Ask HN: Implementing Test Adwords Campaign?

[aaronblohowiak]

I read on here that a great way to test the market for a potential idea is to create a landing page with email signup and run an Adwords campaign. If you get people signing up, then you know that there is at least some demand (one step closer to making something that people want.) What I was wondering is: what kind of conversion rate would signify that this is something people want? What CTR? How much of a budget makes sense to dedicate to this kind of market research? Do you include a link to a survey?

Thanks.

[thepanister]

Well, it depends on! I have already done such a thing before for my startup, and here is what I did: 1- I created adwords campaign with $105 (I paid $10 only, and I had $100 adwords coupon), and I made the landing page is my startup's homepage.

2- I optimized the homepage to make it ready to use for the users without having to signup. So when the users visited the homepage, they knew what they should do - it was clear to them.

3- I added Google adwords' code for conversion on another page to measure if the users will reach to the point I want them to. Google Adwords will provide you with a code that you put on the target page that you want users to reach to, and if they do, then it means for you that they acheived your target. For example, if you ask users at the home page to signup, then you add that code at the other page that will be for completed signup.

4- I found more than 90% of the people reached that target page, and I was so glad that I made something people want and would use.

It was a service that I provided online. I did not make signup because I just wanted to know if users would even be interested in using this service or not, and for how long.

I was so glad with the results.

If you want free $50 Google Adwords coupon code, I don't mind sharing it with you.

[aaronblohowiak → thepanister]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Using the conversion tracking code for the signup page is a good idea. I am totally impressed and amazed by your 90% -- I hope to get half of that =D

Can you explain what you mean by number 2 in more detail?

An Adwords coupon code would be great, thanks! - aaron.blohowiak@gmail.com

[thepanister → aaronblohowiak]

Well, Firstly, I am sorry for my late response. Secondly, I hope you received the $50 Google Adwords link I sent you via email.

About #2: There is a fact here that you realize - I guess, that users will visit your website from Google paid adveritising. They chose your website - so you should not disappoint them. Also you should choose the keywords carefully, and make sure that who search for these keywords is searching for your website! You can make a benchmark for 2 campaigns, to see which keywords work better, if you are confused about the best keywords to use.

Also about optimizing the homepage... Users are more likely to have an idea about your website, even before they visit it - simply because they visited your website based on the keywords. Whatever, you should make the landing page ready to use for the users!

I hope I am not confusing you, so I will give you an example. If users are searching for a service like uploading and sharing photos, you should make the landing page with a demo video to show users why they should use your service, and upload box to use your photo uploading service. [this is an example] Also give them a clue why your service is better than other services, like: unlimited storage, easy sharing, and all the benifits.

Talking about benifits... you should not talk about the features of your website! You should mention the benifits.

Sorry for making it long, but I did not have time to make it shorter, Good luck for you.