, to place higher bids for particularly relevant target groups. This is especially useful when B2B marketing plays a role. However, possibly the most significant advantage is that Bing, and thus Bing Ads/Microsoft Ads, is still surprisingly underutilized by many companies. Commonly cited arguments include a comparatively low search volume compared to Google and a lack of time to create and manage a complete account setup on this platform. But therein lies a great opportunity for businesses. The much lower volume of competitors positively impacts cost per click and can help companies position successfully on Bing with relatively low budget investment, yielding significantly more sales and leads compared to Google Ads vs. Microsoft Ads - Overview of Pros and Cons: Google Ads Advantages: Higher market share, worldwide and in Germany Greater reach and traffic potential Broader range of target audiences Higher mobile user coverage Disadvantages: Higher competition and hence typically higher click prices (CPC) More complex user interface Microsoft Ads Advantages: Less competition and hence Typically more affordable CPC, especially in niche markets More cost-effective, even with smaller budgets Additional reach through other platforms/search engines like Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL Reaches an audience that may not use Google (middle-aged and Edge users) Target audience is generally older and wealthier, with many desktop users (particularly interesting for B2B and certain markets) Disadvantages: Lower market share and therefore Traffic potential Less automation and features Copilot in Microsoft Ads Microsoft Copilot is a AI-based assistant integrated into Microsoft Advertising that helps advertisers with various tasks based on campaign data, user inputs, and AI models. This includes: Campaign creation , such as automated keyword research, ad text suggestions, and the creation of Responsive Search Ads based on landing pages or product information Campaign optimization , e.g., bid strategy and budget distribution suggestions or A/B testing of ad elements Report and analysis creation , e.g., intelligent campaign performance summaries and creation of visual reports Like Google Ads, Microsoft Ads offers numerous opportunities to automate routine tasks with Copilot, saving time. Automatic intelligent analysis supports data-driven decisions. Copilot is integrated into the platform and allows for dialog-based interaction, similar to tools like ChatGPT. However, caution is advised with any AI-based automation - results should always be checked. Bid strategy suggestions must be critically evaluated to ensure that changes have the desired effect. Another example is ad text, which should always be checked for relevance to the product or service. Getting Started with Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) As mentioned earlier, many companies forgo advertising on Bing due to the increased setup and maintenance effort, which doesn't seem proportional to the expected return on investment. However, getting started with Microsoft Ads is surprisingly easy. An account can be created in just a few minutes, and the interface somewhat resembles Google's. So those who already advertise on Google’s platform will find navigating Microsoft Advertising straightforward. Importing Google Account Data into Microsoft Ads Additionally, Microsoft offers a useful import function that allows entire account setups from Google Ads to be mirrored into Microsoft Ads with just a few clicks. This also applies to other platforms like Facebook Ads or Pinterest Ads or uploading a completed template. This makes it particularly easy for companies with an existing Google Ads account to get started. There’s even the option to regularly import a Google account into Microsoft Ads, keeping the Bing account up-to-date with frequent changes. But beware: While Microsoft aims to make the entry into Microsoft Advertising as easy as possible and provides various tools, a certain level of account maintenance is still necessary. Importing accounts allows for a quick and easy way to advertise on Bing. However, to get the most out of the channel, Microsoft Ads should also be viewed separately and appropriate optimization measures undertaken. This ensures the target audience is optimally engaged and no potential is wasted. FAQs for Getting Started with Microsoft Ads Here are some questions our clients frequently ask about Microsoft Ads (and previously Bing Ads), giving you a deeper insight and helping you decide for or against Microsoft Advertising: For whom is Microsoft Advertising particularly worthwhile? Due to the differences in target demographics, Microsoft Ads are especially worthwhile for companies selling to B2B customers or targeting an older, more affluent audience. B2C companies can also benefit from Microsoft Advertising due to lower competition. Thanks to Bing's broader reach, Microsoft Ads are particularly effective in Germany, the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. In contrast, reaching a younger demographic (under 25) might be more successful through Google or other channels. How effective are Microsoft Ads? Microsoft Advertising can be very effective, but the performance of your campaigns largely depends on the services or products you offer and the target group you wish to reach. The lower CPC and highly accurate B2B targeting can make Microsoft Ads very effective. We also observe from many clients a lower cost per acquisition with the same or even higher quality of leads or product purchases. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to advise whether Microsoft is a sensible addition for your business. What types of advertising campaigns are available on Microsoft? The campaign types on Microsoft are similar to those on Google Ads. Available campaign types include Search Ads, Shopping Ads, Multimedia Ads, Audience Campaigns, Remarketing Campaigns, Dynamic Search Ads (DSA), Hotel Ads, Local Ads, Performance Max Campaigns, and App Install Campaigns. Additionally, with Microsoft Ads, ads can be run on CTV (e.g., with an add-on package on Netflix). What automation options are available in Microsoft Ads? Thanks to Copilot, Microsoft offers AI-based support directly in the advertising platform. Copilot enables automated creation and optimization of ads, as well as analyses and reports. Additionally, automatic bidding strategies (Smart Bidding) are possible as in Google Ads. Campaign management can also be automated, e.g., by setting rules for activating and pausing ads. However, it's important to note that automation is not a substitute for strategy or expertise, but rather a complement to efficient work. It's crucial to regularly check whether all campaigns and ads deliver the desired performance. Is Bing/Microsoft better than Google Ads? No, Microsoft Ads are a worthwhile addition for many companies and can even be an alternative depending on orientation and target group. Both platforms have advantages and disadvantages that need to be weighed against each other. For B2B companies, but also for many other topics and industries, a combination of Google and Microsoft Ads is the optimal blend in the marketing mix. We’re happy to advise if Microsoft Ads can be effective for your business. Microsoft Ads for B2B Companies As mentioned earlier, Microsoft Advertising is a very attractive alternative or addition to Google Ads for companies with a B2B target audience. The combination of target audience, platform integration, and cost-efficiency makes Microsoft Ads, just like earlier Bing Ads, very interesting for B2B businesses. Many users in the Microsoft Search Network are doing professional work when using Windows, Microsoft Edge, Cortana, and Office. It’s an effective way to reach decision-makers and executives . The higher proportion of higher-educated and higher-earning users makes Microsoft Ads relevant for industries like SaaS, industrial, and financial services . On average, Bing users are also older than the Google target audience. The lower competition and often cheaper CPCs are very advantageous for companies with costly leads and long sales cycles . The frequently 20-40% lower click prices make better ROIs possible. The high proportion of desktop users is also an ideal match for a B2B target group, as many purchases and research activities in a business environment occur via desktop, not mobile. The combination of desktop usage in professional fields increases the conversion likelihood for users in Microsoft Ads. Thanks to LinkedIn targeting , users from specific industries or companies, with certain job titles or functions, can be specifically targeted. This segmentation is only possible with Microsoft Ads, making the platform particularly appealing for B2B companies. It is important, though: Microsoft Ads should not be viewed as a replacement for Google Ads, but as a strategically sensible addition to specifically reach a B2B audience and expand reach outside the Google universe. Why Microsoft Advertising? Bing, and consequently Microsoft Advertising, is still often underestimated today but offers many advantages. While both platforms are quite similar, there are some key differences between Microsoft Ads and the major competitor Google Ads that make Microsoft's platform a true alternative or an effective complement. To summarize: Running ads on Bing is relatively simple Cost-effective and efficient with regular account maintenance Enhanced targeting capabilities , especially relevant for a B2B target audience Differences in target audience compared to Google: generally older, higher educated, and with a higher household income Exclusive access to other search engines , e.g., DuckDuckGo and Ecosia For anyone wanting to get a step ahead of the competition, seriously considering incorporating Microsoft Advertising into the marketing mix can unlock full potential in online marketing. We’re Happy to Assist You The internetwarriors team consists of experts in various online marketing disciplines, from SEA to SEO, from workshops for service companies to strategic consulting for eCommerce companies. Our decades of expertise as a full-service agency allow us a comprehensive view of different channels and measures, and an informed comparison, such as between Google Ads and Microsoft (Bing). Have you been thinking for a while about advertising through Microsoft Ads, or would you like some preliminary advice on the topic? Then feel free to contact us, and we’ll find the right solution for your business! [object Object]
Create FAQs and improve the website’s SEO rankings
May 14, 2025

Julien
Moritz
Category:
SEO

Including FAQs on a website has many advantages. For example, they can reduce the load on customer service, increase conversions, or improve visibility in unpaid search results. This article explains in detail the various ways to create an FAQ page and how to optimize it for SEO. What is meant by FAQ? FAQ stands for “frequently asked questions” and can be translated as “commonly asked questions.” Specifically, this involves collecting the most important information on a topic and presenting it in the form of questions. These can include frequently occurring issues or the most frequently asked questions. FAQs are widespread in the software sector or other technical areas, but they can be useful for any topic and industry. One of the goals of FAQs is to answer questions from potential buyers easily, thereby reducing the burden on customer service. If a purchase has already been made and problems arise, the FAQ section prevents customer service from having to deal with the same easily answered questions. A well-prepared FAQ section benefits both users and companies. How do FAQs benefit SEO? First: Any type of relevant optimized content is positive for search engine optimization. With FAQs, you have the opportunity to cover composite keywords and phrases (long tail keywords) that a product page, for instance, does not answer. You will be found for questions that users have about a topic, such as your products or services. At the same time, you increase your authority in your field in Google's assessment because you provide a lot of relevant high-quality content. Greater authority means higher trust and thus a better chance of being found in unpaid search results even for competitive terms. Another SEO advantage is the chance of appearing as Rich Snippets on search results pages (SERPs). In the example of e-bikes, you see in the result below that two questions are displayed directly in the search result for the testberichte.de website. This gives the website more attention in the SERPs than results without this enhancement. Screenshot from the SERPs - Example E-Bikes What are the ways to integrate FAQs into a website? Depending on the purpose of the FAQs, different solutions offer themselves for integrating them on the website. Below are the most important ones and their advantages and disadvantages. Dedicated FAQ Page The first option is to create a single long FAQ page that lists all important questions. For better overview, an accordion element is often used in the layout, allowing users to expand and collapse answers to individual questions. Advantages Easy to set up and maintain Even simple questions that can be answered in one sentence are no problem for SEO Disadvantages Rarely ranks for (competitive) terms, as different topics are addressed on one page, and thus the focus is missing Fewer opportunities for good internal linking between individual questions SEO-friendly setup Each question as a sub-headline Use correct headline structure If technically possible, table of contents at the top of the page with jump marks to individual questions Where appropriate, link relevant products or services from FAQ texts Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQ Section on the Page An alternative with more SEO potential is a standalone FAQ section on the website instead of a single page. There is an overview page with all questions that link to subpages with the answers to the questions. If there are a large number of questions, they can be thematically categorized for better clarity. In the e-bike example, categories could include: General Questions, Brands, Models, Batteries, Maintenance, and Repair. Advantages Higher chance of being found for keywords More targeted optimization for keywords is possible, as longer texts are created and can be optimized for a larger number of keywords. Better usability, as no navigation on a long page is necessary Disadvantages More maintenance required, as many individual pages are created Individual FAQs require more content to avoid creating “thin content.” SEO-friendly setup Overview page with teasers and links to detailed FAQ pages with individual questions Detail pages with correct headline structure Minimum amount of content (if there are still questions with very short answers, it may be wise to exclude them from indexing) Cross-linking between similar FAQs Links to relevant product pages or services Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQ Section on Service Pages or Product Pages Product or service pages also benefit from an FAQ section. Especially if there are very specific questions about a particular product, they are well placed on the product page. They can help reduce reservations against a purchase or answer questions that would otherwise occupy customer service. In the worst case, users might bounce off if they do not find an answer to their question and purchase the product from a competitor. Advantages Expands content on these pages with useful and relevant phrases and terms Questions can appear as extensions in search results (Rich Snippets) for product pages or services, gaining more attention. Disadvantages For high-competition keyword combinations that individual FAQs are optimized for, there is a significantly lower chance of ranking than if these were created as standalone pages. SEO-friendly setup FAQ section with heading Individual questions as headlines (observe correct headline structure) Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQs as Blog Posts If the CMS does not allow a standalone FAQ area, one option is to incorporate FAQs in the form of blog posts. Each blog post answers a question for which keywords with sufficient search volume have been defined. Advantages Easy maintenance Good chance of being found Disadvantages Individual FAQs require a minimum amount of content They may get lost on the website (worse usability) SEO-friendly setup Correct headline structure Minimum amount of content Cross-linking between similar FAQs/blog posts Links to relevant product pages or services To prominently place FAQs on the website, you could create FAQ as a category in the blog and link this category page. Implementation of structured data (see below) Optimizing FAQs for Search Engines - 3 Additional Tips Above, guidelines for SEO-friendly setup of the various types of FAQ pages were already given. We want to provide you with three additional tips to take your FAQ SEO to the next level. Selecting Appropriate Questions If you have set up your FAQ section so that each question has its own page, we recommend conducting a keyword analysis to research subtopics or questions that are of interest. If you have already collected questions you know to be relevant from practice, such as those your customer service regularly receives, keyword analysis can help you describe these questions with the words your target audience uses. The goal is to identify terms or phrases that are frequently searched for. You can use these sources for your keyword analysis and question identification: Paid keyword tools Free keyword tools (such as answerthepublic) Google search results: Google suggestions, questions in the Google search SEO tools displaying competitor keywords Your own analysis tools, especially Google Search Console, which shows you which topics and questions you already have some visibility for. Screenshot from the SERPs - Example E-Bikes Using the example “E-Bikes”, you could identify this incomplete list of general topics and questions: Which e-bike is recommended? (Question in Google search results) Which e-bike motor is the best in 2022? (Question in Google search results) How much does a good e-bike cost? (Question in Google search results) Which e-bike suits me? (Keyword tool in SEMrush) How long does an e-bike battery last? (Keyword tool in SEMrush) Who repairs e-bikes? (answerthepublic) How to charge an e-bike battery? (answerthepublic) Use FAQ Markups If your CMS allows it, it is recommended to integrate structured data to help Google interpret and classify content. In the case of FAQs, the FAQPage markup ensures that Google recognizes what a question is and what an answer is, allowing this content to be classified as an FAQ. You can find detailed explanations at Google as well as on the schema.org page for FAQPage and QAPage . Structured data can be verified using Google's “Rich Results Test” tool. The tool shows which markups have been incorporated and whether they contain errors. In the example of the testberichte.de page, we see in the Google tool that the FAQ markup was used, which generates the enhanced search result: Optimize Internal Linking One of the greatest advantages of an FAQ section on the website, besides generating relevant content, is the opportunity to improve internal linking . Linking related pages within your website strengthens the linked page and also helps users find new content and stay on your website longer. Therefore, consider with each individual question whether there are meaningful products, services, blog posts, other FAQs, or other pages that you can link to from the text. To achieve good internal linking, use a descriptive link text instead of a vague text like “read more here.” To identify appropriate links, it is also wise to ask after creating the FAQ text: what is the most sensible next step for users who ask this question and have read this content? Is it a product page? Do more questions usually follow? Is the answer to the question to use your service? Content Optimization from FAQ to Blog with the internetwarriors Do you want to improve your organic visibility with optimized content? Our experienced SEO team knows all the tricks and tools to be found better on Google. We analyze your content , assist you with optimization, or provide you with relevant optimized content for your website or online shop. This could be FAQ texts, but also product descriptions or blog posts. Contact us, and we will be happy to provide you with a non-binding, customized offer! Did you enjoy the blog? Share it now! Facebook Twitter Telegram Linkedin Envelope Whatsapp AUTHOR
Why the 95:5 Rule is Revolutionizing B2B Marketing
Apr 17, 2025

