Keywords play an essential role in the success of your digital marketing campaigns. Online marketers have to consider their target audience when carrying out keyword research and then incorporate the results into their content strategies.
This is important because 53.3% of all website traffic comes from organic searches. Your website won’t be served to those using the search engine if your content doesn’t include the right keyword and key phrases/phrase match keyword.
Similarly, finding the right keywords is important for the success of your paid ad campaigns as well. Google Ads allows keywords match types to be set on the keywords, which are parameters that decide the triggering of your PPC ads. With these parameters, Google provides control to advertisers on the PPC ads and keywords.
Read ahead to see what keywords match types are and their importance in online marketing.
A keyword match type is a Google AdWords keyword option that delivers an ad on Display Network and Google Search Network. According to the keyword option you select, the ads are shown to either a special user group or a broad target group.
However, the keywords are quite generic and broad to ensure that you factor in for the maximum number of users.
When you select a PPC keyword match type, you ask Google to match your ads to the user searches in a particular way. For instance, an exact match can be too specific and picky, while a broad one will show many user searches that may not apply to your product or service and therefore be of no use to you.
The keyword match type integration of your choice helps the algorithm decide the platforms where your ads appear. As a result, you can target the right and more specific audience. In addition, the keywords match type you select determines the relevancy of the presented ad and the search keywords.
Match type and keyword selection both help to target people when they search in Google. With this match-type option, you can use all the available matches and get a high return on investment for your PPC ad campaigns.
It is essential to understand the different match types and execute a combination of them to help you create an effective Google Ad campaign. You can avoid irrelevant keywords, which will help you save the budget that you can use to drive more conversion rates.
Your keyword match types ensure you get the most value from your PPC advertisement budget. The four main PPC keywords match types determine how a search query matches your Google Ads account keywords. These include phrase match keyword, Broad match keywords, Exact Match, and Modified broad match keywords.
With a proper understanding of each of these match types, you can choose the most suitable one for your campaign to improve your ROI ultimately.
Your keywords are assigned a default type which is the broad match. This lets search engines display your ads for terms that are your account’s keyword variations. Your ads can be displayed on searches with synonyms, related searches, misspellings, other relevant variations, and singular or plural forms.
This casts the widest net possible, bringing in all kinds of searches to show your ad. However, it is essential to realize that broad match keywords can waste PPC’s budget when it displays your ad on irrelevant keyword variations.
For instance, if you own musical instruments with a good variety of acoustic guitars at an Orange County shop, your selected keyword will be “Acoustic Guitar Orange County,” and Google can interpret it for the following search matches:
When you use the broad match type, you can end up paying for results or search terms that are different from the keywords you bid on, resulting in the Iceberg Effect. As a result, you can overpay for irrelevant search topic ads and have minimal control over the search terms your ad is displayed for.
If you want to generate the maximum traffic for your landing page, a broad match keywords is beneficial. However, you can get lost in the vast amounts of irrelevant terms that show up in your search term report, which will be of no use since you want to attract potential customers.
A broad match generally generates many clicks for your website, but not all of them are from your targeted audience. The chances of conversion are significantly less, resulting in high ad costs with less ROI.
A broad match is a good option for your ad campaign if you cannot create in-depth keyword lists. If a particular ad gets no clicks on some keyword variation, your ad will no longer be displayed by Google’s system for that search term. As a result, the click charges will decrease for your low-performing keyword variations so that you can spend more on relevant keywords.
You can use negative keywords with phrase and broad match keywords, as the addition of negative keywords helps increase targeting, improving your ROI when you use the broad match. This means that when you designate a negative keyword, Google can never display your ad when that term is used in a search.
Use a minus sign with a keyword to create a negative keyword and clock a significant amount of irrelevant traffic. But know that this will limit your reach.
This is a more trustworthy and responsible version of the broad match type for your Google Ads budget. It acts as a moderation between the broad type and other restrictive match types. In addition, it allows you to pick specific search terms that should be in your ad for it to be displayed.
Add the plus sign with one or more words and create your broads match keywords. These appear in a user’s search in no specific order. Broad match modifiers give more control and visibility over how you spend your ad budget than the broad match type.
Furthermore, broad match modifiers are safer with a greater click-through rate (CTR) than broad matches. This happens because synonym or related search keywords do not trigger your ads.
This match type gives a range of searches with helpful keywords that you had not previously considered, but that still have the potential to trigger your ad. With a modifier like the plus sign in your broad match keywords, your ad traffic’s relevancy increases as they generate highly targeted traffic.
