Google Analytics & AdWords

Just when you thought you would be exam free for the summer... wrong! One of the criteria for completing the internship is to be certified in either Google Analytics and/or AdWords. For those who aren't familiar with either one, let me explain because I had no clue what they were. Google Analytics lets you measure your advertising ROI as well as flash, video, and social networking sites and apps. It's extremely helpful for those who either started their own blog or website to see the statistics regarding the visitors on your page, page views, bounce rate, average time on site. Google AdWords is an advertising programs in which advertisers can bid on specific key words in order for their ads to appear in Goggle's search results. Some say that passing the Google Analytics is much easier than passing Google AdWords. Google Analytics is 70 questions whereas Google AdWords is 100 questions and requires you to pass 2 exams before being officially certified. Even though Google AdWords was much more extensive, I enjoyed learning and studying about AdWords much more than Analytics. I think that stems from me being in marketing. I prefer the advertising side more than the analytical side of business so taking AdWords wasn't as difficult than it was perceived.

My tips for studying to be certified:

1. Take it once without studying. Familiarize yourself with the questions so you know how and what to study when you retake it. (You have a one week gap before retaking each exam)
2. It's okay to fail multiple times. It took me 3 tries to finally pass Analytics.
3. Study the material throughly, it may come to use in future jobs.