Axel
Vortex
Category:
Growth Marketing

In today's B2B marketing, there is often tremendous pressure: Every lead counts, and every conversion must happen as quickly as possible. Marketing teams are gauged by short-term KPIs, and your focus is nearly exclusively on capturing the few potential clients ready to make a purchase right now. But what if this approach is fundamentally flawed and ignores the greatest growth potential? This is where the provocative yet evidence-based work of Professor John Dawes from the renowned Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science comes into play. His research challenges conventional wisdom and introduces the 95:5 rule: A simple yet transformative idea suggesting that at any given time, only about 5% of your potential B2B clients are actively seeking a solution in the market. The overwhelming 95% are part of your target audience but are not (yet) ready to buy. A marketing strategy focusing solely on the "hot" 5% risks overlooking the vast growth opportunities present in this larger, currently "passive" segment. You’re competing in a crowded pond for few fish, while an ocean of potential future customers is largely ignored. In this article, we dive deep into the 95:5 rule. We explore the problem of "now" obsession in B2B marketing, explain the scientific foundation of the rule, and most importantly, show you concrete, actionable strategies on how to adjust your marketing to not only serve the 5% but also win over the critical 95% for future success. The Problem: The Dangerous Fixation on the "Immediate" 5% Marketing and sales teams are under constant pressure to generate leads that quickly turn into revenue. This environment fosters an excessive reliance on bottom-funnel tactics: Performance Marketing: Paid search, retargeting. Sales Activities: Aggressive cold calling, direct approach via LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Content: Focus on product comparisons, case studies, demo requests. All these efforts target the small group of the 5% actively seeking a solution. This fixation on the "now" carries significant drawbacks: Intense Competition: Every one of your competitors is vying for the same 5%. This drives up costs for keywords, ad space, and ultimately customer acquisition costs (CAC). Lack of Differentiation: Amid the hustle of bottom-funnel offers, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out from the competition. Messages often sound very similar ("We boost your revenue," "Our software solves problem X"). Missed Potential: The 95% not buying right now are overlooked. When these potential clients are ready to purchase in 6, 12, or 18 months, they may never have heard of your brand or formed no positive association with it. Weak Negotiation Position: If a buyer meets your brand only when deeply into the buying process and actively comparing options, your chances of winning the deal are statistically low. Brands that are familiar and trusted beforehand have a massive advantage. Solely concentrating on the 5% is a reactive approach, which incurs high costs and leaves long-term growth potential untapped. The Paradigm Shift: Understanding the 95:5 Rule The 95:5 rule is not an arbitrary number but based on extensive research by the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, known for its evidence-based marketing principles (including Byron Sharp’s bestseller "How Brands Grow"). The core message is simple but profound: 5% are "In-Market": This group has a recognized need, is actively researching, and is ready to make a purchasing decision in the near future. 95% are "Out-of-Market": This group belongs to your potential target audience (e.g., companies of the right size and industry) but currently has no need, urgency, or awareness of a potential problem. They are, however, your future buyers. The key insight is: The 95% are not a lost group but your most important asset for future growth . If you manage to be present with this vast majority before they even think about a purchase, you have an unbeatable advantage when the need finally arises. The Solution: Building Bridges to the 95% – Marketing for the Future So how do you reach the 95% who are not actively listening right now? The answer lies in building Mental Availability . This concept, central to the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute's work, describes the likelihood that a buyer thinks of your brand in a relevant buying situation. Imagine the CTO of a manufacturing company (part of your 95%) reading a technical article about production optimization. If your ERP systems brand comes to mind positively because he recently saw an interesting ad or a relevant post from you, you’ve created mental availability. Months later, when he is actually evaluating a new ERP system (and becomes part of the 5%), your brand is already positively anchored in memory. How Do You Build Mental Availability? Broad Reach: You need to reach as many potential buyers within your category as possible, including the 95%. It’s about generating a large number of market contacts over time. Consistency: Brand building is a marathon, not a sprint. Regular presence over long periods is crucial. Distinctive Brand Assets (DBAs): These are the sensory and semantic cues that help buyers easily recognize and remember your brand without having to read the brand name. These include: Logo Color scheme (e.g., Telekom Magenta, IBM Blue) Slogan or tagline Jingles or sounds (e.g., Intel Inside) Characters or mascots Unique visual style in ads and content These DBAs must be used consistently to build strong memory structures. Linking with Category Entry Points (CEPs): CEPs are the various situations, needs, or problems that prompt a buyer to think about a specific product or service category. Examples in B2B: "We need to reduce our production costs." (--> ERP system, automation solution) "Our current software is outdated and no longer secure." (--> New software solution) "How can we make our sales processes more efficient?" (--> CRM system, sales automation tool) Effective marketing links the brand’s DBAs with relevant CEPs in the target audience’s mind. The 95:5 Rule in Practice: 4+1 Strategies for Your B2B Marketing Based on the insights of John Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, specific recommendations arise: 1. Rethink Success Measurement: Look Beyond Immediate Sales The greatest mistake is measuring the success of marketing activities—especially those targeting the 95%—solely by short-term sales or leads. If 95% of your audience cannot buy immediately, 95% of your efforts will inevitably have a delayed impact. What You Can Do: Measure Brand Health Metrics: Track long-term indicators like unaided brand awareness (when asked "Which providers for X do you know of?", is your brand mentioned?), aided awareness, brand image, and recognition of your DBAs. Measure Reach: What percentage of your total addressable market (TAM) do you reach with your marketing activities over time? Is this percentage growing? Measure CEP Associations: (Advanced) Understand with which buying situations your brand is associated and if you occupy the most relevant CEPs. Accept Longer Periods: Building a brand takes time. Do not expect immediate miracles but track trends over quarters and years. 2. Prioritize Reach: Speak with More Potential Clients Many B2B marketers believe in the power of high frequency—the assumption being that complex buying decisions require many touchpoints. However, Ehrenberg-Bass research shows this is often inefficient. What You Can Do: Focus on "Unique Reach": Invest your budget so you reach as many different potential buyers in your category as possible, rather than targeting a few repeatedly. The first exposure to advertising often has the most impact on memory. Further repetitions have diminishing returns. Utilize Broad Channels (sensibly): In addition to targeted performance channels, broader reach channels can also be sensible in the B2B context, such as trade media, industry newsletters, relevant podcasts, LinkedIn brand awareness ads, YouTube, or even industry-specific events. Be Patient: It takes time to achieve broad market penetration. 3. Focus on New Clients: The True Growth Engine A widespread misconception is that growth can mainly be achieved through more sales to existing clients (upselling, cross-selling). However, the data clearly show: The greatest growth potential almost always lies in acquiring new clients (penetration). What You Can Do: Primarily Align Your Marketing with Acquisition: Indeed, customer retention is important, but most of the marketing budget and strategic efforts should aim at acquiring new buyers for the brand—reaching out to the 95%. Understand the Limits of Loyalty: Existing clients often have a natural cap on what they can or are willing to buy from you. Excessive efforts to yield more from them often result in low returns. 4. Build and Defend Distinctive Brand Assets In a sea of often generic B2B messages, strong, recognizable brand elements are invaluable. What You Can Do: Identify and Define Your DBAs: What makes your brand unique and recognizable? Is it your logo, colors, slogan, a specific visual style? Use Your DBAs Consistently: Deploy these elements across all marketing channels and touchpoints—from the website to ads to sales presentations. Resist the Urge for Frequent Rebranding: New marketing leaders often want to leave their mark by redesigning everything. This can be disastrous as it destroys memory structures built over years. Instead, strengthen and nurture your existing assets. Changes should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. +1. Adapt Creativity and Messaging for the 95% How Do You Talk to People Who Have No Immediate Buying Need? Be Interesting, Not Just Sales-Driven: Provide valuable content, insights, or entertainment relevant to the industry, even if it does not directly prompt a purchase. Focus on Branding: Use creative approaches to create positive associations and embed the brand in memory. Tell stories, show expertise, build trust. Link Yourself with CEPs: Communicate in which situations your solution is relevant to set the right triggers in the target audience's mind. Less Hard-Sell, More "Always-On": It’s about continuous presence and being perceived as a helpful and competent resource. Balance Is Key: Not an Either-Or The 95:5 rule does not mean neglecting performance marketing or serving the active 5%. Quite the opposite: An optimal approach combines both: Long-Term Brand Building (for the 95%): Investments in reach, DBAs, CEP linkage, and creative brand communication. Short-Term Activation (for the 5%): Efficient performance marketing activities, sales enablement, and conversion optimization to capture demand as it arises. The art is to find the right balance and synergy between these two approaches instead of focusing on just one. Conclusion: Think Long-Term, Act Strategically The 95:5 rule by John Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute is more than just an interesting statistic; it is a fundamental wake-up call for B2B marketing. It challenges us to rethink our obsession with immediate results and embrace a longer-term, more strategic perspective. By consciously starting to advertise for the 95%—through building mental availability, prioritizing reach, focusing on acquiring new clients, and consistently using distinctive brand elements—you lay the foundation for sustainable growth. You reduce the reliance on expensive bottom-funnel battles and increase the likelihood that your brand will be the first choice when your future clients are finally ready to buy. It’s time to end the chase for the 5% and start cultivating the ocean of the 95%. Your future self (and your sales team) will thank you for it. Sources and Inspiration This article is significantly inspired by the work and publications of Professor John Dawes from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science. His research on the 95:5 rule and the principles derived for effective marketing, especially in the B2B context, presents a valuable, evidence-based challenge to traditional marketing approaches. We encourage all marketing professionals wanting to dive deeper into this matter to engage with the publications and discussions by Professor Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute to gain a more comprehensive understanding of long-term successful brand management.
Reddit SEO: Between Myth and Reality
Mar 27, 2025

