What is Sponsored Search Engine Placement?
What determines the position I will be in on the search results page?
How much do I pay if someone clicks on the link to my Web site?
Where will my listings appear on the search results page?
What search engines will my listings appear on?
Will I be charged if someone clicks on my listing multiple times?
Can I get search engine results without paying for clicks?
Why would I pay for search engine results?
Can my business succeed with this form of marketing?

What is Overture and who are their partners?
What is Google AdWords and who are their partners?
What if I already use Overture or Google AdWords?
Do other companies provide sponsored search engine placement?

What determines the position I will be in on the search results page?
The amount bid on each specific term will determine the positioning of your listing within the sponsored results (If using Google AdWords, your click through rate will also be part of the equation used to determine positioning). The bid amount required to attain specific positioning is determined by your competition. You can choose if you desire the top position or to appear lower in the search engine results. Competitor's changing bids will alter where your results appear.

For example, let’s assume you are a realtor in Houston, Texas. If one of your terms is "Houston Realtor" and a competitor is currently bidding $0.32 for that term, you would have to bid $0.33 to have your Web site listing rank above that competitor. This means that you are willing to pay $0.33 for each user that searches for this term, reads your title and description, and then clicks on your listing to visit your Web site. The minimum bid required for any search term is ten cents. Bids can be changed in real-time by one-cent increments, allowing competitors to rank above you by raising their bid above yours and vice-versa. This rapidly changing environment requires constant attention in order to maintain desired search placement. Swift Solution's professional management will ensure that you remain in the desired position to achieve your goals and remain within your budget.

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How much do I pay if someone clicks on the link to my Web site?
You will pay the fee associated with the specific term searched for and clicked on. This fee will vary for each specific term and requires a minimum bid of $0.10. You can set a maximum bid that you are willing to pay for qualified leads or establish different bids for individual terms. Some terms may only require $0.10 to achieve the highest search results while other terms cost much more. Swift Solution enables you to customize your bidding strategy to attain the most cost efficient leads.

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Where will my listings appear on the search results page?
Each search engine displays their sponsored search results in different locations. For example, Yahoo lists the first two to four sponsored results at the top of their search results page under the heading "Sponsor Results". The next two to four advertisers appear at the bottom of the first page. The second search page will provide additional sponsored results. Google's "Sponsored Links" appear in a column on the right side of the page. Swift Solution cannot control where search engines display their sponsored results, but we can help you achieve favorable placement wherever that may be. Since search engines make money when their visitors click on sponsored search results, they often display them their in prominent positions. To see an updated listing of current partners and their sponsored listing placement specifications, please visit our partner page.

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What search engines will my listings appear on?
Where your listings will appear depends on the level of service that you sign up for. Overture's partners include Yahoo!, MSN, Lycos, AltaVista, Excite, iWon, CNET, InfoSpace, NetZero, NBCi and more. Google AdWords' partners include Google, AOL, Netscape, AskJeeves and EarthLink. To maximize exposure, we recommend taking advantage of both Overture and Google's extensive network of partners. To see an updated listing of current partners and their sponsored listing placement specifications, please visit our partner page.

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Will I be charged if someone clicks on my listing multiple times?
Overture and Google have mechanisms to prevent charges for repeated clicks on the same link. Overture and Google both have very sophisticated click review software that ensures advertisers don't get charged for invalid clicks. They use a variety of techniques to filter the clicks before they show up as a charge. This is one of the most important issues faced at Overture and Google, which is why they have dedicated loss prevention departments that are vigilant in protecting advertisers. They realize that this is essential to ensure the integrity of the sponsored search marketplace.

These loss prevention departments have recognized many possible invalid clicking scenarios and built intelligence into the system to prevent these scenarios from impacting advertisers' bottom lines. Like the stock market, they have a compelling interest in running a fair and trusted marketplace, and they make every effort to weed out invalid clicks.

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Can I get search engine results without paying for clicks?
Search engine results can be attained without paying for clicks, however the required process is extremely challenging, time consuming and ever changing. Once upon a time, simply inserting meta-tags may have provided desired results, however this is no longer the case. Today, every search engine uses a unique, complex algorithm to determine where Web sites appear in their non paid search results. These algorithms continue to change and evolve on a regular basis, making catering to them difficult. Furthermore, some search engines, like Yahoo, charge a yearly fee just to be considered for their directory. Software programs do exist that can assist in attaining search results when properly used, but these too are very time demanding, quite complex and require ongoing adjustments.

The majority of Web sites appearing as top search results are indeed paying to be there. Rather than paying per click, they often pay a third party to help them with their search engine optimization (SEO). This process is labor intensive and usually requires at least $1,000 just to get started and $1,000 minimum per month to be done properly. You may find more affordable opportunities, but those charging less provide inferior service and results. SEO usually takes at least eight weeks before results may appear and often provides no guarantee. For companies with very large budgets, this process may be wise, and we work with a trusted provider of this service that can help. However, for small to mid-sized business seeking immediate and more affordable results, sponsored search advertising is the best solution.

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Why would I pay for search engine results?
Paying for search engine placement is the only way to ensure that potential clients will find your Web site at the moment they are searching for your specific products or services. These highly targeted and valuable leads will find your competition first if your Web site is not easily accessible. How much is a targeted lead worth to your business?

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Can my business succeed with this form of marketing?
Businesses that are most successful with PPC search placement have a web site that appears professional and a product or service with profit margins that justify paying for leads. Several key factors that will determine whether your business will succeed with PPC advertising include; competitive pricing, products or services that are searched for, and a professional website with simple navigation and simple purchasing. Catering to consumers nationwide is a benefit when marketing on the internet, but we can use localized terms to focus on a business dealing with specific geographic locations.

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