Question from newbie. Can't understand Traffic Estimator.

Discussion in 'Google AdWords' started by SuperDennis, Sep 16, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hello everybody,

    I am trying to start my first Google AdWords campaign in my life, but I never agree for a deal if I don't fully understand how it works. I have been reading a lot of things about AdWords and everything is clear, but when it comes to the campaign Traffic Estimator goes crazy (or I'm just too stupid).

    I have entered Maximum CPC $100 and Daily budget $250,000 to see the highest bids and determine the competition for one single keyword "[alabama court records]" (I put the keyword into square brackets for exact match). I also chosen English language and United States territory in previous steps. Now Google shows that my average bid will be $0.47 - $0.59, ad position 1 - 3, but Clicks / Day 0 - 1, and Cost / Day $1. How can this be understood?

    Thanks much,
    Dennis.
     
    SuperDennis, Sep 16, 2007 IP
  2. ppc-cpc

    ppc-cpc Guest

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    #2
    Hi Dennis,

    Good that you shared numbers....
    Traffic estimator always give approximate figures of clicks, cost, etc... Usually less then actual what we achieve.

    We would suggest you to lower down the CPC to about $2. Daily budget about $100 or so. make the campaign live and see what kind of response you receive. Then depending on the objective make the changes.....


    Rgrds,
    PPC - CPC

    Ask How PPC works ?
     
    ppc-cpc, Sep 16, 2007 IP
  3. magda

    magda Notable Member

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    #3
    Aren't they just showing you that the phrase is hardly ever searched for? You'll get an average of no clicks to 1 click a day, which will cost 47c to a dollar a day. The figures aren't exact because they're dealing with averages, and predicted estimates. Some days you'll get no clicks, some days 2 or 3.
     
    magda, Sep 16, 2007 IP
  4. parkaboy

    parkaboy Peon

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    #4
    When the Traffic estimator says that you get 0-1 clicks per day, what it's saying is that it thinks that keywords gets very very little traffic per day (keep in mind, adwords ads only get a fraction of traffic with most going to organic serps).

    The obvious solution is to find higher traffic keywords or bid on more low-traffic ones.

    However, the Estimator is often way off, so these keywords with 0-1 estimated clicks may actually get more traffic. There's no way to know until you test it out with real money (scary, yes).
     
    parkaboy, Sep 16, 2007 IP
  5. SuperDennis

    SuperDennis Peon

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    #5
    Thanks to everyone for recommendations. Based on my Treffic Estimator experiments setting Maximum CPC $0.20 with Daily budget $100 brings the same results as Maximum CPC $0.20 with Daily budget $10, so I guess Google thinks these keywords are not frequently searched (while I am pretty sure of directly opposite :D).

    I am having 32 similar keywords to the one in my first message and now I gonna start campaign with Daily budget $10 and Maximum CPC $0.2 (to my big regret maximum I can spend per click is $0.23 based on my ROI and conversion analysis). I am going to put all phrases into square brackets for exact matches and exclude Content Network from search. At least, if I loose my money I am going to learn the real conversion for these exact keywords :D.

    Here are results predicted by Traffic Estimator:

    Search Network Total (this is for all 33 keywords together)
    Estimated Avg. CPC: $0.11 - $0.20
    Estimated Ad Positions: 4 - 6
    Estimated Clicks / Day: 13 - 20
    Estimated Cost / Day: $2 - $4

    Well, will see how it performs :)...
     
    SuperDennis, Sep 16, 2007 IP
  6. GuyFromChicago

    GuyFromChicago Permanent Peon

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    #6
    The traffic estimator is for entertainment purposes only:)
     
    GuyFromChicago, Sep 17, 2007 IP
  7. parkaboy

    parkaboy Peon

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    #7
    Note that maximum cpc is often waaay higher than the actual amount you'll end up paying on average. So if you're willing to pay an average of 22c max. you could probably (though who knows for sure) put it up as high as 30c or so.
     
    parkaboy, Sep 18, 2007 IP
  8. PPC-Coach

    PPC-Coach Active Member

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    #8
    The traffic GUESSTIMATOR is a piece of junk. Never rely on it.
     
    PPC-Coach, Sep 18, 2007 IP
    GuyFromChicago likes this.