Ina
Bondarev
Category:
SEO

Where else can you find heated debates about nuclear physics alongside cat pictures and the best baking recipes? Only on Reddit. With over 1.5 billion users, Reddit is one of the largest and most influential online communities in the world. Reddit - A gold mine of marketing potential or a minefield for companies? The platform offers enormous potential but also presents risks. Is Reddit SEO even feasible? And how can companies win over the Reddit community without breaking the rules? In this article, we will take you on an expedition through the Reddit universe and show you how to generate more traffic, enhance your brand awareness, and gain valuable leads. Discover the secrets of Reddit marketing! Reddit: Where Diverse Communities Come Together Reddit is a unique entity. Those who don't speak its language quickly get lost in the jungle of Subreddits. Understand the nuances of this platform before you start your Reddit online marketing. What is Reddit? Reddit is a social media platform where you can share, discuss, and rate content. What sets it apart: Reddit is divided into countless Subreddits – thematic communities where users exchange specific interests. From cat pictures to programming tips and political debates, you can find it all. You can create posts with videos, images, and texts, and interact with other users. Especially valuable for businesses: the intense exchange within these communities. Here, you can identify and better understand your target audience. How Does Reddit Work? Reddit has clear rules you need to follow if you want to use the platform for your marketing. The most important rules for your marketing are: Authenticity over advertising – forget about blatant promotional messages! Reddit is about authentic exchange and valuable contributions. Advertising is (mostly) taboo: Reddit supports advertising only to a very limited extent. Direct product advertising is not allowed in most Subreddits. Inform yourself about the exceptions and possibilities, such as paid ads. Here you can find the complete Reddit rules. Take the time to read them thoroughly before starting your marketing! Deep Dive into Subreddits Reddit is more than just a platform – it’s a universe of thousands of communities with their own rules and cultures. The heart of Reddit is the Subreddits – thematic communities where users exchange interests. Each Subreddit has its own rules – and you should definitely know them before interacting with the community. Humor is welcome in some Subreddits, strictly forbidden in others. Some communities value detailed contributions, while others prefer short and concise comments. Take the time to read the rules of the Subreddits you want to be active in. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure your contributions are well-received: Fig. 1: Screenshot Reddit community rules - https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing/ Choose the right Subreddits for your topic! Reddit offers a huge selection of communities – from /r/technology/ for tech news to /r/entrepreneur/ for entrepreneurs. If you're developing software for musicians, /r/wearethemusicmakers/ is the right place to connect with potential customers. Research the relevant Subreddits and analyze the discussions there. This way, you can find out where your target audience is active and what topics interest them: Fig. 2: Screenshot - Overview of top communities ( https://www.reddit.com/best/communities/1/ ) If in doubt: Ask the mods! If you're unsure whether your post complies with a Subreddit’s rules, contact the moderators. They are happy to help. Upvotes and Downvotes are the heart of Reddit culture. They show how the community rates your posts. Constructive contributions and helpful comments are rewarded with Upvotes, spam and inappropriate behavior are penalized with Downvotes. Reddit is more than a platform for discussion and knowledge exchange. It’s a place where ideas are born, trends are set, and opinions are formed. Use the dynamics of this community to reach your target audience and advance your business. Reddit: Secret Tip for Your Online Marketing or Time Waster? Strategies Reddit can be leveraged with a bit of background knowledge about the platform. The platform polarizes – and precisely for that reason, it holds enormous potential. But how can you use Reddit for your online marketing strategy? We show you how to harness the power of Subreddits! The Secrets of Reddit Rankings Forget keyword density and CTR optimization! On Reddit, engagement and community count. These factors influence your Reddit ranking: Upvotes and Downvotes: The more Upvotes your post receives, the higher it will rank in the Subreddit. A post with many Upvotes and lively discussion will rank higher than a post with only a few Upvotes, even if it is perfectly optimized for keywords. Engagement: Reddit loves active discussions and comments. It shows that your post is relevant and interesting to the community. Encourage interaction by asking questions, responding to comments, and participating in the conversation. Recency: Reddit prefers fresh content. Older posts lose visibility over time. To keep your content ranked high, post regularly and keep your content updated. Understanding how Reddit rankings work enables you to create content that engages your target audience and drives traffic to your website. Remember, it’s not just about getting Upvotes, but also about creating valuable content that sparks conversations and builds relationships with your audience: Fig. 3: Screenshot - Overview ChatGPT community, “hot” posts - https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/ Reddit Online Marketing: An Explosive Mix for Your Business! Downvotes, Karma, Subreddits – Reddit is a world of its own. But that's precisely what makes the platform so valuable for your online marketing! It's all about authentic exchange and valuable contributions. Reddit is not a place for blatant advertising - SEO is redefined here. Those who understand this can leverage the platform: Build expertise: Become a thought leader in your community In certain Subreddits, you can position yourself as an expert by actively engaging in discussions and sharing high-quality content. Over time, you’ll be seen as a trusted voice in your niche. This pays off: Google rewards expertise with better rankings (E-E-A-T factors). Understand your target audience: Get to know your customers on Reddit Reddit is a goldmine for businesses that want to truly understand their target audience. Here, you can gain valuable insights and optimize your products/services without expensive market research. Find out what moves your customers and what topics they are interested in. Spot Trends: Stay a step ahead of the competition Reddit is known for its timeliness. Here you find the latest trends in your industry. Use this knowledge to adapt your marketing strategy and stay ahead of the competition. Google Bonus: Use Reddit SEO for your search engine optimization Google is the only search engine that indexes Reddit results. This means: If your posts are current and have many Upvotes, they can appear in the SERPs and bring valuable traffic: Fig. 4: Screenshot Google search results - “Cats community”, Reddit The secret weapon for your recruiting Forget impersonal job portals! On Reddit, you'll meet engaged talents who are genuinely interested in your company. In theme-specific Subreddits (e.g., job search), you can post job ads and connect directly with potential candidates. The reach may be smaller than on other platforms, but you’ll meet highly motivated candidates who perfectly fit your corporate culture. Note: Posting job offers is only allowed if explicitly permitted in the community rules. Are you looking for talented employees who share your passion? Then get active on Reddit! Marketing: Who Is Reddit SEO Suitable For? Reddit not only offers opportunities for recruiting but is also a valuable platform for online marketing and SEO. Startups can win their first customers on Reddit and collect valuable feedback. Large companies can use the platform to increase their brand awareness and communicate with their target audience. Your Advantages of Reddit SEO Marketing at a Glance: Build expertise: Position yourself as an expert in your industry. Understand your target audience: Get to know your customers and optimize your products/services. Spot trends: Stay a step ahead of the competition. Google Bonus: Achieve better ranking in Google search with your Reddit posts. Share your expert knowledge through theme-related case studies! Show potential customers how you can help them solve their problems. Another advantage: By being active on Reddit, you increase your visibility. However, always exercise caution: no advertising or community-disallowed actions to avoid receiving downvotes/violating rules. Reddit SEO Tools Now that we have found out that Reddit SEO is feasible, albeit with a completely different form and perspective compared to traditional SEO, it’s important to consider which specific Reddit SEO tools exist and which ones are right. Keyword Research: Indeed, you can research keywords for Reddit as well. Here, as mentioned, it's important to focus on the topic (Subreddit), relevance, and natural implementation. With the right keywords, your Reddit post can appear on Google. You can proceed traditionally and use tools like SEMRush . To understand what the most relevant keywords are, you should analyze your Subreddit and precisely filter out what can be used. The informational content is crucial, as Reddit is not an advertising platform. For research and inspiration, the tool AnswerThePublic is perfect. Here you can excellently analyze questions and derive keywords from them. You can also use Google search. You should enter the search word combination site:reddit.com (e.g., cats site:reddit.com) in the search bar and then, e.g., analyze the top threads as keywords using Google’s Keyword Planner. This gives an overview of what Reddit offers for the search query: Fig. 5: Google query - cats site:reddit.com Additionally, you can access specific keyword tools for Reddit: The tool Keyworddit offers the possibility to analyze Subreddits directly and obtain ideas comprehensively. However, it is only available for the US-American realm, meaning US-Reddits. It might also happen that the tool doesn't extract keywords from the Subreddit because it doesn’t find any. However, the listed topics can be seamlessly used further in search. Anvaka.github is another free tool that not only enables analysis and overview of posts once the Subreddit name is entered but also shows related Subreddits. This provides an easy, comprehensive overview of related topics. More general topics can be specifically used for further research. However, it might also occur that no thematically related Subreddits are found. In summary, when choosing a Reddit SEO tool, you have relative freedom. Even if a direct Subreddit SEO analysis cannot be conducted (e.g., because no data is available), you can still identify the keywords that are relevant and have sufficient search volume for the topic. The focus should be on informational content, long-tail keywords, thematic alignment, non-branded keywords, and W-question keywords. Therefore, it’s worth focusing on keyword tools. If you are interested in the topic of keyword research, check out our blog post with insider knowledge ! Behind the Scenes of Reddit SEO: Benefits & Challenges It's always valuable to know what opportunities you have when undertaking certain steps. Even more interesting is the question of the risks: Are they worth it? For this reason, we have critically examined Reddit SEO to succinctly point out the pros and cons: Benefits Reddit can be an effective SEO tool when used correctly. By actively participating in thematically appropriate Subreddits, you can not only generate valuable traffic but also establish authority in your niche. With a clever strategy, you can discover and leverage the following advantages of Reddit SEO: 1. Backlinks: Among the advantages of Reddit SEO optimization, backlinks certainly count. Despite the nofollow links, it generates significant referral traffic. 2. Authority and Expertise: By actively engaging in communities, answering questions, and crafting content, you can position yourself as an expert and thus indirectly influence the E-E-A-T factors. 3. Google Rankings: It should not be forgotten that Google can rank Reddit posts relatively high (conditional relevance). 4. Trends: There is the possibility of going viral with the post and keeping an eye on trends. Challenges However, SEO on Reddit is anything but intuitive. The benefits face challenges and there are additional hurdles you may encounter: 1. Backlinks: This is also a disadvantage because Reddit undermines self-promotion and "blatant" link placement (always consider community & mentioned Reddit rules). 2. Guidelines: Strict rules and moderators in the respective Subreddits should never be overlooked or neglected. 3. Downvotes: You can also be downvoted. 4. Time: It’s quite time-consuming to achieve sustainable SEO successes. 5. Subtle Difference: You must carefully distinguish between measures for a company on Reddit, a person on Reddit, and a person from a company, because not everything fits or can be implemented (in traditional form or known from other platforms/websites). 6. Traditional SEO doesn't work in the Reddit community. Your Small SEO Guide for Reddit Now that Reddit and its peculiarities are clear, we can derive some results and thus give you a small SEO guide for Reddit: 1. If you decide on an account on Reddit , choose the right niches or communities so you not only share a wavelength with other participants but also remain specific and precise in your comments, posts, and discussions. Golden Rule: When sharing and writing content, remember to stay factual and informative, as Reddit users particularly appreciate added value. 2. Optional: If you manage to become an active participant in the community, you can try to set a natural link (not a blatant link) to your company. However, ensure it’s not an advertisement, but an added value (e.g., case study, sharing knowledge, etc.). Subreddits like AMA (Ask Me Anything) or a thematically relevant community can be well-suited for this. Always bear in mind that such measures can involve certain risks. Thus, it is recommended as an optional measure. 3. Think outside the box : This could really be the restart for your SEO strategy. With Reddit, you can conduct relatively good target audience analyses, especially among very specific target groups (thanks to Subreddits). Moreover, you can also clear up specific questions since experts frequent Reddit. By actively and usefully participating, you can also become an expert or a thought leader. Ideas for topics for keyword searches can also be found in some Subreddits, as many relevant and interesting topics are discussed daily. At a Glance: The question "Can I do Reddit SEO for my product/service?" can probably be answered more with " no ", because you don’t really have the means to do so, and if you do, then only indirectly (especially connected with time effort). Direct Reddit online marketing is thus not possible. More important, however, is how you integrate and use Reddit in your SEO strategy. Our conclusion is: no classical SEO measures on Reddit but use Reddit for SEO measures. Get to know your own target audience better, never miss important trends again, and don’t forget that in principle, you can also monitor opinions on your brand or product in specific Subreddits! Harness the potential of Reddit and improve your website's performance! With Reddit SEO, It Doesn’t End! Are you curious about what else our warriors team knows and can do, or are you perhaps seeking targeted support in the area of SEO , Paid , Strategy , or Web Analysis ? Feel free to check out our services and get a non-binding and free initial consultation from our experts!
Website Optimization - Effectively Boost Conversions
Mar 21, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Welcome to the fifth and final post of our blog series “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant in Times of Automation” . In this part, we focus on Website Optimization . We discuss why it's important to keep an eye on the competition, the ways to identify them, and how we can leverage insights to gain advantages. If you missed the previous parts of the series, feel free to check them out. We talk about why it's important to define the right business goals , the benefits of broadening your online marketing channels , why contextual advertising is often underestimated, and how a competitor analysis can provide a competitive edge. Optimizing Your Content Arguably the most important aspect of optimization is undoubtedly one's own website. No matter how much effort we put into optimization measures before the click - if the foundation, the website, is not right, we cannot be successful in the long run. Therefore, it's essential to make the user experience on our website as smooth, enjoyable, and intuitive as possible. It starts with user-friendly navigation that guides users clearly and directly through the pages to their intended goal. An optimized checkout process, guest checkouts , as well as up-to-date and secure payment methods , also help to reduce cart abandonment hurdles. To ensure everyone finds what they need quickly on our site, it might also be worthwhile to implement an intelligent site search that provides suggestions during the actual search and, in some cases, shows product recommendations directly. We'll see what such an intelligent search looks like in the following example from Nike. But even on specific landing pages, where we either advertise strategically or want to push in other ways, there are additional content optimization measures: Clear and compelling offer Effective call-to-actions Adequate information for informed (purchase) decisions Trust-building elements Fast load times + Mobile optimization A/B testing! The Impact of FAQs Today, we have less and less time to convince people of our offer. Therefore, it's all the more important to answer as many questions as possible already on the landing page. FAQs, for example, in an “accordion element,” help provide as much information as possible that users can expand when needed without being overwhelmed by walls of text. At this point, the importance of A/B testing for landing page optimization should be highlighted . They serve as one of the key elements for improving performance and should always be an integral part of optimization measures. All major companies have likely subjected their landing pages to hundreds or thousands of tests, and for good reason. Quick tip : External tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity help enormously in better understanding user behavior on the site and making data-driven optimizations. The content available on landing pages should also depend on the target audience the page is intended for. Providing Solutions & Contact Options When generating leads, we should ensure we provide adequate contact opportunities . A persistent contact field can be helpful here, allowing users to establish contact when they're ready without having to search. This is particularly relevant for pages with a large amount of text content. Here, we also bridge to target group definition from Tip #2. On our landing page, we now have the opportunity to understand the pain points of our target group and present solution approaches . An effective means can also be showing opportunity costs if a collaboration is foregone. It quickly becomes clear how the service could impact one's own company and how much working hours and/or money can be saved. By sharing expert knowledge, such as case studies, white papers, or webinars , we not only inform and qualify our target group in advance but also create a higher level of trust. This is especially important in B2B, as the costs for offered services can easily reach six to seven figures in euros, and decisions are often made at the highest business levels. Those who score with their expertise in advance significantly increase their chances of being commissioned. On product pages, alongside many of the previously mentioned points, the following content optimization options can also be added: High-quality product images Detailed product descriptions Encouraging/displaying customer reviews Product recommendations/similar products/“Often bought together” Product videos Price and market analyses Clear, customer-friendly return policies Focusing on Customer Satisfaction We should make it as easy as possible for users to decide whether the product is relevant or not. Above all, high-quality content on the product page helps. The impact of customer reviews should also never be underestimated, especially for high-priced products. Nowadays, many people compare products in advance, and one of the crucial criteria is often a good product rating. Not only do we benefit to some extent from user-generated content, but we also have the opportunity to see what customers appreciate about our product and, importantly, where we can still improve. Those who actively reach out to their customers, take suggestions for improvement, and then implement them, increase long-term customer satisfaction and thus also customer loyalty . Speaking of customer satisfaction: A good customer support is, of course, essential for long-term success. If we receive an inquiry from a dissatisfied customer, we have the chance to turn the negative experience into a positive one. This not only leads to a better customer experience but often also reflects in customer reviews, which can directly impact the purchase decision and give the brand a more positive image. Through email marketing or newsletters , we effectively reach existing customers and prospects, announcing new products or promotional offers. Often, such offers are exclusively available to newsletter subscribers, which can positively impact the signup rate. This way, we gather more customer data without significant monetary additional costs while simultaneously providing attractive offers. With loyalty programs , customers can be retained long-term by the company, increasing the number of repeat buyers. These programs range from points for purchases to referring other people to cashback promotions or subscriptions with additional benefits or discounts. There are therefore manifold website optimization possibilities that can help improve the user experience, increase CLTV, and thus also have a direct impact on various marketing channels. As mentioned earlier, website optimization is undoubtedly one of the most effective measures to improve performance since it is the place where most users ultimately convert one way or another. Conclusion In conclusion, we return to the initial question: Will online marketing become obsolete due to developments in AI and automation ? Here we can reply with a resounding NO . Those who rely solely on automation and AI for their marketing strategy will lose in the long run. While all the new AI features are indeed helpful and can enrich online marketing, they are not the ultimate solution. The heavy reliance on data, on which AI is based, enables the processing of countless pieces of information, but it is also its greatest weakness. Many data points are often inaccessible, and important connections are thus lost. Apart from advertising platforms, there are many other optimization possibilities that should be utilized to get the most out of one's strategy. Ultimately, only the proportion of work shifts from operational to strategic . And for that, at the end of the day, you still need a human with experience. Thank you for your attention! We hope you enjoyed our blog series on “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant in Times of Automation” and that you can not only justify your marketing job better to your boss but also take away a trick or two. If you haven't seen our other blog entries yet, feel free to check them out! Automation in Marketing - Part 1 | Optimize for Goals [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 2 | Channel Diversification [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 3 | Contextual Advertising [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 4 | Competitor Analysis [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 5 | Website Optimization for More Conversions Did we forget something important, or do you have further questions on any of the topics? Then feel free to write it in the comments!
Competitive Analysis: Understanding Competitors, Optimizing Strategies & Strengthening Market Position
Mar 18, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Welcome back to our blog series “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant Even in Times of Automation”! In this part, we focus on a often underestimated yet essential topic: Competitive Analysis. Why is it so important to keep a close watch on the competition? What tools and methods can help identify relevant competitors? And above all: How can strategic advantages be derived from these insights? This is exactly what we will explore in this post. If you missed the previous parts of our series, feel free to take a look - there we discuss, among other things, why clear business goals are essential, how to optimally position your online marketing channels , and why Contextual Advertising is often underestimated. Competitive Analysis - What is the competition doing? Competition is well-known for driving business. While this is often a blessing for end consumers, it has already broken many companies as their product suddenly became irrelevant, and thus their customers stayed away. Therefore, it is essential to never lose sight of your own competition and to regularly look out for new, emerging companies. A so-called competitive analysis is recommended for this purpose. First of all, it is necessary to identify your competitors . There are numerous ways to do this. Anyone already using Google Ads can easily access the auction insights within the campaigns and see which companies are actively participating in the auctions and how aggressively they are doing so. The metrics “ Top of page rate ” and “ Absolute top of page rate ” help us here by indicating how often we appear in the auctions either in the first three results, or even at the very top. By looking a bit more closely, we can even determine if we might be overbidding and artificially driving prices up. [object Object] Other ways to understand the competitor's approach If you're interested in what type of advertising the competition is running and what images and texts are being used, the ad libraries of all major advertising platforms are recommended. There, we can see exactly which ads have been played by other companies, completely effortlessly and for free. For example, the Google Ads Transparency Center and the Meta Ads Library are mentioned here. But additional information such as rough target groups, estimated budgets, and targeting options can also be gleaned there, albeit not in detail. Other platforms like LinkedIn or TikTok also have such libraries that are extremely helpful for competitor analysis. Other options include external tools (e.g., Semrush, Similarweb, Ahrefs), generative AI tools (Google Gemini, ChatGPT), or simply the classic Google search . This allows us to see aside from Google Ads who potentially appears with us in auctions, or which companies also rank organically or show presence in another form for relevant search queries. We can also relatively simply identify and use the relevant content of the competition for our analysis. Once the competitors are identified, we can start the actual competitive analysis and thus gain a better overview of the competitive environment we are operating in. Topics we should look at more closely include, among others: Website - What does the site look like? Is it a one-pager, or does it have a more complex design? Is the navigation simple, or rather more nested? How high is the informational content? What kind of approach is used? How easy is it for a user to convert? Marketing Strategy - What fundamental goals are pursued? Which actions are potential users supposed to take on the website (appointment requests, demos, downloading informational materials, product purchases, etc.)? Online Marketing Activities - Which channels are being played, which advertisement formats are used? Social Media Presence - What topics are covered? What works well, what doesn’t (engagement)? Where are there still gaps for our own positioning? Price and Offer Structure - Are discounts or other promotions frequent? Does the quality justify the prices, or is there an increasing reliance on low-priced products? Customer Reviews and Feedback - What do the customers say about this competitor? What do they like, what do they criticize? Summarize and keep an overview For better visibility, we can also summarize the insights gained in a classic SWOT analysis to visualize the current situation. This helps us to understand the status quo more easily, highlight our own strengths better, and identify potential gaps . Additionally, it can be worthwhile not only to compare the competitors to our own company but also to compare them with each other as part of the competitive analysis. This way, we may recognize commonalities and overlaps on which we should particularly focus. These analyses help us to gain a better understanding of our own USPs . Moreover, we can discover new potentials and play segments or products that have hardly existed until now. Based on this, we optimize our marketing strategy and in some cases can even predict new trends . If we discover significant differences in the price structure compared to our competitors, it becomes easier for us to justify our own prices . Perhaps our products are indeed more expensive than those of the competition, but in return, they are more robust and durable. This can be effectively communicated. We learn from the weaknesses and mistakes of our competitors through customer feedback and can ideally profit from them. By targeting communication that addresses the exact problems and concerns of the target group, we gain a competitive advantage and ensure better customer satisfaction and loyalty from the very beginning . By implementing the measures defined from this, not only do we ideally save a lot of money and tons of nerves, but we also free up time for the really important things, namely providing the best possible experience for the customers and also the employees within the company. Thank you very much for your attention! Hopefully, it was insightful, and you could take something away for yourself! In the fifth and final part of our mini-series, we will delve deeper into the topic of optimizing your own website . Our previous post on the topic of Contextual Advertising follows. Have we forgotten something important, or do you have questions on the subject? Then feel free to write it to us in the comments! If you want to get in direct contact with us, feel free to check out our contact form. We help you better understand your competitive situation and benefit from it, so you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - simple and non-binding! [object Object]
Contextual Advertising: How Context-Based Advertising Works
Mar 12, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

