Is advertising via Google worth it?

[AnthroAndStargate]

I am starting up a web project based on science and politics and I wanted to do a bit of advertising to try to get the site out there (of course it I'm not expecting thousands of hits per day from Google Ads but it's not my money so I figure it couldn't hurt).

Does anyone know if Google Ads (or any similar ones) work at all? It seems like its nothing but fake sites and click fraud - I mean I know I never click Google Ads.

Anyone have any opinions? Know of a better advertising source? Perhaps targeted advertising on all those "community ad networks" that blogs and the like always run?

 

[TheNewbie]

It works. As always, for some more than others, if you advertise crap as most people do, I wouldn't expect to attract a huge audience, but if you have something that is worthwhile and you just need a jump start to spread the word, then web advertising can be helpful.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

It depends on the situation - I have some clients that sell household items, and $1-2 worth of clicks is what it takes to sell an item. If you're selling something with a larger internet following, it might be $5-10 per *click*, and these companies still find it to be profitable.

For getting the site "out there", I wouldn't advertise on Google adwords, I don't think that's a good way. The money you spend there could be spent paying someone to write content relating to the site and help it get more search results in Google, rather than paid ads.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
For getting the site "out there", I wouldn't advertise on Google adwords, I don't think that's a good way. The money you spend there could be spent paying someone to write content relating to the site and help it get more search results in Google, rather than paid ads.

Agreed.

I would research SEO and make your website SEO friendly.

Or hire someone to do it for you.

 

[intogamer]

Content is everything

edit: Content > *

 

[Presidents]

Is $25.00 the best offer out there for starting a new Google Adwords account? I recall seeing $50 and $100 offers in the past...