I have cut AdWords out the ROI has been getting so bad it just isn't worth it. Going in another direction to free us from this. How many have moved away?
engine
9:26 am on Apr 14, 2020 (gmt 0)
What'd go down well would be a discussion on alternatives that are working.
bwnbwn
11:22 pm on Apr 15, 2020 (gmt 0)
Engine I have been ecommerce 21 years now. Jeeze. The biggest and most important change I did was believe I could survive without spending huge sums buying traffic. There is a belief in ecommerce if I get a sale through buying ads that could lead to a resale. Very few just not the nature of people today especially for a small unknown store. Becoming a important contributor on various forums has done wonders to build my brand build trust and generate sales. Took years but once you are a respected member it works. I hope many more will follow a path to disconnect from the ad circus. I will post another one I am truly amazed at the return.
bwnbwn
12:39 pm on May 2, 2020 (gmt 0)
Been 6 months since I quit Google ads. Checked April 2019, April 2020 sales 6 times higher 10 times for 2018. 2000 or more a month saved.
Overall our yearly sales have never been this high in our 20 year history.
Happy as hell I had no part in "Do no evil" massive profit.
PPClearner
9:03 am on May 8, 2020 (gmt 0)
CPCs definitely spiked over the years. Google starting from Adwords Express to more diluting the nature of exact and phrase has made sure to bring in more competition and increase the costing. There are many examples where Google has optimized their engine to get max out of the advertisers. However I have yet to find better options in B2B industry for Google. Bing with Linked option I haven't explored yet. SEO is definitely cheaper in long term.
Rndm
2:57 pm on May 8, 2020 (gmt 0)
PPC Learner - I agree. Well not completely about SEO (sometimes, yes), but about not finding a better option for B2B. Still using adwords and getting great leads (i do have some niches effected by Covid while others are busier than ever). I don't have any clients that compete with Amazon btw.
bwnbwn
10:06 pm on May 10, 2020 (gmt 0)
Rndm did leads for a lawyer really can't put a number on return.
I am ecommerce its easy got an 50 dollar item cost ads cost 150 per sale. No brainer. Not talking just Google Bing is just as bad. Amazon in beginning was awesome but it went south as well. Probably competitors I quit them all. Wish you guys well if ya making money off ads keep going. Myself I am done with them.
bwnbwn
5:17 pm on Sep 30, 2020 (gmt 0)
Been almost a year since I quit ALL PPC happy to say our sales are up 69%. Saved 20 + k by not buying traffic. Feels good.
lisdaiii
7:27 am on Oct 1, 2020 (gmt 0)
Google ads, still work here in Indonesia. still bring lots traffics and conversions. how about another country?
tangor
11:11 am on Oct 1, 2020 (gmt 0)
@lisdaiii ... Welcome to Webmasterworld!
Thanks for the report! Perhaps Asia/South Pacific areas are the next area of advertising/commerce?
bwnbwn
8:51 pm on Oct 1, 2020 (gmt 0)
lisdaiii can you post your ROI.
ember
5:05 pm on Dec 11, 2020 (gmt 0)
I tried them again in September and October. Once again, costs were too high, and all of their automated suggestions just increased the cost. What a surprise.
A rep kept bugging me about a consult. I finally gave in. Set up a campaign with him on the phone. He promised to watch the campaign and after two weeks would contact me to help optimize it. Never contact me. I tried to contact him three times. No response. I talked to support. They said they would contact him to contact me. He never did. I asked for a refund of the money I'd spent. Support said no and would contact my account rep. Never heard from him.
I will never again use Google Ads, even though I'm sure they couldn't care less.
I use FB now. Costs are reasonable, and the support is good. It won't last but it works for now.
scottb
1:46 pm on Feb 14, 2021 (gmt 0)
I used to be very active on Google Ads until about 2 years ago. I just came back again and spent nearly 2 hours setting up a campaign.
I can't believe how bad the product has become. The interface is much clunkier and less intuitive. I also can't believe Google is still getting revenue growth. My guess is that Google is learning to squeeze more money from fewer advertisers. (Newspapers and other traditional media did the same thing.)
