Amazon PPC management: Should you hire an agency or DIY?

TL;DR 

• Amazon PPC boosts product visibility and sales but requires constant optimization and strategy.

• Managing PPC yourself is possible, but time-consuming and risky without proper knowledge.

• Challenges include keyword selection, bidding, performance tracking, and ongoing updates.

• Hiring an Amazon PPC agency offers expert support, saves time, and improves ROI.

• Agency brings access to premium tools, full-funnel strategies, and scalable campaign management.

• Common mistakes to avoid include ignoring negative keywords, relying only on auto campaigns, and not tracking ACoS.

Running ads on Amazon is easy to start, but hard to master. With ad space getting more competitive and costs rising, managing Amazon PPC effectively has become a critical part of growing a successful brand.

That’s why more sellers are asking: should I handle it myself, or hire an expert?

Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) helps boost your product visibility and drive more sales, but it comes with a steep learning curve. From keyword research and bid strategies to tracking ACoS and optimizing daily, it can quickly eat up your time and budget.

This blog helps you answer that question. We’ll break down what Amazon PPC management really involves, the pros and cons of doing it yourself, and when hiring an agency might be the smarter move. Whether you're new to Amazon or trying to scale faster, this guide will help you make the right call for your business.

What is Amazon PPC Management?

Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) management is the process of setting up and improving paid ads on Amazon. These ads help your products appear in top spots like the first page of search results or on competitor listings. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad.

Managing PPC means more than just running ads. It includes finding the right keywords, setting smart bids, organizing your campaigns, and checking performance regularly. The goal is to get more sales, control your ad spend, and keep your ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale) low.

If you're launching a new product or want to grow faster, PPC can bring more traffic to your listings and help you compete with other sellers. With the right strategy, Amazon PPC can increase visibility, boost rankings, and drive steady sales.

The challenges of Amazon PPC management

Running Amazon PPC campaigns can help your business grow, but managing them well comes with challenges.

• Finding the right keywords: If your keywords don’t match what shoppers are actually searching for, your ads won’t get clicks, or worse, you’ll waste money on the wrong audience.

• Setting the right bids: Bid too high, and your budget disappears fast. Bid too low, and your ads might not even show. Finding that sweet spot takes time and testing.

• Keeping track of performance: You need to regularly monitor your ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale), click-through rates, and conversions. Without checking your numbers, it’s easy to spend more than you should.

• Amazon PPC isn’t a one-time setup: You have to update keywords, pause poor-performing ads, and test new strategies often. If you’re short on time or not sure what to look for, this can get overwhelming quickly.

That’s why many sellers, especially in competitive markets like Australia, choose to work with Amazon PPC experts to save time, reduce ad waste, and get better results.

Can I manage my Amazon PPC campaign myself?

Yes, you can manage your Amazon PPC campaign yourself; many sellers start this way, especially in the early stages. Amazon’s ad platform is user-friendly, and with some time and learning, you can set up basic campaigns, choose keywords, and track performance.

However, PPC management takes more than just setting up ads. To get good results, you need to regularly monitor your campaigns, test keywords, adjust bids, and understand key metrics like ACoS and CTR. Without a proper strategy, it’s easy to waste money on ads that don’t convert.

If you have the time to learn and manage your campaigns consistently, DIY can work. But as your business grows or competition increases, it may become harder to manage everything alone. That’s when many sellers consider hiring an Amazon PPC management agency that saves your time, improves ad performance, and gets more sales without overspending.

Why should you hire an Amazon PPC agency?

Managing Amazon PPC campaigns effectively can be time-consuming and complex, especially if you’re trying to grow your business or juggle multiple tasks. That’s where hiring an Amazon PPC agency can make a big difference. Here’s why partnering with experts is often the smarter move:

#1 Expertise with Amazon’s ad platform

Amazon advertising isn’t like running ads on Google, Facebook, or Instagram. The way ads appear, how the bidding system works, and how shoppers behave on Amazon are unique. A good Amazon PPC agency understands this in detail.

They know how to set up and manage different Amazon product ads like Sponsored Products to drive sales, Sponsored Brands to build visibility, and Sponsored Display to retarget shoppers. They also know how to work with Amazon’s ever-changing algorithm and rules, so your campaigns stay compliant and effective.

#2 Data-driven strategy

Smart decisions come from data, not guesswork. A professional agency uses tools and analytics to track how your ads are performing. They look at what’s bringing in sales and what’s wasting your budget. They test different keywords, ad types, and targeting strategies to see what works best. Over time, they refine and improve your campaigns to help you get better results without overspending.

#3 Time-saving

Managing Amazon PPC campaigns takes a lot of time. You have to research keywords, adjust bids, monitor results, and optimize your ads regularly. If you’re also running a business, that’s a lot to handle. 

Hiring an agency means you get a team of experts to do all the heavy lifting. They take care of your ads so you can focus on other important parts of your business like product development, customer service, or growth planning.

#4 Ongoing optimization

Successful campaigns are never “set and forget.” They need constant attention. A good agency doesn’t just launch your ads and walk away. They regularly check how your ads are doing, pause ads that aren’t working, and increase budget or visibility on the ones that are. 

They also update keywords for Amazon content optimisation, change bidding strategies, and make sure your ads stay competitive, ensuring your money is always well spent.

#5 Access to premium tools

Top agencies use powerful software like Helium 10, Pacvue, and Perpetua to manage their ads. These tools help with deep keyword research, bid automation, competitor analysis, and detailed reporting. They’re not only expensive but also take time to learn. By working with an agency, you get access to these advanced tools and their benefits without having to buy or manage them yourself.

#6 Full-funnel strategy

Great PPC agencies think beyond clicks and impressions. They look at the whole customer journey, like how someone finds your product, what makes them buy, and how to turn them into repeat customers. They help improve your product listings, create compelling A+ Content, build your Amazon Storefront, and run retargeting campaigns. All of this works together to increase conversions and grow your brand long term.

#7 Scalability

As your Amazon business grows, your advertising needs will grow too. Managing one product is very different from managing 50 across different marketplaces. A good agency is built to handle this scale. They can manage large accounts, multi-country campaigns, and complex strategies without dropping the ball. You can rely on them to grow with you and support your business as it expands.

#8 Clear reporting and insights

Transparency matters. A reliable agency provides regular reports that are clear and easy to understand. They show what’s working, what needs fixing, and where your budget is going. You don’t need to guess or dig through data yourself. With these insights, you can make smarter decisions and feel confident that your ads are moving your business in the right direction.

Common mistakes to avoid 

• Ignoring negative keywords

• Not tracking ACoS and key performance metrics

• Using broad match keywords without control

• Running unoptimized product listings

• Setting and forgetting campaigns

• Relying only on automatic campaigns

• Bidding without a clear strategy

• Scaling too fast without enough data

Wrap up

Amazon PPC can drive real results, but only if managed correctly. While some sellers prefer to handle their campaigns on their own, the learning curve, time commitment, and risk of wasted ad spend often make it a tough road. 

On the other hand, hiring a professional Amazon PPC agency can save time, improve performance, and deliver a better return on investment through data-driven strategies and ongoing optimization.

If you’re serious about growing your brand on Amazon and want expert support, working with our experienced Amazon consultants is the way to go. Our team specializes in managing campaigns that align with your goals, whether it's launching a product, scaling sales, or improving ACoS. We use proven strategies, premium tools, and transparent reporting to help you succeed.

Let our Amazon consultants take the guesswork out of PPC! Contact us today!