Everything You Should Know About Microsoft Advertising
In today’s competitive e-commerce world, smart merchants know that success isn’t just about being seen, it’s about being seen in the right places, at the right time by the right people. Microsoft Advertising for e-commerce offers a unique blend of reach, relevance, and results.
Microsoft Advertising is one of those audience networks, with an ecosystem that contains Bing, Microsoft Edge, Outlook, LinkedIn, and more.
Whether you’re scaling up or just getting started, Microsoft Advertising makes smart advertising easier than ever. Let’s break it down, no jargon, no fluff. Just real answers to real questions from merchants like you.
What is Microsoft Advertising exactly?
It is Microsoft’s digital advertising platform with a multi-format ecosystem powered by the operating system, Windows. For merchants who don’t know, it’s a lot more than just Bing.
Here, ads can appear across a wide network of surfaces such as Microsoft Edge, Outlook, MSN, Xbox, LinkedIn, and even Connected TV platforms like Netflix and Roku. That means your products can show up where people are working, browsing, shopping, and streaming.
Why should E-commerce merchants pay attention?
In Microsoft Advertising, the audience is more affluent and more likely to convert. Shoppers who see ads across both Microsoft Search and Audience Networks are more likely to convert than those who only see a search ad.
Further, many merchants find lower CPCs on Microsoft Advertising, making it a cost-effective option to stretch your budget further.
– What kinds of ads can you run?
Microsoft Advertising offers a variety of formats tailored to different goals:
Search Ads: Appear on Bing when users search for relevant keywords. Great for capturing demand at the moment of intent.
Shopping Ads: Show product images, prices, and store names, ideal for e-commerce merchants looking to drive clicks and sales.
Audience & Display Ads: Visual ads that appear across Microsoft’s audience network, including Outlook, MSN, and Microsoft Start.
Video & Connected TV Ads: Run on platforms like Netflix and Discovery+, perfect for brand storytelling and awareness.
Performance Max Campaigns: AI-powered campaigns that automatically optimize across all formats to drive conversions.
What is Microsoft Copilot, and how does it help?
Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant, and it’s a game-changer for advertisers. It helps merchants:
- Write ad copy
- Generate visuals
- Optimize campaigns in real time
But it’s also part of the user experience. When shoppers search using Copilot, it understands their intent and shows highly relevant, interactive ads.
For example, a query like “best eco-friendly yoga mats” can show your product with images, reviews, and pricing in a simple and shoppable layout.
How do I get started?
If you’re using the Simprosys Shopping Feed app, you’re already halfway there. The app makes it easy to:
- Connect your e-commerce store to the Microsoft Merchant Center Store.
- Automate product feed updates
- Track conversions
- Apply bulk edits and create automated feed rules
- You don’t need to be a digital marketing expert to launch high-performing campaigns.
How much should I budget?
You can start small, even $5 a day can go a long way. Lower CPCs on Microsoft Advertising help your budget go further, and automated bidding strategies like Maximize Conversions or Target ROAS use AI to optimize your results.
What are some best practices?
- Import your best-performing Google campaigns to get a head start.
- Use automated bidding to let Microsoft Advertising optimize for performance.
- Test different creatives, like what works on other advertising platforms might not work here.
- Don’t ignore Bing-specific keywords, and search behavior can vary.
– What are the common problems that merchants face?
1. Drop in ROAS after increasing bids in the campaign
If your campaign’s ROAS peaks and then drops when you raise bids, don’t keep increasing them. Instead, create a new type of campaign; your original campaign may have hit its efficiency limit.
2. Importing a campaign from other ad platforms
- Don’t make too many changes right after import; let the campaign gather data first.
- Review your campaign structure and ad extensions, as not everything transfers perfectly.
3. Facing bid strategy issues
- Setting a max CPC with Target ROAS can override your manual bids; double-check settings after switching strategies.
- If conversions drop below 30 in 30 days, Target ROAS stops optimizing. Switch strategies.
By watching for these common errors, you’ll keep your campaigns performing at their best!
– Is it right for small businesses?
Yes, Microsoft Advertising is friendly to small and medium-sized merchants. It’s less crowded, more affordable, and offers AI tools to help manage campaigns easily.
Final thoughts
Microsoft Advertising isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a smart-to-have for e-commerce merchants who want to reach more customers. With lower CPCs, AI-powered tools like Copilot, and access to Microsoft’s ecosystem of high-intent shoppers, you can start small and scale smart. Ready to give your business the competitive edge it deserves?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of campaigns can I run in Microsoft Advertising?
You can run Search Ads, Shopping Ads, Audience Ads, App Install Ads, Pmax campaigns, and Multimedia Ads, all in different stages of the buyer journey accordingly.
2. Is Microsoft Advertising good for small businesses?
Yes, it is good for small businesses as it has less competition, a lower cost per click (CPC), and its AI power tool helps to reduce the time needed for creating ads.
3. Is it better than other ad platforms?
Microsoft Advertising can be beneficial when businesses want high-intent traffic and reach beyond Google and Meta, with a good return on ad spend, especially with broader targeting options.
4. How is Copilot used in Advertising?
Copilot makes your ad campaign process smooth. It helps to write Ad copy, create AI-generated images, gives suggestions to create effective campaigns effortlessly, and keeps your ads running smoothly.
Leave a Reply