It is best to use this match type to increase your impression count and decrease the irrelevance the broad match generally gives.
Phrase matches are keyword match types that eliminate the unnecessary and risky traffic that the other match types produce. With the phrase match keywords type usage, when someone searches for your keyword phrase, your ad is displayed in the search results in proper order.
Unlike broad match or modified broad match keywords, phrase match keywords does not have search terms with the middle words of your phrase. Phrase match is also a better option when your keyword’s meaning changes with the order of terms. It ensures that your keyword is displayed in the order that you choose.
Phrase match type has better flexibility than an exact match keywords which makes it so important, and it also lets Google show more discretion than the broad match types. Furthermore, since you don’t have to follow exact match, you can enjoy the phrase match’s wide audience. However, you can expect irrelevant traffic here as well.
Phrase match keywords is essential to maintain the word order and ensures that you reach the correct searchers. As a result, a specific keyword of your choice has increased traffic, and your ad budget is better focused on more relevant traffic.
There will be a difference between the traffic volume that broad match and phrase match bring to your site. However, phrase match keywords does get higher-quality traffic with more conversions using a more niche-targeted ad, which makes up for the lesser traffic.
The most restrictive PPC keyword match type is the exact match keyword type since it restricts the display times of your ad. So while this type gives you the most relevance, it provides the lowest reach to your ad.
It would be best to use the exact match keywords type when you want to serve your ad for a particular keyword. With an exact match keywords, you can choose to show your ad to only those customers who search for that same keyword or one that is closely related to it.
These closely related terms include misspellings, accents, abbreviations, stemming, singular and plural forms, recorded with the same meanings, conjunctions, and prepositions. Again, you can create an exact match keyword type with brackets around a specific keyword.
Such match types lower your ad’s traffic and generate fewer clicks or impressions than other match types. However, exact match keywords generates highly targeted traffic with the maximum conversion chances because users search for the exact term you have created your keyword around.
Additionally, exact match keywords help increase your Quality Score because of lowering the search term-to-keyword ratio. This match type has ads that create the most click-through rates but at the greatest cost-per-click.
The exact match type can help to decrease your overall costs because you only pay for fewer targeted clicks. However, it is also essential to note that you also risk missing helpful keyword-related traffic with the further inability to get long-tail data.
It is essential to choose the right PPC keyword match type for an effective PPC strategy. There are four match-type keywords that you can select for your campaign, depending on which one fits your needs closely.
Since the match type decides the extent to which a search query matches your keyword in the Google Ads account, you have several options to choose from. These include Broad, Broad Modifier, Phrase, and Exact match types, where each of these has its pros and cons, making them optimal for various types of campaign goals.
In any case, keyword match types play an essential role in online marketing, and marketers and advertisers must use them for effective marketing campaigns.
We are a PPC management agency with a focus on direct and white label PPC clients. Whether you own a single online-focused business or are a new online marketing agency, contact us today to get started!
%201.svg){kind=logo}
When this apartment complex client partnered with PPC.co, their goal was clear: generate more qualified leads through Google Ads. In just 60 days—from January to March 2025—we transformed their paid acquisition performance. Total conversions more than tripled, jumping from 10 to 32, while the overall conversion rate soared by over 300%. At the same time, we drove down the cost per conversion by 44%, delivering significantly more leads at a much lower cost.
By strategically combining Performance Max and high-intent Search campaigns, we not only increased lead volume but improved overall efficiency and ROI. This rapid and measurable improvement underscores the value of data-driven optimization and expert campaign management.
This case study is a testament to what can happen when a well-structured campaign meets expert strategy and continuous optimization. Whether you're launching a new property or looking to boost occupancy in a competitive market, PPC.co delivers real results—fast.
Ready to grow your leads and lower your cost per conversion?
Contact us today to schedule a free audit and discover how we can help you achieve similar results.
Click on the following link if you would like to see more PPC case studies!
Whether you’re a life coach or a business coach, you need a steady flow of leads to stay profitable. It’s not enough to post on social media. No matter how popular you become, being well-liked and even loved doesn’t guarantee clients.
For coaching businesses, pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns can be a powerful way to attract high-intent leads – people actively looking for transformation, accountability, and clarity. But you can’t just throw some ads up on Google and expect results. You need a strategy that uses the right targeting, messaging, and structure to avoid expensive lessons in trial and error.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of building cost-effective PPC campaigns designed specifically for coaches who want conversions, clients, and growth.
