Google Adwords Certified

One of the things that my new employer stressed to me when I was hired was, they wanted me to be Google Adwords certified. This was perfect! One of the reasons that I made this career change was to expand my horizons and continue to learn and grow as a person and professional. I am proud to say that I am officially Google Adwords Certified!

When I was at Visit Lake County, I knew what Google Adwords was and how important it was to have part of the marketing program. Due to the small staff and workload, we farmed this out to an agency to handle. I would provide them with keywords for each season, target audience, specific landing page for the ads, cost, etc. They would then manage the program. Now, I get to be on the other side of it, where I am managing the program, creating the ads, handling the bids/budget, and trying to generate as many conversions from Adwords for my clients as possible.

What is Adwords?

Google Adwords is Google’s advertising system in which advertisers bid on certain keywords in order for their ads to appear in Google’s search results.

Why should a SEO marketer be Adwords certified?

Passing the Google Adwords certification test is an indicator of competency designed to show you have an understanding of the adwords interface and managing a campaign.

1. You’ll improve your PPC performance 
2. You’ll learn about new features you many not be using
   1. The Adwords test covers things like Conversion Optimizer, Website Optimizer, Google Analytics, the Content Network, and much more. Things experienced adwords strategists maybe aware of but not experts at, so it’s always good to get refreshers and keep learning.
3. Clients and Employers look for this.
   1. If you working at an agency offering PPC management, Adwords certification is a must-have. Clients may not know what it entails, but the perception that you’re certified, ensures you know what your doing and talking about.
   2. For the agency that you are employed at to be a Google Partner, it is required that an employee be Adwords certified.
   3. Getting certified demonstrates to your employer that you are serious about your job and you want to be the in-house expert on the subject.
   4. If you’re a digital marketer and have the adwords certification on your resume, you may get interviews over other applicants who don’t have the certification. Employers know about the certification and they do put a lot of stock into it.
4. You will better yourself by learning.
   1. One thing that my grandma constantly told me when I was growing up is to never stop learning. As a kid, I didn’t think too much of it, but ever since graduating college and joining the corporate world, I have had a thirst for knowledge. I have taught myself the basics of html coding and continued to learn and improve my craft of social media and digital marketing.
5. Google will include you in their Adwords professional search.
   1. Google has a search tool to help perspective advertisers find an Adwords certified professional. Potential advertisers enter their information and the help that they need and Google serves up a list of certified Adwords professionals matching that criteria. It’s good to be included in the Google network.

About Google Adwords Certification Exams

The Adwords certification tests are designed to test your knowledge of basic and advanced online advertising concepts and best practices. You must be signed up for Google Partners to access the Adwords exams.

You must pass 2 of the certification exams to become Adwords certified; the Adwords Fundamentals exam and one of the following: Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Mobile Advertising, Video Advertising or Shopping Advertising. I passed the Fundamentals Exam and the Search advertising. Before taking the adwords exams I highly recommend that you have on the job experience, so you are familiar with interface, concepts and running a campaign. Google offers study guides for each exam that go through what will be covered for each topic. You need a score of 80% to pass each test, which must be completed in the specified time limit. If you do not pass, you have to wait 7 days before you can retake it.

I am now officially Google Adwords Certified! Was it worth it? For me, absolutely it was. I learned a lot more than I already knew and was able to add another skill set to my repertoire. I am now looking at taking an other Adwords test to expand my knowledge and keep learning.