So I recently got a conversion using Adwords and now I want to optimize my campaigns. I basically turned off the ad groups that weren't converting and raised the bids for the converting ones. What other things can I do to maximize conversions? I don't think I have enough data for split testing? Thanks in advance
Another way (and the most important way) to maximize conversions is to make sure your landing page is optimized. Split testing will improve your click thru rate (CTR), but not your conversions.
Yes you need a statistically significant amount of data to do any optimizing of landing pages and ads.
The more clicks the better to be confident that one ad will consistently outperform another. I use 30 clicks which means I'm about 97% confident. I know a service which uses only 10 or 12 giving them a 90% confidence level. Same for conversions. You need enough of them to make a sound decision. Just a few is not enough. Of course, if your clicks or sales are few and far apart, that could take a long time.
Try using the dynamic keyword insertion method in your text ads, they have been known to generate more clicks than other text ads due to there ability to match the exact phrase that has been search.
i agree with @EwanBishop... once you get the user to click on your ad, you gotta make sure the landing page is top notch! Definitely test different landing pages. You'd be surprised how much of a difference little tweaks can make