PPC Management Built on Senior Strategy, Not Junior Execution
Experienced strategists work directly in your accounts, prioritizing efficiency over spend and steering automation instead of trusting it, backed by nearly 20 years managing paid media for B2B and mid-market companies.
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19+ Years of PPC Management Experience
We’ve managed paid campaigns since the early days of Google Ads, and we’ve guided clients through every major shift in Meta, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and programmatic since. Our guiding principle hasn’t changed in all that time: do more of what works, and less of what doesn’t.
Award-Winning Agency. Recognized for performance marketing and long-term client partnerships. Our retention shows it. After an initial one-year contract, 95% of our clients stay on. (Badges: US Search Awards, Premier Partner Awards, Microsoft Select Partner.)
Senior-Led Execution. Your account is managed directly by experienced paid media strategists. No junior account layers, no outsourced execution teams between strategy and optimization.
Why Clients Switch To Us
Most clients come to us after an agency over-relied on platform automation, scaled spend instead of efficiency, and kept senior people out of the day-to-day. We’re brought in to stabilize performance, cut waste, and rebuild confidence in the decisions behind the account.
The accounts we inherit tend to share the same four problems:
- Incentives tied to ad spend instead of outcomes
- Over-reliance on platform automation
- Junior-heavy execution between strategy and optimization
- Reporting that shows results but never explains them or what to do next
We fix the incentive first. Account reps at other agencies make more when you spend more. We don’t. Your growth and profit drive every recommendation we make.
Why DTC is Different
Senior-Led Execution. Your campaigns are managed directly by experienced strategists who work in the account every week, not by a junior team reporting up.
Advocacy. Your bottom line is the point. Because we don’t profit from higher spend, every optimization is made for your benefit alone.
Transparency. You own all of your accounts and all of your data. If our engagement ends, you keep the progress.
Integrity. Strategy is built on your business, not on canned platform recommendations applied across every account.
Our Philosophy
Better PPC Comes From Better Decisions, Not More Automation
Paid platforms get more automated every year. That makes human oversight more important, not less. Strong performance comes from combining experienced judgment, selective automation, transparent decisions, and alignment to real business outcomes.
We use AI the same way. It helps us analyze campaign data and surface optimization opportunities faster, but our analysts make the calls. There is no set-it-and-forget-it. Every bid adjustment, audience change, and creative test is steered by a person whose job is to protect your budget and grow your return.
We help improve:
- Lead quality, not just lead volume
- Cost efficiency per meaningful conversion
- Conversion rate across landing pages and funnels
- Waste in keyword and audience targeting
- Tracking accuracy and attribution clarity
Why Clients Love Our Chicago-Based PPC Services!
“You can’t go wrong with them.”
“They’re highly responsive to everything that we need and answer any questions that come up. They are incredibly friendly and personable, and they have the ability to self-manage. They stay on top of things and are highly proactive. They’re great to work with, experts in their field, and they’ve been doing exactly what we’ve needed them to do. Their work has been absolutely phenomenal, and we’re planning on working with them again in the future.“
Scott Nathanson, Executive Vice President, IPX1031
“I recognize that DTC has a plethora of clients, but I always feel like their only client, which is amazing!”
“They are immediately responsive to me and my needs and have worked hard to understand my business and competitors. I don’t feel like DTC and Lombardo are two different companies, but rather two departments working on the same team. I appreciate all their outstanding efforts to ensure I’m a leader in my market when it comes to all things digital.”
Melissa Cervin, VP of Marketing, Lombardo Homes
Don’t just take our word for it. After an initial one-year contract, 95% of our clients continue working with us.
We pride ourselves on being a Chicago advertising agency that focuses on sustainable growth and long-term business relationships. We do honest work, we don’t cut corners, our expert resources are in-house, and our strategies are transparent. After an initial one-year contract, 95% of our clients continue working with us.
