Great PPC Tools to Create the Best Assets for Paid Ads

The right tools can make or break a task, especially when it comes to paid ads in digital marketing.

I’ve been running digital ad campaigns for over 15 years. My tool belt has evolved over time, just like platforms, algorithms, and consumer behavior have. 

At Rose Marketing Solutions, we’re proud of the results we achieve for small- and medium-sized businesses, particularly childcare and early learning centers. Our sophisticated operation runs like a well-oiled machine.

Over the years, I’ve noticed more people experiment and expand into the paid ad space. Seeing the field grow is exciting because I know it’s here to stay, and our industry will only get stronger.

That said, paid ads and Google ad campaigns are complex, and they become more so as they evolve. The tools we use as professionals are more robust than the average user needs, but there are simpler tools available to help small business owners get started.

In this post, I’ll share my shortlist of great PPC tools (pay-per-click tools) for beginners.

Required Assets for PPC Campaigns

Before you run a paid ad campaign, you need specific assets on hand. Dedicated tools create those assets (unless you have the professional skills to fill the gap).

First, you’ll need to outfit your ads with images and branding. These include your company logo and any images you want in your campaign.

Next, you must conduct a thorough competitor analysis to learn how your competitors are competing for your audience’s attention. What do their ads look like? What campaigns are they running?

Then, expand that research to include keywords. What keywords do customers search for when looking for your service? Include these in your ad copy.

Speaking of ad copy, that’s the last asset to create: compelling, clickable ad copy.

You can come up with these necessary assets by using the great PPC tools listed below.

4 Great PPC Tools You Need

Tool #1: Canva for Images and Branding

Canva is one of the best tools for branding images. It’s free, easy to use, and loaded with templates in various sizes.

Rather than using stock images or unbranded photos from sites like Unsplash or Pexels, add branding like your logo and text to make your image stand out. Canva allows you to create variations for different placements and campaigns. It’s a fantastic, versatile asset.

Tool #2: SpyFu for Competitor Intel

There’s no better tool than SpyFu for competitor intel and analysis. With a 4.6-star rating on G2 and almost 500 reviews, it’s got some impressive features for just $39/month.

Paid ads aren’t the same as a billboard with your logo slapped on it. Ads are a public auction, subject to change based on many factors, including what other bidders spend on those ads.

Through SpyFu, you can find all the information you need to compete in those auctions: what other bidders are spending, what their ad copy looks like, what keywords they’re targeting, what organic terms they rank for, and more.

Tool #3: Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool for Keyword Research

Also topping G2’s charts, Semrush offers all the keyword research and SEO data you could want — for a price. Their paid plans aren’t inexpensive, but the service is second to none.

When you run paid ads, you must know what terms to bid on to ensure your ads appear in the results. With Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool, you can perform 10 free keyword searches daily. It’s a simple process that identifies what terms your audience searches for.

Tool #4: ChatGPT for Ad Copy

If you want your ideal customers to click on your ad, the copy has to be just right. If you’re not a copywriter, no problem. Technology has a solution: artificial intelligence (AI).

The last in my list of great PPC tools is ChatGPT because it can help create excellent ad copy quickly and easily… with the right prompts.

Prompting is key. AI is only as good as what the user tells it to do, so it’s up to you to help it understand character limits and the ad campaign’s goal.  

Experiment with it until you get a good result. It’s powerful technology and popular for a reason, but don’t settle for anything less than exceptional. Take your time. It’s free and open-source.

Let’s Start Your Next PPC Campaign

This shortlist of great PPC tools for beginners is just the right length to get you started. Once you’re established, we recommend working with professionals if you want to optimize your ROAS (return on ad spend) and avoid wasting your hard-earned money.

If you’d like to chat about your next PPC campaign, our team of experts is just a call or click away.