Results/CASE STUDY · FULL FUNNEL
California Prime.
30% lower CPA.
Paid efficiency, passing Core Web Vitals, and a lead system that answers when families reach out.
OUTCOME FILE
Paid + web + SEO
- cpa
- ↓30% paid CPA
- vitals
- Core Web Vitals passing
- leads
- AI chatbot + email follow-up
- seo
- Surfer-driven content system
- accreditation
- Joint Commission · DHCS
client
California Prime Recovery
market
Orange County, CA
THE BRIEF
A competitive behavioral health provider needed a stronger digital marketing system.
California Prime Recovery needed more qualified admissions at a lower cost — plus a site that passed Core Web Vitals and a lead path that didn't stall. Sweet Media tightened paid structure, rebuilt conversion flow, added AI capture and follow-up, and put Surfer behind the SEO content system.
30%
paid CPA reduction
WHAT WE RAN
Paid advertising optimization
Core Web Vitals
AI chatbot & automation
SEO content strategy
Conversion rate optimization
Tracking & attribution
Addiction treatment · mental health · dual diagnosis
THE CHALLENGE
Multiple gaps across the digital admissions funnel.
Before working with Sweet Media, California Prime Recovery had several opportunities for improvement across its marketing funnel — from paid media efficiency to website performance and lead response speed.
Paid media
High CPA
High paid CPA
Paid advertising was generating leads, but cost per acquisition was higher than desired — leaving significant ROI on the table.
Failing Core Web Vitals
The website wasn't passing Google's performance benchmarks, creating friction for users and hurting search visibility.
Slow lead response
In behavioral health, speed-to-lead is critical. Delayed responses to inquiries meant lost admissions opportunities.
Weak conversion flow
Navigation was cluttered, CTAs were buried, and the homepage didn't guide visitors toward admissions actions effectively.
THE STRATEGY
Improve the entire admissions funnel — not just one channel.
Five priorities. One funnel. Click a line to see how it ran.
Lower paid advertising CPA
Campaign structure, keyword intent targeting, and ad-to-service message match were rebuilt so the same spend produced more admissions opportunities.
Campaign structure
CPA
Intent-aligned ad groups, not one catch-all
Keyword intent
CPA
Admissions queries funded first
Landing match
CPA
Ads land on the service they promise
THE RESULTS
30% lower CPA.
Passing vitals. A funnel that answers.
Paid
30%
30% reduction in paid CPA
By refining campaign structure, improving keyword intent targeting, aligning ad messaging with core services, and optimizing landing page flow, Sweet Media drove a 30% reduction in cost per acquisition — generating more admissions opportunities from the same ad spend.
Automation
AI
AI chatbot & automated lead workflows
Sweet Media introduced AI chatbot functionality to support visitors in real time — capturing inquiries from users not ready to call. Automated email workflows ensured every lead was followed up quickly and consistently, creating a more reliable admissions pipeline.
Performance
Pass
Website improved to passing Core Web Vitals
Through technical performance optimization — including speed improvements, structure refinements, and load experience enhancements — California Prime Recovery's website moved from failing to passing Core Web Vitals, creating a faster, more trustworthy experience for prospective clients.
SEO
Surfer
Scalable SEO content system
Sweet Media introduced tools like Surfer SEO to improve content research, structure, and optimization. New and existing pages were aligned with search intent, keyword opportunities, and on-page best practices — building a content engine for long-term organic growth.
CRO
CTAs
Stronger website conversion flow
Navigation was cleaned up, the homepage was reorganized for a clearer user journey, and calls to action were strengthened throughout. The result: a more intuitive experience that guided visitors from awareness to admissions inquiry with less friction.
This project succeeded because the strategy focused on the full admissions funnel. Lowering CPA wasn't just about changing ads — it required improving the campaign structure, website speed, landing page experience, lead capture process, follow-up workflow, and content strategy.
THE LEDGER
Before vs. after.
Documented.
BEFORE / AFTER
| Metric | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Paid CPA | Baseline | ↓30% |
| Core Web Vitals | Failing | Passing |
| Lead capture | Call-only | AI chatbot + email |
| SEO system | Ad hoc pages | Surfer-driven |
| Conversion flow | Cluttered nav | Rebuilt CTAs |
Paid CPA
Before
Baseline
After
↓30%
Core Web Vitals
Before
Failing
After
Passing
Lead capture
Before
Call-only
After
AI chatbot + email
SEO system
Before
Ad hoc pages
After
Surfer-driven
Conversion flow
Before
Cluttered nav
After
Rebuilt CTAs
Ready to lower CPA
and pass Core Web Vitals?
A senior strategist will walk your funnel and tell you what this full-system rebuild would look like for your program.
30 minutes · free · no commitment
- 01
Funnel read
Where paid, site, and response drop admissions today.
- 02
Efficiency
What we'd change first in campaigns and landing pages.
- 03
Site + response
Vitals, CTAs, and the follow-up path after the click.
- 04
90-day path
A plan — whether we work together or not.