Google Shopping

[japancool]

I've been considering Google Shopping for some time. Some of our rivals, who sell roughly the same amount as we do, use it, so I'm assuming it's worth their while.

I was a little concerned by a recent thread I saw on reddit, where we were mentioned only twice, compared to some of our direct rivals - some of whom have B&M shops, some of whom use Google Shopping and some who don't.

While we're still one of the top 4 in our sector, it's nonetheless concerning. I feel I'm missing out on an opportunity to increase exposure and sales.

My question is - I know nothing about running a Google Shopping campaign. I don't necessarily want to spend huge amounts on it. It would be too easy to let the budget spiral out of control. Does anyone have any experience on running an efficient, cost-effective campaign? Or point me to some resources?

 

[HFE Signs]

My advice would be start with a low budget, make sure your campaigns are targeted and your conversion goals are set, keep a close eye on it and measure results. I know people who do very well out of Google, but also I know businesses who have failed due to Google. Tread carefully!

 

[thetiger2015]

It relies on data and clicks. So, you'll need a reasonable budget to test. Many people start with a budget of £5 or £10 per day but, this may be too low for your industry and take too long to generate relevant traffic.

I'd research a lot over Christmas and then trial in January, maybe £300ish? Expect that money to disappear but it would give you some data, traffic, maybe some orders?

Also, depends on your margins. New shopping accounts can have a high CPA until you start tweaking and analysing all the data.

 

[Sparetoolparts]

15-20% of my revenue comes through shopping. I used to manage it myself back in the day but eventually went with an agency, yes I'm paying a management fee for their help but it free's up my time for other things.

There are so many ways to do Google Shopping Now, with lots of options, it is best to let a professional explain what will likely work best for you. DM me if you want the name of the company I use

 

[NickZ]

I know people who do very well out of Google, but also I know businesses who have failed due to Google. Tread carefully!

Care to elaborate? KInd of: Products were the same/different, Client profile was the same vs different and such? And how serious were the doing good business' opinions?

 

[HFE Signs]

Care to elaborate? KInd of: Products were the same/different, Client profile was the same vs different and such? And how serious were the doing good business' opinions?

I don't manage other people accounts, therefore I don't have access to their data. A Google account that isn't correctly tuned will waste money very quickly, that is my point.

 

[NickZ]

A Google account that isn't correctly tuned will waste money very quickly

Not only your clients everywhere, they burn money and people fail to see Google's guilt.The keep trusting Google.

The partnered up or subcontracted which translated into bought cheaper clicks. The result is that Spending went up, and CVR went down.

 

[japancool]

"Doing good business" means only one thing - did you generate a adequate ROI compared to your other channels and advertising spend?

 

[UKSBD]

Things like Google Shopping are only good if you have systems in place that cut any backend costs down to a minimum and automate as much as possible.

I used to sell a product for about £300 and make £100 profit on it, the profit on a similar product now is probably closer to £20.

If I had a brilliant automated system that took the order, forwarded on to supplier, generated an invoice and I didn't have to speak to anyone or do anything it may be worth only making £20 profit per product, I haven't got that system though, so rarely sell them anymore.

 

[japancool]

Things like Google Shopping are only good if you have systems in place that cut any backend costs down to a minimum and automate as much as possible.

Depends what your profit margin is.

 

[UKSBD]

Depends what your profit margin is.

That's basically what I said in the rest of the post

If you are niche enough, have few competitors, market share remains high and profit margins remain high it's fine.

If by entering a shopping channel it encourages more competition, drives prices down, it also becomes about who has the best systems and best back end in place.

 

[klaviasnape]

maybe consider pro max campaigns too

 

[lesliedocherty]

PPC should be a part of your business, how much is up to you. Don't try to manage it yourself, agencies who work on multiple accounts every day have a knowledge level way above what we could get to

 

[wayzgoose]

PPC should be a part of your business, how much is up to you. Don't try to manage it yourself, agencies who work on multiple accounts every day have a knowledge level way above what we could get to

Don't think an agency would be interested in our account - £1 a day and max 3p per click !

 

[japancool]

Don't think an agency would be interested in our account - £1 a day and max 3p per click !

What sort of results do you get from that?

 

[wayzgoose]

What sort of results do you get from that?

 

[wayzgoose]

35 orders through December. Worked out at 53p per order.

 

[japancool]

35 orders through December. Worked out at 53p per order.

Sounds like a plan!

 

[thetiger2015]

35 orders through December. Worked out at 53p per order.

That's a tiny CPA and a tiny CPC. Presume the account has been running a long while and optimised really well?

After 12 months, we don't get anywhere near that.

 

[wayzgoose]

That's a tiny CPA and a tiny CPC. Presume the account has been running a long while and optimised really well?

After 12 months, we don't get anywhere near that.

Been running for about 10 years. Wish I new if it was optimised well because I haven't got a clue what I'm doing! It's basically a straightforward shopping feed from the site with very few changes from me.

 

[Liam4689]

Just so you know, Google Shopping campaigns will be deprecated in 2024, and advertisers will be asked to use Performance Max campaigns.

 

[HFE Signs]

Just so you know, Google Shopping campaigns will be deprecated in 2024, and advertisers will be asked to use Performance Max campaigns.

Is this correct? I was of the understanding that 'smart shopping' was being discontinued but manual shopping bidding was to remain.