Amazon PPC Management: DIY, Agency, Or Software?

When you’re up to your elbows in the Amazon selling game, one of the big questions that crops up is how to handle your PPC (Pay-Per-Click) campaigns. 

There are three primary paths: managing campaigns yourself (DIY), hiring an agency, or using specialized software. 

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Doing It Yourself: Empowering but Demanding

Taking the DIY approach to Amazon PPC is like being the captain of your own ship. You’re in charge, making all the calls, from keyword selection to bid management. It’s a great way to learn the ropes, getting down and dirty with the ins and outs of PPC. But, let’s be real – it’s not all smooth sailing.

Here’s the thing: managing PPC campaigns is no walk in the park. It demands your time, attention, and a good chunk of your day. You’re juggling keyword research, monitoring bids, and keeping up with Amazon’s ever-changing algorithms. 

As an Amazon seller, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with all of the tasks that come with running your business. Sourcing products, managing inventory, and of course running advertising campaigns. 

Then there’s the skill set. PPC is a beast of its own kind. If you’re new to it, prepare for a steep learning curve. And if you slip up, it could cost you more than just a few bucks. 

A good place to start though, are free PPC courses. You can get a good understanding of what you will be dealing with on the day-to-day, and learn the important basics.

Hiring an Agency: Experts to Take Your Business to the Next Level

The Amazon marketplace is a complicated one, which is why you need an agency that specializes in it. They’ve got the know-how, the tools, and the experience. They’re out there every day, plowing through the fields, so they know what works and what doesn’t.

An experienced Amazon-focused agency will have the skills and resources you need to succeed in a variety of areas, including:

• Efficient Strategy: A good Amazon PPC agency will align your PPC strategy with your broader business goals, helping you effectively grow your business.
• Optimized Campaigns: Amazon experts will know exactly which levers to pull to reach your specific goals. Whether that’s eliminating ad waste or lowering your ACoS. 
• Grow Organic Sales: Any good Amazon agency will actually work to reduce your reliance on ads over time and improve your organic sales. 

But all this expertise comes with a price. Agencies aren’t free, and if you’re running a tighter ship budget-wise, or you are just starting out, this could be a bit of a stretch.

Though, there are a wide range of options out there, so you’re sure to find an agency that works for you. Here’s how to find the best Amazon Marketing Agency for your business.

Software Solutions: Semi-automated Management

Software solutions for PPC management offer a balance between manual control and automated efficiency. These tools use algorithms and machine learning to automate repetitive tasks like bid management and keyword research, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error.

While software solutions are generally more affordable than hiring an agency, they may lack the nuanced understanding and strategic thinking that human experts bring. Relying solely on software can result in less personalized campaign strategies that may not fully align with the unique aspects of your brand or market.

Also, you will still have to manage it yourself, as this choice isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it option. So add this into consideration when calculating the actual cost of using software, as your time is very valuable.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Choosing between DIY, an agency, or software boils down to what your specific goals and needs are. It’s about your budget, how much you know (or want to learn) about PPC, how much time you can dedicate, how far along are you in the Amazon marketplace and what where you want your brand to be.

If you’ve got the time and you are willing to learn the ropes, or you are very new to Amazon and just not ready to invest much, DIY could be a good fit for you. If you’d like pros that will help your business with expertise, and ready to take your business to the next level, agency is definitely the way to go. And if you’d like a bit of automation, while still managing PPC yourself, software solutions might be the way to go.

In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer in Amazon PPC management. Consider your needs, weigh your resources, and pick the path that’ll lead to where you want your business to be!