when you start running google ad in egypt the first big question is should i choose search ads or display ads a lot of businesses don’t really know the difference or pick the wrong one and lose money but the truth is if you understand how each works and when to use them you can get really good results in this guide we will explain the difference between search and display ads and help you choose the best one for your egyptian business we will also share some tips used by agencies offering top digital marketing services in egypt so you can apply them right away
what are google search ads
search ads are the text ads you see when you search something on google
like when you type “best dentist in nasr city” or “buy headphones online in cairo”
the first results at the top are ads with a small “sponsored” label
these ads show only when someone is searching for something related to what you offer
you can choose what keywords to target so you reach people who already have interest
what are google display ads
display ads are image ads or banner ads that show across websites apps and youtube
you don’t have to be searching for something they can just appear while you’re reading news or watching a video
these ads are more for awareness and reminding people about your brand
they also work for retargeting visitors who visited your site before
the main difference
| feature | search ads | display ads |
| ad type | text | image or graphic |
| intent | high (user is searching) | low to medium (user is browsing) |
| goal | get clicks and actions | get views and awareness |
| targeting | by keywords | by audience behavior and interest |
| cost | usually higher cpc | usually lower cpc |
| use case | direct response | branding or retargeting |
when to use search ads in egypt
1 when people are actively searching
if you sell something people search for like laptops braces yoga classes or digital marketing courses then search ads are perfect
2 when you want fast results
search ads show to people who already want what you offer so they’re more likely to buy or call
3 when your budget is limited
since search ads bring more ready users you don’t need huge impressions just good clicks
4 when you know your keywords
if you did keyword research and know what people type to find your product then search ads are your best tool
5 when you want leads or sales
whether it’s booking appointments or selling products search ads focus more on performance and roi
when to use display ads in egypt
1 when you want brand awareness
if your business is new or you want more people to know your name use display to show banners across websites
2 when you want to retarget users
if someone visited your website but didn’t buy you can remind them later with display ads on other sites
3 when you want to reach a large audience
display ads show to millions of people across google’s network so it’s great for getting visibility
4 when you have eye catching visuals
if you have beautiful images or creative ideas display ads can help show them off better than text
5 when your offer needs time
some products like real estate coaching or luxury items need more awareness before action display ads help build that interest
industries in egypt that do well with search ads
- lawyers and legal services
- dental and cosmetic clinics
- real estate
- online stores
- local services like plumbing or car repair
- education and training
- electronics and gadgets
industries that do well with display ads
- fashion and apparel
- hotels and travel
entertainment - new brands and startups
- food delivery and restaurants
- fitness gyms and personal trainers
what agencies offering top digital marketing services in egypt recommend
the best agencies don’t just pick one they combine both search and display based on your business goals
they might run search ads for conversions and display ads for branding and retargeting
they do testing and keep optimizing based on performance
here are some of their strategies
strategy 1
run search ads for 7 days to see top converting keywords then retarget visitors with display ads after
strategy 2
use display ads to build awareness in week 1 then switch to search ads for people who remember the brand
strategy 3
use both together search for high intent buyers display for long term brand recall
how to make the right choice for your business
ask these questions
- is my product something people search for
- do i need fast leads or long term branding
- do i have a big budget or a small one
- do i have nice images and videos
- do i want to show to new people or retarget old ones
based on your answers you can choose search display or both
example 1 furniture shop in alexandria
goal = sell modern home furniture
use search ads for keywords like “buy sofa alexandria”
use display ads to show room setups on lifestyle blogs
example 2 dentist in nasr city
goal = get new patients
use search ads for “braces in nasr city”
retarget people who visited the site but didn’t book with display ads
example 3 new online clothing brand
goal = get brand awareness and sales
use display ads for fashion visuals to attract users
use search ads for people who type “affordable dresses online egypt”
how to improve results
1 write strong headlines
your search ads should include keyword and benefit
example “book braces in cairo 30% off this month”
2 use good visuals for display
show the product in action not just logo
3 add cta
tell people what to do like shop now book today or get offer
4 test and optimize
run 2 or 3 versions and see which one works best
5 track everything
use google analytics and conversions to measure what gives results
what to avoid
- using display when you want fast sales
- running search ads with no keyword planning
- not using retargeting
- ignoring mobile users
- not checking performance data
faq
is search better than display
it depends search is better for direct results display is better for awareness
can i use both at same time
yes many businesses use both to target users at different stages
how much should i spend
start small like 100 egp per day test results then increase
do i need a landing page
yes a clear fast landing page helps a lot in both search and display ads
do i need help from agency
if you are not sure what to do working with agencies offering top digital marketing services in egypt can save you time and money
final thoughts
google ad can help your business in egypt grow fast but only if you choose the right type of ad search ads are best when people are looking for what you sell right now display ads are great for making people remember your brand and come back later
don’t guess test and track results
and if you want the best outcome work with agencies offering best digital marketing services in egypt they know how to make both search and display ads work together for better returns
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