Knowledge is power. This is especially true when it comes to online advertising, where every search engine and social media platform has a unique set of guidelines for making the process work best.
While there are a ton of different options out there, our awesome team has put together this post to help you understand more fully. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) certifications and when you should consider taking part in them.
Before we dive into the most popular options available, we need to first discuss why you would want to consider getting these certifications in the first place. After all, it takes time and effort to learn the information and follow the associated programs with each platform. The truth comes down to this: the more knowledgeable and well-rounded your Pay-Per-Click education, the better you can market your business with online advertising. Simply put, there are way too many different aspects to each of these platforms that it would be virtually impossible to design a one-size-fits-all marketing approach to all of them at once.
Instead, it is better to learn each one individually before trying to include all of them in your overall paid marketing mix. Taking a combination of courses is often the easiest way to achieve this.
Perhaps the best and very first place to start when it comes to your PPC education is the free Google Analytics Certification. While it doesn’t explicitly cover Pay-Per-Click advertising, it is the gold standard when it comes to all Digital Marketing certifications. After all, you want to make sure you understand the basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) before you really dive into the Search Engine Marketing (SEM) pool. We’ve previously covered this program and several related organic SEO courses here on our blog.
Next, consider studying Google Tag Manager Fundamentals. This is a separate part of the Google Analytics Certification, but it highlights some of the most important aspects of utilizing tags to track results. There are only four units in the course, making it a short and robust program to have your entire team study for improved online advertising results.
Yet another part of Google’s free Analytics Academy is Introduction to Data Studio. Here is where you’ll learn how to visualize data, run reports, share results, and more. This is definitely a little more advanced for most marketers, but it gives you insight into how to determine if your paid advertising results are working as well as you hope they would.
Getting a little deeper into the specifics of paid advertising is the Google Ads Certifications. This is a great way to learn all the finer details of paid search marketing across the entire Google platform. Again, the program is free, but there are five different ones you need to consider studying. These include:
While anyone can sign up for the previously mentioned courses, Google Ads Certification requires that you become a partner first. To learn if you qualify, click here.
If you’re looking outside the Google platform for knowledge, consider becoming a Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional. The learning material for the program is free, but you do have to sign up to take the final test and pass with an 80% or higher score. As a fun bonus, for every person that passes the final certification test, the company plants ten trees. Great for the environment and great for your Pay-Per-Click knowledge—a win-win for all!
Paid advertising on social media platforms is another aspect of a well-rounded media mix. Make sure you understand all the fundamentals by taking part in the various Facebook Blueprint Certifications. Programs range from those intended for digital marketing associates all to master level developers. They also cover more than just Facebook, but also the whole suite of programs, including Instagram and Whatsapp. Topics generally range from best practices to what the company is doing to ensure privacy. Learn more at the Facebook for Business website now.
If you sell products via Amazon or use it as a fulfillment channel for your eCommerce store, the Amazon Sponsored Ad Accreditation program is essential. Their learning platform is self-paced and free, making it an excellent option for educating your entire team. To access the dashboard or to learn more, click here.
The next question most people want to know is if they really need all of these PPC certifications. The truth is no, but if you choose not to, you should consider working with a partner you can trust that has this expertise.
At Zero Gravity Marketing, our team of experts works hard to keep our finger on the pulse of all the latest Pay-Per-Click techniques and trends. If you’re too busy running other areas of your business or don’t want to spend the expense of adding PPC experts to your in-house team, we can help. Please contact us today to learn more.