If you are a business owner, marketing professional or a student interested in the field of marketing, then it is common knowledge that Google’s search network is one of the most powerful platforms to help you to reach your potential customers.
In order to display ads to your target audience on Google’s search and display network, you would need to be well-versed in using the Google Adwords program. So what is Google Adwords, do you ask?
Google Adwords enables businesses to display ads on Google and its advertising network. With Adwords, you can choose a set budget and only pay for ads when someone clicks on it. The platform is designed around the use of keywords.
Now in order to learn how to use Google Adwords effectively, it is recommended that you get a Google Adwords certification. There are many agencies and institutes that conduct courses in the use of Google Adwords platform however if you do not have the time or the resources to get training from an institute, you can get trained and certified for free right at home.
Google has made all of its learning resources available for free which consists of theory as well as easy to digest videos that will simplify the whole process. So in order to get certified, here are the following steps that you would need to go through:
1.) SIGN UP FOR A GOOGLE PARTNERS ACCOUNT
Google Partners is a special program set by Google to help advertisers, marketing professionals and individuals to get access to a range of features like events, certifications, training’s, research material, and more. You have an option either to create an agency profile or an individual profile. All you need to do is follow these steps and you will be able to get an account immediately: Sign Up for Google Partners
2.) PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS
You would need to study in order to crack the certification exams. Fortunately, Google provides the study material for free which can be easily accessed online and downloaded as a PDF as well. In order to get certified though you would require to clear at least 2 out of the 6 available exams with a minimum passing score of 80%.
Here are links to the exam study guides:
- AdWords Fundamentals
- Search Advertising
- Display Advertising
- Mobile Advertising
- Video Advertising
- Shopping Advertising
3.) TAKE THE EXAM
Now once are done preparing for the exams, it is time to finally give the test. These exams are online with a time limit and you need to keep in mind that you won’t be able to pause the timer after you have started the test.
In order to take the test:
- Sign in with your Partners
- Click on the Certifications tab
- Click see exams
- Navigate to the exam you would like to take and click Exam Details
- Click on Take Exam
Once you have cleared a minimum of 2 exams you will be officially certified by Google with the Google Adwords certification. It should be noted that even though you can get certified in this method, it is always better to have had some prior experience in setting up campaigns on the Adwords interface.
