We Are a Google Partner Specializing in Search Marketing,, Mobile, Shopping, and Display.
The start of each new year heralds the beginning of my Bing Ads and Google AdWords recertification cycles.
As a Bing Partner I must recertify each January to maintain my Bing Partner Status.
As a Google Partner, I must take two exams to recertify my AdWords credentials. I must take the AdWords Fundamentals exam and then one other exam. I typically take the Search Advertising exam as this is what is useful for the bulk of my clients.
This past year I certified in AdWords in Search, Mobile, Display, and Shopping. This year due to my workload I will certify in just the Fundamentals and Search.
The Bing Ads test is fairly easy, but the AdWords exams are typically difficult with the Search exam being the most difficult out of all the exams available. March and April are my AdWords recertification months.
I personally find the training interesting, but time consuming. I do sharpen my skills and I do put into practice the things that I learn in each recertification study period as the information benefits my clients’ account performance. But these exams are not simple and you must study for them as the information is not intuitive rather detailed and the test based on Google’s perspective of value based on the training materials.
The last time I took the Fundamentals exam, the printed documentation of the study guide was over 400 pages. The study guide for the Search exam was another 400 pages.
If you need an Internet Marketing Service professional that knows Google AdWords and Bing Ads, I invite you to find out more about our professional services and the value that a Google Partner brings to your programs.
Hit the mark with a strategy for remarketing that makes sense..
Remarketing is an important tool that is easy to set up in Google AdWords. However, make sure you understand some details before you do set up.
Some accounts will never be able to run remarketing programs. If you are in some types of insurance (workman’s comp) and are a physician, you may not be able due to privacy and sensitivity be eligible to use remarketing in AdWords.
If you cannot install the code on your website or don’t know how, use the remarketing feature from within Google Analytics to set your audience and then flow the data into AdWords by linking Analytics to AdWords.
Once your cookie set list hits 100 ads are eligible to show in the Display network. You’ve got to be at 1,000 cookies to show remarketing ads in search.
When you do set up and select the remarketing list, make sure to uncheck the box that allows “Targeting Optimization” which means that Google will show ads to more people than who actually have the cookie from your website. This last step keeps you bidding only on real remarketing not extended exposure in the Display Network which may bleed off cash from your program.
We Are a Google Partner Specializing in Search Marketing
Take the extra time to link your Google Analytics account to your Google AdWords account and get the added bonus of being able to flow in Google Analytics Goals as conversions or valuable actions into Google AdWords.
Here’s what I do for many of my clients.
Once I have administrative Analytics access, I will set up Goals in the account. I like 3+ minutes on the site for duration and 3+ pages for pages viewed. If Analytics is properly linked to the AdWords Account in moments you can see these Goals in AdWords.
Go to AdWords then Tools. Select Conversions from the drop down, on the left sidebar select Google Analytics. You’ll be able to see your brand new goals. Choose which to import and then update in the conversion screen that opens whether you will include them in the conversions column for the account or not.
For accounts that are having challenges with conversions creating goals of valuable actions can give you another metric to consider as you evaluate if AdWords is working to drive valuable site traffic.
Here are some of the goals I like to use:
Views of the scheduling app for appointments
Downloads of an ebook
Downloads of the tuition cost
View of the business address and email if there is no contact form
We Are a Google Partner Specializing in Search Marketing
As a Google Partner specializing in AdWords, I want to share several key benefits with you as to why working with a Google Partner in AdWords is important.
Google Tests Us Yearly
Each year I have to recertify with Google to keep my Partner status. I take the AdWords Fundamental Exam every year and every other year I also take the AdWords Advanced Search Exam. These are not “gimme” tests. I study over 30 hours for each professional certification examination and am tested on over 1,000 pages of features in AdWords as well as account management techniques.
These exams are hard. They are comprehensive, and studying the materials is a key to staying up-to-date on AdWords features and their use. I personally feel that I benefit tremendously from these intensive refreshers and so do my clients.
Google Evaluates Our Account Management Practices
As a Google Partner, Google monitors activity in my MCC (My Client Center) account. The MCC is where all my firm’s client accounts are linked, to allow me one login to manage all accounts. Google reviews how frequently I am in client accounts, the benefit of the changes I make to account performance and the features I am are using for each account.
Google Evaluates What I Do for Clients and How I Market Our Services
As part of initially establishing my firm as a Google Partner, Google had a third party review all my reports to clients, my marketing materials, and how I marketed Google Products to clients. Google means business when they share their name with firm and allow Google Partner Status. As a Google Partner I am held to a higher standard than others who sell similar services. There are 5,000 Google Partners worldwide.
If you want peace of mind that your AdWords account manager is skilled to provide quality services, Google has done the vetting for you before awarding Google Partner status.
The Benefits of Using McCord Web Services as Your Account Manager
I have been an AdWords account manager for over 10 years. From a depth of experience, I understand how to leverage activity on AdWords to drive traffic, increase exposure but most importantly to generate leads for your AdWords program.
Routine management of your account includes a review two or three times a week based on what I am testing or evaluating. During each review I look to boost click activity, conversions, and the click through rate by refining keywords, adding negative keywords, reviewing actual search queries and reviewing and refining ad text. Additionally I review and add new features as they are available, troubleshoot performance problems, and give advice on landing page and website improvements. I am always keeping an eye on performance and the cost per conversion for your program.
With advanced knowledge of the AdWords system, years of account management experience, I have been able to guide manyAdWords programs to success and boost inquiries through AdWords.
I have personally love the challenge of working in AdWords and live and breathe AdWords.
I work hard to be accessible to you and to offer honest advice and recommendations for Google AdWords as well as for content back on your website to lead visitors into contacting you with a program or service inquiry through our monthly strategy phone calls.
If you are ready for us to manage your AdWords program, know that our fees are affordable, our communication is proactive, and we are seriously focused on exceeding your expectations in all we do.
