Is It Really Possible To Lower Your AdWords CPA In Just One Day?

If your existing account is set up the way most of them that we’ve audited are, you may be wasting a good chunk of your budget without realizing it. Instead, simply change a few campaign settings and you will very likely lower the overall CPA of your AdWords account!

One very common pitfall is lurking in the campaign location targeting settings:

Improper Location Targeting: Where In The World Your Ad Is Showing?

By default, Google recommends that you show your ads to “People in, searching for, or who show interest in my targeted location.” This is where our problems begin. That setting might work out fine if you are in the tourism business but it’s not a good thing for most advertisers. Just about every account we’ve ever audited has had impressions and clicks from outside their geographic target area because of this setting.

You can see where your ads have been showing by using the User Location report under the Dimensions tab. You would think that it would be the Geographic Report, but it isn’t. (That shows where your customers are OR locations they have shown interest in through searches on Google or Google Maps.)

(If you are using a marketing firm to manage your AdWords account, have your consultant give you a copy of this report, and make sure it isn’t truncated.)

Here’s how to find the User Locations in three easy steps.

1. Click Dimensions:

2. Click the View dropdown menu:

3. Click User Locations:

 

Here is a small sampling of a User Location report from a campaign that was targeted to Minnesota only.

It appears a lot of people in New Delhi are “interested” in Minnesota.

 

Here’s a User Location sampling from a different account which is also targeted to Minnesota only:

 

We’ve seen hundreds of foreign cities in these reports.

Why Is This Happening?

The non technical answer is sneaky AdWords Campaign Type Settings. When you create a new Search campaign, Google sets Standard as the default, but you should choose All Features instead, because that helps you avoid showing your ads to people outside your target area.

How To Fix Your Improper AdWords Location Settings

You can switch these settings after-the-fact. When you are in the campaign in question, click Settings.

Next, click the blue Edit link next to where it says Type.

*When creating a new Search Network Campaign from scratch, Standard is selected by default. This is how we get into this mess.

Switch from Standard to All Features.

*Don’t be afraid to use advanced features. They are designed to give you the control you need to be successful.

 Now, Edit Your Campaign Settings

Under the Location options (advanced) settings, be sure to select People in my targeted location.

To do this, click the blue Edit link next to where it says Target under Location options (advanced).

Select People in my targeted location.

Now, you will receive clicks and impressions from only the places you chose.

If you would like an audit of your Google AdWords account, please contact Risdall. We would be delighted to take-a-look and suggest recommendations for improvement. Or, we can work together on a new strategy for success.

-Khan to lead charge in digital solutions as SVP Digital Media and Analytics-

ROSEVILLE MINN. (August 15, 2017) – Risdall is excited to continue the expansion of its digital marketing capabilities with the addition of Mahmood Khan as Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Analytics. Khan joins Risdall from Periscope where he served as the Director of Media and Analytics and led a team of digital media, paid search and SEO professionals. Prior to Periscope, he led international ecommerce campaigns for clients at Digital River. Khan currently serves as a Member of IAB Digital Media Buyer and Planner Certification Program Exam Committee which sets the standard for global certification. Khan will lead digital initiatives with a passionate data-driven perspective and his extensive expertise builds on Risdall’s integrated model of digital platform development, digital content marketing and communications, paid engagement and analytics.

In joining Risdall, Khan said, “The advanced web development and app development capabilities Risdall already possesses will easily integrate with the best practices and disciplines I am bringing and ultimately result in a very integrated digital solution for clients.”

“We are very excited about Mahmood joining the team,’ said Ted Risdall, Chairman and CEO of Risdall. “His knowledge and high level of expertise with national and global initiatives will help Risdall lead clients to live fully and effectively in the digital world and enable us to deliver business results that matter.”

About Risdall

Risdall is a full-service integrated digital marketing agency. For 45 years, Risdall’s marketing, communications and digital capabilities have constantly evolved, driven by an independent culture and a commitment to achieving our client’s business goals. For more information visit www.risdall.com