Everything You Need to Know About Walmart Connect: A Comprehensive Guide

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If you’re a Walmart seller looking to grow your business through retail media, Walmart Connect could be a game-changer. But what exactly are Walmart Connect, and how can they help you reach more customers? In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from how Walmart Connect works to the different types of ads available.

What is Walmart Connect?

Walmart Connect (also known as Walmart Media Group) is Walmart’s in-house advertising platform designed to help brands engage with shoppers across its extensive digital and Walmart stores. Unlike traditional advertising channels, Walmart Connect utilizes Walmart customers’ data to create highly targeted and personalized advertising experiences. This platform offers a variety of ad formats, advanced targeting options, and access to millions of Walmart shoppers, making it a powerful tool for enhancing brand visibility and driving sales.

What Ad Types Does Walmart Connect Offer?

Walmart Connect advertising provides several ad products to cater to different marketing objectives. Here’s an overview of the key ad types available:

Sponsored Products

Walmart Sponsored Products (or Sponsored Search ads) are pay-per-click (PPC) ads that appear in Walmart’s search results and on product detail pages. These ads are designed to boost the visibility of specific products by targeting relevant keywords. When customers search for keywords related to your product, Walmart Sponsored Products will appear in the search results, increasing the chances of your product being noticed and purchased. This format is particularly effective for driving immediate sales and improving product rankings.

Sponsored Brands

Sponsored Brands ads feature a prominent banner with your brand logo and a selection of products. They appear at the top of Walmart searches, providing high visibility and helping to build brand awareness. Sponsored Brands are ideal for showcasing multiple products and driving traffic to your brand’s storefront on Walmart’s website or app.

Display Ads

Walmart Display Ads are a type of online advertising that visually showcases your products or brand on Walmart’s digital platforms. These ads typically appear as banners, images, or videos that are strategically placed throughout Walmart’s website and app.

In-Store Ads

Walmart Connect also offers unique in-store advertising options. These include digital screens placed in high-traffic areas, in-store radio, and self-checkout kiosks. In-store ads provide an opportunity to engage with customers as they shop, influencing their purchase decisions in real time. This format is particularly effective for driving impulse buys and reinforcing brand messaging at the point of sale.

Where Does Walmart Connect Ads Appear?

Walmart Connect’s diverse ad placements allow brands to reach audiences across multiple touchpoints. Here’s where your ads can appear:

On Walmart.com and the Walmart App

Whether you’re using search or display ads, your campaigns can be featured prominently across Walmart’s digital channels.

Here are some key placements for Walmart Connect sponsored ads:

  • Search in Grid: These ads are prominently displayed at the top of search results and on Browse pages.

  • Search Carousel: You’ll find these ads in Walmart’s carousels, which are labeled with titles like “More items to explore” in search results.

  • Item Carousel: These ads appear in the “Customers also Viewed,” “Customers also Considered,” and “Customers also Bought” carousels on product pages.

  • Item Buy Box: These ads are positioned just below the buy box on a competitor’s product page, giving you a strategic edge.

Across Walmart’s Partner Sites

Walmart Connect extends your ad reach beyond Walmart’s owned properties by displaying ads on a network of partner websites. This expanded reach allows your ads to be seen by potential customers even when they are not actively shopping on Walmart’s platforms, increasing overall brand visibility and engagement.

In-Store Placements

In-store advertising opportunities include digital screens, self-checkout kiosks, and in-store radio. These placements are strategically positioned to capture customers’ attention as they shop, providing a valuable opportunity to influence their purchasing decisions and reinforce your brand messaging.

What Kind of Targeting Options Are Available on Walmart Connect?

Walmart Connect offers several targeting options that can help advertisers refine their campaigns, though it’s important to note some differences compared to platforms like Amazon. On Walmart, you can target ads to specific keywords, similar to Amazon’s approach. This means your Walmart Product ad campaigns ads can appear when customers search for particular terms or visit product pages related to your chosen keywords.

However, unlike Amazon, Walmart currently doesn’t allow targeting specific products with search ad campaigns. This is a significant distinction, as many advertisers on Amazon use product targeting to place ads directly against competitor products. For instance, targeting a competitor’s higher-priced item with your more affordable alternative can effectively drive sales in your favor. Unfortunately, Walmart doesn’t offer this option yet.

Demographic Targeting​

Demographic targeting allows you to tailor your ads based on factors such as age, gender, income, and other demographic attributes. This targeting option helps ensure that your ads resonate with specific customer segments, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.

Geographic Targeting​

Walmart Connect enables brands to focus their ads on specific locations, such as cities, states, or regions. This is particularly useful for brands looking to target local markets or adjust their messaging based on regional preferences and trends.

Behavioral Targeting

Behavioral targeting allows you to reach customers based on their shopping behavior and interests. By analyzing past purchases, browsing history, and other behavioral data, Walmart Connect helps you identify customers who are more likely to be interested in your products, leading to more relevant and effective advertising.

Customer Matching​

Customer matching is a powerful feature that lets you use your own customer data to create custom audiences. This allows you to target ads to individuals who have previously interacted with your brand, increasing the chances of conversion and driving repeat business.

How to Craft a Successful Walmart Connect Campaign​

Creating a successful Walmart Connect campaign requires strategic planning and execution. Here are some key steps to help you craft a winning campaign:

Set Clear Objectives

Before launching your campaign, it’s important to define your goals. Are you aiming to boost brand awareness, drive sales, or promote a new product? Clear objectives will guide your campaign strategy and help you measure success effectively.

Choose the Right Ad Type

Selecting the appropriate ad format is crucial for achieving your objectives. For example, if your goal is to drive sales, Sponsored Products may be the most effective choice. If you’re looking to increase brand awareness, Sponsored Brands or Display Ads might be more suitable. Choose the ad type that aligns with your goals and target audience.

Optimize Your Budget

Effective budget management is essential for maximizing your return on investment (ROI). Allocate your budget based on your objectives, and adjust it as needed to optimize campaign performance. Monitor spending closely and make adjustments to ensure your budget is being used effectively.

Monitor and Optimize

Regularly review your campaign’s performance using Walmart Connect’s reporting tools. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Use these insights to make data-driven adjustments and continuously improve your campaign’s effectiveness.

How to Get Started with Walmart Connect​

Getting started with Walmart Connect is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to begin leveraging the platform for your brand:

  1. Create an Account: Visit the Walmart Connect website: https://advertising.walmart.com/. Click on the “Start Advertising” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to provide your business information, contact details, and tax ID.

  2. Set Up Your Profile: Provide information about your brand and products during the profile setup process. This information helps Walmart Connect tailor its offerings to meet your specific needs and objectives.

  3. Verify Your Email: Walmart Connect will send you a verification email. Click on the link in the email to confirm your account.

  4. Explore the Platform: Familiarize yourself with Walmart Connect’s features, including ad types, targeting options, and reporting tools. Understanding the platform’s capabilities will help you make the most of its offerings.

  5. Launch Your First Campaign: Start with a basic campaign to get acquainted with the platform’s functionalities. As you gain experience, you can experiment with more advanced strategies and ad formats to optimize your results.

Conclusion​

Walmart Connect offers a powerful platform for brands to connect with millions of shoppers at crucial moments in their buying journey. With a variety of targeting options and ad placements, businesses can effectively reach their desired audience, drive sales, and build brand loyalty. As Walmart continues to expand its digital presence, leveraging Walmart Connect’s capabilities will be key to staying competitive in the ever-evolving retail landscape.

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