Marketers, can we be honest with each other for a second? On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you really understand the world of paid advertising? Are you confident you can launch and maintain a successful PPC strategy?

Although 55% of small businesses in the U.S. do some form of online advertising, pay-per-click (PPC) is still a concept that eludes many of us. As a marketer, PPC is a skill that you should have in your tool belt — or at least have a basic understanding of.

In this guide, we’ll look at everything from the benefits of paid advertising to how to launch your campaign, complete with guidance from experts. Let’s get started.