At adgoji, we’ve been analyzing the evolving landscape of digital advertising to understand the key pain points and trends shaping the industry. We conducted research across a wide variety of industries to better grasp how businesses are utilizing digital platforms, what challenges they face, and what they’re looking for when it comes to digital marketing solutions. Here’s a summary of our findings, based on feedback from professionals in various sectors.
Who is Investing in Digital Advertising?
Our research shows that a broad spectrum of industries is engaged in digital advertising, but there are a few standout sectors that rely on it more heavily:
- Professional Services and Retail/Wholesale are leading the charge, with many companies investing in digital marketing to reach their target audiences more effectively.
- Other key industries using digital advertising include Manufacturing, Personal Services, Culture, Amusement, Sports, and Media. This diversity reflects the broad applicability of digital advertising across different sectors.
Interestingly, industries like Water, Energy, Waste, and Farming/Fishing show significantly lower adoption rates, potentially signaling untapped opportunities for growth in these areas.
Written by: Marie Claire Melis
Who is Making the Decisions?
When we looked at the positions of those involved in managing or overseeing digital advertising, the majority—51%—of respondents are in Management positions. Directors and VP-level executives account for another 24%, showing that a large portion of digital advertising decision-making comes from the top levels of leadership. Surprisingly, no respondents identified as being at the entry-level, which suggests that digital advertising management is seen as a more advanced role that requires experience.
How Experienced Are Advertisers?
Experience in digital advertising varies, but here’s what we found:
- 22% of respondents consider themselves highly experienced, having managed various campaigns across platforms.
- A larger portion—41%—has handled multiple campaigns over a longer period but still might need support to fully optimize their efforts.
- Another 36% have run a campaign or two but lack deep expertise, reflecting the need for platforms that cater to users at varying skill levels.
One notable takeaway is that none of the respondents claimed zero experience. This suggests that even those entering the digital advertising space have some prior knowledge, but the gap between novice and expert is still significant.
What Platforms Are Most Popular?
It’s no surprise that Google Ads dominates the landscape, with 39% of respondents using this platform. However, Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) and Twitter Ads tie for second place at 14%, showing that social media is still a major player in the advertising game.Other platforms like Pinterest, Bing, and Amazon Ads also play a role, though they see less widespread use. Despite their lower adoption rates, these platforms may offer valuable niche opportunities depending on your business goals.
What Are the Pain Points?
The feedback we received highlights several challenges businesses face when it comes to digital advertising:
- Costs: 15% of respondents flagged the high costs associated with digital advertising as a major issue. With increasing competition, ad spend can quickly spiral out of control, especially if campaigns are not optimized effectively.
- Effort and Time: Managing campaigns is perceived as time-consuming by 23% of respondents, with many pointing out that the time it takes to optimize ads can be overwhelming.
- Effectiveness: Another 23% feel that the results they are getting from digital advertising aren’t living up to their expectations.
- Knowledge Gaps: A significant 20% of respondents struggle with the technical knowledge required to run effective campaigns, underscoring the need for more user-friendly tools and platforms.
Ease of Use Across Platforms
Interestingly, respondents rated Pinterest Ads and Meta Ads as relatively easier to use, while Google Ads and more specialized DSP platforms (like Adobe Advertising Cloud and MediaMath) were rated as harder to navigate. The complexity of DSPs is a known challenge, as these platforms require a deeper understanding of programmatic advertising and audience segmentation. adgoji’s goal is to simplify this process, making even the most advanced tools accessible to everyone.
Conclusion: What Advertisers Are Saying
From our research, it’s clear that digital advertisers face several challenges, from the steep learning curve of managing platforms to the rising costs of campaigns. The key takeaways from our respondents:
- Knowledge is key: Many feel they lack the expertise needed to run highly effective campaigns.
- Time is a limiting factor: The time required to manage campaigns effectively can be daunting.
- Current tools are complicated: There’s a clear need for more intuitive platforms that reduce the complexity of campaign management.
- Results fall short: Advertisers often feel they are not seeing the returns they expected from their ad spend.
- Cost concerns: The increasing cost of digital advertising is another significant barrier, particularly for smaller businesses.
At adgoji, our mission is to tackle these challenges head-on. Our platform is designed to be extremely easy to use, offering smart suggestions to improve your campaigns with just a click. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, adgoji helps you save time, reduce costs, and get better results from your digital marketing efforts.
Ready to take control of your digital advertising?
Try adgoji today and see how we’re making digital advertising simple and effective for everyone.
