Optimization – the Beauty of Digital
In reviewing a monthly digital report with a client, at the SEM (Search Engine Marketing) section we reported on the quantity of phone calls and form-fills generated from paid search ads. The numbers were encouraging, on paper: increasing CTR (click through rate), increasing call volume, and increasing conversions. However, my client expressed a disconnect between the numbers and what they were seeing in terms of revenue.
The phone calls were recorded, so I listened to a sample set. After taking notes on over 200 calls, I identified the following.
9.55% were already a lead
30.57% were current customers (calling to ask a question or schedule an appointment)
4.46% were a potential lead (not an exact match, but a bit of selling could have moved them along)
19.11% were qualified leads (exact match for the services)
19.75% were junk
16.56% were not a lead (vendors, salespeople)
While it is difficult to avoid all waste in an SEM campaign (or any campaign, for that matter), we had identified that there was room for improvement and could now optimize against it.
This is the beauty of digital. We can review data and act on it. We can optimize in real-time.
The LEAD digital team was able to make significant improvements in a short amount of time.
In the following 8-week period, qualified leads increased to 40% of the total calls, while the junk calls decreased by 5%. Junk calls decreased by another 10% in the 8-week period after that.
Additionally, training points were delivered to the client to help their phone staff better position the company to win business. Their primary role was initial info gathering and routing (not sales), but they were also the first touch many prospects would make with the company. It was essential to equip them with tools to make that first touch a consistent and informed prospect experience.
Listening to these calls became a standard part of our service for this client. It allows us to optimize the campaign effectively and helps our clients strengthen their house.
