PPC Automation with Spreadsheets
In our opinion, nothing spoils the fun of PPC more than repetitive optimizations. Luckily we have the antidote: PPC automation. Only a few clicks are needed to optimize Amazon Sponsored Products campaigns in a semi-automated way. We would like to show you how to set up your campaigns and configure them so that they do a big part of the manual work for you.
1. Download your performance report in Amazon Seller Central
Amazon is kind enough to provide us with a basic toolset to make our lives easier. Right, we will use "Bulk Operations" available in Amazon Seller Central. Its functions offer a great foundation for half-automated campaign management and optimization.
After you log into Amazon Seller Central, go to Advertising and then click on Campaign Manager, select Bulk Operations.
Bulk operations navigation
Here you can configure your spreadsheet and download an individual template. We advise you to select the following settings:
- Date range: 60 days
- Exclude:
- Terminated Campaigns
- Campaign items with zero impressions
Amazon Seller Central - Bulk operations - Sheet settings for PPC optimization
2. Save time & money: Deactivate flop ads and keywords in bulk
Perfect! You have downloaded your latest Excel template. Now it's time to identify the big cost factors in just a few steps and pause them in the account.
Seller Central Spreadsheet
Let's:
- Open the Excel file. The file contains the performance data of your keywords and placements as well as your products' ads. FYI: We used Microsoft Excel in this example.
- Create a filter in the headline.
- Select the filter in the column "Record type" and display "Ad" and "Keyword". In order to get a clearer picture, we hide the performance data of the type "Ad group" and "Campaign".
Amazon PPC Hacks - Bulk edit in Excel - Record Type
- Now we would like to filter out our most clicked ads and keywords. Open the filter in the column "Clicks" and have all items displayed with more than 100 clicks.
Clicks
- In the next step, we want to display all elements that did not lead to any orders despite more than 100 clicks. Set the filter "Orders" to 0.
Orders
- Now you see all ads and keywords that have generated more than 100 clicks in the last 60 days, but not a single order.
Your list is empty? Then you don't seem to have any ads and keywords that match to your filters - good :)
- Now we'll take a radical approach and set the status of all activated keywords and ads to "paused". This guarantees that you no longer face unnecessary click costs. You have to know: these elements will not trigger any orders later, unless you activate them explicitly.
3. Re-Upload: Upload your spreadsheet again to Amazon Seller Central
Save your modified Excel file. You can now simply upload the spreadsheet back to Amazon Seller Central - your changes will be applied immediately.
You nailed it! From now on the flop ads and keywords are paused. They will not cause any trouble in your account anymore. Perfect, right?
Please be extra careful that you have not made any changes accidentally. You can, of course, make more changes in future optimizations!
Hopefully, after this short information, nothing stands in your way of getting started with bulk operations! Or are you in the mood for more, already?!
Okay, we have one more bulk edit that can make your life easier:
- Vary the amount of minimum number of clicks and orders
- Increase or decrease the bids for keywords in bulk, depending on your performance
Happy optimizing!
