Google Ads Optimization – The Web Authority

December 30, 2019July 27, 2019

Stop Bleeding Cash in AdWords- Move Out of Broad Match

As a Google Partner and Bing Partner, I feel like I can speak with authority on this topic. In AdWords alone, I manage an actual monthly ad spend for clients of over $120,000 per 30 days or $1,441,776 yearly. As an experienced account manager I have to say that I simply hate broad match.

Don’t get me wrong, I like using broad match modifiers for keywords, but I feel that for most clients broad match is simply a way to bleed cash out of a pay per click account.

Google AdWords and Bing Ads (especially Bing Ads) Love, Love, Love broad match keywords. Heavy use of broad match without a reality check on the terms your ads are showing for is lining their pockets with your cash.

McCord Web Services is a Bing Partner and Accredited Bing Ads Professional.

If you don’t believe me, click just one of your high click volume broad match keywords and then click the drop down to view search queries. You will be shocked to see what is there.

Even with a huge and extensive negative keyword list, the way both Google and Bing Ads show your ads on synonyms for your broad match keyword would simply not be a good fit for most businesses that are focused on direct action or lead conversions and sales.

I hate to say never, but as click costs rise in an account the first thing I do is move out of broad match, use only broad match modifiers, phrase match and exact match. I end up with a much better cost per conversion and better overall results.

Need a savvy pay per click account manager on your side? Check out our programs. We work as a white label supplier/expert for agencies

October 28, 2019July 27, 2019

Leveraging Machine Learning For Google Ads- Part 2

McCord Web Services is a Google Partner and a Certified Google Ads Professional

Google AdWords is specifically using advanced machine learning via artificial intelligence in its automated bidding algorithms. Target CPA (Cost per Acquisition) bidding, Maximize Conversions, and Maximum Clicks are just samples of new bidding algorithms that can be used in AdWords accounts.

Each algorithm has a place and function based on a client’s need and metrics of success. However, I have found that in some cases using these machine learning driven algorithms that cost per click increases as does cost per conversion.

The value of an account manager in this automated environment is to provide the needed checks and balances to assure that your profitability goals are being met in AdWords.

As Google integrates more machine learning applications in Google AdWords for suggestions, bidding, and account management, it now becomes even more important to have a business-minded AdWords experienced expert overseeing your account to achieve the best results at the lowest cost for your budget.

October 21, 2019July 27, 2019

Leveraging Machine Learning For Google Ads- Part 1

Machine learning, it is the new buzz in our industry. Machine learning is using computers via artificial intelligence to predict actions. Machine learning can be used for Smart Bidding in Google AdWords and can even predict performance of activity based on your keywords and budget.

With products like Universal App Campaigns and Smart Bidding, it’s now possible to use this data to help deliver millions of ads customized for your customers, and set the right bid for each of those ads–in real time.

If you are using the new Beta AdWords interface, the Opportunities tab recommendations are personalized suggestions for your account based on machine learning.

Even if you’re not using these AdWords innovations [listed above], you’re still seeing the benefits of machine learning. Google uses information about search queries, historical ad performance and other contextual signals combined with machine learning, to predict whether or not someone will click on your ad. This predicted click-through rate helps determine the selection, ranking and pricing of your ads–meaning machine learning is already working to show the right ads to the right customers.

This means that even if you were not aware that you were embracing machine learning, Google AdWords has embraced it for you, to make account management easier and to provide more insights and analytics to assist you in better managing your ad account.

Here are some ways that Google is leveraging machine learning for your benefit in AdWords.

Smart bidding and bidding to increase conversions
Ad rotation, ad creation, and optimization
Opportunities and account suggestions

Google AdWords is embracing machine learning in many account management areas. Not only will they will making keyword, bid, and budget suggestions, but now AdWords will even be self-creating ad text for your programs to supplement your own created ads.

To leverage all that AdWords offers for your businesses benefit, I invite you to visit our website to find out more about how McCord Web Services can help you with your AdWords management needs.

September 12, 2019August 29, 2019

Conversion Tips for Getting the Most from Google Ads

My firm manages over $3 million in ad spend for clients in Google Ads yearly. As a result, we see opportunities for improvement in regards to conversion tracking across multiple accounts in diverse industries.

My Tips on Conversion Tracking

Always track website contact forms.
Try to track website phone calls.
Do not change key conversion actions.
Use Position-Based attribution.
Set your cookie for 30 to 60 days.
Add additional conversion actions for promotions.

Nancy C. McCord, Owner of McCord Web Services LLC

One of the most important aspects to conversion tracking is to select key conversion actions and to NOT change them in the Google Ads conversion control panel or Google Analytics.

We have recently had several situations where well-meaning marketing staff deleted conversion actions thinking that there would be no harm in doing so, but as a result the smart bidding algorithms in Google Ads were negatively impacted and performance dropped quickly in the account.

I have found that when a customer is changing the conversion actions for promotions and they do not have key conversion actions that are always in the account, bidding algorithms are easily confused and cost per click and cost per conversions will increase, sometimes dramatically.

Assure that if you track website phone calls and email form completions that you always keep these running as conversion actions. Do not move in and out of conversion actions unless you use manual bidding.

Let Smart Bidding Algorithms Do the Heavy Lifting for You

Once you have your conversion action strategy in place, wait to accrue 15 conversions in a 30 day period and then test the use of smart bidding options like maximize conversion or Target CPA bidding for your account.

Make sure to do routine checks at 2 weeks, 30 days, and 60 days to assure that these algorithms are actually delivering results with a cost per conversion that works for your business. Most accounts will benefit from the use of smart bidding based on Google’s machine learning and AI, but not all.