You’re running YouTube ads, and they’re not working. Or maybe you’re thinking of running YouTube ads, but before you start dumping in your hard-earned cash, you want to make sure you know what you’re doing reasonably well.
In this video, we’re going to talk about the top six things you want to avoid when running YouTube ads. My name is Michelle B, you’re watching Learn with Shopify, and let’s get into it!
Why YouTube Ads Are Worth It
There are several advantages to advertising on YouTube, making it a powerful tool whether you’re a one-person show or running a large business. So, what benefits can you expect when running YouTube ads?
You’ll be happy to know that a good conversion rate for an e-commerce page (when looking at Google Analytics) is often 1-3%. For a YouTube ad campaign, a good conversion rate is usually over 12% (according to LinkedIn). This speaks volumes about the power of this advertising platform.
Massive Reach & Targeted Advertising
YouTube has a huge audience, with billions of users logging on every month. It’s a great platform to get your business in front of a large audience—but not just any audience. You can strategically choose who you advertise to with targeted advertising, right down to:
- Specific demographics
- Interests
- Viewing history
- Types of videos they typically watch
Highly Engaged Audience
Unlike other platforms where users might be multitasking or mindlessly scrolling, YouTube’s audience is dialed in. They’re often on the couch with their full attention on the screen, increasing the chances of your ad being seen and remembered.
6 YouTube Ad Mistakes to Avoid (Ranked by Spiciness 🌶️)
Some of you liked the ranking system in my last video, where we went from easiest to hardest tips (ranked by hot peppers). The harder the tip, the higher the heat. So, we’re doing that again!
1. Not Setting Up Conversion Tracking Properly (🌶️ Red Bell Pepper – No Spice)
When setting up your YouTube ads, you must ensure your conversion tracking is set up correctly. Imagine setting this up wrong and not having accurate data on your ad performance and ROI—yikes!
How to Fix It:
- Use Google Tag Manager tags (conversion tracking pixels log desired actions).
- Set up conversion actions so Google knows what to track (purchases, sign-ups, etc.).
- Test your tracking using Google Tag Assistant or simulate conversions to ensure data flows correctly.
Fun fact: Did you know red, yellow, and orange bell peppers taste the same? I closed my eyes, and they were identical. Mind. Blown.
2. Not Giving Your Ads Enough Time to Gather Data (🌶️ Shishito Pepper – 1 in 10 is Spicy)
If you run your ads for a short time and then panic-turn them off, YouTube can’t optimize effectively. Without enough data, the algorithm doesn’t know what works.
How to Fix It:
- Start with broad targeting (let the algorithm gather data).
- Once you have data, refine targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
- Be patient—don’t expect immediate results. It takes time for YouTube to learn what works.
Is anyone feeling the heat yet?
3. Having a Weak Landing Page (🌶️ Serrano Pepper – Medium Heat)
A killer ad with a weak landing page = lost sales. Potential customers will bounce if your page looks untrustworthy or isn’t mobile-optimized.
How to Fix It:
- Highlight benefits, not just features (e.g., “This water bottle fits in your cup holder—no spills!”).
- Use high-quality videos, catchy headlines, and short text (no massive paragraphs!).
- Add testimonials & reviews for credibility.
4. Ignoring Your Funnel Drop-Off Points (🌶️ Chocolate Habanero – Spicy!)
This one’s tricky because you need to analyze data and adjust messaging based on where people leave.
Example:
- Michael runs fitness ads but sees viewers click away early.
- He realizes the moves look too hard for beginners, so he adjusts the ad to address beginner struggles.
- Result? Fewer drop-offs and more completed views.
Key Takeaway: Test one change at a time to see what works.
5. Poor Ad Creative (🌶️ Carolina Reaper – Extreme Heat)
If your ad isn’t engaging, your campaign will flop.
How to Fix It:
- Follow a 5-part ad structure: Hook → Promise → CTA → Proof → CTA again.
- Check video length & drop-off points (where do people leave?).
- Test different variations (headlines, power words like “challenge” or “transformation”).
6. Pausing Campaigns Too Soon (🌶️ Bonus Tip – Don’t Fear Scaling!)
If your campaign is running out of budget but performing well, don’t pause it! YouTube may recommend increasing your budget to scale success.
Final Thoughts
Running YouTube ads takes testing, patience, and optimization. Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll be on your way to better results.
Want to Sell Online? Try Shopify!
If you’re running ads but don’t have an online store yet, consider Shopify. It’s an easy way to sell products worldwide. There’s a free trial in the description—check it out!
Life Update: Pickleball & Free Lessons
The other day, I played pickleball for 2 hours and got paired with a retired tennis coach. At first, I was annoyed (feminist mode activated), but then I leaned in—and got a free lesson! Two hours later, I was using my core like a pro.