In this article, we take a closer look at Contextual Advertising. We will discuss the advantages of this advertising form and highlight some providers and opportunities that are particularly suitable for it. If you missed the previous parts of the series, feel free to check them out. There, we talk about why it is important to define the right corporate goals and the benefits of broadening your online marketing channels . Contextual Advertising With stricter data protection laws and the resultant increasing targeting restrictions , as well as the trend of many marketing platforms to automate and broaden campaign distribution, it becomes even more crucial to reach the right target audience at the right time and to minimize scatter losses as effectively as possible. But what are the options for targeting one's audience more effectively? This is where Contextual Advertising comes into play. In this form of advertising, ads are not displayed based on users' demographic data, preferences, and interests, but the algorithm primarily focuses on the current context of the page - which gives it the name “Contextual” Advertising. This means that websites are categorized based on various factors. These could be, for example: Product categories Images Text passages Specific keywords in the running text. After a successful categorization, ads that match the page content are played. In the example above, we see a NIKE advertisement placed in an article about the major running shoe test of 2024. It can be assumed that people interested in this article are also more likely to be interested in purchasing new running shoes in the near future. Thus, there is a match between the advertised ad and the purchase intention. The fact that the ad often blends seamlessly into the actual content of the website additionally reduces friction and enhances the coherence between advertising and content. Numerous studies have already shown that this positively impacts user perception and can increase purchase readiness. As mentioned earlier, Contextual Advertising helps to create as much relevance as possible for the target group while impacting the user experience minimally, and ideally even improving it. Additionally, it offers a good opportunity to position your brand in a targeted and brand-safe manner, thus avoiding unnecessary scatter losses. Since it completely dispenses with the use of cookies , this form of advertising is significantly more future-proof and robust against the increasing restrictions on third-party cookies. The question of the right channel for Contextual Advertising often cannot be answered universally but depends on many factors. On the one hand, there are the classic providers such as Google Ads or Microsoft Advertising , which enable contextual advertising. Here, targeting by keywords or specific placements is available. From experience, Google's keywords are often interpreted very “broadly,” which can make this type of targeting quite inaccurate. Advertising via placements works better. For example, offering moving services could achieve above-average campaign results on sites dealing with apartment searches, house buying, and similar topics. Other providers have almost exclusively specialized in Contextual Advertising. The most well-known among them are probably Criteo and GumGum , which have developed more advanced algorithms for website categorization, thus ensuring a significantly better match between content and ads . This is particularly worthwhile if the product range is quite broad. But what options are there if we offer a very “niche” service? Reddit offers the possibility, for example, of reaching people who have viewed or interacted with specific subreddits. Since Reddit is generally a platform with relatively higher engagement rates, this can positively affect ad perception and interaction. Although it's not possible to exclusively target specific subreddits here, higher relevance for the target group is still given by the fact that interaction with a subreddit already assumes a higher interest . Companies that sell tech products or gaming accessories could also find a promising channel in Twitch . Originally started as a purely gaming platform, Twitch has significantly expanded its offerings, but for many tech-savvy individuals, it remains a very relevant channel in the entertainment routine. And who hasn’t wanted a setup like their favorite streamer? Often unjustly underestimated, (Digital) Out of Home Advertising, also known as (D)OOH , is still often treated very negligently. What used to be indispensable in the form of billboard advertising in any marketing mix has lost significant popularity since the introduction of digital marketing, but has been on the rise again in recent years. More and more companies are recognizing the advantages of well-placed outdoor advertising, especially since the introduction of digital screens, which opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Suddenly, it is possible to advertise very dynamically at specific locations or at relevant times, reaching exactly the right target group at that moment. McDonald's demonstrated impressively a few years ago that this approach can work. Thank you very much for your attention! Hopefully, it was informative, and you could take something away from it! In the fourth part of our miniseries, we will take a closer look at competitive analysis . Have we forgotten something important, or do you still have questions on the topic? Feel free to write it in the comments! If you want to get in touch with us directly, feel free to visit our contact form . We help you to position your brand even more effectively with Contextual Advertising so that you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - simply and without obligation!
Google Premier Partner 2025
Mar 11, 2025

Axel
Vortex
Category:
Inside Internet Warriors

internetwarriors GmbH is a Google Premier Partner 2025 As a Google Premier Partner 2025, we at internetwarriors GmbH are among the top 3% of all Google partner agencies in Germany. But what exactly does this mean for you, and why is it so important to choose an agency with premier status for your Google Ads campaigns? What does Google Premier Partner 2025 actually mean? The Google Premier Partner status is the highest accolade that Google awards to agencies within its partner program. This status honors agencies that are particularly successful in digital marketing and achieve outstanding results for their clients. As a Google Premier Partner 2025, internetwarriors receives exclusive access to Google tools, training, and support, which in turn allows us to make your campaigns even more successful. Why you benefit from a Google Premier Partner agency A Google Premier Partner agency offers you significant advantages over other agencies: Exclusive access to advanced Google resources and tools Direct contact with Google experts for quick and effective problem solving Early information about the latest Google Ads features and beta functions Deep expertise and continuous training of our staff directly by Google Our Google Ads services – specialized and tailored for you Our core competency as a Google Premier Partner 2025 lies in Google Ads. We develop and optimize search ads, display ads, YouTube ads, and shopping campaigns to ensure your company’s sustainable online success. Here’s what sets us apart as a Google Premier Partner: Search Ads [object Object] Search ads are among the most efficient methods of directly reaching your target audience. As a Google Premier Partner, we know exactly how to optimally align your ads with your target group. This way, you reach qualified users who are actively searching for your offerings. [object Object] >> More information about Search Ads Display Advertising [object Object] With targeted display campaigns, we increase your visibility in the Google Display Network. Our specialists create ads precisely tailored to your target audience to strengthen your branding and unlock new customer potentials. [object Object] >> More information about Display Campaigns YouTube Ads [object Object] YouTube is an excellent platform to reach users with video ads. As a Google Premier Partner, we create creative and attention-grabbing video campaigns perfectly aligned with your brand. [object Object] >> More information about YouTube Ads Google Shopping [object Object] Especially in the e-commerce sector, Google Shopping campaigns are crucial for success. We support you with setup, optimization, and management of your shopping ads to sustainably increase your sales. [object Object] >> More information about Google Shopping Our proven Google Ads process Analysis and Strategy: Every successful campaign begins with a comprehensive analysis of your current measures. We analyze the status quo, define clear goals, and develop a bespoke strategy tailored precisely to your business. Implementation and continuous optimization: As a Google Premier Partner, we use advanced analytical methods to continuously optimize your campaigns. Through data-driven reporting, we adjust keywords, ads, and landing pages precisely to your target audience. Monitoring and transparent reporting: We provide you with regular detailed reports, allowing you to track how your campaigns are developing and how your marketing budget is being efficiently used. This way, we always keep an eye on success together. Successes we can achieve together with you Our collaboration as a Google Premier Partner means we deliver measurable results: Higher visibility with your target audience Significantly improved conversion rates Increasing revenues while simultaneously reducing cost per conversion Optimal use and management of your advertising budget Real-world examples – successes of our clients with Google Ads Our clients benefit directly from our Premier Partner status. For instance, through collaborations with companies from various industries, we've achieved successes such as a revenue increase of up to 35% or a reduction in cost per conversion by up to 50%. A look behind the scenes: How we work Strategy development: We start with a thorough analysis of your current Google Ads campaigns and market position. Based on this, we create an individual strategy that optimally supports your goals. Campaign design: As a Google Premier Partner, we develop creative and effective campaigns precisely tailored to your target audience. We benefit from exclusive Google insights and the latest tools. Ongoing support and optimization: Our experts regularly analyze your campaign results and continuously adjust ads and strategies to ensure maximum performance. Transparent results: You receive detailed reports that transparently present all results and provide full transparency over your investments. Why you should talk to us now The Google Premier Partner status 2025 is a quality seal that ensures safety and success for you. Now is the perfect time to take your Google Ads campaigns to the next level with the support of internetwarriors. Together, we develop your individual strategies, boost your performance, and ensure that your business grows sustainably. Take advantage of a Google Premier Partner agency now and schedule a non-binding consultation with our Google Ads experts today. Together, we will set your online marketing on the path to success. For more information and contact options , please visit our website: www.internetwarriors.de.
Channel Diversification in Online Marketing
Mar 7, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Putting everything on one card means you're either very lucky or could quickly lose a lot of money. The same applies to online marketing. Focusing solely on one channel allows you to concentrate all your attention there, but it also carries significant risks . If there's an issue with that channel, your entire outbound marketing effort could quickly come to a halt. So if you rely solely on that for customer acquisition, you might soon find yourself in a pickle. That's exactly why it makes sense to broaden your marketing strategy through channel diversification . Besides risk mitigation in the event of failures, there are additional advantages such as: Greater Reach - Certain target groups prefer specific channels. By diversifying, you can reach more users, and thus potential new customers. Higher Brand Awareness - A consistent message across multiple channels strengthens brand identity and increases visibility. More Data-Driven Insights - Different channels provide unique perspectives on data, enabling additional insights that help make more informed decisions. Better Customer Engagement - Engaging with users across multiple channels can lead to potentially more personal interactions and thus a stronger connection to the company. Potentially Higher ROI - Data-driven decisions across multiple channels often lead to increased efficiency in online marketing efforts, resulting in higher profits. Choosing Suitable Channels Which channel we should consider for diversification usually depends on what goal we want to achieve with it. Where do we see the greatest potentials , the best chance to position ourselves as a brand, or possibly even those so-called "low hanging fruits"? Are there channels where there are currently few competitors? One way to choose the most suitable channels is to be guided by the classic marketing funnel - depending on which step the target group is in and which conversion actions we particularly want to promote. It's also advisable to regularly check whether the current target group definition is still accurate or needs to be adjusted. Because requirements, needs, and search behavior can change over time . This allows us to observe a potential shift in the target group and respond accordingly. In some cases, the target group defined in advance differs from the actual group we reach and convert. The ideal customer can be determined by various factors, such as: Demographic data (age, gender, location, family status...) Interests Purchase behavior/purchasing power Lifestyle ... This is where you need to discover further potentials and expand existing ones. There may also be niche target groups that are highly relevant to us. The advantage here: Generally, competition is lower, which can lead to lower customer acquisition costs. By identifying the pain points of the target groups, we can also tailor the messaging of campaigns and creatives precisely to them . This can lead to more relevance, higher interaction, and, at best, a better ROI. Adhering to Rules As we can see, channel diversification is extremely important in marketing. However, we should observe two rules: Channel diversification should always be well thought out and not done just for its own sake . Expanding immediately to multiple platforms carries the risk of being overwhelmed and not doing justice to the nuances of each channel. This could quickly lead to undesirable results, causing the channels to be shut down before they have reached their full potential. It is also important to give the channel sufficient time . Rarely does the first attempt succeed directly, and adaptations and optimizations along the way are essential. Only after going through several optimization cycles and gathering sufficient data can we fairly assess the channel's performance and make sensible decisions. Of course, channel diversification also requires a certain investment. As mentioned above, it depends on many factors how many and which channels are suitable for diversification. Additionally, these differ individually from company to company and should therefore be carefully examined and considered beforehand. But if we approach it correctly, it can be more than worth it in many cases. Thank you for your attention! Hopefully, it was insightful, and you could take something from it! In the third part of our mini-series, we'll delve further into the topic of Contextual Advertising . You can find our previous post on Business Goals here . Did we forget anything important, or do you have further questions on the topic? Feel free to leave it in the comments! If you'd like to get in touch with us directly, feel free to visit our contact form . We'll help you find the right marketing channels for your company so you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - easily and without obligation!
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Why Usability Is So Important for Your Website
Jun 11, 2025

