Join us at The Whalies • April 10th
Get Your Ticket
Blog
What's a Good ROAS? (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

What's a Good ROAS? (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

By 
Last Updated:  
March 18, 2024

Imagine you're driving down the highway with your eyes glued to the rearview mirror. It's easy to get fixated on what's behind us, but in doing so, we risk missing what's right in front of us. This same danger applies to businesses fixated on what is a good ROAS (Return on Advertising Spend)

Don't get me wrong, ROAS is an essential metric for digital marketers, but focusing solely on this metric can lead to missed opportunities and even roadblocks to growth.

In this blog post, we'll explore the common misconceptions of what is a good ROAS and the impact it has on businesses. We'll also share best practices for improving ROAS, the role of context, the importance of balancing ROAS with other metrics, and much more.

So buckle up and keep your eyes on the road ahead!

What Is ROAS?

Building a foundation of knowledge around what is a good ROAS begins with understanding the definition.

Definition of ROAS

ROAS is an eCommerce metric that measures the revenue generated by advertising campaigns relative to the advertising costs or ad spend.

How To Calculate ROAS

To calculate ROAS, you need to know the revenue generated by the advertising campaign and the ad spend. The formula for calculating ROAS is:

ROAS = Revenue generated by advertising campaign / Amount spent on the advertising campaign

For example, if your Facebook advertising campaign generates $10,000 in revenue and the total cost of the campaign is $2,000, the ROAS would be 5.

But, if you want yourself the trouble, just plug in these values in our ROAS calculator. Then you can get your ROAS for your ad campaigns

Why ROAS Is Important

ROAS is important because it helps businesses measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns.

A high ROAS indicates that the ad campaign is generating a lot of revenue relative to your advertising costs, while a low ROAS indicates that the advertising campaign is not generating as much revenue as it should be.

By measuring ROAS, businesses can make informed decisions about how to allocate their ad spend and improve the performance of their campaigns.

The Flaws of Traditional ROAS Metrics

How Traditional ROAS Metrics Are Misleading

Traditional return on ad spend metrics can be misleading because they only take into account the revenue generated by ad campaigns and not the overall impact of those campaigns on a business's bottom line.

For example, a campaign that generates a high ROAS may still be costing the business money if it is not driving repeat business or increasing customer lifetime value.

The Relationship Between Traditional ROAS Metrics and Business Objectives

Traditional ROAS metrics are often not aligned with a business's objectives. For example, a business may prioritize customer acquisition over revenue generation, and a high ROAS may not necessarily indicate success in this area.

The Impact of Traditional ROAS Metrics on Campaign Performance

Focusing solely on traditional ROAS metrics can also limit a business's ability to optimize its campaigns for other important metrics, such as customer acquisition or customer retention. This can lead to missed opportunities and suboptimal campaign performance.

The Evolution of ROAS Metrics

Similar to traditional marketing metrics, ROAS metrics have evolved to provide businesses with a more comprehensive view of their advertising campaigns' performance and ad spend.

A photograph of large computer servers in a server room.

New ROAS Metrics in the Era of Big Data

As businesses have access to more data than ever before, new ROAS metrics have emerged that take into account a wider range of factors, such as customer lifetime value and customer acquisition costs. These metrics provide a more holistic view of campaign performance and allow businesses to optimize their campaigns for a wider range of objectives.

The Advantages of New ROAS Metrics

New ROAS metrics provide businesses with a more accurate view of campaign performance and allow them to optimize their campaigns for a wider range of objectives. This can lead to better overall performance and a higher return on investment.

The Limitations of New ROAS Metrics

New ROAS metrics can be complex and require businesses to have access to a lot of data. This can be a barrier to entry for smaller businesses or those with limited resources. Additionally, new ROAS metrics may not always be aligned with a business's objectives or may not accurately reflect the impact of advertising campaigns on a business's bottom line.

Factors Affecting ROAS

ROAS is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors, and businesses need to consider these factors when analyzing their campaigns and making decisions about how to allocate their advertising budget.

