Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is an advertising system where sellers pay Amazon each time a customer clicks their ad, helping to increase product visibility and sales. It’s a brilliant way to get your products in front of shoppers searching for items like yours, appearing in search results or on product pages. Whether you’re a new seller or a seasoned pro, mastering Amazon PPC can skyrocket your store’s success, especially with expert Amazon advertising managed services to fine-tune your campaigns.
How to Set Up and Run an Amazon PPC Campaign
Ready to dive into Amazon PPC? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your campaign live and thriving, written in plain, actionable UK English.
Get Started with Seller Central
Log into your Amazon Seller Central account and nip over to the “Advertising” tab. Click “Campaign Manager” and pick your ad type - Sponsored Products is ace for beginners as it promotes individual listings right where shoppers are looking.
Pick Your Targeting Style
Choose between automatic or manual targeting. Automatic targeting lets Amazon sort out keywords based on your listing - great if you’re just starting - while manual targeting lets you hand-pick terms like “leak-proof water bottle” for more control.
Set a Sensible Budget
Decide on a daily budget - £10 is a decent starting point. You’ll only pay when someone clicks, so you can tweak this later if your ads start pulling in sales.
Nail Your Keywords
For manual campaigns, dig into keyword tools like Helium 10 or Amazon’s suggestions. Go for specific, high-volume terms - think “stainless steel water bottle UK” rather than just “water bottle” to attract the right crowd.
Decide Your Bids
Set how much you’ll pay per click - start at £0.50 or so. If a keyword like “eco-friendly flask” brings in sales, bump up your bid to stay ahead of the pack.
Polish Your Ad Creative
Sponsored Products ads pull from your listing’s title and main image, so make sure they’re top-notch. A cracking title and a crisp photo can make all the difference in click-throughs.
Launch and Keep Tabs
Hit “Launch Campaign” and check in regularly on stats like impressions, clicks, and ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale). If your ACoS creeps above 20%, tweak your bids or keywords to keep profits healthy.
Refine as You Go
After a week or two, look at what’s working. Pause keywords with loads of clicks but no sales - like “water bottle with straw” - and shift budget to the winners.
Additional Tips for Success
Want to squeeze more out of your Amazon PPC campaigns? Try these practical tips.
Experiment with Ad Types
Mix it up with Sponsored Brands for a bit of brand buzz or Sponsored Display to re-engage shoppers who’ve browsed your stuff. Each type has its strengths - test them to see what clicks with your goals.
Add Negative Keywords
Chuck out terms like “cheap” if you’re selling premium gear. This stops you splashing cash on clicks that won’t turn into sales.
Boost Listings First
A cracking listing - sharp images, punchy bullet points - sets your ads up to win. Sort this before you spend a penny on PPC.
Ride the Seasonal Wave
Crank up bids for trends - like “Christmas gift ideas” in December. Timing your ads right can give sales a proper lift.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t let these slip-ups derail your PPC efforts - here’s how to dodge them.
Letting ACoS Run Wild
A high ACoS (say, over 30%) means you’re losing money on every sale. Keep an eye on it and adjust bids or keywords to stay in the black.
Going Too Broad with Keywords
Vague terms like “shoes” waste your budget on tyre-kickers. Stick to specifics like “women’s running shoes size 8” for buyers ready to splash out.
Skipping Negative Keywords
Without them, you’ll pay for daft clicks - like “free water bottle” when you’re selling premium ones. Add negatives to keep your spend sharp.
Forgetting to Check In
PPC isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Ignore your campaigns, and you’ll burn through cash - check weekly and tweak as needed.
Getting to grips with Amazon PPC can feel like a game-changer for your store. Start small, test what works, and scale up as you see results. With a bit of know-how - and maybe a nudge from Amazon advertising managed services - you’ll be driving traffic and racking up sales in no time. Ready to give it a whirl?