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How to ACTUALLY Audit Your PPC Campaigns (Stop Wasting Ad Spend)


Running Amazon PPC campaigns can feel like throwing money into a black hole if you’re not optimizing them properly.

Disorganized campaigns, underperforming keywords, and overspending on bids are just a few of the common pitfalls that can drain your budget without delivering results.

But here’s the good news:

With a proper PPC audit, you can identify these issues, fix them, and turn your campaigns into profit-generating machines.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to audit your PPC campaigns effectively, step by step.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned seller, these tips will help you stop wasting ad spend and maximize your ROI.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Organize Your Campaigns

The Problem: Disorganized Campaigns = Wasted Spend

If your campaigns are a mess, it’s impossible to track performance or make data-driven decisions.

The Fix: Structure and Goal-Oriented Campaigns

Group by Goals: Create separate campaigns for different objectives, such as brand awareness, product launches, or profit maximization.

Use Ad Groups Wisely: Group similar products or keywords together for easier management.

Label Clearly: Use descriptive names for your campaigns and ad groups to stay organized.

Step 2: Identify and Fix Underperforming Keywords

The Problem: Underperforming Keywords = Wasted Ad Spend

Not all keywords are created equal. Some may be draining your budget without delivering sales.

The Fix: Pause or Lower Bids on Low-Performers

Analyze Performance: Check metrics like CTR (Click-Through Rate), conversion rate, and ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sale).

Pause or Adjust: Pause keywords with low CTR or high ACOS. For keywords that convert but at a high cost, lower their bids to improve profitability.

Step 3: Cap Bids to Avoid Overspending

The Problem: Overspending on Bids

Even if a keyword is bringing sales, it might not be profitable if the bids are too high.

The Fix: Set Bid Caps

Calculate Breakeven ACOS: Determine the maximum ACOS you can afford while still making a profit.

Cap Bids: Adjust your bids to stay within your breakeven ACOS, ensuring you only bring in profitable sales.

Step 4: Refine Your Negative Keywords

The Problem: No Negative Keywords = Expensive Clicks

Without negative keywords, your ads can show up for irrelevant searches, leading to wasted ad spend.

The Fix: Build and Maintain a Negative Keyword List

Review Search Terms: Regularly check your search term report for irrelevant or low-converting keywords.

Add to Negative List: Block these terms to prevent your ads from showing up for irrelevant searches.

Use Match Types: Apply negative keywords at the campaign or ad group level for better targeting.

Step 5: Utilize All Ad Types

The Problem: Not Using All Ad Types = Missed Opportunities

If you’re only using one type of ad, you’re missing out on opportunities to reach different audiences and achieve different goals.

The Fix: Leverage Sponsored Products, Brands, and Display

Sponsored Products: Promote individual products and drive sales.

Sponsored Brands: Build brand awareness and showcase multiple products with custom headlines and logos.

Sponsored Display: Retarget shoppers who’ve viewed your products or reach new audiences based on interests and behaviors.

Combine Strategically: Use a mix of ad types to create a comprehensive advertising strategy.

Pro Tips for a Successful PPC Audit

Use Analytics Tools: Leverage tools like Amazon Brand Analytics or third-party software to get deeper insights into your campaign performance.

Set Clear Goals: Know what you want to achieve with each campaign—whether it’s increasing sales, boosting brand visibility, or clearing inventory.

Test and Iterate: Experiment with different strategies, track results, and make data-driven adjustments.

Monitor Regularly: PPC optimization is an ongoing process. Schedule regular audits to keep your campaigns in top shape.

The Results You Can Expect

By auditing and optimizing your PPC campaigns, you can:

Reduce Wasted Ad Spend: Focus your budget on high-performing keywords and ad types.

Increase ROI: Drive more sales at a lower cost.

Improve Campaign Efficiency: Organized campaigns are easier to manage and optimize.

Stay Competitive: Outperform competitors by leveraging all available ad types and strategies.

Your Action Plan

Organize Your Campaigns: Group by goals and label clearly.

Analyze Keywords: Pause or adjust underperformers and cap bids for high-cost keywords.

Refine Negative Keywords: Block irrelevant searches to save money.

Use All Ad Types: Combine Sponsored Products, Brands, and Display for maximum reach.

Monitor and Optimize: Regularly review performance and make data-driven adjustments.

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