Google Website Optimizer is a tool--nothing more, nothing less, Campbell argues, and a tool in the absence of strategic thinking is
worthless. "Prior to even using the tool, the strategy must be developed, data analysis completed, benchmarks/KPIs established, hypothesis written, confidence intervals agreed upon, etc," he says. And
that's what clients look to search firms for.
Meanwhile, the free optimizer tool is also geared toward the lowest common denominator of advertisers. "Like GA (Google Analytics), GWO
is built for the general masses and that will not suit advanced/custom experiments or data analysis," Campbell says.
And then there's the whole church and state concern. "Be it justified or not, there is reluctance to share conversion data (and profitability) with a media vendor who sets pricing (i.e. minimum bids for AdWords placement)," Campbell says.