Read our Five-Star Reviews:
Our Paid Media Process
We’ll set you up for success with the most thorough onboarding process in the industry. From the initial kickoff meeting to our customized ad messaging and reporting… we’ll make sure our work aligns with your business goals to give you the most bang for your buck.
Onboarding
DTC’s Paid Media onboarding process is designed to ensure a thorough understanding of each client’s unique needs and goals. We take a structured three-phase approach:
- Phase 1: Pre-Kickoff
- Phase 2: PPC Kickoff
- Phase 3: Post-Kickoff
Targeting
Strong PPC campaigns begin with thorough audience research. We take the time to carefully understand who your audience is, and how they engage online.
- Prospecting
- Remarketing
- Audience Segmentation
Messaging
Ad copy should never be static. We write compelling ad messaging that captures attention and drives conversions.
- Precision-targeting messaging
- Data-driven optimization
- Ongoing ad management
Optimization
We’ll meticulously analyze your paid media campaign performance, identify areas for improvement, and unlock opportunities for success.
- Keyword optimization
- Ad copy refinement
- Bidding strategy optimization
- Device targeting optimization
- Landing page optimization
- Budget allocation
Measurement
We specialize in creating custom measurement plans, empowering you to make data-driven decisions about your paid media accounts.
- Clearly defined business objectives
- Audience segmentation
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Attribution modeling
- Data sources tailored to your account
- Privacy and compliance
Reporting
Better understand your ad account performance with reporting that is both transparent and comprehensive.
- Customizable client-facing dashboards
- Monthly reporting calls
- Measurements that matter to you (sales, leads, PDFs, video views, clicks, phone tracking)
DTC is Among the Top Paid Search Agencies Nationwide
Paid Media Case Studies: Real Clients, Real Results
Ready for More Controlled, Transparent PPC Management?
With nearly 20 years of paid media experience and multiple industry awards, we bring historical perspective and modern execution discipline to account recovery and growth.
Let’s review your current account structure and find where performance is leaking.
During this complimentary call, we’ll delve into your specific business goals, current online challenges, and aspirations. Our seasoned professionals will provide tailored insights, offering a roadmap for potential strategies.
Our Paid Media Specialties
Google Ads
Revolutionize your AdWords strategy with Digital Third Coast, a Google Premier Partner in Chicago. Tailored targeting, messaging, and data-driven Google Ads expertise.
Bing & Yahoo PPC
Maximize ROI with Digital Third Coast’s Bing and Yahoo advertising in Chicago. Specialized in targeted strategies, A/B testing, and Microsoft Partner expertise.
Display Advertising
Boost your brand’s visibility with Digital Third Coast’s innovative display advertising in Chicago. Expertise in targeting, messaging, and A/B testing for optimal ROI.
Google & Bing Shopping
Boost your online sales with Digital Third Coast’s Google and Bing Shopping campaigns. Expert targeting, messaging, and data-driven testing for maximum ROI.
Retargeting Ads
Maximize conversions with Digital Third Coast’s remarketing strategies in Chicago. Specializing in targeted ads, strategic messaging, and data-driven optimization.
Ready to start your paid media strategy?
The Tools We Use in Your Paid Search (PPC) Management
GA4 (Google Analytics) is the cornerstone of our paid media toolkit. GA4 offers robust features. We use it to track and monitor user behavior and conversions. GA4 is also used to assess the effectiveness of your ad spend and make ongoing optimizations based on data. This helps us improve the ROI of your budget.
Google Ads’ Keyword Planner is one of the essential tools in our arsenal. Keyword Planner allows us to identify high-performing keywords, gain search volume insights, and assess your competition.
Semrush is a comprehensive digital marketing tool we use across services at Digital Third Coast. Our paid media team uses SEMRush to monitor competitors, gather data on keywords, and track your campaign’s performance.
SpyFu provides invaluable insights into your competitors’ paid search strategies. SpyFu allows us to learn more about the keywords and ad messaging your competitors are targeting. This allows us to better optimize your campaigns.
