How ROI and ROAS are Different? And When to Use Which?

ROI (return on investment) and ROAS (return on advertising spend) are both measures of how effective a company's marketing efforts are. ROI measures how much money a company makes from its marketing efforts, while ROAS measures how much money a company makes from its advertising spend. They're both used to measure the effectiveness of a marketing campaign or product effectiveness, but you should know about some important differences.

The Difference Between ROI and ROAS

ROI is a measure of profitability. It refers to how much profit you make after subtracting all costs from your revenue - takes into consideration not only the revenue generated from advertising but also the costs of running the campaign, the value of any leads or sales generated, and the overall profitability of the campaign.

ROAS, on the other hand, represents the percentage of revenue that you get back for each dollar spent on an ad campaign or product development initiative.

ROI is a much bigger investment than ROAS

While ROAS (return on advertising spend) is a popular metric for measuring the success of digital marketing campaigns, it's important to remember that ROI (return on investment) is a much bigger investment. In other words, ROI measures the profitability of an entire marketing strategy, not just individual campaigns.

ROI considers the complete cost of a marketing strategy, including the cost of goods sold, overhead, and other related expenses, making it a more accurate measure of profitability. ROI is also a long-term metric, while ROAS is a short-term metric, meaning that the former is a more reliable predictor of future success.

Calculations are different

ROI takes into account the total investment made into a campaign, while ROAS looks only at the amount spent on advertising. To calculate ROI, simply divide the net return of an investment by the original investment cost. For example, if investment costs $100 and generates a net return of $120, the ROI would be 20%.

ROAS is a key metric for evaluating the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns. For example, if a company spends $100 on advertising and generates $500 in revenue, its ROAS would be 5x. This would be considered an excellent ROAS, as the company is generating 5 times the amount of revenue for each dollar spent on advertising.

ROI is a much more complex and time-consuming process than ROAS

ROI is a much more complex and time-consuming process than ROAS. To properly calculate ROI, you must take into account the revenue generated from the sale of goods or services and the costs associated with acquiring and retaining customers. Businesses also need results or evidence (or both) before making an informed decision on whether something should be continued in the future.

In contrast, ROAS doesn’t need much data, as it simply involves comparing the revenue generated from your marketing campaigns over time to what you've paid for them. Marketers can easily calculate ROAS by using simple formulas, and if they are not getting value from their ad spend, then there's no need to invest in it further – but with ROI, this isn't the case!

ROI often looks at several key metrics; ROAS has one specific financial goal

ROI often looks at several key metrics to evaluate the success of a marketing campaign or strategy. ROAS, on the other hand, has a more specific financial goal: to generate a certain amount of revenue for every dollar spent on advertising. While ROI can help evaluate the overall effectiveness of a marketing effort, ROAS can be more useful in determining whether or not a particular campaign or ad is meeting its financial goals.

Key Takeaway

So, which metric should you use to measure the success of your campaigns? Well, it depends on your goals. If you are looking to measure the overall profitability of your campaigns, then ROI is the metric for you. However, if you are looking to measure the effectiveness of your advertising, then ROAS is the metric you should use.

Whatever metric you choose to use, make sure you are consistent in how you measure the success of your digital marketing campaigns. Being consistent will allow you to accurately compare the results of your campaigns and make informed decisions about how to improve your digital marketing strategy.