Nadine
Wolff
Category:
SEO

Website usability means that users can reach their goals without frustration, overthinking, or detours—whether their goal is to get information, make a purchase, download something, or get in touch. The easier and smoother your website is to use, the more likely visitors are to stay—and come back. Good usability not only saves time but also builds trust and improves the perception of your company or brand. Especially in the digital market, just a few seconds often determine whether someone stays or leaves. Therefore, it's crucial that your website is logically structured, easy to understand, and technically impeccable—for all users, on every device. In this article, we'll provide you with an overview of the fundamentals of website usability, explain why it's so important, and outline which aspects you should consider. What is Usability? Usability can be translated as "usability" and describes the ability to achieve the desired result without difficulty. The term "user-friendliness" is also often used. Optimal usability means that a product, service, or website fulfills its intended purpose precisely. On a website, this could mean a completed purchase, the provision of relevant information, strengthening your brand, etc., depending on the intention. Usability is a key factor in determining whether and to what extent visitors engage with your website content or move on to another site. It is an important factor in customer satisfaction and website quality. A usability analysis can help identify errors, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement on the website. What does Usability encompass? Website usability includes all aspects that affect the user-friendliness of a website—how simple, understandable, efficient, and pleasant it is to use. Many factors interact to create a positive user experience. Specifically, they include: Navigation and Structure: Clear page layout (e.g., an easy-to-navigate menu, logical hierarchy), simple, logical navigation, breadcrumb navigation, and an easily searchable effective search function Layout and Design: A consistent layout across all pages, a visual hierarchy (important elements stand out), responsive design (works on all devices), and appropriate use of colors, font sizes, and spacing Content and Language: Clear, understandable language, relevant, up-to-date content, good readability (paragraphs, titles, lists), and accessibility (e.g., alt text, contrasts, keyboard accessibility) Interactivity and Feedback: Meaningful feedback (e.g., after clicks, forms), helpful and friendly error messages, and buttons and links that are clearly recognizable Loading Times and Performance: Fast loading times of pages and content and technical stability (no crashes, malfunctions) Accessibility: Support for screen readers, keyboard operability, good color contrasts, and scalable font sizes Trust and Security: SSL encryption, transparent data protection information, and a professional appearance (e.g., legal notice, contact information) Conversion Support: Clear calls to action (e.g., "Buy Now," "Learn More"), no distractions from the actual purpose of the page, and support for processes like forms or checkout What are the Goals of Website Usability? The goals of website usability are aimed at designing websites so they can be used effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily by users. Interaction should be as intuitive as possible to lead to the desired outcome. Jakob Nielsen - one of the leading experts on usability, who has been studying the topic for decades - developed 5 key criteria of usability : 1. Learnability Goal: New users should be able to quickly understand and use the website. Navigation, structure, and functions must be intuitive . Example: A first-time visitor immediately understands where to find information or how to make a purchase. 2. Efficiency Goal: Experienced users should be able to complete their tasks quickly and effectively . Optimized workflows, fast loading times, and clear paths lead to goal achievement. Example: A repeat customer can reorder with just a few clicks. 3. Memorability Goal: Users who haven’t visited the website for a while should be able to easily use it again. This is helped by consistent design, familiar symbols, and a logical structure. Example: A user remembers how to find customer support even after weeks. 4. Errors (Error Prevention and Handling) Goal: The website should be as error-tolerant as possible and help users avoid or correct errors. This can be achieved through clear and understandable error messages, opportunities for correction, or well-thought-out forms. Example: An incomplete form clearly indicates what is missing without deleting all input. 5. Satisfaction Goal: Using the website should be a pleasant experience and generate positive feelings. An appealing design, useful content, and easy navigation lead to higher satisfaction among users. Example: A user-friendly interface with clear texts provides trust and enjoyment while using the site. How Can Usability Be Measured? Measuring usability means systematically evaluating the user-friendliness of a product or website using specific criteria, tasks, and user tests. While usability is partly subjective, it can be objectively measured if you use the right methods. Aspects of the above five listed criteria - learnability, efficiency, memorability, error prevention, and satisfaction - are often tested. Various methods are employed for measurement: Usability tests with users who have to perform specific tasks Questionnaires filled out by users after a test An expert examination based on specific criteria (does not replace user testing) Analysis of analytics and user behavior through web analysis tools, heatmaps, or mouse tracking A/B testing - different versions are tested against specific questions and data Why is Usability Important? There are numerous positive impacts of good website usability and just as many reasons why you should pay attention to good user-friendliness. It makes it easier for users to navigate your website, helps you stand out from the competition, and enhances the impression you leave on potential customers. Let's take a closer look at the individual reasons: Users Want to Be Guided A good website makes it easier for users to navigate. It allows them to quickly get to their desired goal (completing a purchase, downloading a document, finding the needed information) without thinking too much. The offered content should be self-explanatory in terms of the positive user experience. In fact, users don't want to think about how to do something on a website. They want to be guided and don't want to search laboriously for certain elements and "discover" the website on their own. They want to intuitively reach their desired goal as quickly as possible. The content offered needs to be self-explanatory for a positive user experience, and any interactive elements should be directly usable. Website Usability as a Competitive Factor The lack of willingness to stay on a website just because is partly due to the market situation. In the online world, a competitor is just one click away. Unlike a physical shopping street, there's no need to walk past a series of stores. The reality is usually different. Most companies don’t have the luxury of offering something so unique (services, physical products, digital products like apps) that users would endure a cumbersome website. Instead, well-prepared and easily accessible website content has the power to convince users to complete conversions on your site rather than a competitor's, making usability a crucial competitive factor. Your website needs to make a good impression from the first second. Many website owners are unaware that users often judge the entire company based on their first impression of the website. A poorly maintained website can negatively impact the entire company's image. Users might question whether the company is capable of offering good service if it can't even manage to keep basic things on the website in order. While this assumption is often incorrect, it illustrates the potential consequences of poor website usability. Usability is More Than Just Good Design The challenge in website design is that it's unlike any other medium because people often have different expectations for how websites are used versus how they're actually used. When website owners and designers sketch out a site, they have a certain image in mind. It's often assumed that users will study all the content thoroughly. But in reality, users often only skim through a page initially. They quickly scan the text and click on the first link that seems interesting or appears to be the closest to their searched goal. As a result, a large portion of the page might not be actively noticed by your users. How users read a webpage greatly depends on their goal in mind. They focus on words and phrases that match their personal interests, known as trigger words. If they don't find these on your website, it can still be beautifully designed and contain seemingly informative content, but it won’t hold their interest. Technical Performance is Part of Usability too Besides graphical design, technical preparation is a key aspect of usability. While large images, videos, interactive graphics, and other moving elements may look visually appealing, they significantly increase loading time. The problem is not all users have access to a fast internet connection. Ideally, a good load time is important for two main reasons: it reduces the chance that visitors lose patience and leave the website, and page load time is becoming an increasingly important ranking factor for search engines. Usability Engineering Usability engineering is a structured and systematic process for developing user-friendly systems, where the usability of a product—or, in this case, a website—is deliberately planned, tested, and improved throughout the development process. This means that usability should ideally be considered from the conception of a website or a relaunch. Good usability doesn't happen by chance; it's systematically planned and tested. SEO and Usability – A Strong Team SEO ensures the necessary flow of traffic through organic search results. But you shouldn't focus solely on generating traffic. Without usability, your visitors will quickly leave again, often without converting. If you only focus on usability, you will reach a significantly smaller group of visitors who may convert well, but due to the small number, may not generate enough revenue to financially sustain the company behind it. Choosing usability doesn't necessarily mean writing off SEO. If you think SEO is just about ranking first in Google's organic search results and driving traffic to the website, you're not thinking broadly enough. SEO measures aim not only for top placement in search results but also ensure that users can find their way around the site. This goal is shared with usability. Classic OnPage SEO measures include, for example: Clear page structure Logical navigation Breadcrumbs and HTML sitemaps Pagination Avoidance of 404 error pages Logical internal linking On closer inspection, it becomes clear that these points simultaneously significantly improve user navigation. So, there are indeed significant intersections between the two online marketing disciplines, which do not contradict each other. Good SEO specialists and user experience managers are aware of this close connection and ensure that all elements of the website complement each other effectively. Website Usability and Accessibility/Accessibility In the context of website usability, the topic of accessibility is also important. Both disciplines pursue the same goal of facilitating the use of websites, but they are approached from different perspectives: Usability aims to improve user-friendliness for as many people as possible. Accessibility seeks to make the website fully usable for people with disabilities (especially visual and hearing impairments). Numerous measures improve both web usability and accessibility (for example, a clear structure and understandable language or good contrasts). Accessibility also requires compliance with technical standards such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), including screen reader compatibility or alternative texts for images. Since the Accessibility Enhancement Act , you should assess (or have assessed) whether your website is not only user-friendly but also accessible. This is important to ensure that people with disabilities can use your website without restriction. Usability issues usually only become apparent when expected conversions don’t occur. Retrospective improvements can be expensive or, in extreme cases, unworkable. That's why you should focus on a good user experience at the launch or relaunch of your website. However, this doesn't mean that you should completely disregard usability in favor of SEO. Those who believe that SEO is only about ranking first in organic search results and driving traffic to the website are thinking too narrowly. In addition to good placement in organic search results, SEO measures also aim to ensure that users can navigate the website. This goal is shared by search engine optimization with usability.
Why Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) Should Not Be Missing From Any Marketing Mix
Jun 2, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Microsoft Advertising (previously known as “ Bing Ads ”) is a powerful addition to Google Ads, offering numerous advantages such as comparatively lower click prices and advanced targeting options. Are you already using Microsoft Ads, or have you limited your advertising to Google so far? In this article, we explore why it's more worthwhile than ever for companies to invest in Microsoft Advertising , what differences and benefits the platform offers, and why the topic of generative AI should not be overlooked. What is Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads)? To begin, here's a brief overview: Microsoft Ads (formerly known as “Bing Ads”) is Microsoft's advertising platform , enabling companies to engage in search engine marketing (SEM), similar to Google Ads. Ads primarily appear on Bing's search results pages, but also on Yahoo, AOL, and partner networks, as well as in Microsoft products like Edge, Outlook, Windows, and the Microsoft Audience Network. Microsoft Advertising was launched as “Microsoft adCenter” in 2006, rebranded to “Bing Ads” in 2009, and finally to “Microsoft Ads” in 2019. With Microsoft Ads, for example, it’s possible to run keyword-based Text Ads (Search Ads) and also offers Shopping Ads that require a Microsoft Merchant Center feed, Responsive Search Ads , as well as native advertising in the Microsoft Audience Network and Remarketing . Bing in Search Engine Ranking and Technological Innovations When people search the internet, they often “Google.” Over time, the term “Googling” has become embedded in the language of most people and even made it into the 23rd edition of the Duden in 2004. It’s perhaps no surprise that “Googling” originated from the namesake search engine. Other search engines still remain in Google's shadow, often slipping from memory when it comes to marketing efforts. But is this justified? Bing may not automatically come to mind first when thinking about internet research. Nonetheless, the platform has undergone many positive changes and established itself as a solid alternative to Google. In recent years, Bing's market share has steadily grown , while Google currently remains stable (albeit at a high level). According to Statista, Bing's market share was 11.75% globally in April 2025, compared to around 8% three years prior. In Germany, Bing even holds a 15% market share . The Microsoft Search Network leveraged by Bing includes other search engines such as Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia, collectively reaching a significant number of users. This enhances the opportunities for advertisers on Microsoft Ads and increases the potential visibility of their ads. While the Microsoft Search Network still falls short of Google in absolute terms, it has carved out a stable place in the market. It is expected that Bing’s market share will continue to rise, as more people seek alternative search engines in an era of growing privacy concerns. Microsoft, like Google, continually invests in technological innovations to make Bing more appealing to users. This is demonstrated not only by the new AI features continually being implemented in Bing , but also by a general massive increase in interest around Artificial Intelligence among internet users. This development naturally benefits Microsoft Ads as well. For example, Microsoft Office products offer the possibility of integrating Copilot into an extended license. Copilot is Microsoft’s AI-based agent that draws on Bing as a search engine when needed. Advantages of Microsoft Advertising over Google Ads An important factor that sets Bing apart from Google is the demographic composition of its users. While Google appeals to a broad audience, Bing is particularly popular among middle-aged individuals and business professionals . This can be advantageous for companies looking to target these specific audiences. Decision-makers and influencers can be particularly well-reached this way. [object Object] Often overlooked, but just as important: On most work PCs running Windows, Microsoft Edge is the default browser, making Bing the default search engine . Cortana also pulls its results from there. This greatly increases the likelihood that a search query on Bing will occur in a business-relevant context. Additionally, the majority of traffic consists of desktop users. These factors can further positively influence the quality of traffic . Another advantage of Microsoft Advertising is the native integration of LinkedIn targeting . As Microsoft owns LinkedIn, advertisers can access the extensive professional data of LinkedIn users and target their ads more precisely. The attributes “Job Function,” “Company,” and “Industry” are available for more tailored targeting. Bid adjustments can be used, for example, to place higher bids for particularly relevant target groups. This is especially useful when B2B marketing plays a role. However, possibly the most significant advantage is that Bing, and thus Bing Ads/Microsoft Ads, is still surprisingly underutilized by many companies. Commonly cited arguments include a comparatively low search volume compared to Google and a lack of time to create and manage a complete account setup on this platform. But therein lies a great opportunity for businesses. The much lower volume of competitors positively impacts cost per click and can help companies position successfully on Bing with relatively low budget investment, yielding significantly more sales and leads compared to Google Ads vs. Microsoft Ads - Overview of Pros and Cons: Google Ads Advantages: Higher market share, worldwide and in Germany Greater reach and traffic potential Broader range of target audiences Higher mobile user coverage Disadvantages: Higher competition and hence typically higher click prices (CPC) More complex user interface Microsoft Ads Advantages: Less competition and hence Typically more affordable CPC, especially in niche markets More cost-effective, even with smaller budgets Additional reach through other platforms/search engines like Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL Reaches an audience that may not use Google (middle-aged and Edge users) Target audience is generally older and wealthier, with many desktop users (particularly interesting for B2B and certain markets) Disadvantages: Lower market share and therefore Traffic potential Less automation and features Copilot in Microsoft Ads Microsoft Copilot is a AI-based assistant integrated into Microsoft Advertising that helps advertisers with various tasks based on campaign data, user inputs, and AI models. This includes: Campaign creation , such as automated keyword research, ad text suggestions, and the creation of Responsive Search Ads based on landing pages or product information Campaign optimization , e.g., bid strategy and budget distribution suggestions or A/B testing of ad elements Report and analysis creation , e.g., intelligent campaign performance summaries and creation of visual reports Like Google Ads, Microsoft Ads offers numerous opportunities to automate routine tasks with Copilot, saving time. Automatic intelligent analysis supports data-driven decisions. Copilot is integrated into the platform and allows for dialog-based interaction, similar to tools like ChatGPT. However, caution is advised with any AI-based automation - results should always be checked. Bid strategy suggestions must be critically evaluated to ensure that changes have the desired effect. Another example is ad text, which should always be checked for relevance to the product or service. Getting Started with Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) As mentioned earlier, many companies forgo advertising on Bing due to the increased setup and maintenance effort, which doesn't seem proportional to the expected return on investment. However, getting started with Microsoft Ads is surprisingly easy. An account can be created in just a few minutes, and the interface somewhat resembles Google's. So those who already advertise on Google’s platform will find navigating Microsoft Advertising straightforward. Importing Google Account Data into Microsoft Ads Additionally, Microsoft offers a useful import function that allows entire account setups from Google Ads to be mirrored into Microsoft Ads with just a few clicks. This also applies to other platforms like Facebook Ads or Pinterest Ads or uploading a completed template. This makes it particularly easy for companies with an existing Google Ads account to get started. There’s even the option to regularly import a Google account into Microsoft Ads, keeping the Bing account up-to-date with frequent changes. But beware: While Microsoft aims to make the entry into Microsoft Advertising as easy as possible and provides various tools, a certain level of account maintenance is still necessary. Importing accounts allows for a quick and easy way to advertise on Bing. However, to get the most out of the channel, Microsoft Ads should also be viewed separately and appropriate optimization measures undertaken. This ensures the target audience is optimally engaged and no potential is wasted. FAQs for Getting Started with Microsoft Ads Here are some questions our clients frequently ask about Microsoft Ads (and previously Bing Ads), giving you a deeper insight and helping you decide for or against Microsoft Advertising: For whom is Microsoft Advertising particularly worthwhile? Due to the differences in target demographics, Microsoft Ads are especially worthwhile for companies selling to B2B customers or targeting an older, more affluent audience. B2C companies can also benefit from Microsoft Advertising due to lower competition. Thanks to Bing's broader reach, Microsoft Ads are particularly effective in Germany, the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. In contrast, reaching a younger demographic (under 25) might be more successful through Google or other channels. How effective are Microsoft Ads? Microsoft Advertising can be very effective, but the performance of your campaigns largely depends on the services or products you offer and the target group you wish to reach. The lower CPC and highly accurate B2B targeting can make Microsoft Ads very effective. We also observe from many clients a lower cost per acquisition with the same or even higher quality of leads or product purchases. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to advise whether Microsoft is a sensible addition for your business. What types of advertising campaigns are available on Microsoft? The campaign types on Microsoft are similar to those on Google Ads. Available campaign types include Search Ads, Shopping Ads, Multimedia Ads, Audience Campaigns, Remarketing Campaigns, Dynamic Search Ads (DSA), Hotel Ads, Local Ads, Performance Max Campaigns, and App Install Campaigns. Additionally, with Microsoft Ads, ads can be run on CTV (e.g., with an add-on package on Netflix). What automation options are available in Microsoft Ads? Thanks to Copilot, Microsoft offers AI-based support directly in the advertising platform. Copilot enables automated creation and optimization of ads, as well as analyses and reports. Additionally, automatic bidding strategies (Smart Bidding) are possible as in Google Ads. Campaign management can also be automated, e.g., by setting rules for activating and pausing ads. However, it's important to note that automation is not a substitute for strategy or expertise, but rather a complement to efficient work. It's crucial to regularly check whether all campaigns and ads deliver the desired performance. Is Bing/Microsoft better than Google Ads? No, Microsoft Ads are a worthwhile addition for many companies and can even be an alternative depending on orientation and target group. Both platforms have advantages and disadvantages that need to be weighed against each other. For B2B companies, but also for many other topics and industries, a combination of Google and Microsoft Ads is the optimal blend in the marketing mix. We’re happy to advise if Microsoft Ads can be effective for your business. Microsoft Ads for B2B Companies As mentioned earlier, Microsoft Advertising is a very attractive alternative or addition to Google Ads for companies with a B2B target audience. The combination of target audience, platform integration, and cost-efficiency makes Microsoft Ads, just like earlier Bing Ads, very interesting for B2B businesses. Many users in the Microsoft Search Network are doing professional work when using Windows, Microsoft Edge, Cortana, and Office. It’s an effective way to reach decision-makers and executives . The higher proportion of higher-educated and higher-earning users makes Microsoft Ads relevant for industries like SaaS, industrial, and financial services . On average, Bing users are also older than the Google target audience. The lower competition and often cheaper CPCs are very advantageous for companies with costly leads and long sales cycles . The frequently 20-40% lower click prices make better ROIs possible. The high proportion of desktop users is also an ideal match for a B2B target group, as many purchases and research activities in a business environment occur via desktop, not mobile. The combination of desktop usage in professional fields increases the conversion likelihood for users in Microsoft Ads. Thanks to LinkedIn targeting , users from specific industries or companies, with certain job titles or functions, can be specifically targeted. This segmentation is only possible with Microsoft Ads, making the platform particularly appealing for B2B companies. It is important, though: Microsoft Ads should not be viewed as a replacement for Google Ads, but as a strategically sensible addition to specifically reach a B2B audience and expand reach outside the Google universe. Why Microsoft Advertising? Bing, and consequently Microsoft Advertising, is still often underestimated today but offers many advantages. While both platforms are quite similar, there are some key differences between Microsoft Ads and the major competitor Google Ads that make Microsoft's platform a true alternative or an effective complement. To summarize: Running ads on Bing is relatively simple Cost-effective and efficient with regular account maintenance Enhanced targeting capabilities , especially relevant for a B2B target audience Differences in target audience compared to Google: generally older, higher educated, and with a higher household income Exclusive access to other search engines , e.g., DuckDuckGo and Ecosia For anyone wanting to get a step ahead of the competition, seriously considering incorporating Microsoft Advertising into the marketing mix can unlock full potential in online marketing. We’re Happy to Assist You The internetwarriors team consists of experts in various online marketing disciplines, from SEA to SEO, from workshops for service companies to strategic consulting for eCommerce companies. Our decades of expertise as a full-service agency allow us a comprehensive view of different channels and measures, and an informed comparison, such as between Google Ads and Microsoft (Bing). Have you been thinking for a while about advertising through Microsoft Ads, or would you like some preliminary advice on the topic? Then feel free to contact us, and we’ll find the right solution for your business! [object Object]
Create FAQs and improve the website’s SEO rankings
May 14, 2025