The first step to creating any high-performing PPC campaign is identifying what your potential clients are searching for online. PPC ads show up in search results (Google, Bing) and social media feeds (Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok) based on the phrases users type into the search bar when looking for content.
To get your ads seen by your ideal clients, you’ll need to tap into their innermost thoughts – like a burned out executive searching TikTok at 2:00 a.m. for “how to find my purpose” or “how to get a promotion.” You’ll want to target searches that indicate the user is unhappy and is looking for a solution that coaching can help them achieve.
Not all keywords are equal. You’ll get more leads that convert by targeting keywords that indicate a user is ready to take action. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, and Ubersuggest to find keywords with strong intent. High-intent searches might include phrases like:
· Business coach for entrepreneurs
· Life coaching to reduce stress
· Life coaching to find my purpose
· How to grow my small business fast
· Career transition coaching
These and similar phrases related to your coaching business will be the foundation for your paid ad campaign on any platform.
The customer journey consists of three stages that lead someone into the buying stage:
· Stage 1: Awareness. The prospect is aware they need help, but they don’t know exactly what they need or how to get it.
· Stage 2: Consideration. The prospect has named their problem and are actively looking for a solution.
· Stage 3: Decision. The prospect knows they want to work with a coach, and they’re in the process of deciding who to work with.
If you’re running a full marketing campaign with email marketing, you’ll want to run ads that address leads in all three stages. The people you capture in stages one and two will need to be nurtured over time through email. Leads you capture in stage 3 can be more easily turned into a paying client faster. If you aren’t capturing emails yet, only target leads in stages two and three for the best results.
No matter what type of coach you are, your ideal clients will have a variety of goals and pain points. Not everyone will share the same concerns or desires. For example, some business owners want to grow their business and open new locations, while others want to build a stronger team or increase their revenue. Some life coaching clients want better relationships while others want to find their life purpose. When you run ads, your target market needs to think, “this ad is for me.” Generic copy won’t cut it.
You’ll need to run a different ad campaign aimed at each client avatar. To get the most conversions, you’ll need to reach one avatar at a time. Speaking to one avatar in your ads and landing page copy allows you to go deep into their needs, fears, hopes, worries, and concerns. The more specifically you can connect with people, the more likely they are to convert.
To figure out what your ideal clients want, think about their struggles and the potential keywords they might be searching on various platforms. For example, a lot of people are unhappy at work. In this case, potential keywords they might be searching for include:
· How to find a job that doesn’t suck
· How to handle conflict at work
· How to win respect at work
Once you know the pain points you want to target, craft your messages so they speak to emotional triggers. People respond to a sense of urgency (“Burned out? Don’t wait”), personal growth promises (“Find your life purpose in 90 days”), and emotional relief (“Stop second-guessing yourself”). Speak to where your ideal client is right now and show them you can take them where they want to be.
Using this information, you’ll craft ads with headlines, copy, and corresponding landing page copy that speaks directly to your ideal clients. For example, your ads might look like this:
Problem/Keyword search: How to find a job that doesn’t suck
Ad headline: Hate Mondays? Let’s Fix That.
Ad copy:
You spend 90,000 hours of your life at work. Shouldn’t more of them feel fulfilling? Learn how to reconnect with purpose and enjoy what you do. Book your free clarity call now.
Problem/Keyword search: How to handle conflict at work
Ad headline: Tired of Office Drama? Here’s Your Way Out
Ad copy:
Learn strategies to set boundaries and manage work conflict like a pro. Click for a free strategy session.
Problem/Keyword search: How to win respect at work
Ad headline: Feel Invisible at Work? Let’s Change That
Ad copy:
You’ve got the skills. You put in the hours. But the recognition never follows. Sound familiar? Respect isn’t about being louder – it’s about confidence, clarity, and strategy. Book your free consultation and finally be recognized for your full value.
Just like each of your ads target a specific avatar, your landing pages need to do the same. Don’t send traffic to your homepage. Your landing page should reflect exactly what your ad promised.
If your ad says, “Executive Coaching for Burnout Recovery,” then the landing page should address burnout, speak directly to executive professionals, and offer a call-to-action (CTA) for a discovery call.
Effective landing pages consist of the following elements:
· A dedicated page made just for your ad
· A seamless transition from ad to landing page
· A clear headline that addresses the pain point directly
· Testimonials or results from real clients if possible
· A strong CTA, like “Book your free 30-minute breakthrough session”
· A clickable phone number or link to book a call immediately
Remember, you’re not selling coaching services. You’re selling a better version of your prospect’s life. Make sure your copy reflects that.
