“Why Can’t We Just Send PPC Traffic to the Homepage?”

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A Conversation Between a Client and an Account Manager

Client:
Why can’t we just send the ads to the homepage?

Account Manager:
Because PPC traffic isn’t here to sightsee.

Client:
But the homepage has everything.

Account Manager:
Exactly. And that’s the problem.

The Homepage Is Doing Too Much

Client:
I don’t get it. The homepage shows all our services.

Account Manager:
Right. And PPC users searched for one thing, not a choose-your-own-adventure.

Sending paid traffic to the homepage is like:

  • Walking into Target for toothpaste
  • And being forced to tour every aisle first

They didn’t ask for that.

PPC Users Are Impatient (And That’s Not Their Fault)

Client:
Okay, but they can just click around.

Account Manager:
They could.
They just won’t.

PPC users clicked because they had:

  • A problem
  • A deadline
  • Very little patience

If the page doesn’t immediately say “You’re in the right place,” they’re gone.

And yes, you still get charged.

“So Where Should the Traffic Go Then?”

Client:
Fine. So where should we send them?

Account Manager:
Where the intent points.

If someone searches:

  • “Emergency HVAC repair near me”

They are not here for:

  • Brand story
  • Stock photos
  • A newsletter signup

They want:

  • Fix
  • Fast
  • Now

That’s a service page’s moment to shine.

What About Just Sending Them to a Form?

Client:
What if we just send them straight to the form?

Account Manager:
Only if they’re already ready.

High-intent searches? Sure.
Cold traffic? Absolutely not.

That’s like proposing on the first date.

When the Homepage Actually Works

Client:
So the homepage is useless?

Account Manager:
No, it just has boundaries.

Homepages work for:

  • Branded search
  • Awareness campaigns
  • People are still figuring out who you are

They do not work as a default PPC dumping ground.

The Rule You Actually Need to Remember

Client:
So what’s the rule?

Account Manager:
If your landing page doesn’t answer the user’s question in 3 seconds, you’ve lost.

PPC isn’t about sending traffic somewhere.
It’s about sending users where they expect to land.

Final Thought

Client:
Okay… I get it now.

Account Manager:
Good. Because Google already took the money.

Susan Yen Avatar

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