TL;DR: Working with a Google Premier Partner means you are partnering with an agency in the top 3% of the country. Since Unbound was founded in 2015, we have been a Google Partner, achieving Premier status in 2018. While many agencies “run” ads, a Premier Partner combines technical mastery, early access to Google features, and a relentless focus on growth to ensure your budget is an investment, not a cost.
Why Choose a Google Premier Partner? The Difference Between Mastery and Mediocrity
When Unbound was founded in 2015, we made a commitment: we wouldn’t just be another digital agency; we would be masters of the platforms that drive the world’s economy. From day one, we have been a Google Partner. In 2018, that dedication was recognised when we became a Google Premier Partner.
Unbound has been dedicated to crafting campaigns for our clients and helping them grow with one of the world’s most powerful marketing tools. We have always been dedicated to learning and growing as the platform evolves and are at the cutting edge of what the platform has to offer.
While many agencies offer Google Ads services, Unbound has been focused on pushing the boundaries of what it can do. I audit dozens of Google Ads accounts per year and it is still surprising to see other agencies doing sloppy work and not following best practice, let alone pushing the bounds of what can be done.
What is a Google Partner?
Google Partners are agencies, marketing professionals and online experts who have been certified by Google to manage AdWords accounts. To achieve Google Partner status, agencies must earn the Google Partner Badge, which signifies that the company is strong, has happy customers, and demonstrates Google best practices.
So why choose a Google Partner? It is in clients’ best interests to choose agencies that have earned their Google Partner status. Certified Google Partner agencies are offered lots of perks to help optimise their clients’ campaigns and ensure success in pay-per-click advertising. Here are five good reasons to have a Google Partner agency handle your accounts.
- Accreditations and qualifications demonstrate quality.
For example, B2B digital marketing agencies gain respect in their sector by being a Google Partner. Becoming a Google Partner requires an agency to have a good working relationship with Google, including advanced use of Google AdWords. Members of the agency have certifications in Google AdWords in their fundamentals exams and either Advanced Search Ads or Advanced Display Ads – sometimes both. - Google Partner agencies work directly with Google.
These agencies stay ahead of the curve by working directly with Google. With access to trainings and product updates, Partners stay on top of what’s going on. Because they have exclusive access to Google training and support, these agencies can hop on calls with Google to access personalised best practices and optimisation recommendations. - Google Partners are required to upkeep best practices.
Along with the perks come some requirements, one of which is obtaining certifications in Google’s products and services. Partners are required to implement the recommended best practices in your client accounts to demonstrate that you’re maximising their performance. - Google reviews client accounts for worthiness.
Google cares about its users – businesses and customers. Google reviews your client accounts to make sure your clients are getting excellent service, including the type and frequency of the changes you’re making, client retention, and whether you’re making the most of your clients’ budgets. - Google Partners are transparent.
When it comes to management fees, all Google Partner agencies have to clearly give their clients their management fees for managing Google Ads, whether it is a percentage of the budget or a flat rate. If an agency refuses to give this information, Google can ultimately revoke their partnership status.
The “Premier” Difference
While the standard Partner status is a mark of quality, the Premier Partner status is only awarded to the top 3% of participating companies in a given country. At Unbound, we believe Google Ads is both a craft and a science.
The science is the data, the tracking, and the AI-driven algorithms. The craft is the strategy, the human psychology in the ad copy, and the nuanced understanding of a client’s specific business goals. If you are looking for an agency that doesn’t just run Google Ads accounts but understands the craft and science behind what it can do, talk to Unbound.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a Google Partner and a Premier Partner?
While both are certified, a Premier Partner represents the top 3% of agencies in their region based on performance, spend, and certification. Premier Partners have higher tiers of support and early access to “Beta” features that standard partners do not.
How do I verify an agency’s status?
You should always click the Google Partner badge on an agency’s site. It should link directly to a verified google.com profile page showing their specific specialisations.
Why is an account audit important?
An audit identifies “leaks” where your budget is being wasted. Even in successful accounts, we often find that sloppy management or outdated practices are costing the client significant ROI.
Is Google Ads still effective with the rise of AI?
Yes. Google Ads is integrating AI (like Performance Max and AI Overviews) to find customers more effectively. A Premier Partner knows how to guide this AI to ensure it works for your bottom line, not just Google’s.
How often should my ads be monitored?
At a minimum, accounts should be reviewed weekly. In the fast-moving digital landscape, “set and forget” is a recipe for wasted budget.
As a Certified Google Partner, agencies have the training, experience and proven results to deliver a customised online advertising plan that best suits the needs of your business. To learn more about Unbound’s Google Partner status and online advertising services, contact us here.