Driving Enrollment in the Digital Age: The Power of Paid Search for Community Colleges
Gone are the days of traditional student recruitment methods where prospective students contacted admissions offices requesting printed viewbooks. Most research and decision-making processes are now done online, rendering tactics that may have worked in the past ineffective in today’s digital landscape.
The Power of Paid Search
One tactic that has proven to be effective in driving leads and enrollment for community colleges is Paid Search. Utilizing Google Ads PPC (pay-per-click) advertising ensures that your institution appears at the forefront when a prospective student searches for content related to your offerings. The immediate display of tailored ad copy precisely when it matters most maximizes the chances of capturing high-intent prospects who are ready to engage further. This strategy not only boosts lead generation but also encourages prospective students to take action, such as applying or enrolling.
Customizing Campaigns for Targeted Messaging
Paid Search campaigns also offer the flexibility to customize your ad copy to highlight the messaging you want to focus on at that particular moment. For example, if you are looking to boost spring enrollment, you can leverage Sitelink Extensions to direct users straight to the registration page for spring classes. Special programs like “College in High School” and “Early College” can also be promoted effectively through these extensions, highlighting unique opportunities available at your community college.
Efficient Marketing with Limited Resources
Community colleges face unique challenges in executing an effective SEO strategy. For one, the variety of programs they offer requires ranking for a wide range of keywords. Additionally, we understand that in-house marketing teams at community colleges are often operating with limited staff, with individuals wearing many hats. This is where a well-planned PPC strategy can be really beneficial! For example, if your school has a welding program and you’re not ranking high on SERP (search engine results page) for the term “how to become a welder,” you can add that keyword to your PPC strategy to drive immediate traffic to your program pages, resulting in increased interest and leads. This strategy also ensures you’re not solely reliant on organic visits.
Cost-Efficiency of PPC Advertising
PPC advertising is not only effective but also cost-efficient. You only pay when a prospective student clicks on your ad, which then leads them to a specifically targeted landing page. In fact, the average cost per click for our community college clients in March was a mere $0.67. Although community colleges typically have much smaller marketing budgets than four-year institutions, with effective campaign management, they can be a very impactful way of driving leads from prospective students who will apply and enroll at your school.
Why Choose Carnegie as Your Google Premier Partner
As a Google Premier Partner, we’re among the top 3% of Google Partners participants in the U.S. We’re held to the highest standards of excellence, which translates into the most strategic and effective campaigns, ensuring that your community college attracts and enrolls more students.
Ready to Boost Your Enrollment?
Are you ready to transform your community college’s digital marketing strategy and see real results in enrollment and engagement? Contact us today to learn how our tailored digital advertising solutions can help you achieve your recruitment goals. Let’s make your institution the top choice for prospective students!
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