Meet Your Paid Media Team
At Digital Third Coast, our team of paid media experts will guide you through the changing landscape of paid search ads. Whether you’re looking for PPC management in Chicago or nationwide, our team is here to help. Our PPC team members come from diverse backgrounds and have extensive experience in the industry. Together, we’re committed to making a measurable difference for every business we serve.
FAQ: What to Know About Working With a PPC Management Agency
Why is PPC important for my business?
Paid advertising is the fastest way to gain immediate visibility in search engines.
Boosting your organic ranking in the search engine results pages (SERPS) can take time. Paid advertisements allow companies like yours to bid their way to the top and quickly reach your desired audience. When managed effectively, PPC advertising will drive targeted traffic to your website, boost conversions, and grow your customer base.
Why hire a PPC management agency?
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is our bread and butter! A strategic partner, like Digital Third Coast, can help you get the most bang for your buck, accelerate ad performance, and drive results.
The world of paid media is constantly changing. It’s our job to follow every update and make sure your paid advertising strategy is optimized for performance. Our expertise with precision audience targeting emphasizes quality leads rather than empty conversions. We’ll track campaign performance and other metrics to ensure our work makes a measurable difference to your bottom line.
Why hire DTC to manage your paid media accounts?
We offer pay per click management for Chicago and beyond. Here’s why you should choose Digital Third Coast.
- Advocacy: Partnering with us means we’re your account advocate. Account reps at other agencies make money the more you spend. We don’t. At Digital Third Coast, your business’ growth and profit is our top priority. Your bottom line is on our mind every time we make a recommendation or optimization.
- Transparency: Our clients own all of their accounts and all of their data. Just because our engagement may end (we hope it doesn’t), doesn’t mean you lose your progress.
- Integrity: We do what’s in your best interest based on your business’s unique situation. No canned Google recommendations or cookie-cutter strategies are applied across all accounts. You can expect a thoughtful, targeted strategy to achieve your goals.
What platforms do you specialize in for PPC advertising?
Digital Third Coast is a Google Premier Partner as well as a Microsoft Partner. Our paid media team members are experts when it comes to managing pay-per-click accounts. We specialize in Google, Microsoft, Bing, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram ads.
How quickly can I see results from PPC advertising?
As soon as your campaign launches! The beauty and power of paid media advertising is that it offers quick results, when structured correctly.
Our team will first work to gain a thorough understanding of your customers/target audience. After that, we’ll do extensive keyword and negative keyword research to make sure your PPC ads are served to the most qualified users. Once the campaign launches, you can see results immediately.
How much does PPC advertising cost?
It’s up to you! The cost of paid media account management varies from business to business, but most of our clients typically invest at least $5,000 per month toward ad campaigns.
We’ll help you understand what the competition for your audience looks like, and we’ll help you find and set a daily budget. We offer competitive agency rates, contact us for more details about how we can help you achieve your PPC goals!
How do you measure success?
While other agencies may rely solely on key performance indicators (KPIs), our team takes a more holistic approach.
We customize our reporting and measurement process for each client. You won’t just receive KPIs, we’ll also provide context and explain how each metric relates to your business growth and success.
Common KPIs include click-through rates (CTR), cost per click (CPC), conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS).
What reporting and analytics tools do you use?
We use platform conversion tracking, and GA4, for most of our paid media clients.
Our paid media team will also use third-party systems to assess lead quality. We use Google Ads Offline Conversion Import (OCI) and Meta Ads’ Conversion API (CAPI) when possible. These systems offer advanced tracking and allow us to better attribute conversions.
What if my website or landing pages aren’t converting my paid traffic?
PPC can drive highly qualified traffic, but if your site or landing pages aren’t built to convert, that spend goes to waste. If you need support with web design, development, or creative assets to get your site ready, we have a network of vetted specialists we trust and recommend. Meet our marketing partners here.
We Work With Businesses in All Industries
If you have a product or place that needs promotion, PPC could be a fit for you. Our Chicago-based PPC services have helped clients in various industries achieve their digital marketing goals.
Email Us. Find out how we can help.