Sadly, your competition is probably spending more money than you trying keep their page one spot on google. They have search engine optimized their site and have are probably doing aggressive search engine marketing as well.

Getting on page one of Google’s organic results isn’t easy, but getting listed on page one of Google’s AdWords is much more in your control. But maybe you don’t know what AdWords is – let’s discuss.

When you do a Google search for something, there is always a list of results on the left hand side of the page. In addition, there are usually a list of results on the right hand side of the page, too. And sometimes there are highlighted listings on the top, too.

You can get your website listed there. Wherever it says “Sponsored Links” – people are paying for that. They are using Google’s AdWords, and you can too. Basically, it works like this: you choose keywords that are relevant search terms for your website and bid in an auction for the best placement. When your link is clicked, Google charges you what you bid to be placed there.

For example, if you had a hair salon business in Brooklyn, you might choose keywords or keyword phrases, like:

• hair salon
• Brooklyn hair salon
• Brooklyn hair salons
• Brooklyn salon
• hair salon Brooklyn
• hair salons Brooklyn
• etc.

Then you choose a dollar amount that you want to be charged if your link shows up and people click on it. These prices vary amongst industry, keyword, and even time of day and month. You are not charged unless someone clicks on your link.

And while it sounds as simple as a bidding war, I must admit, it’s significantly more complex than that. Google wised up and found out that, if it was as easy as paying the most money, you would see irrelevant advertisements up there all the time. Imagine typing in “Chicago chiropractor” and seeing pornography and viagra ads.

Therefore, Google takes into account the relevancy of your page that you’re directing people to, the number of times your link has appeared and no one has clicked on it, and of course your daily and monthly spending limits, amongst many other things.

We have just scratched the surface of AdWords, but if you didn’t think getting on page one of Google was possible, there is a way, and it’s gaining in popularity. For example, listen to this story as reported by NPR.

If you have questions about getting your website on page one of Google, contact an experienced Search Engine Marketing consultant in New York today.