Julien
Moritz
Category:
SEO

Including FAQs on a website has many advantages. For example, they can reduce the load on customer service, increase conversions, or improve visibility in unpaid search results. This article explains in detail the various ways to create an FAQ page and how to optimize it for SEO. What is meant by FAQ? FAQ stands for “frequently asked questions” and can be translated as “commonly asked questions.” Specifically, this involves collecting the most important information on a topic and presenting it in the form of questions. These can include frequently occurring issues or the most frequently asked questions. FAQs are widespread in the software sector or other technical areas, but they can be useful for any topic and industry. One of the goals of FAQs is to answer questions from potential buyers easily, thereby reducing the burden on customer service. If a purchase has already been made and problems arise, the FAQ section prevents customer service from having to deal with the same easily answered questions. A well-prepared FAQ section benefits both users and companies. How do FAQs benefit SEO? First: Any type of relevant optimized content is positive for search engine optimization. With FAQs, you have the opportunity to cover composite keywords and phrases (long tail keywords) that a product page, for instance, does not answer. You will be found for questions that users have about a topic, such as your products or services. At the same time, you increase your authority in your field in Google's assessment because you provide a lot of relevant high-quality content. Greater authority means higher trust and thus a better chance of being found in unpaid search results even for competitive terms. Another SEO advantage is the chance of appearing as Rich Snippets on search results pages (SERPs). In the example of e-bikes, you see in the result below that two questions are displayed directly in the search result for the testberichte.de website. This gives the website more attention in the SERPs than results without this enhancement. Screenshot from the SERPs - Example E-Bikes What are the ways to integrate FAQs into a website? Depending on the purpose of the FAQs, different solutions offer themselves for integrating them on the website. Below are the most important ones and their advantages and disadvantages. Dedicated FAQ Page The first option is to create a single long FAQ page that lists all important questions. For better overview, an accordion element is often used in the layout, allowing users to expand and collapse answers to individual questions. Advantages Easy to set up and maintain Even simple questions that can be answered in one sentence are no problem for SEO Disadvantages Rarely ranks for (competitive) terms, as different topics are addressed on one page, and thus the focus is missing Fewer opportunities for good internal linking between individual questions SEO-friendly setup Each question as a sub-headline Use correct headline structure If technically possible, table of contents at the top of the page with jump marks to individual questions Where appropriate, link relevant products or services from FAQ texts Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQ Section on the Page An alternative with more SEO potential is a standalone FAQ section on the website instead of a single page. There is an overview page with all questions that link to subpages with the answers to the questions. If there are a large number of questions, they can be thematically categorized for better clarity. In the e-bike example, categories could include: General Questions, Brands, Models, Batteries, Maintenance, and Repair. Advantages Higher chance of being found for keywords More targeted optimization for keywords is possible, as longer texts are created and can be optimized for a larger number of keywords. Better usability, as no navigation on a long page is necessary Disadvantages More maintenance required, as many individual pages are created Individual FAQs require more content to avoid creating “thin content.” SEO-friendly setup Overview page with teasers and links to detailed FAQ pages with individual questions Detail pages with correct headline structure Minimum amount of content (if there are still questions with very short answers, it may be wise to exclude them from indexing) Cross-linking between similar FAQs Links to relevant product pages or services Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQ Section on Service Pages or Product Pages Product or service pages also benefit from an FAQ section. Especially if there are very specific questions about a particular product, they are well placed on the product page. They can help reduce reservations against a purchase or answer questions that would otherwise occupy customer service. In the worst case, users might bounce off if they do not find an answer to their question and purchase the product from a competitor. Advantages Expands content on these pages with useful and relevant phrases and terms Questions can appear as extensions in search results (Rich Snippets) for product pages or services, gaining more attention. Disadvantages For high-competition keyword combinations that individual FAQs are optimized for, there is a significantly lower chance of ranking than if these were created as standalone pages. SEO-friendly setup FAQ section with heading Individual questions as headlines (observe correct headline structure) Implementation of structured data (see below) FAQs as Blog Posts If the CMS does not allow a standalone FAQ area, one option is to incorporate FAQs in the form of blog posts. Each blog post answers a question for which keywords with sufficient search volume have been defined. Advantages Easy maintenance Good chance of being found Disadvantages Individual FAQs require a minimum amount of content They may get lost on the website (worse usability) SEO-friendly setup Correct headline structure Minimum amount of content Cross-linking between similar FAQs/blog posts Links to relevant product pages or services To prominently place FAQs on the website, you could create FAQ as a category in the blog and link this category page. Implementation of structured data (see below) Optimizing FAQs for Search Engines - 3 Additional Tips Above, guidelines for SEO-friendly setup of the various types of FAQ pages were already given. We want to provide you with three additional tips to take your FAQ SEO to the next level. Selecting Appropriate Questions If you have set up your FAQ section so that each question has its own page, we recommend conducting a keyword analysis to research subtopics or questions that are of interest. If you have already collected questions you know to be relevant from practice, such as those your customer service regularly receives, keyword analysis can help you describe these questions with the words your target audience uses. The goal is to identify terms or phrases that are frequently searched for. You can use these sources for your keyword analysis and question identification: Paid keyword tools Free keyword tools (such as answerthepublic) Google search results: Google suggestions, questions in the Google search SEO tools displaying competitor keywords Your own analysis tools, especially Google Search Console, which shows you which topics and questions you already have some visibility for. Screenshot from the SERPs - Example E-Bikes Using the example “E-Bikes”, you could identify this incomplete list of general topics and questions: Which e-bike is recommended? (Question in Google search results) Which e-bike motor is the best in 2022? (Question in Google search results) How much does a good e-bike cost? (Question in Google search results) Which e-bike suits me? (Keyword tool in SEMrush) How long does an e-bike battery last? (Keyword tool in SEMrush) Who repairs e-bikes? (answerthepublic) How to charge an e-bike battery? (answerthepublic) Use FAQ Markups If your CMS allows it, it is recommended to integrate structured data to help Google interpret and classify content. In the case of FAQs, the FAQPage markup ensures that Google recognizes what a question is and what an answer is, allowing this content to be classified as an FAQ. You can find detailed explanations at Google as well as on the schema.org page for FAQPage and QAPage . Structured data can be verified using Google's “Rich Results Test” tool. The tool shows which markups have been incorporated and whether they contain errors. In the example of the testberichte.de page, we see in the Google tool that the FAQ markup was used, which generates the enhanced search result: Optimize Internal Linking One of the greatest advantages of an FAQ section on the website, besides generating relevant content, is the opportunity to improve internal linking . Linking related pages within your website strengthens the linked page and also helps users find new content and stay on your website longer. Therefore, consider with each individual question whether there are meaningful products, services, blog posts, other FAQs, or other pages that you can link to from the text. To achieve good internal linking, use a descriptive link text instead of a vague text like “read more here.” To identify appropriate links, it is also wise to ask after creating the FAQ text: what is the most sensible next step for users who ask this question and have read this content? Is it a product page? Do more questions usually follow? Is the answer to the question to use your service? Content Optimization from FAQ to Blog with the internetwarriors Do you want to improve your organic visibility with optimized content? Our experienced SEO team knows all the tricks and tools to be found better on Google. We analyze your content , assist you with optimization, or provide you with relevant optimized content for your website or online shop. This could be FAQ texts, but also product descriptions or blog posts. Contact us, and we will be happy to provide you with a non-binding, customized offer! Did you enjoy the blog? Share it now! Facebook Twitter Telegram Linkedin Envelope Whatsapp AUTHOR
Why the 95:5 Rule is Revolutionizing B2B Marketing
Apr 17, 2025

Axel
Vortex
Category:
Growth Marketing

In today's B2B marketing, there is often tremendous pressure: Every lead counts, and every conversion must happen as quickly as possible. Marketing teams are gauged by short-term KPIs, and your focus is nearly exclusively on capturing the few potential clients ready to make a purchase right now. But what if this approach is fundamentally flawed and ignores the greatest growth potential? This is where the provocative yet evidence-based work of Professor John Dawes from the renowned Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science comes into play. His research challenges conventional wisdom and introduces the 95:5 rule: A simple yet transformative idea suggesting that at any given time, only about 5% of your potential B2B clients are actively seeking a solution in the market. The overwhelming 95% are part of your target audience but are not (yet) ready to buy. A marketing strategy focusing solely on the "hot" 5% risks overlooking the vast growth opportunities present in this larger, currently "passive" segment. You’re competing in a crowded pond for few fish, while an ocean of potential future customers is largely ignored. In this article, we dive deep into the 95:5 rule. We explore the problem of "now" obsession in B2B marketing, explain the scientific foundation of the rule, and most importantly, show you concrete, actionable strategies on how to adjust your marketing to not only serve the 5% but also win over the critical 95% for future success. The Problem: The Dangerous Fixation on the "Immediate" 5% Marketing and sales teams are under constant pressure to generate leads that quickly turn into revenue. This environment fosters an excessive reliance on bottom-funnel tactics: Performance Marketing: Paid search, retargeting. Sales Activities: Aggressive cold calling, direct approach via LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Content: Focus on product comparisons, case studies, demo requests. All these efforts target the small group of the 5% actively seeking a solution. This fixation on the "now" carries significant drawbacks: Intense Competition: Every one of your competitors is vying for the same 5%. This drives up costs for keywords, ad space, and ultimately customer acquisition costs (CAC). Lack of Differentiation: Amid the hustle of bottom-funnel offers, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out from the competition. Messages often sound very similar ("We boost your revenue," "Our software solves problem X"). Missed Potential: The 95% not buying right now are overlooked. When these potential clients are ready to purchase in 6, 12, or 18 months, they may never have heard of your brand or formed no positive association with it. Weak Negotiation Position: If a buyer meets your brand only when deeply into the buying process and actively comparing options, your chances of winning the deal are statistically low. Brands that are familiar and trusted beforehand have a massive advantage. Solely concentrating on the 5% is a reactive approach, which incurs high costs and leaves long-term growth potential untapped. The Paradigm Shift: Understanding the 95:5 Rule The 95:5 rule is not an arbitrary number but based on extensive research by the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, known for its evidence-based marketing principles (including Byron Sharp’s bestseller "How Brands Grow"). The core message is simple but profound: 5% are "In-Market": This group has a recognized need, is actively researching, and is ready to make a purchasing decision in the near future. 95% are "Out-of-Market": This group belongs to your potential target audience (e.g., companies of the right size and industry) but currently has no need, urgency, or awareness of a potential problem. They are, however, your future buyers. The key insight is: The 95% are not a lost group but your most important asset for future growth . If you manage to be present with this vast majority before they even think about a purchase, you have an unbeatable advantage when the need finally arises. The Solution: Building Bridges to the 95% – Marketing for the Future So how do you reach the 95% who are not actively listening right now? The answer lies in building Mental Availability . This concept, central to the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute's work, describes the likelihood that a buyer thinks of your brand in a relevant buying situation. Imagine the CTO of a manufacturing company (part of your 95%) reading a technical article about production optimization. If your ERP systems brand comes to mind positively because he recently saw an interesting ad or a relevant post from you, you’ve created mental availability. Months later, when he is actually evaluating a new ERP system (and becomes part of the 5%), your brand is already positively anchored in memory. How Do You Build Mental Availability? Broad Reach: You need to reach as many potential buyers within your category as possible, including the 95%. It’s about generating a large number of market contacts over time. Consistency: Brand building is a marathon, not a sprint. Regular presence over long periods is crucial. Distinctive Brand Assets (DBAs): These are the sensory and semantic cues that help buyers easily recognize and remember your brand without having to read the brand name. These include: Logo Color scheme (e.g., Telekom Magenta, IBM Blue) Slogan or tagline Jingles or sounds (e.g., Intel Inside) Characters or mascots Unique visual style in ads and content These DBAs must be used consistently to build strong memory structures. Linking with Category Entry Points (CEPs): CEPs are the various situations, needs, or problems that prompt a buyer to think about a specific product or service category. Examples in B2B: "We need to reduce our production costs." (--> ERP system, automation solution) "Our current software is outdated and no longer secure." (--> New software solution) "How can we make our sales processes more efficient?" (--> CRM system, sales automation tool) Effective marketing links the brand’s DBAs with relevant CEPs in the target audience’s mind. The 95:5 Rule in Practice: 4+1 Strategies for Your B2B Marketing Based on the insights of John Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, specific recommendations arise: 1. Rethink Success Measurement: Look Beyond Immediate Sales The greatest mistake is measuring the success of marketing activities—especially those targeting the 95%—solely by short-term sales or leads. If 95% of your audience cannot buy immediately, 95% of your efforts will inevitably have a delayed impact. What You Can Do: Measure Brand Health Metrics: Track long-term indicators like unaided brand awareness (when asked "Which providers for X do you know of?", is your brand mentioned?), aided awareness, brand image, and recognition of your DBAs. Measure Reach: What percentage of your total addressable market (TAM) do you reach with your marketing activities over time? Is this percentage growing? Measure CEP Associations: (Advanced) Understand with which buying situations your brand is associated and if you occupy the most relevant CEPs. Accept Longer Periods: Building a brand takes time. Do not expect immediate miracles but track trends over quarters and years. 2. Prioritize Reach: Speak with More Potential Clients Many B2B marketers believe in the power of high frequency—the assumption being that complex buying decisions require many touchpoints. However, Ehrenberg-Bass research shows this is often inefficient. What You Can Do: Focus on "Unique Reach": Invest your budget so you reach as many different potential buyers in your category as possible, rather than targeting a few repeatedly. The first exposure to advertising often has the most impact on memory. Further repetitions have diminishing returns. Utilize Broad Channels (sensibly): In addition to targeted performance channels, broader reach channels can also be sensible in the B2B context, such as trade media, industry newsletters, relevant podcasts, LinkedIn brand awareness ads, YouTube, or even industry-specific events. Be Patient: It takes time to achieve broad market penetration. 3. Focus on New Clients: The True Growth Engine A widespread misconception is that growth can mainly be achieved through more sales to existing clients (upselling, cross-selling). However, the data clearly show: The greatest growth potential almost always lies in acquiring new clients (penetration). What You Can Do: Primarily Align Your Marketing with Acquisition: Indeed, customer retention is important, but most of the marketing budget and strategic efforts should aim at acquiring new buyers for the brand—reaching out to the 95%. Understand the Limits of Loyalty: Existing clients often have a natural cap on what they can or are willing to buy from you. Excessive efforts to yield more from them often result in low returns. 4. Build and Defend Distinctive Brand Assets In a sea of often generic B2B messages, strong, recognizable brand elements are invaluable. What You Can Do: Identify and Define Your DBAs: What makes your brand unique and recognizable? Is it your logo, colors, slogan, a specific visual style? Use Your DBAs Consistently: Deploy these elements across all marketing channels and touchpoints—from the website to ads to sales presentations. Resist the Urge for Frequent Rebranding: New marketing leaders often want to leave their mark by redesigning everything. This can be disastrous as it destroys memory structures built over years. Instead, strengthen and nurture your existing assets. Changes should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. +1. Adapt Creativity and Messaging for the 95% How Do You Talk to People Who Have No Immediate Buying Need? Be Interesting, Not Just Sales-Driven: Provide valuable content, insights, or entertainment relevant to the industry, even if it does not directly prompt a purchase. Focus on Branding: Use creative approaches to create positive associations and embed the brand in memory. Tell stories, show expertise, build trust. Link Yourself with CEPs: Communicate in which situations your solution is relevant to set the right triggers in the target audience's mind. Less Hard-Sell, More "Always-On": It’s about continuous presence and being perceived as a helpful and competent resource. Balance Is Key: Not an Either-Or The 95:5 rule does not mean neglecting performance marketing or serving the active 5%. Quite the opposite: An optimal approach combines both: Long-Term Brand Building (for the 95%): Investments in reach, DBAs, CEP linkage, and creative brand communication. Short-Term Activation (for the 5%): Efficient performance marketing activities, sales enablement, and conversion optimization to capture demand as it arises. The art is to find the right balance and synergy between these two approaches instead of focusing on just one. Conclusion: Think Long-Term, Act Strategically The 95:5 rule by John Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute is more than just an interesting statistic; it is a fundamental wake-up call for B2B marketing. It challenges us to rethink our obsession with immediate results and embrace a longer-term, more strategic perspective. By consciously starting to advertise for the 95%—through building mental availability, prioritizing reach, focusing on acquiring new clients, and consistently using distinctive brand elements—you lay the foundation for sustainable growth. You reduce the reliance on expensive bottom-funnel battles and increase the likelihood that your brand will be the first choice when your future clients are finally ready to buy. It’s time to end the chase for the 5% and start cultivating the ocean of the 95%. Your future self (and your sales team) will thank you for it. Sources and Inspiration This article is significantly inspired by the work and publications of Professor John Dawes from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science. His research on the 95:5 rule and the principles derived for effective marketing, especially in the B2B context, presents a valuable, evidence-based challenge to traditional marketing approaches. We encourage all marketing professionals wanting to dive deeper into this matter to engage with the publications and discussions by Professor Dawes and the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute to gain a more comprehensive understanding of long-term successful brand management.
Reddit SEO: Between Myth and Reality
Mar 27, 2025

