Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign?

Synnuh · 29th Oct 2015, 06:54 AM

I've got a 'start' guide for new bloggers that I've been funneling traffic to through AdWords and Bing.

Adwords won't approve the site due to 'lack of usefulness'. Pft, they're unuseful.

Bing can send me traffic for days, but it won't convert. I've sent 750 clicks to the site, with 60 of them landing on my hosting link.

I'm thinking it's somewhere in my video but I can't see it. ASO says they convert at 7%, so unless they've scrubbed my sales, I'm not seeing it.

The keywords I'm bidding on are 'how to start a blog' 'how to start blogging' etc. I feel like they're highly targeted.

So somewhere along the line, I'm losing them.

If anyone can take a look for me and lemme know any thoughts or changes I could make to get the conversion rate up, please do.

The guide is at (edited: messing up my metrics)

Any help is greatly appreciated. Me love you long time. (Unless you're a dude. Then I'll give you my ex's number -- she loves late night rendezvous)

Marty Foley · 29th Oct 2015, 08:15 AM

Hi Synnuh,

After reading your post and glancing at your landing page and call to action, I see that your ultimate goal is to promote blog hosting, which includes blog setup assistance. But your keywords are promoting a new start guide for bloggers.

I suspect that one of the key factors in the lack of response is keyword selection. Since you are only using keywords targeting those who are searching for "how to start a blog", "how to start blogging", etc. your keywords are too broad.

True, all bloggers need a host of some sort (free or paid) so some who use your blogging guide may eventually buy. But the vast majority of people searching for info on how to start blogging are not yet in the market for hosting. Such keywords don't indicate that they are. So to the extent possible, be sure you are also using keywords better targeted to those specifically looking for blog hosting.

Of course, some keywords are more expensive but don't let that be the main criteria of keyword selection. But be cautious not to overspend your allotted PPC budget in testing out the venture. Fortunately there are multiple things that can be done to reduce average CPC by increasing CTR. This will give you you more traffic to test with, and more time to tweak it to profitability.

Yes, doing this may create a disconnect between the keywords and the landing page. In other words, people searching on blog hosting related keywords may be confused if they land on a page offering a general get started blogging guide.

So consider tweaking the copy to focus more on the hosting side of blogging. Or consider going straight for the sale and try bypassing the blogging guide altogether.

I also recommend some optimization of the landing page, such as the call to action...

For instance, the text on the blue button says "Click here to open A Small Orange in a new window." That's confusing, especially to those who don't know that A Small Orange is a hosting company. I'd test multiple ones which are more clear and specific. Off the top of my head, I'd start with something like: "Click Here to Discover the Host We Trust With Our Own Blogs" (if you can honestly say that), or similar.

Marty Foley ~ Traffic & Conversion Mad Scientist

Professional PPC & Landing Page Conversion Rate Optimization Services:
Enjoy Better Conversion Rates & Higher Profit

Synnuh · 29th Oct 2015, 02:32 PM

Thank you, sir. Hadn't thought about that. I cleared out the 'free' keywords from my list when I first started the campaign, but figured I needed to target people who were just starting out. I'll go back over it again and try to read more into the intent.

rusilja · 1st Nov 2015, 09:44 AM

Are you grabbing their email address, do you have some opt-in & free giveaway?
Most people won't buy on their first encounter especially when searching "how to start a blog". If I were searching for that term, I would be just out for information, not looking to spend any money.

Secondly, are you A/B testing your landing page? Maybe there are headlines/texts/buttons/images that prevent your customers from buying, because they may dislike them.

Marty Foley · 9th Feb 2016, 04:56 PM

You're welcome Synnuh.

I don't know if you're still in the PPC game, but since my last post to you I've developed a free resource that can help you avoid many of the most common expensive mistakes in PPC advertising. See my sig for details.

Marty Foley ~ Traffic & Conversion Mad Scientist

Are You Making These Expensive Mistakes in PPC?

Synnuh · 9th Feb 2016, 06:07 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out.