Internal Factors Affecting ROAS

Budget Allocation

The amount of money a business allocates to its advertising budget can have a significant impact on ROAS. If a business has a limited budget, it may not be able to run as many campaigns or target its audience as effectively, which can lead to a lower ROAS.

Target Audience

The target audience is another important factor that can affect ROAS. If a business is targeting the wrong audience, it may not generate as much revenue from its advertising campaigns, which can lead to a lower ROAS.

Product Quality

The quality of a business's products or services can also impact ROAS. If a business's products or services are of low quality, it may not generate as much revenue from its advertising campaigns, which can lead to a lower ROAS.

External Factors Affecting ROAS

Market Competition

The level of competition in a particular market can also affect ROAS. If many other businesses are advertising in the same market, it may be more difficult for a business to generate revenue from its advertising campaigns, which can lead to a lower ROAS.

Economic Conditions

Economic conditions, such as a recession or a boom, can also impact ROAS. During a recession, consumers may be more hesitant to spend money, which can lead to a lower ROAS. During a boom, consumers may be more willing to spend money, which can lead to a higher ROAS.

Industry Trends

Industry trends, such as changes in consumer behavior or new technological advancements, can also impact ROAS. Businesses need to stay up-to-date with these trends and adjust their advertising strategies accordingly to maximize their ROAS.

A photograph of a green traffic light with the words "GOOD ROAS" glowing next to it.

How To Determine a Good ROAS

ROAS can be a valuable metric for measuring the effectiveness of digital advertising campaigns. However, determining what constitutes a "good" ROAS can be challenging, as it depends on a range of factors, including business objectives, context, profit margins and benchmarks.

The Relationship Between ROAS and Business Objectives

The relationship between ROAS and business objectives is critical for determining what constitutes a good ROAS. For example, if a business's primary goal is to generate brand awareness, a lower ROAS may be acceptable if the campaign is reaching a wider audience. On the other hand, if a business's primary goal is to generate revenue, a higher ROAS may be necessary to achieve this objective.

The Role of Context in Determining a Good ROAS

Context is also essential when determining a good ROAS. For example, the ROAS that is considered good in a highly competitive market may be different from the ROAS that is considered good in a less competitive market.

The Importance of Benchmarking

Benchmarking against industry standards and competitors can also help businesses determine what is a good ROAS. By comparing their ROAS to similar businesses, they can identify areas for improvement and adjust their campaigns accordingly.

ROAS Best Practices

To optimize ROAS, businesses should follow certain best practices, including experimentation, optimization, and data analysis.

Tips for Improving ROAS

One way to improve ROAS is to experiment with different advertising strategies and channels. By testing and optimizing campaigns, businesses can identify what works best for their target audience and optimize their ad spend accordingly.

The Importance of Experimentation and Optimization

Optimizing campaigns involves continuous experimentation and optimization to ensure that advertising dollars are being spent effectively. By analyzing campaign performance data, businesses can identify areas for improvement and adjust their campaigns accordingly.

The Role of Data Analysis in Improving ROAS

Data analysis is also critical for improving ROAS. By analyzing campaign performance data, businesses can identify which campaigns are driving the most revenue and adjust their advertising spend accordingly.

A photo of a small plant growing out of the sandy ground.

The Impact of ROAS on Business Growth

ROAS can have a significant impact on business growth, but it is important to balance ROAS with other metrics and goals.

The Relationship Between ROAS and Business Growth

A higher ROAS can lead to increased revenue and profitability, which can support business growth. However, focusing solely on ROAS may lead to missed opportunities for other growth strategies, such as expanding into new markets or developing new products.

The Potential Risks of Focusing Solely on ROAS

Focusing solely on ROAS may also lead to a narrow focus on short-term gains at the expense of long-term growth. Businesses need to balance their ROAS goals with other metrics, such as customer lifetime value and brand loyalty.

