Let’s face it, it takes a lot of work to optimize your campaigns. Endless testing can be very labor intensive. But there are 2 dead simple things you can do in Adwords that can make a huge difference in your ROI. Each takes only seconds because Google has done all the work for you.
The conversions optimizer
If you run conversion tracking and have had 15 conversions in the last 30 days, you are eligible to turn this feature on. Once enabled, it allows you to bid at the adgroup level on a per action basis. You are still paying CPC, but behind the scenes Google is working its magic to combine your target CPA with quality score, and predicted conversion rate. Instead of simple bid management, like we are all used to, the optimizer is running mulit-dimensional bidding to squeeze a higher ROI from your campaign. The beauty of the system is, all you have to do is turn it on.
Google says the average user increases conversions by 21% increase, and decreases their CPA cost by 14%. That is a phenomenal result which can really take your campaign to the next level. I have seen results even better in my own campaigns using this feature. It literally takes about 60 seconds to make this change. Just go to the settings tab, bidding and budget, then click edit bidding option. Accept the proposed bid amounts, and your done.
Opportunities
The Opportunities tab is the central place for keyword and budget optimization ideas generated by Google. These ideas are automated by Adwords based in your campaign performance data and trends. They are usually updated weekly depending on the volume of your campaigns. Adwords has done all the work, so all you have to do to implement the ideas is check a box and hit apply. The ideas proposed are pretty accurate and relevant whenever I have used them. I check this tab all the time for new changes. This optimization also takes about 60 seconds.
If you haven’t tried these simple steps, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table. With only a 2 minute time investment, they are worth checking out.
We didn’t quite make it to the 21% conversion increase but we did see a double digit increase when we cut this tool on. Def worth it.
Do you guys usually run with their reccomended CPA bid based off your historical data or do you set your own desired CPA?
I have both options and not sure what to try.
I usually take the recommended bid, let it run for a while, then adjust as necessary.
I really need to get with it and try the Conversion Optimizer…thanks for the reminder. I wonder if this will be the defacto standard at some point in the future (i.e., just give the search engines your target CPA and let them do the bid management)…
- Dave
It has been discussed a lot, Google dislikes affiliates, especially in diet niche, so I didn’t use Google conversion tracking.
Does Google conversion tracking affect your campaign performance, such as slaps?
Thanks,
Bryan
Hi,
This is amazing I had 21 conversions in the past month, so I am eligible for this conversion optimizer.
It sounds a great feature and I will surely look after it and let’s see how much wonder it will do for me.
My company gets 400+ conversions a month and it only just popped up available for me last week. i wish I could get this on all my campaigns.
I haven’t had the same positive experiences with the Opportunities tab. Perhaps my campaign already had most suitable keywords covered. The conversions optimizer sounds extremely useful though.
Thanks for the tips. I didn’t realize you could optimize for conversations.
Very nice tip! I just jumped into my Adwords account and I’m trying out some things with it. Thanks
This is short term thinking. Google is already competing against affiliates with their products ads beta and now you want to give them your conversion data.
Conversion tracking is provided by for free to users that have had 15 conversions in the last 30 days for a simple reason. They want statistically relevant data to compete against you.
This is is not good advice.
I don’t run anything that Google could ever compete with, so I don’t have any problems with letting them see my data. If you are already using conversion tracking they can see your data anyways, so letting them optimize it can only help your campaign…
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I have used the Conversions Optimizer and got a very good result. After using this my site conversion rate increased to 43% from 11% . But, I have not yet tried Opportunities. It seems after reading your article that it is quite helpful. If so, then I will definitely love to give a try to this. Thanks for sharing.
I tried this on a small $30/day profit campaign. It’s now up to $100/day profit with VERY little changes (CPA goal modification is it).
Impressive little tool!
Thanks.
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I’ll refer back to this if I ever set up a campaign. Had a taste with YSM and wasn’t really that pleasant, lol.
WOW!! I wish I could get up to 21% that would be wild!! I am going to have to check out this impressive little tool.
Thanks
Thanks for the tips. I didn’t realize you could optimize for conversations.