onX · B2C · outdoor GPS map apps
Judge a new ad network by whether sales grow while conversion rates hold
Formal incrementality tests with some partners came up short for a niche audience
Mixedanalytics-attribution
What they did
Uses Kochava as MMP, including its smart links across the website, to track what works. Rather than relying on formal incrementality tests (hard at scale and with a niche audience), watches install -> trial and trial -> purchase rates closely with marketing automation partners: if a new network launches, rates hold and purchases grow, assume incrementality. Uses the web funnel (less affected by ATT) and search demand to watch the halo effect of paid spend.
What happened
Some incrementality tests with partners came up a little short.
In their words
Sub Club by RevenueCat · Channel Experimentation and the Tiktokification of Video Ads — Ryan Watson, onX“I think that's really critical to, you know, if you launch a new network and and uh your your rates don't change, but, you know, purchases grow, you can assume some incrementality there.”
“Um but man, some of the incrementality tests that we have done with with certain partners seem to come up a little um little short.”
Related topics
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More from onX
All 14 onX tacticsMore from this episode
- onX: Sell the maps on SD cards in hunting stores first, then use that money to build the appSold out right away in Montana; buyers asked for other states; funded the app
- onX: Name the company after what people type into Google, like huntinggpsmaps.comGuest says it worked well and fueled early growth; no numbers
- onX: Write helpful hunting articles so readers can be shown ads laterBrings some direct sales, but mainly fills the retargeting audience; no numbers
- onX: Advertise where you can target by interests, and try lots of video ad networksMany third-party display video networks failed; a few found the customer
- onX: Try Snapchat and TikTok ads even if you think your customers aren't thereSnapchat brought customers and still gets spend; TikTok became a great channel
- onX: Have your marketers film their own low-budget TikTok adsSome of the team's self-made ads were among their best; no numbers
- onX: When a short video ad works, run it on every channel and tweak it for eachShort lo-fi video generally does well everywhere, with small per-channel differences
- onX: Pay hunting influencers for content and loyalty, not just promo-code salesGuest says it helps retention and supplies ads, blog and site assets; no numbers
- onX Hunt: Give top-tier members deals from partner brands, like $200 off dog trainingMeant to lift upgrades and keep members longer; no numbers shared
- onX Hunt: Lead ads with the one feature everyone talks about, then teach the restLand ownership maps are the easiest way in; no numbers
- onX: Use push and in-app messages to teach new users the features that matterGuest calls it a huge part of their marketing; no numbers
- onX: Send people you retarget to buy on your website, not in the appKeeps about 30% more revenue per sale; install ads still drive most acquisition
- onX: Test free trials that turn into paid plans unless people cancel
- onX: Build a separate app for each hobby instead of one app for everyoneSome cross-sales between apps, but small; no bundle yet