Why Should You Work With a Certified Marketing Agency?

April 2, 2019

SparkShoppe is a Google Partner with specializations in Search Advertising, Display Advertising, and Video Advertising. Our digital team members are also Facebook Blueprint Certified Buyers and Planners, along with being Hootsuite Certified Professionals. Learn more about why these certifications are important and why businesses should seek out agencies with these certifications below!

When searching for and vetting marketing firms to work with, certifications are extremely important. Depending on your needs, the specific marketing field may have certifications to prove that an agency knows how to advertise and monitor results for their clients. Firms with these certifications can provide suggestions to clients and ensure they are getting the most out of their advertisements.

Why Do Marketing Certifications Matter?

Each certification tests a different set of skills. If you want to run most of your ads on Facebook or Instagram, looking for a marketing firm with Facebook Buyer and Planner certifications can help the performance of your advertisements. If you don’t know exactly what you need, finding a firm that is certified on multiple platforms allows you to receive well-rounded and educated advice on how to showcase your business.

Choosing a marketing firm to work with is difficult. If you know the needs of your company, choosing a marketing firm with certifications in those needs will help to ensure success of your campaigns. Since the marketing field is always changing and incorporating new technology and since most of these certifications renew annually, certified professionals are keeping up with current trends and are tested on the new features of the systems they are advertising on. Why assume that your marketing firm knows what they’re doing when you can know?

Noteworthy Digital Marketing Certifications

FACEBOOK BLUEPRINT CERTIFICATIONS

Facebook offers three tests to assess the knowledge of marketing and how to use the Facebook platform for marketing needs. Two important certifications, Planner and Buyer, are outlined below.

Individuals must pay to sit for the exam and the exams typically require months of studying in advance. To receive the certification, you must pass two exams, one on Facebook Core Competencies and one specific to the certification you are testing for. To renew the certification, you need to take and pass either the buyer or planner exam on an annual basis.

Noteworthy Digital Marketing Certifications

FACEBOOK BLUEPRINT CERTIFICATIONS

Facebook offers three tests to assess the knowledge of marketing and how to use the Facebook platform for marketing needs. Two important certifications, Planner and Buyer, are outlined below. Individuals must pay to sit for the exam and the exams typically require months of studying in advance. To receive the certification, you must pass two exams, one on Facebook Core Competencies and one specific to the certification you are testing for. To renew the certification, you need to take and pass either the buyer or planner exam on an annual basis.

GOOGLE ADVERTISING PARTNER

Google offers options for firms and individuals to learn more about the different ways to use Google for marketing purposes. They offer different levels of proficiency and allow users to specialize in different aspects, such as search, video, or display.

Look for the above icons on a firm’s website. The sub-icons represent the specific aspects they specialized the certification in!

Google Analytics Certification

Experience Needed:

How to Receive: Free to take, must get at least an 80% on a 90-minute exam

Length of Certification: 1 year, must be renewed annually

Key Concepts:

Data Collection and Processing
Configuration of Data
Analysis Tools and Techniques
Advanced Marketing Tools

Google Ads Certification

Experience Needed: Hands on experience with the Ads platform

How to Receive: Free to take, must get at least an 80% on 120-minute Google Ads Fundamentals test, at least 80% on one other Google Exam

Length of Certification: 1 year, must be renewed annually

Key Concepts:

Basics of online advertising
Creating Google Ads
Targeting with Google Ads

HOOTSUITE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Hootsuite has options for marketers, ranging from general social media marketing to extremely specific. They train professionals on marketing practices for certain industries and certain fields within marketing.

Hootsuite

Experience Needed: Varies, depending on the course

How to Receive: Price varies depending on the exam, must get at least an 80% on 60-minute exam

Length of Certification: No expiration

Test Options:

Hootsuite Platform
Social Marketing
Advanced Social Advertising
Advanced Social Media Strategy
Social Selling
Foundations of Social Advocacy
Social Selling for Financial Services Professions
Social for Health Care

HOOTSUITE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Hootsuite

Experience Needed: Varies, depending on the course

How to Receive: Price varies depending on the exam, must get at least an 80% on 60-minute exam

Length of Certification: No expiration

Test Options:

Hootsuite Platform
Social Marketing
Advanced Social Advertising
Advanced Social Media Strategy
Social Selling
Foundations of Social Advocacy
Social Selling for Financial Services Professions
Social for Health Care

Looking for a certified digital marketing firm? Contact us for a free consultation!

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