Ina
Bondarev
Category:
SEO

Where else can you find heated debates about nuclear physics alongside cat pictures and the best baking recipes? Only on Reddit. With over 1.5 billion users, Reddit is one of the largest and most influential online communities in the world. Reddit - A gold mine of marketing potential or a minefield for companies? The platform offers enormous potential but also presents risks. Is Reddit SEO even feasible? And how can companies win over the Reddit community without breaking the rules? In this article, we will take you on an expedition through the Reddit universe and show you how to generate more traffic, enhance your brand awareness, and gain valuable leads. Discover the secrets of Reddit marketing! Reddit: Where Diverse Communities Come Together Reddit is a unique entity. Those who don't speak its language quickly get lost in the jungle of Subreddits. Understand the nuances of this platform before you start your Reddit online marketing. What is Reddit? Reddit is a social media platform where you can share, discuss, and rate content. What sets it apart: Reddit is divided into countless Subreddits – thematic communities where users exchange specific interests. From cat pictures to programming tips and political debates, you can find it all. You can create posts with videos, images, and texts, and interact with other users. Especially valuable for businesses: the intense exchange within these communities. Here, you can identify and better understand your target audience. How Does Reddit Work? Reddit has clear rules you need to follow if you want to use the platform for your marketing. The most important rules for your marketing are: Authenticity over advertising – forget about blatant promotional messages! Reddit is about authentic exchange and valuable contributions. Advertising is (mostly) taboo: Reddit supports advertising only to a very limited extent. Direct product advertising is not allowed in most Subreddits. Inform yourself about the exceptions and possibilities, such as paid ads. Here you can find the complete Reddit rules. Take the time to read them thoroughly before starting your marketing! Deep Dive into Subreddits Reddit is more than just a platform – it’s a universe of thousands of communities with their own rules and cultures. The heart of Reddit is the Subreddits – thematic communities where users exchange interests. Each Subreddit has its own rules – and you should definitely know them before interacting with the community. Humor is welcome in some Subreddits, strictly forbidden in others. Some communities value detailed contributions, while others prefer short and concise comments. Take the time to read the rules of the Subreddits you want to be active in. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure your contributions are well-received: Fig. 1: Screenshot Reddit community rules - https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing/ Choose the right Subreddits for your topic! Reddit offers a huge selection of communities – from /r/technology/ for tech news to /r/entrepreneur/ for entrepreneurs. If you're developing software for musicians, /r/wearethemusicmakers/ is the right place to connect with potential customers. Research the relevant Subreddits and analyze the discussions there. This way, you can find out where your target audience is active and what topics interest them: Fig. 2: Screenshot - Overview of top communities ( https://www.reddit.com/best/communities/1/ ) If in doubt: Ask the mods! If you're unsure whether your post complies with a Subreddit’s rules, contact the moderators. They are happy to help. Upvotes and Downvotes are the heart of Reddit culture. They show how the community rates your posts. Constructive contributions and helpful comments are rewarded with Upvotes, spam and inappropriate behavior are penalized with Downvotes. Reddit is more than a platform for discussion and knowledge exchange. It’s a place where ideas are born, trends are set, and opinions are formed. Use the dynamics of this community to reach your target audience and advance your business. Reddit: Secret Tip for Your Online Marketing or Time Waster? Strategies Reddit can be leveraged with a bit of background knowledge about the platform. The platform polarizes – and precisely for that reason, it holds enormous potential. But how can you use Reddit for your online marketing strategy? We show you how to harness the power of Subreddits! The Secrets of Reddit Rankings Forget keyword density and CTR optimization! On Reddit, engagement and community count. These factors influence your Reddit ranking: Upvotes and Downvotes: The more Upvotes your post receives, the higher it will rank in the Subreddit. A post with many Upvotes and lively discussion will rank higher than a post with only a few Upvotes, even if it is perfectly optimized for keywords. Engagement: Reddit loves active discussions and comments. It shows that your post is relevant and interesting to the community. Encourage interaction by asking questions, responding to comments, and participating in the conversation. Recency: Reddit prefers fresh content. Older posts lose visibility over time. To keep your content ranked high, post regularly and keep your content updated. Understanding how Reddit rankings work enables you to create content that engages your target audience and drives traffic to your website. Remember, it’s not just about getting Upvotes, but also about creating valuable content that sparks conversations and builds relationships with your audience: Fig. 3: Screenshot - Overview ChatGPT community, “hot” posts - https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/ Reddit Online Marketing: An Explosive Mix for Your Business! Downvotes, Karma, Subreddits – Reddit is a world of its own. But that's precisely what makes the platform so valuable for your online marketing! It's all about authentic exchange and valuable contributions. Reddit is not a place for blatant advertising - SEO is redefined here. Those who understand this can leverage the platform: Build expertise: Become a thought leader in your community In certain Subreddits, you can position yourself as an expert by actively engaging in discussions and sharing high-quality content. Over time, you’ll be seen as a trusted voice in your niche. This pays off: Google rewards expertise with better rankings (E-E-A-T factors). Understand your target audience: Get to know your customers on Reddit Reddit is a goldmine for businesses that want to truly understand their target audience. Here, you can gain valuable insights and optimize your products/services without expensive market research. Find out what moves your customers and what topics they are interested in. Spot Trends: Stay a step ahead of the competition Reddit is known for its timeliness. Here you find the latest trends in your industry. Use this knowledge to adapt your marketing strategy and stay ahead of the competition. Google Bonus: Use Reddit SEO for your search engine optimization Google is the only search engine that indexes Reddit results. This means: If your posts are current and have many Upvotes, they can appear in the SERPs and bring valuable traffic: Fig. 4: Screenshot Google search results - “Cats community”, Reddit The secret weapon for your recruiting Forget impersonal job portals! On Reddit, you'll meet engaged talents who are genuinely interested in your company. In theme-specific Subreddits (e.g., job search), you can post job ads and connect directly with potential candidates. The reach may be smaller than on other platforms, but you’ll meet highly motivated candidates who perfectly fit your corporate culture. Note: Posting job offers is only allowed if explicitly permitted in the community rules. Are you looking for talented employees who share your passion? Then get active on Reddit! Marketing: Who Is Reddit SEO Suitable For? Reddit not only offers opportunities for recruiting but is also a valuable platform for online marketing and SEO. Startups can win their first customers on Reddit and collect valuable feedback. Large companies can use the platform to increase their brand awareness and communicate with their target audience. Your Advantages of Reddit SEO Marketing at a Glance: Build expertise: Position yourself as an expert in your industry. Understand your target audience: Get to know your customers and optimize your products/services. Spot trends: Stay a step ahead of the competition. Google Bonus: Achieve better ranking in Google search with your Reddit posts. Share your expert knowledge through theme-related case studies! Show potential customers how you can help them solve their problems. Another advantage: By being active on Reddit, you increase your visibility. However, always exercise caution: no advertising or community-disallowed actions to avoid receiving downvotes/violating rules. Reddit SEO Tools Now that we have found out that Reddit SEO is feasible, albeit with a completely different form and perspective compared to traditional SEO, it’s important to consider which specific Reddit SEO tools exist and which ones are right. Keyword Research: Indeed, you can research keywords for Reddit as well. Here, as mentioned, it's important to focus on the topic (Subreddit), relevance, and natural implementation. With the right keywords, your Reddit post can appear on Google. You can proceed traditionally and use tools like SEMRush . To understand what the most relevant keywords are, you should analyze your Subreddit and precisely filter out what can be used. The informational content is crucial, as Reddit is not an advertising platform. For research and inspiration, the tool AnswerThePublic is perfect. Here you can excellently analyze questions and derive keywords from them. You can also use Google search. You should enter the search word combination site:reddit.com (e.g., cats site:reddit.com) in the search bar and then, e.g., analyze the top threads as keywords using Google’s Keyword Planner. This gives an overview of what Reddit offers for the search query: Fig. 5: Google query - cats site:reddit.com Additionally, you can access specific keyword tools for Reddit: The tool Keyworddit offers the possibility to analyze Subreddits directly and obtain ideas comprehensively. However, it is only available for the US-American realm, meaning US-Reddits. It might also happen that the tool doesn't extract keywords from the Subreddit because it doesn’t find any. However, the listed topics can be seamlessly used further in search. Anvaka.github is another free tool that not only enables analysis and overview of posts once the Subreddit name is entered but also shows related Subreddits. This provides an easy, comprehensive overview of related topics. More general topics can be specifically used for further research. However, it might also occur that no thematically related Subreddits are found. In summary, when choosing a Reddit SEO tool, you have relative freedom. Even if a direct Subreddit SEO analysis cannot be conducted (e.g., because no data is available), you can still identify the keywords that are relevant and have sufficient search volume for the topic. The focus should be on informational content, long-tail keywords, thematic alignment, non-branded keywords, and W-question keywords. Therefore, it’s worth focusing on keyword tools. If you are interested in the topic of keyword research, check out our blog post with insider knowledge ! Behind the Scenes of Reddit SEO: Benefits & Challenges It's always valuable to know what opportunities you have when undertaking certain steps. Even more interesting is the question of the risks: Are they worth it? For this reason, we have critically examined Reddit SEO to succinctly point out the pros and cons: Benefits Reddit can be an effective SEO tool when used correctly. By actively participating in thematically appropriate Subreddits, you can not only generate valuable traffic but also establish authority in your niche. With a clever strategy, you can discover and leverage the following advantages of Reddit SEO: 1. Backlinks: Among the advantages of Reddit SEO optimization, backlinks certainly count. Despite the nofollow links, it generates significant referral traffic. 2. Authority and Expertise: By actively engaging in communities, answering questions, and crafting content, you can position yourself as an expert and thus indirectly influence the E-E-A-T factors. 3. Google Rankings: It should not be forgotten that Google can rank Reddit posts relatively high (conditional relevance). 4. Trends: There is the possibility of going viral with the post and keeping an eye on trends. Challenges However, SEO on Reddit is anything but intuitive. The benefits face challenges and there are additional hurdles you may encounter: 1. Backlinks: This is also a disadvantage because Reddit undermines self-promotion and "blatant" link placement (always consider community & mentioned Reddit rules). 2. Guidelines: Strict rules and moderators in the respective Subreddits should never be overlooked or neglected. 3. Downvotes: You can also be downvoted. 4. Time: It’s quite time-consuming to achieve sustainable SEO successes. 5. Subtle Difference: You must carefully distinguish between measures for a company on Reddit, a person on Reddit, and a person from a company, because not everything fits or can be implemented (in traditional form or known from other platforms/websites). 6. Traditional SEO doesn't work in the Reddit community. Your Small SEO Guide for Reddit Now that Reddit and its peculiarities are clear, we can derive some results and thus give you a small SEO guide for Reddit: 1. If you decide on an account on Reddit , choose the right niches or communities so you not only share a wavelength with other participants but also remain specific and precise in your comments, posts, and discussions. Golden Rule: When sharing and writing content, remember to stay factual and informative, as Reddit users particularly appreciate added value. 2. Optional: If you manage to become an active participant in the community, you can try to set a natural link (not a blatant link) to your company. However, ensure it’s not an advertisement, but an added value (e.g., case study, sharing knowledge, etc.). Subreddits like AMA (Ask Me Anything) or a thematically relevant community can be well-suited for this. Always bear in mind that such measures can involve certain risks. Thus, it is recommended as an optional measure. 3. Think outside the box : This could really be the restart for your SEO strategy. With Reddit, you can conduct relatively good target audience analyses, especially among very specific target groups (thanks to Subreddits). Moreover, you can also clear up specific questions since experts frequent Reddit. By actively and usefully participating, you can also become an expert or a thought leader. Ideas for topics for keyword searches can also be found in some Subreddits, as many relevant and interesting topics are discussed daily. At a Glance: The question "Can I do Reddit SEO for my product/service?" can probably be answered more with " no ", because you don’t really have the means to do so, and if you do, then only indirectly (especially connected with time effort). Direct Reddit online marketing is thus not possible. More important, however, is how you integrate and use Reddit in your SEO strategy. Our conclusion is: no classical SEO measures on Reddit but use Reddit for SEO measures. Get to know your own target audience better, never miss important trends again, and don’t forget that in principle, you can also monitor opinions on your brand or product in specific Subreddits! Harness the potential of Reddit and improve your website's performance! With Reddit SEO, It Doesn’t End! Are you curious about what else our warriors team knows and can do, or are you perhaps seeking targeted support in the area of SEO , Paid , Strategy , or Web Analysis ? Feel free to check out our services and get a non-binding and free initial consultation from our experts!
Website Optimization - Effectively Boost Conversions
Mar 21, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Welcome to the fifth and final post of our blog series “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant in Times of Automation” . In this part, we focus on Website Optimization . We discuss why it's important to keep an eye on the competition, the ways to identify them, and how we can leverage insights to gain advantages. If you missed the previous parts of the series, feel free to check them out. We talk about why it's important to define the right business goals , the benefits of broadening your online marketing channels , why contextual advertising is often underestimated, and how a competitor analysis can provide a competitive edge. Optimizing Your Content Arguably the most important aspect of optimization is undoubtedly one's own website. No matter how much effort we put into optimization measures before the click - if the foundation, the website, is not right, we cannot be successful in the long run. Therefore, it's essential to make the user experience on our website as smooth, enjoyable, and intuitive as possible. It starts with user-friendly navigation that guides users clearly and directly through the pages to their intended goal. An optimized checkout process, guest checkouts , as well as up-to-date and secure payment methods , also help to reduce cart abandonment hurdles. To ensure everyone finds what they need quickly on our site, it might also be worthwhile to implement an intelligent site search that provides suggestions during the actual search and, in some cases, shows product recommendations directly. We'll see what such an intelligent search looks like in the following example from Nike. But even on specific landing pages, where we either advertise strategically or want to push in other ways, there are additional content optimization measures: Clear and compelling offer Effective call-to-actions Adequate information for informed (purchase) decisions Trust-building elements Fast load times + Mobile optimization A/B testing! The Impact of FAQs Today, we have less and less time to convince people of our offer. Therefore, it's all the more important to answer as many questions as possible already on the landing page. FAQs, for example, in an “accordion element,” help provide as much information as possible that users can expand when needed without being overwhelmed by walls of text. At this point, the importance of A/B testing for landing page optimization should be highlighted . They serve as one of the key elements for improving performance and should always be an integral part of optimization measures. All major companies have likely subjected their landing pages to hundreds or thousands of tests, and for good reason. Quick tip : External tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity help enormously in better understanding user behavior on the site and making data-driven optimizations. The content available on landing pages should also depend on the target audience the page is intended for. Providing Solutions & Contact Options When generating leads, we should ensure we provide adequate contact opportunities . A persistent contact field can be helpful here, allowing users to establish contact when they're ready without having to search. This is particularly relevant for pages with a large amount of text content. Here, we also bridge to target group definition from Tip #2. On our landing page, we now have the opportunity to understand the pain points of our target group and present solution approaches . An effective means can also be showing opportunity costs if a collaboration is foregone. It quickly becomes clear how the service could impact one's own company and how much working hours and/or money can be saved. By sharing expert knowledge, such as case studies, white papers, or webinars , we not only inform and qualify our target group in advance but also create a higher level of trust. This is especially important in B2B, as the costs for offered services can easily reach six to seven figures in euros, and decisions are often made at the highest business levels. Those who score with their expertise in advance significantly increase their chances of being commissioned. On product pages, alongside many of the previously mentioned points, the following content optimization options can also be added: High-quality product images Detailed product descriptions Encouraging/displaying customer reviews Product recommendations/similar products/“Often bought together” Product videos Price and market analyses Clear, customer-friendly return policies Focusing on Customer Satisfaction We should make it as easy as possible for users to decide whether the product is relevant or not. Above all, high-quality content on the product page helps. The impact of customer reviews should also never be underestimated, especially for high-priced products. Nowadays, many people compare products in advance, and one of the crucial criteria is often a good product rating. Not only do we benefit to some extent from user-generated content, but we also have the opportunity to see what customers appreciate about our product and, importantly, where we can still improve. Those who actively reach out to their customers, take suggestions for improvement, and then implement them, increase long-term customer satisfaction and thus also customer loyalty . Speaking of customer satisfaction: A good customer support is, of course, essential for long-term success. If we receive an inquiry from a dissatisfied customer, we have the chance to turn the negative experience into a positive one. This not only leads to a better customer experience but often also reflects in customer reviews, which can directly impact the purchase decision and give the brand a more positive image. Through email marketing or newsletters , we effectively reach existing customers and prospects, announcing new products or promotional offers. Often, such offers are exclusively available to newsletter subscribers, which can positively impact the signup rate. This way, we gather more customer data without significant monetary additional costs while simultaneously providing attractive offers. With loyalty programs , customers can be retained long-term by the company, increasing the number of repeat buyers. These programs range from points for purchases to referring other people to cashback promotions or subscriptions with additional benefits or discounts. There are therefore manifold website optimization possibilities that can help improve the user experience, increase CLTV, and thus also have a direct impact on various marketing channels. As mentioned earlier, website optimization is undoubtedly one of the most effective measures to improve performance since it is the place where most users ultimately convert one way or another. Conclusion In conclusion, we return to the initial question: Will online marketing become obsolete due to developments in AI and automation ? Here we can reply with a resounding NO . Those who rely solely on automation and AI for their marketing strategy will lose in the long run. While all the new AI features are indeed helpful and can enrich online marketing, they are not the ultimate solution. The heavy reliance on data, on which AI is based, enables the processing of countless pieces of information, but it is also its greatest weakness. Many data points are often inaccessible, and important connections are thus lost. Apart from advertising platforms, there are many other optimization possibilities that should be utilized to get the most out of one's strategy. Ultimately, only the proportion of work shifts from operational to strategic . And for that, at the end of the day, you still need a human with experience. Thank you for your attention! We hope you enjoyed our blog series on “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant in Times of Automation” and that you can not only justify your marketing job better to your boss but also take away a trick or two. If you haven't seen our other blog entries yet, feel free to check them out! Automation in Marketing - Part 1 | Optimize for Goals [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 2 | Channel Diversification [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 3 | Contextual Advertising [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 4 | Competitor Analysis [object Object] Automation in Marketing - Part 5 | Website Optimization for More Conversions Did we forget something important, or do you have further questions on any of the topics? Then feel free to write it in the comments!
Competitive Analysis: Understanding Competitors, Optimizing Strategies & Strengthening Market Position
Mar 18, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Welcome back to our blog series “5 Tips on How to Keep Your Online Marketing Strategy Relevant Even in Times of Automation”! In this part, we focus on a often underestimated yet essential topic: Competitive Analysis. Why is it so important to keep a close watch on the competition? What tools and methods can help identify relevant competitors? And above all: How can strategic advantages be derived from these insights? This is exactly what we will explore in this post. If you missed the previous parts of our series, feel free to take a look - there we discuss, among other things, why clear business goals are essential, how to optimally position your online marketing channels , and why Contextual Advertising is often underestimated. Competitive Analysis - What is the competition doing? Competition is well-known for driving business. While this is often a blessing for end consumers, it has already broken many companies as their product suddenly became irrelevant, and thus their customers stayed away. Therefore, it is essential to never lose sight of your own competition and to regularly look out for new, emerging companies. A so-called competitive analysis is recommended for this purpose. First of all, it is necessary to identify your competitors . There are numerous ways to do this. Anyone already using Google Ads can easily access the auction insights within the campaigns and see which companies are actively participating in the auctions and how aggressively they are doing so. The metrics “ Top of page rate ” and “ Absolute top of page rate ” help us here by indicating how often we appear in the auctions either in the first three results, or even at the very top. By looking a bit more closely, we can even determine if we might be overbidding and artificially driving prices up. [object Object] Other ways to understand the competitor's approach If you're interested in what type of advertising the competition is running and what images and texts are being used, the ad libraries of all major advertising platforms are recommended. There, we can see exactly which ads have been played by other companies, completely effortlessly and for free. For example, the Google Ads Transparency Center and the Meta Ads Library are mentioned here. But additional information such as rough target groups, estimated budgets, and targeting options can also be gleaned there, albeit not in detail. Other platforms like LinkedIn or TikTok also have such libraries that are extremely helpful for competitor analysis. Other options include external tools (e.g., Semrush, Similarweb, Ahrefs), generative AI tools (Google Gemini, ChatGPT), or simply the classic Google search . This allows us to see aside from Google Ads who potentially appears with us in auctions, or which companies also rank organically or show presence in another form for relevant search queries. We can also relatively simply identify and use the relevant content of the competition for our analysis. Once the competitors are identified, we can start the actual competitive analysis and thus gain a better overview of the competitive environment we are operating in. Topics we should look at more closely include, among others: Website - What does the site look like? Is it a one-pager, or does it have a more complex design? Is the navigation simple, or rather more nested? How high is the informational content? What kind of approach is used? How easy is it for a user to convert? Marketing Strategy - What fundamental goals are pursued? Which actions are potential users supposed to take on the website (appointment requests, demos, downloading informational materials, product purchases, etc.)? Online Marketing Activities - Which channels are being played, which advertisement formats are used? Social Media Presence - What topics are covered? What works well, what doesn’t (engagement)? Where are there still gaps for our own positioning? Price and Offer Structure - Are discounts or other promotions frequent? Does the quality justify the prices, or is there an increasing reliance on low-priced products? Customer Reviews and Feedback - What do the customers say about this competitor? What do they like, what do they criticize? Summarize and keep an overview For better visibility, we can also summarize the insights gained in a classic SWOT analysis to visualize the current situation. This helps us to understand the status quo more easily, highlight our own strengths better, and identify potential gaps . Additionally, it can be worthwhile not only to compare the competitors to our own company but also to compare them with each other as part of the competitive analysis. This way, we may recognize commonalities and overlaps on which we should particularly focus. These analyses help us to gain a better understanding of our own USPs . Moreover, we can discover new potentials and play segments or products that have hardly existed until now. Based on this, we optimize our marketing strategy and in some cases can even predict new trends . If we discover significant differences in the price structure compared to our competitors, it becomes easier for us to justify our own prices . Perhaps our products are indeed more expensive than those of the competition, but in return, they are more robust and durable. This can be effectively communicated. We learn from the weaknesses and mistakes of our competitors through customer feedback and can ideally profit from them. By targeting communication that addresses the exact problems and concerns of the target group, we gain a competitive advantage and ensure better customer satisfaction and loyalty from the very beginning . By implementing the measures defined from this, not only do we ideally save a lot of money and tons of nerves, but we also free up time for the really important things, namely providing the best possible experience for the customers and also the employees within the company. Thank you very much for your attention! Hopefully, it was insightful, and you could take something away for yourself! In the fifth and final part of our mini-series, we will delve deeper into the topic of optimizing your own website . Our previous post on the topic of Contextual Advertising follows. Have we forgotten something important, or do you have questions on the subject? Then feel free to write it to us in the comments! If you want to get in direct contact with us, feel free to check out our contact form. We help you better understand your competitive situation and benefit from it, so you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - simple and non-binding! [object Object]
Contextual Advertising: How Context-Based Advertising Works
Mar 12, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

