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 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

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.



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


FREE CONSULTATION

Never miss an update from “The Shoppe,” sign up for our email list today!

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

Subscribe

We respect your privacy.

The Meta AI Evolution: Bots, Engagement, and the Future of Social Interaction

April 10, 2025
Remember the early days of the Internet? Digital bots were the unruly disruptors, the digital equivalent of that persistent telemarketer. They clogged feeds with spam, automated shady schemes, and spread misinformation like a digital wildfire. But fast forward to today, and those once-rogue bots have pulled off a serious glow-up, transforming into surprisingly valuable tools for sparking engagement, fueling creativity, and even offering a semblance of companionship. Leading this evolution is Meta, who is boldly rewriting the rules of how AI-driven bots function and, perhaps more significantly, how they are perceived. Now, AI is vying for our attention through comment suggestions, personalized virtual assistants, and a standalone app. Meta is planting its AI roots deeper than we could have possibly imagined just a few short years ago. So, how did we get here, and more importantly, what does it all mean for our digital lives?

The New Playbook: How NIL Deals Are Reshaping Sports Marketing

April 4, 2025
The NCAA Tournament isn’t just about buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories—it’s a massive stage for brands. With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, marketing is shifting from traditional ads to direct athlete partnerships. Here’s how NIL is changing the game for brands and players alike.

Meta's New Scratch & Sniff Ads: A Game-Changer in Digital Marketing

March 31, 2025
Meta has just launched its latest feature—Scratch & Sniff Ads! Imagine scrolling through your feed and encountering an ad that doesn't just capture your attention visually, but engages your sense of smell.
Glass of Water

Saratoga Spring Water Goes Viral

March 27, 2025
Saratoga Spring Water Goes Viral Thanks to an Influencer’s Unlikely Morning Routine

Shaking Up the Market: The Rise of Spirit-Based RTDs

By Sierra Levine • March 25, 2025
While traditional malt-based seltzers once dominated this space, the recent surge in spirit-based RTDs has introduced a new wave of innovation and excitement for consumers. These cocktails-in-a-can are changing the way people enjoy their favorite drinks.

Content Saturation: Cutting Through the Noise

March 20, 2025
Do you ever feel like your content is a whisper in an endless buzz of content? No matter how many blogs, videos, or social media posts you create, it’s just not reaching your audience. Welcome to content saturation, the digital version of rush-hour traffic - where everyone is trying to get somewhere, but most of us are just stuck in the jam.
More Posts
Share by: