Did you know that over a billion people use Google every single month? If you are in the marketing world, are a marketing manager, or you own a small business, it is a smart move to obtain a Google Ads Certification. We have put together this step-by-step guide to teach you how to go about receiving your certification.
Read on to learn exactly what you have to do.
Step 1
First, you will have to select your Google account if you already have one or create a new account. For those getting their certification for a company or for an agency they are working with, then you probably have to use your work email.
If you are doing this for your own knowledge and business, then you want to choose a Google account that you want your certification tied to.
Step 2
Once you are logged in the Google account that you want, then you will go to skillshop. Once you are in skillshop you can click the search button and type in “Google Ads Display Certification.”
Here you can read what you can expect and once you are ready to begin you will click the “Get Started” button. For those using Skillshop for the first time, you will have to accept the terms before moving forward.
After accepting the terms, you then have the option to share your account certification status with your company if you choose. You can also select “no” and move towards the next step.
Step 3
There is a Google Ads training or basic education info offered by Google to help you prepare for your exam. For those that are brand new to the world of Ads, then you might want to consider starting with the Google Ads search certification before one of the other certification exams. There are other trainings you can find on sites such as Onlineadvertisingacademy.com that will help you prepare further.
Starting with this certificate first is a smart move because search ads are the most common type of ads that a company will run. Make sure you plan on spending a few hours to go through all the training content. Even if you have more knowledge in managing Ad campaigns, it doesn’t hurt to still go through the modules for a refresher.
Each module will have sample questions, which are really helpful during your preparation because they are written in the same format as the real exams.
Step 4
After you complete the training programs available and take all the notes you need, it’s time to take the actual exam and pass. You can choose to take only the Google Ads Certification or all of the other certifications that Google offers.
Please keep in mind that if you fail an exam, you have to wait a certain number of days before you can attempt to take the exam again. But, you are allowed to take the exam as many times as you need until you pass.
Tips When You Take the Test
One of our top tips is to take notes that you can consult while you are taking your exam. As of right now, Google doesn’t have restrictive browsing limits while you are taking your exam, but this can change in the future.
Make sure while you are answering questions, you pace yourself. There is no need to rush through the exam because you will more than likely end up with extra time in the end if you do.
It is important that you plan your laptops’ battery power if you are taking your exam from a laptop vs a desktop. Also, have your charger handy in case your battery starts running low.
Before taking the exam, make sure you have enough sleep, and you are well hydrated. Don’t forget to eat foods that are high in omega-3s to give you more brain power.
Exam Duration
Depending on the exam you choose, the time limit will vary. Typically, you have between 1 and two hours allotted. Only a few people use the entire time, and most only use half the time and end up failing.
This is why we can’t stress our tip above enough about taking your time and not rushing through the exam.
Certification Badges
After you pass the exam, you will receive a certification badge that you can show off on your LinkedIn profile. The badge will automatically make your profile more search-engine friendly, and it will also add credibility to your profile.
Recruiters are actively looking for these badges, so if you are looking for your next marketing position, this badge can make a world of a difference.
Cost
As of the writing of this post, it doesn’t cost you anything to take the exam and receive your certification. In the past, though, it used to cost money to take the exam. This can quickly change, so it is a smart idea to take it while it is free.
Ready to Get a Google Ads Certification?
Now that you learned the step-by-step instructions to get your Google Ads certification, you can start taking the steps right away to move forward and get certified. Hopefully, now you are feeling more confident to ace this exam.
Having this certification is going to help you stand out because many of the new marketers out there don’t have this certification on their resume simply because they don’t realize the value of it. Even if you are not planning on having a role in PPC, understanding the principles of Google Ads will help you in your marketing career.
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