Smarter Ecommerce (smec) vs. retailAds

Smarter Ecommerce (smec) is a leading PPC software provider and performance marketing agency that helps ecommerce brands achieve better business outcomes through AI-driven optimization of Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising.

The smec platform connects and activates first-party business data - including profit margins, customer lifetime value (CLV), and other key business metrics - to deliver data-informed advertising strategies. Dynamic Segments allow retailers to optimize for business outcomes such as profitability (POAS), average order value (AOV), and revenue growth, maintaining control over business priorities even as advertising platforms become more automated and less transparent.

The platform's predictive AI adjusts Target ROAS and allocates budgets across all campaigns to improve overall performance and increase efficiency in achieving business objectives. Detailed product and campaign insights provide transparency into how automated campaigns perform, helping PPC teams govern AI effectively and see what's happening inside the "black box”.

By automating routine PPC tasks and centralizing management across Google and Microsoft Ads, smec helps retailers with extensive product catalogs maintain agility and efficiency. Teams can focus on strategic oversight, data quality, and profit optimization, while automation manages campaign execution aligned with live business goals.

In addition to its platform, smec delivers full-service agency support across Google, Microsoft, Meta, and programmatic channels, offering full-funnel strategy, data engineering, conversion tracking, and marketing analytics. This combination of technology, data, and expertise positions smec as a trusted partner for scaling ecommerce performance.

Founded in 2007, Smarter Ecommerce is recognized as a Google Premier Partner, was named a Google Ads Impact Award Finalist in 2025 and is a three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year. smec currently manages over €500 Million in annual ad spend, driving more than €5 Billion in ecommerce revenue for over 350 global retail clients, including THG, Snipes, REWE, Decathlon, EMAG and Intersport.

What is retailAds

retailAds is a specialized performance network for online shops and part of the verticalAds Group.

With more than 230 employees at nine locations worldwide, the verticalAds Group offers sector-specific performance marketing solutions in Europe and Latin America. This includes the further investments communicationAds and financeAds as providers of vertical networks.

As part of the VerticalAds Group, retailAds offers technical solutions for online marketing of products and services with a focus on growth and program management – combined with the appropriate service.

Online shops should be able to benefit from a state-of-the-art platform for time-saving & comfortable program management. Sales tools & features should ensure appropriate customer acquisition and generation of new reach.

In addition to the options of a public affiliate network, retailAds also offers solutions and conditions of a private network. In addition, there is the possibility to implement international campaign control in addition to local markets.

The retail(Ads) specialist stands out for the following features:

Technology

Tracking solutions depending on requirements combined with data protection & security standards taking into account current data protection requirements.

Platform & Features

A platform solution developed for the online retail sector with retail-specific tools & features for program management and program administration.

Publisher Quality

Publisher portfolio with a focus on brand safety and fraud prevention. Our network offers access to international collaborations within the verticalAds Group partner network.

Service

Network industry experts offer individual customer strategies for a partner program development with a focus on growth and key account management.

Security & Quality

With over 15 years of existence in the market, the verticalAds Group offers a specialized network solution that not only aims at security and compliance, but also tries to go beyond industry standards. Security concepts are designed to ensure the highest level of security.

For more Information and prices can be requested via the retailAds website.