How to Calculate Conversion Rate in Google Ads

7 minute read

ThoughtMetric Metric Calculation

If you’re running an advertising campaign on Google Ads, you want to make sure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck. That’s where conversion rate comes in. Understanding how to calculate conversion rate and how to improve it can help you maximize the return on your investment. Here’s everything you need to know about calculating conversion rate in Google Ads.

Understanding Conversion Rate in Google Ads

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of how to calculate conversion rate in Google Ads, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is conversion rate? Simply put, conversion rate is the percentage of clicks on your ad that result in a desired action, such as a sale or signup. It’s a key metric that helps you measure the effectiveness of your advertising campaign.

Conversion rate is an important metric for any business that wants to improve their online marketing strategy. By understanding your conversion rate, you can better optimize your ad campaign to achieve better results. Conversion rate is a measure of how many people who see your ad actually end up taking the desired action, whether that’s making a purchase, filling out a form, or subscribing to a newsletter.

What is Conversion Rate?

Conversion rate is calculated by dividing the number of conversions (desired actions) by the number of ad clicks. For example, if your ad receives 100 clicks and 10 of those clicks result in a sale, your conversion rate is 10%. Essentially, conversion rate tells you how well your ad is performing.

It’s important to note that conversion rate is not the same as click-through rate (CTR). CTR measures the number of clicks your ad receives divided by the number of times your ad is shown. Conversion rate, on the other hand, measures the number of clicks that result in a desired action. While CTR is a useful metric for measuring the success of your ad copy and targeting, conversion rate is a more accurate measure of your ad’s overall effectiveness.

Importance of Conversion Rate in Google Ads

The importance of conversion rate in Google Ads cannot be overstated. It not only helps you assess the effectiveness of your advertising, but it can also help you optimize your ad campaign for better results. By tracking your conversion rate, you can identify areas for improvement and make changes to your ad targeting, copy, and landing pages.

One way to improve your conversion rate is to optimize your landing pages. A landing page is the page that a user is directed to after clicking on your ad. If your landing page is poorly designed or confusing, users may be less likely to take the desired action. By creating a clear and compelling landing page that matches the messaging in your ad, you can increase the likelihood of conversion.

Another way to improve your conversion rate is to test different ad copy and targeting strategies. By experimenting with different ad formats, headlines, and calls to action, you can identify which strategies are most effective at driving conversions. You can also use data from your conversion rate to adjust your targeting parameters, ensuring that your ads are reaching the right audience.

In conclusion, conversion rate is a critical metric for any business that wants to succeed in Google Ads. By tracking your conversion rate and making strategic adjustments to your ad campaign, you can improve your overall ROI and drive more business through your website.

Setting Up Conversion Tracking in Google Ads

In order to accurately calculate your conversion rate in Google Ads, you need to set up conversion tracking. Conversion tracking allows Google to track and report on the actions that users take on your website after clicking on your ad. Here’s how to set up conversion tracking in Google Ads:

Types of Conversions to Track

Before you set up conversion tracking, you need to determine what actions you want to track. These actions are known as conversions and can include purchases, form submissions, phone calls, and more. By tracking these actions, you can better understand how users are interacting with your website and ads.

How to Set Up Conversion Tracking

Once you’ve determined what conversions to track, you can begin setting up conversion tracking in Google Ads. To do this, you’ll need to create a conversion action and add the tracking code to your website. Google provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this in their Help Center.

Verifying Conversion Tracking Setup

After setting up conversion tracking, it’s important to verify that it’s working properly. You can do this by checking for conversions in your Google Ads account and by testing the tracking code on your website. It’s crucial that you ensure your conversion tracking is accurate before relying on it to make campaign optimizations.

Calculating Conversion Rate in Google Ads

Now that you have conversion tracking set up, you can begin calculating your conversion rate in Google Ads. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

Understanding the Conversion Rate Formula

Conversion rate is calculated by dividing the number of conversions by the number of ad clicks and multiplying by 100. The formula looks like this:

Conversion Rate = (Conversions / Clicks) x 100

Analyzing Conversion Rate Data in Google Ads Interface

Google Ads provides a wealth of data on your campaign’s performance, including your conversion rate. By analyzing this data, you can identify opportunities for improvement, such as low-converting keywords or ineffective ad copy.

Interpreting Conversion Rate Results

It’s important to interpret your conversion rate results in the context of your specific campaign goals and metrics. A high conversion rate is desirable, but it’s not the only metric that matters. For example, a high conversion rate may not be worth it if your cost per conversion is too high.

Tips to Improve Conversion Rate in Google Ads

Now that you know how to calculate conversion rate in Google Ads, let’s look at some tips to improve it:

Optimizing Ad Copy and Landing Pages

Your ad copy and landing pages play a huge role in determining your conversion rate. Make sure your ad copy is relevant and compelling, and that your landing page provides a clear path to conversion with a strong call to action.

Targeting the Right Audience

Targeting the right audience is key to driving conversions. Use demographic targeting, as well as audience and keyword targeting, to make sure your ads are being shown to the right people.

Adjusting Bids and Budgets

If your conversion rate is low, it may be worth adjusting your bids and budgets to focus on higher-converting keywords and placements. Experiment with different bid strategies and budgets to find the best combination for your campaign goals.

Conclusion

Calculating conversion rate in Google Ads is an important step in measuring the effectiveness of your advertising campaign. By setting up conversion tracking, analyzing your data, and making adjustments, you can optimize your campaign for better results. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to driving more conversions with Google Ads.

Use ThoughtMetric to Calculate Conversion Rate

Try ThoughtMetric and start understanding the performance of your e-commerce marketing today.

Sign up for free