New York Builder Turns $4.9K to $1.1M with PPC

Overview

Gerber Homes is a trusted custom home builder serving the Greater Rochester area since 1981. For over a decade, they’ve partnered with Builder Funnel to build a massive organic online presence, complementing their strong local reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer-focused home building.

The Challenge

Despite their strong organic presence and local reputation, until recently, Gerber Homes was missing a key piece of their digital marketing strategy: pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. While their content and SEO efforts, developed over a decade with Builder Funnel, were driving consistent traffic and leads, they lacked the ability to quickly capture high-intent prospects searching for custom home builders. Without a paid ad strategy in place, they were missing opportunities to reach potential buyers at critical decision-making moments, leaving room for competitors to dominate the paid search results.

The Strategy

To introduce Gerber Homes to paid advertising, we took a strategic, well-rounded approach by leveraging their strong reputation and established organic presence. Instead of starting with multiple ad types, we launched a Google Performance Max campaign designed to drive high-quality traffic to key conversion points on their website.

We created tailored asset groups to promote various conversion actions, such as:

• Downloading floor plans
• Scheduling consultations
• Exploring available home sites

To maximize performance, we provided Google with specific audience signals based on Gerber’s ideal customers—homebuyers searching for custom homes in distinct parts of Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne Counties. By capitalizing on their brand authority and digital foundation, we aimed to generate cost-effective leads while testing the waters of PPC.

The Results

🔎 Exposure in New Channels

By launching the Performance Max campaign, Gerber Homes gained visibility across multiple Google properties, including Search, Display, YouTube, and Discover. This allowed them to reach potential homebuyers beyond traditional organic search, increasing brand awareness and engagement in new digital spaces.

💰 Closed-Won Revenue

After launching their Google ad campaign in February 2024, Gerber Homes saw direct, tangible results: closing $1.186 million in revenue from PPC that same year. By strategically targeting high-intent buyers and guiding them to key conversion points, the Performance Max campaign quickly became a valuable driver of new business.

🚀 238x Return on Investment

Gerber Homes saw an impressive 23,807% return on investment from their Google ad campaign, turning a modest $4,960.80 ad spend into $1.186 million in closed revenue. This incredible ROI highlighted the power of a well-structured PPC strategy, proving that even a small investment in paid advertising could drive massive business growth for the right company.

Key Takeaways

Don't Sleep on PPC

Pay-per-click is a vital part of a well-rounded digital marketing strategy, driving immediate visibility and high-intent traffic that organic efforts can’t always capture.

A Good Foundation Matters

PPC campaigns are most effective when built on a strong organic foundation, as brand recognition and trust lead to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Choosing the Right Strategy is Key

Having the right PPC strategy is critical for success. Factors like location, reputation, and budget should guide the choice of campaign type. A well-planned approach ensures your ads reach the right audience and deliver the best return on investment.

Conclusion

Gerber Homes' success with PPC proves that even a small, strategic investment in paid advertising can drive significant results. By leveraging their strong organic foundation and carefully selecting the right campaign type, they gained exposure in new channels, generated over $1.18 million in revenue, and achieved an impressive 238x ROI.

As long-term partners, Builder Funnel and Gerber Homes have worked together to build a powerful digital presence. These recent results prove that a well-rounded digital marketing strategy with the right team paves the way for strategic growth. 🤝

Ready to create the ultimate marketing and sales machine for your remodeling or custom home-building business? Book a call with us today! 👇