Coaches often underspend on ads, thinking they can game the system with just $5/day. That’s not an effective strategy. What you may not realize is that setting a low budget actually reduces the number of people who see your ad. Your ad visibility increases the more you spend.
Start with a modest, but meaningful budget of at least $1,500-$2,000 per month. The good news is your cost per click (CPC) will be significantly lower than other industries, like legal and insurance. However, if you’re not sure how to set a PPC budget or handle bidding strategies, hire a professional PPC agency to manage your ads. It’s the easiest way to avoid costly mistakes.
Your ads should target the right people at the right time.
First, think about your ideal client who is looking for your services.
Who hires coaches? Usually, it’s:
· Entrepreneurs who feel stuck or overwhelmed
· People who want to start a business, but don’t know where to begin
· Mid-level professionals seeking career growth
· High achievers facing burnout
· People at a personal crossroads (divorce, job loss, mid-life crisis, etc.)
Once you pinpoint who might be looking for your services, you’ll need to choose the right advertising platforms. Your main options are:
· TikTok Ads
· Instagram Ads
· Pinterest Ads
Advertising on each of these platforms comes with pros and cons – some are specific to coaching services. For example, while Pinterest is likely cheaper than Google, Pinterest leads might not be committed. However, TikTok and YouTube users frequently search for solutions to specific problems.
You might be surprised to learn that TikTok is a gold mine for coaching businesses. It’s not just an app for teens. Over 71% of TikTok’s users are between 18-34 years old, and 32% are 25-34 years old.
Unlike other platforms, TikTok doesn’t function like a typical social media platform where the purpose is to build a community. It’s more like an outreach platform and people are constantly discovering new content creators. The algorithm’s goal is to get as many people watching content for as long as possible. To achieve this, users are given content based on their interests, not just from people they follow. You don’t need followers or viral content to get seen. Each video stands alone in the algorithm and has an equal chance at getting attention.
People use TikTok to find insights and advice on just about everything you can imagine, including personal and business-related situations. While you can run ads on TikTok without a following, it helps to have an established account with solid content. You’ll build more momentum this way, and you can boost your native content to earn more trust across the platform.
Additionally, TikTok ads can target users based on hashtag interactions. People use hashtags on TikTok to find content more than any other platform. If you’re not advertising on TikTok, you’re missing out on clients.
Coaching clients aren’t impulse buyers, and they need to see your face and personality to know if they want to work with you. Wherever you run ads, you can expect people to click on your account to check you out. You’ll get more conversions by publishing short, engaging videos that show your authenticity and provide inspiration and support.
Whichever platform(s) you choose to advertise on, make use of custom audiences to target your potential leads as specifically as possible.
Everyone wants clarity, but not everyone wants to pay for it. That’s why you need to block certain searches using negative keywords. You don’t want your ads to show up for people who are just curious, looking for freebies, or looking for unrelated services. They’ll just click on your ads, waste your ad budget, and potentially waste your time if they sign up for a free call.
Suggested negative keywords for coaches include:
· Free coaching session
· Coach training program (these people want to be coaches, not hire one)
· Sample coaching questions
· Coaching worksheets pdf
Defining these and similar negative keywords will keep your clicks high-quality and your cost per lead low.
It can be exciting to see how many people are viewing and clicking on your ads, and there is a time and place to assess impressions and clicks. However, unless you’re focused on optimizing your ads, forget click-through rates (CTR) and look at how many calls you’re getting booked, how many contact forms are being submitted, and how many email addresses you’re collecting through your lead magnet downloads.
It’s crucial to know which campaigns are bringing you results so you can cut the ones that aren’t working.
People don’t usually buy high-ticket coaching packages the first time around. They need time to research, investigate, and consider their options. You might get some clicks and email signups from your ads that don’t turn into paying clients right away. That’s where remarketing comes in.
Set up ads on Google and Facebook to follow users who have already clicked on your ads and visited your website. Since these ads will be displayed only to people who have already interacted with your brand, you can use different value points to engage them, like testimonials, free guides, and limited-time offers.
Facebook retargeting options are pretty specific compared to other platforms. Since Facebook and Instagram are both owned by Meta, you can target people who have interacted with your Instagram page, too. You can even upload a list of your existing email subscribers from your segment that hasn’t yet converted and target them with relevant ads.
At PPC.co, we help life and business coaches run PPC campaigns that turn clicks into clients. Whether you’re scaling a coaching business or launching your first coaching program, we’ll help you connect with the people actively searching for your services.
Contact us today for a free digital marketing consultation and let’s start turning your ads into paying clients.
