Before discovering Google Ads, Chris and Toni Nightingale tried every advertising trick in the pre-digital book, including handing out flyers outside Central Station, dressed as teddy bears.

The husband and wife team had been trying to get their customisable plush toy business off the ground since they were inspired following the birth of their baby boy. “We tried everything from market stalls, expos, radio ads, print advertising,” Chris says, “but we were struggling to drive customers to our online site using traditional means.” When Chris found Google Ads, he taught himself as much as he could, and sought expert advice on how to optimise his spend.

My Teddy’s Click Through Rate (CTR) doubled instantly, and their sales saw similar growth. Now, after eleven years of perfecting their approach to advertising with Google, Chris and Toni are thrilled with the results. “We’re so happy with our return on investment. You know exactly what you get back and where it came from for every cent spent. In February 2018, Google Ads resulted in $10-$11 per lead for an average basket size of $70 – by far the best performing across our marketing mix,” Chris says. Thanks to this business boost, they now have a team of eight working across Australia – all connected through Google tools.

Still, even with so much experience and the confidence of more than a decade of success, the Nightingales are excited for what the future of online advertising holds for them. “In the eleven years that we’ve been using Google Ads, so much has changed. There are so many strategies one can use to improve its effectiveness. Now, we can do online marketing so much quicker and more effectively with proven results, and get on with what we do best: making awesome gifts, posting quickly, and keeping our customers coming back!”