In this article, we take a closer look at Contextual Advertising. We will discuss the advantages of this advertising form and highlight some providers and opportunities that are particularly suitable for it. If you missed the previous parts of the series, feel free to check them out. There, we talk about why it is important to define the right corporate goals and the benefits of broadening your online marketing channels . Contextual Advertising With stricter data protection laws and the resultant increasing targeting restrictions , as well as the trend of many marketing platforms to automate and broaden campaign distribution, it becomes even more crucial to reach the right target audience at the right time and to minimize scatter losses as effectively as possible. But what are the options for targeting one's audience more effectively? This is where Contextual Advertising comes into play. In this form of advertising, ads are not displayed based on users' demographic data, preferences, and interests, but the algorithm primarily focuses on the current context of the page - which gives it the name “Contextual” Advertising. This means that websites are categorized based on various factors. These could be, for example: Product categories Images Text passages Specific keywords in the running text. After a successful categorization, ads that match the page content are played. In the example above, we see a NIKE advertisement placed in an article about the major running shoe test of 2024. It can be assumed that people interested in this article are also more likely to be interested in purchasing new running shoes in the near future. Thus, there is a match between the advertised ad and the purchase intention. The fact that the ad often blends seamlessly into the actual content of the website additionally reduces friction and enhances the coherence between advertising and content. Numerous studies have already shown that this positively impacts user perception and can increase purchase readiness. As mentioned earlier, Contextual Advertising helps to create as much relevance as possible for the target group while impacting the user experience minimally, and ideally even improving it. Additionally, it offers a good opportunity to position your brand in a targeted and brand-safe manner, thus avoiding unnecessary scatter losses. Since it completely dispenses with the use of cookies , this form of advertising is significantly more future-proof and robust against the increasing restrictions on third-party cookies. The question of the right channel for Contextual Advertising often cannot be answered universally but depends on many factors. On the one hand, there are the classic providers such as Google Ads or Microsoft Advertising , which enable contextual advertising. Here, targeting by keywords or specific placements is available. From experience, Google's keywords are often interpreted very “broadly,” which can make this type of targeting quite inaccurate. Advertising via placements works better. For example, offering moving services could achieve above-average campaign results on sites dealing with apartment searches, house buying, and similar topics. Other providers have almost exclusively specialized in Contextual Advertising. The most well-known among them are probably Criteo and GumGum , which have developed more advanced algorithms for website categorization, thus ensuring a significantly better match between content and ads . This is particularly worthwhile if the product range is quite broad. But what options are there if we offer a very “niche” service? Reddit offers the possibility, for example, of reaching people who have viewed or interacted with specific subreddits. Since Reddit is generally a platform with relatively higher engagement rates, this can positively affect ad perception and interaction. Although it's not possible to exclusively target specific subreddits here, higher relevance for the target group is still given by the fact that interaction with a subreddit already assumes a higher interest . Companies that sell tech products or gaming accessories could also find a promising channel in Twitch . Originally started as a purely gaming platform, Twitch has significantly expanded its offerings, but for many tech-savvy individuals, it remains a very relevant channel in the entertainment routine. And who hasn’t wanted a setup like their favorite streamer? Often unjustly underestimated, (Digital) Out of Home Advertising, also known as (D)OOH , is still often treated very negligently. What used to be indispensable in the form of billboard advertising in any marketing mix has lost significant popularity since the introduction of digital marketing, but has been on the rise again in recent years. More and more companies are recognizing the advantages of well-placed outdoor advertising, especially since the introduction of digital screens, which opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Suddenly, it is possible to advertise very dynamically at specific locations or at relevant times, reaching exactly the right target group at that moment. McDonald's demonstrated impressively a few years ago that this approach can work. Thank you very much for your attention! Hopefully, it was informative, and you could take something away from it! In the fourth part of our miniseries, we will take a closer look at competitive analysis . Have we forgotten something important, or do you still have questions on the topic? Feel free to write it in the comments! If you want to get in touch with us directly, feel free to visit our contact form . We help you to position your brand even more effectively with Contextual Advertising so that you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - simply and without obligation!
Google Premier Partner 2025
Mar 11, 2025

Axel
Vortex
Category:
Inside Internet Warriors

internetwarriors GmbH is a Google Premier Partner 2025 As a Google Premier Partner 2025, we at internetwarriors GmbH are among the top 3% of all Google partner agencies in Germany. But what exactly does this mean for you, and why is it so important to choose an agency with premier status for your Google Ads campaigns? What does Google Premier Partner 2025 actually mean? The Google Premier Partner status is the highest accolade that Google awards to agencies within its partner program. This status honors agencies that are particularly successful in digital marketing and achieve outstanding results for their clients. As a Google Premier Partner 2025, internetwarriors receives exclusive access to Google tools, training, and support, which in turn allows us to make your campaigns even more successful. Why you benefit from a Google Premier Partner agency A Google Premier Partner agency offers you significant advantages over other agencies: Exclusive access to advanced Google resources and tools Direct contact with Google experts for quick and effective problem solving Early information about the latest Google Ads features and beta functions Deep expertise and continuous training of our staff directly by Google Our Google Ads services – specialized and tailored for you Our core competency as a Google Premier Partner 2025 lies in Google Ads. We develop and optimize search ads, display ads, YouTube ads, and shopping campaigns to ensure your company’s sustainable online success. Here’s what sets us apart as a Google Premier Partner: Search Ads [object Object] Search ads are among the most efficient methods of directly reaching your target audience. As a Google Premier Partner, we know exactly how to optimally align your ads with your target group. This way, you reach qualified users who are actively searching for your offerings. [object Object] >> More information about Search Ads Display Advertising [object Object] With targeted display campaigns, we increase your visibility in the Google Display Network. Our specialists create ads precisely tailored to your target audience to strengthen your branding and unlock new customer potentials. [object Object] >> More information about Display Campaigns YouTube Ads [object Object] YouTube is an excellent platform to reach users with video ads. As a Google Premier Partner, we create creative and attention-grabbing video campaigns perfectly aligned with your brand. [object Object] >> More information about YouTube Ads Google Shopping [object Object] Especially in the e-commerce sector, Google Shopping campaigns are crucial for success. We support you with setup, optimization, and management of your shopping ads to sustainably increase your sales. [object Object] >> More information about Google Shopping Our proven Google Ads process Analysis and Strategy: Every successful campaign begins with a comprehensive analysis of your current measures. We analyze the status quo, define clear goals, and develop a bespoke strategy tailored precisely to your business. Implementation and continuous optimization: As a Google Premier Partner, we use advanced analytical methods to continuously optimize your campaigns. Through data-driven reporting, we adjust keywords, ads, and landing pages precisely to your target audience. Monitoring and transparent reporting: We provide you with regular detailed reports, allowing you to track how your campaigns are developing and how your marketing budget is being efficiently used. This way, we always keep an eye on success together. Successes we can achieve together with you Our collaboration as a Google Premier Partner means we deliver measurable results: Higher visibility with your target audience Significantly improved conversion rates Increasing revenues while simultaneously reducing cost per conversion Optimal use and management of your advertising budget Real-world examples – successes of our clients with Google Ads Our clients benefit directly from our Premier Partner status. For instance, through collaborations with companies from various industries, we've achieved successes such as a revenue increase of up to 35% or a reduction in cost per conversion by up to 50%. A look behind the scenes: How we work Strategy development: We start with a thorough analysis of your current Google Ads campaigns and market position. Based on this, we create an individual strategy that optimally supports your goals. Campaign design: As a Google Premier Partner, we develop creative and effective campaigns precisely tailored to your target audience. We benefit from exclusive Google insights and the latest tools. Ongoing support and optimization: Our experts regularly analyze your campaign results and continuously adjust ads and strategies to ensure maximum performance. Transparent results: You receive detailed reports that transparently present all results and provide full transparency over your investments. Why you should talk to us now The Google Premier Partner status 2025 is a quality seal that ensures safety and success for you. Now is the perfect time to take your Google Ads campaigns to the next level with the support of internetwarriors. Together, we develop your individual strategies, boost your performance, and ensure that your business grows sustainably. Take advantage of a Google Premier Partner agency now and schedule a non-binding consultation with our Google Ads experts today. Together, we will set your online marketing on the path to success. For more information and contact options , please visit our website: www.internetwarriors.de.
Channel Diversification in Online Marketing
Mar 7, 2025

Alexander
Frank
Category:
Search Engine Advertising

Putting everything on one card means you're either very lucky or could quickly lose a lot of money. The same applies to online marketing. Focusing solely on one channel allows you to concentrate all your attention there, but it also carries significant risks . If there's an issue with that channel, your entire outbound marketing effort could quickly come to a halt. So if you rely solely on that for customer acquisition, you might soon find yourself in a pickle. That's exactly why it makes sense to broaden your marketing strategy through channel diversification . Besides risk mitigation in the event of failures, there are additional advantages such as: Greater Reach - Certain target groups prefer specific channels. By diversifying, you can reach more users, and thus potential new customers. Higher Brand Awareness - A consistent message across multiple channels strengthens brand identity and increases visibility. More Data-Driven Insights - Different channels provide unique perspectives on data, enabling additional insights that help make more informed decisions. Better Customer Engagement - Engaging with users across multiple channels can lead to potentially more personal interactions and thus a stronger connection to the company. Potentially Higher ROI - Data-driven decisions across multiple channels often lead to increased efficiency in online marketing efforts, resulting in higher profits. Choosing Suitable Channels Which channel we should consider for diversification usually depends on what goal we want to achieve with it. Where do we see the greatest potentials , the best chance to position ourselves as a brand, or possibly even those so-called "low hanging fruits"? Are there channels where there are currently few competitors? One way to choose the most suitable channels is to be guided by the classic marketing funnel - depending on which step the target group is in and which conversion actions we particularly want to promote. It's also advisable to regularly check whether the current target group definition is still accurate or needs to be adjusted. Because requirements, needs, and search behavior can change over time . This allows us to observe a potential shift in the target group and respond accordingly. In some cases, the target group defined in advance differs from the actual group we reach and convert. The ideal customer can be determined by various factors, such as: Demographic data (age, gender, location, family status...) Interests Purchase behavior/purchasing power Lifestyle ... This is where you need to discover further potentials and expand existing ones. There may also be niche target groups that are highly relevant to us. The advantage here: Generally, competition is lower, which can lead to lower customer acquisition costs. By identifying the pain points of the target groups, we can also tailor the messaging of campaigns and creatives precisely to them . This can lead to more relevance, higher interaction, and, at best, a better ROI. Adhering to Rules As we can see, channel diversification is extremely important in marketing. However, we should observe two rules: Channel diversification should always be well thought out and not done just for its own sake . Expanding immediately to multiple platforms carries the risk of being overwhelmed and not doing justice to the nuances of each channel. This could quickly lead to undesirable results, causing the channels to be shut down before they have reached their full potential. It is also important to give the channel sufficient time . Rarely does the first attempt succeed directly, and adaptations and optimizations along the way are essential. Only after going through several optimization cycles and gathering sufficient data can we fairly assess the channel's performance and make sensible decisions. Of course, channel diversification also requires a certain investment. As mentioned above, it depends on many factors how many and which channels are suitable for diversification. Additionally, these differ individually from company to company and should therefore be carefully examined and considered beforehand. But if we approach it correctly, it can be more than worth it in many cases. Thank you for your attention! Hopefully, it was insightful, and you could take something from it! In the third part of our mini-series, we'll delve further into the topic of Contextual Advertising . You can find our previous post on Business Goals here . Did we forget anything important, or do you have further questions on the topic? Feel free to leave it in the comments! If you'd like to get in touch with us directly, feel free to visit our contact form . We'll help you find the right marketing channels for your company so you can get the most out of your online marketing strategy - easily and without obligation!
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