The Importance of Balancing ROAS With Other Metrics

To achieve sustainable business growth, businesses need to balance their ROAS goals with other metrics, such as customer lifetime value and brand loyalty. By taking a holistic approach to digital marketing, businesses can maximize their return on investment and support long-term growth.

Common Misconceptions About ROAS

Several common misconceptions about ROAS can lead to ineffective campaigns and missed opportunities.

The Myth of a Universal Good ROAS

One of the most common misconceptions about ROAS is the belief in a universal "good" ROAS. The reality is that what constitutes a good ROAS depends on a range of factors, including business objectives, context, and benchmarks.

The Dangers of Over-Reliance on ROAS

Another common misconception is the over-reliance on ROAS as the sole metric for measuring digital marketing success. While ROAS is a crucial metric, focusing solely on it can lead to tunnel vision and cause businesses to miss out on other important aspects of their digital marketing strategy.

The Role of ROAS in the Larger Picture of Digital Marketing

ROAS is just one part of the larger picture of digital marketing. It’s important to remember that digital marketing involves a wide range of activities, from building brand awareness to driving website traffic to generating leads and sales.

While ROAS is a valuable metric for measuring the success of specific campaigns, it’s important to also consider other metrics, such as click-through rates, engagement rates, and customer lifetime value, to get a more holistic understanding of the effectiveness of your digital marketing efforts.

A photo of a hallway with bright screens on either side. One says "FUTURE OF ROAS"

The Future of ROAS

As digital marketing continues to evolve, so too will the metrics used to measure its success. Here are some predictions for the future of ROAS metrics:

Predictions for the Future of ROAS Metrics

Increased Emphasis on Customer Lifetime Value

While ROAS is a valuable metric for measuring the success of specific campaigns, it doesn’t provide a complete picture of the lifetime value of a customer. As a result, businesses may start to place more emphasis on measuring customer lifetime value to get a complete understanding of the return on their marketing investment.

More Sophisticated Attribution Models

Attribution modeling is the process of determining which touchpoints in a customer’s journey led to a conversion. As digital marketing becomes more complex, so too will the attribution models used to measure its success. Businesses may start to use more sophisticated models, such as algorithmic attribution, to get a more accurate understanding of which touchpoints are driving the most conversions.

For instance, Triple Whale is leading the charge of developing sophisticated attribution models, Total Impact Attribution model. Our total impact attribution model gives you access to accurate attribution data by collecting zero-party data. With the help total impact attribution model, Triple Pixel allows you to make informed business decisions.

Greater Use of Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics involves using data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning techniques to identify the likelihood of future outcomes. As businesses collect more data on their customers and their marketing efforts, they may start to use predictive analytics to forecast the ROI of future campaigns and make more informed marketing decisions.

The Impact of Emerging Technologies on ROAS

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things are likely to have a significant impact on the future of ROAS metrics. These technologies will enable businesses to collect and analyze even larger amounts of data, which in turn will enable them to make more informed decisions about their marketing investments.

The Potential Challenges of Future ROAS Metrics

As ROAS metrics become more sophisticated, businesses may face new challenges in terms of data privacy and security. Additionally, businesses may find it difficult to keep up with the rapidly changing digital marketing landscape and may struggle to adapt their strategies to new technologies and platforms.

Final Thoughts

Return on Advertising Spend (ROAS) is a critical metric for digital marketers, but it's not the be-all and end-all. As we've seen in this blog post, there are many misconceptions about what makes a good ROAS and the dangers of relying solely on this metric.

To succeed in the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, businesses need to balance their focus on ROAS with other metrics, experiment, and optimize their campaigns, and keep an eye on the bigger picture of their business objectives. By doing so, they'll not only achieve a good ROAS but also drive sustainable growth and success. So keep your eyes on the road ahead and remember, ROAS is just one piece of the puzzle.

Learn more about Triple Pixel and how it can help you with achieving better data and ROAS!

Learn More About Triple Pixel Today!

© Triple Whale Inc.
266 N 5th Street, Columbus OH 43209