Google AdWords - Split Testing And Other Pay-Per-Click Programs

How can I do a-b-c split testing using Google AdWords?

Answer: Follow these steps for a-b-c split testing using Google AdWords:

Step #1: Login to your Google AdWords campaign at http://www.google.com/ads.

Step #2: You will see a list of your campaigns. Click on the campaign that you want to a-b-c split test. You may have ad groups. Click on the ad groups. On the right hand there will three tabs including: summary, keywords, and ad variations.

You can split test your ad groups. If you click on your ad groups it will show you the ads you are actually displaying. If you click on "view all", it will show you all the ads that you are running including the ad variations.

If you only have one ad in your campaign then you will need to create a new ad so you can do split testing. Click on "create ad". Click on "text ads" and create your ad. This gives you a variation ad that you can test.

Step #3: Go back to your campaigns and click on "edit campaign settings". There is a function I want you to change so you can run a true a-b-c- split test. Click on the function called "advanced options". Make sure that "ads serving" is set as "rotate " show ads more evenly.

You do not want the "ads serving" option to be "optimize - show better performing ads more often". Why? The reason is because if you are running a true a-b split test, you want the ads showing to alternate between ad A and ad B evenly. Otherwise, your test results can be skewed because it will only run the ads that are performing better. This won't let you get a true idea of the results of the a-b split test.

Question #2: Besides Google AdWords, is there any other pay-per-click programs you use?

Answer: Yes, Google AdWords is not the only pay-per-click program I use. I also use MSN Ad Center at http://www.adcenter.microsoft.com. You can get leads and sales through this pay-per-click. It costs only about $5 to start. You only pay when somebody clicks on your ad, just like Google. It's really easy to use.

I also use Yahoo Search at http://www.searchmarketing.yahoo.com. Sometimes they offer credits, such as $50, for signing up. Look for promotions to help get you started.

I also use AdBrite at http://www.adbrite.com. You can run text, banner, and video ads. It runs a little differently in that they put the ads directly on websites. So they don't really have a search engine network like the other pay-per-click programs. They have 67,574 sites. You tell them your target audience, such as age, gender, keyword, etc. and they find websites that match your criteria and put your ads on them.

Tip: You should test out AdBrite to see how it works for you. I've found that in some markets AdBrite works extremely well while in other markets AdBrite falls behind.