29th Oct 2015, 06:54 AM	#1
Synnuh Reckless Abandon Join Date: 2013 Location: //localhost Posts: 821 Thanks: 597 Thanked 445 Times in 288 Posts	Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: I've got a 'start' guide for new bloggers that I've been funneling traffic to through AdWords and Bing. Adwords won't approve the site due to 'lack of usefulness'. Pft, they're unuseful. Bing can send me traffic for days, but it won't convert. I've sent 750 clicks to the site, with 60 of them landing on my hosting link. I'm thinking it's somewhere in my video but I can't see it. ASO says they convert at 7%, so unless they've scrubbed my sales, I'm not seeing it. The keywords I'm bidding on are 'how to start a blog' 'how to start blogging' etc. I feel like they're highly targeted. So somewhere along the line, I'm losing them. If anyone can take a look for me and lemme know any thoughts or changes I could make to get the conversion rate up, please do. The guide is at (edited: messing up my metrics) Any help is greatly appreciated. Me love you long time. (Unless you're a dude. Then I'll give you my ex's number -- she loves late night rendezvous)

29th Oct 2015, 08:15 AM	#2
Marty Foley HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2004 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 199 Thanks: 31 Thanked 54 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: Hi Synnuh, After reading your post and glancing at your landing page and call to action, I see that your ultimate goal is to promote blog hosting, which includes blog setup assistance. But your keywords are promoting a new start guide for bloggers. I suspect that one of the key factors in the lack of response is keyword selection. Since you are only using keywords targeting those who are searching for "how to start a blog", "how to start blogging", etc. your keywords are too broad. True, all bloggers need a host of some sort (free or paid) so some who use your blogging guide may eventually buy. But the vast majority of people searching for info on how to start blogging are not yet in the market for hosting. Such keywords don't indicate that they are. So to the extent possible, be sure you are also using keywords better targeted to those specifically looking for blog hosting. Of course, some keywords are more expensive but don't let that be the main criteria of keyword selection. But be cautious not to overspend your allotted PPC budget in testing out the venture. Fortunately there are multiple things that can be done to reduce average CPC by increasing CTR. This will give you you more traffic to test with, and more time to tweak it to profitability. Yes, doing this may create a disconnect between the keywords and the landing page. In other words, people searching on blog hosting related keywords may be confused if they land on a page offering a general get started blogging guide. So consider tweaking the copy to focus more on the hosting side of blogging. Or consider going straight for the sale and try bypassing the blogging guide altogether. I also recommend some optimization of the landing page, such as the call to action... For instance, the text on the blue button says "Click here to open A Small Orange in a new window." That's confusing, especially to those who don't know that A Small Orange is a hosting company. I'd test multiple ones which are more clear and specific. Off the top of my head, I'd start with something like: "Click Here to Discover the Host We Trust With Our Own Blogs" (if you can honestly say that), or similar. Marty Foley ~ Traffic & Conversion Mad Scientist Professional PPC & Landing Page Conversion Rate Optimization Services: Enjoy Better Conversion Rates & Higher Profit

29th Oct 2015, 02:32 PM	#3
Synnuh Reckless Abandon Join Date: 2013 Location: //localhost Posts: 821 Thanks: 597 Thanked 445 Times in 288 Posts	Re: Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: Thank you, sir. Hadn't thought about that. I cleared out the 'free' keywords from my list when I first started the campaign, but figured I needed to target people who were just starting out. I'll go back over it again and try to read more into the intent.

1st Nov 2015, 09:44 AM	#4
rusilja a.k.a. healzer War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 108 Thanks: 41 Thanked 32 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: Are you grabbing their email address, do you have some opt-in & free giveaway? Most people won't buy on their first encounter especially when searching "how to start a blog". If I were searching for that term, I would be just out for information, not looking to spend any money. Secondly, are you A/B testing your landing page? Maybe there are headlines/texts/buttons/images that prevent your customers from buying, because they may dislike them.
	Crypto trade signals and A.I. generated predictions

9th Feb 2016, 04:56 PM	#5
Marty Foley HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2004 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 199 Thanks: 31 Thanked 54 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: You're welcome Synnuh. I don't know if you're still in the PPC game, but since my last post to you I've developed a free resource that can help you avoid many of the most common expensive mistakes in PPC advertising. See my sig for details. Marty Foley ~ Traffic & Conversion Mad Scientist Are You Making These Expensive Mistakes in PPC?

9th Feb 2016, 06:07 PM	#6
Synnuh Reckless Abandon Join Date: 2013 Location: //localhost Posts: 821 Thanks: 597 Thanked 445 Times in 288 Posts	Re: Can anyone lend some insight to this campaign? Share on: Thanks, I'll check it out.