Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
The Smart Lab: 3 Competitive Advantages of Paid Search
It’s a key element to securing the attention of shoppers online, Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb writes.

As a jeweler in 2019, you want to make sure you have a solid digital marketing strategy to gain the attention of online shoppers in your area.
Any good digital marketing strategy will include a mix of different forms of marketing, but most of your budget likely will be allocated to paid search. Here are three reasons why paid search is so important.
Reason #1: Competitors Can Buy Your Name Online
Paid search is one of the best ways to direct traffic to your website. You can make sure your site appears at the top of the search results on Google by bidding on specific keywords.
When people search for things online, Google divides what the person typed in the search bar into different “keywords.” Advertisers can then bid money on these different keywords and the amount of money (combined with several other factors, such as brand reputation quality) determines which advertiser’s ad gets served to the person searching.
The game to win the attention of shoppers online is fiercely competitive. One strategy your competitors might use is buying your company’s name so that their company appears ahead of, or right under, yours when someone searches, as we see below with Rare Carat and Blue Nile.
Imagine having someone search for your jewelry store only to end up on your competitor’s website! (Editor’s note: While it is legal to bid on your competitor’s name so that your ad appears, you are not allowed to use your competitor’s name in the ad copy; Jensen Jewelers accused Signet Jewelers-owned chain Zalesof engaging in this practice and sued the company in federal court last January.)
To avoid this nightmare scenario, make sure you have a paid search strategy in place.
Reason #2: You Can Ensure Top Placement For “High-Intent” Searches
The words people type into Google’s search bar can be used to determine their intent for the search.
High-intent searches include keywords like “buy” or “near me.” When companies bid for these keywords and appear high in the search rankings, they are more likely to make a sale than companies that do not implement such keywords.
Reason #3: You Can Appear Before Your Competitors for the Same Searches
You might think there isn’t a big difference in appearing first, second or third in a Google search. The data, however, tells us that the difference can mean a lot in terms of profit.
When thousands of people are searching online, the difference in these numbers can mean a lot in terms of your bottom line and/or in-store traffic.
As you can see, the importance of paid search in a digital marketing strategy cannot be overstated.
According to Gartner L2, a New York-based research firm, the jewelry industry continues to lag behind other industries online. Jewelry brands and stores that invest heavily online now will have an early-mover advantage.
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and coveted Premier Google Partner. With nearly 18 years’ digital marketing and e-commerce experience, Raheb is passionate about helping and strategically growing national jewelry brands and local retailers alike. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
The Latest

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.


Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

The new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.

Acquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.

The “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.

Columnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.

Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.

The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.

The Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.

The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.