Seeing a dip in conversions from your AdWords account can be a heart-stopping moment for any marketer. But before you hit the panic button, take a deep breath and remember: troubleshooting is a process, not a panic attack. In this blog post, we'll equip you with a five-step framework to analyze and address a drop in conversions, turning that frown upside down (and your ROI back on track!).
Step 1: Gather Data & Define the Drop
First things first, quantify the problem. Is the drop a temporary blip or a sustained decline? Identify the timeframe when the drop occurred and compare it to previous periods. Look for changes in key metrics like clicks, impressions, conversion rate, and cost-per-conversion. This initial analysis will help you understand the severity of the situation and guide your investigation.
Step 2: Check the Fundamentals
Before diving into complex optimizations, ensure the basics are solid.
Campaign Settings: Double-check campaign settings like budget, targeting, and ad scheduling. Are they still aligned with your goals and haven't been accidentally modified?
Conversion Tracking: Verify that your conversion tracking code is firing correctly and hasn't malfunctioned. Use Google Tag Assistant to diagnose any issues.
Landing Page Performance: Analyze your landing page performance. Is it loading quickly, offering a clear value proposition, and guiding users towards conversion effortlessly?
Step 3: Analyze Campaign Performance & Leverage Google Analytics
Now, let's dig deeper into your campaigns and consider Google Analytics as a potential clue.
Auction Dynamics: Check for changes in the competitive landscape with Google Analytics. Did new competitors enter the scene, driving up bid prices and reducing your visibility?
Keywords & Targeting: Are your keywords still relevant and reaching the right audience? Review search terms in Analytics and consider adding negative keywords to exclude irrelevant traffic.
Ad Performance: Are your ads compelling and resonating with your target audience? A/B test different ad variations to see what resonates best.
Google Analytics Integration: Dive deeper into user behavior using Google Analytics. Are there changes in bounce rate, session duration, or specific pages where users drop off? This can reveal website usability issues or misaligned expectations set by your ads.
Step 4: Identify External Factors & Consider Google Analytics Insights
Sometimes, the culprit lies outside your AdWords account, and Google Analytics can provide valuable insights.
Seasonality: Are there seasonal trends impacting your industry or product demand? Analyze historical data in Google Analytics to identify seasonal patterns.
Economic Shifts: Have recent economic changes affected your target audience's purchasing behavior? Look for changes in user demographics or purchase behavior within Google Analytics.
Website Issues: Could website downtime or technical issues be hindering conversions? Use Google Analytics reports like Site Speed or Search Console integration to identify potential problems.
Step 5: Take Action & Monitor, Including Website Improvements
Based on your analysis, implement data-driven solutions, including website improvements suggested by Google Analytics.
Optimizing bids: Adjust bids based on new competitor information or audience insights.
Refreshing ad copy: Experiment with new ad variations to grab attention and boost engagement.
Expanding targeting: Explore broader targeting options while maintaining relevance.
Improving landing pages: Enhance landing page clarity, user experience, and conversion elements based on insights from Google Analytics.
Addressing website issues: Fix any technical problems identified through Google Analytics to remove conversion roadblocks.
Remember, don't make drastic changes all at once. Implement your solutions gradually and monitor their impact on key metrics. Track performance over time and be prepared to refine your approach as needed.
Bonus Tip:Â Leverage automation tools like Smart Bidding and automated rules to optimize your campaigns continuously and minimize future conversion drops.
Remember, troubleshooting a conversion drop is a journey, not a destination.Â
By following these steps, staying calm, and analyzing data carefully across both AdWords and Google Analytics, you can identify the root cause, implement effective solutions, and get your conversions back on the rise.
Good luck!
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