Whether you're an individual or a company, you can demonstrate your proficiency in AdWords by joining the Google AdWords Certification Program. It's a globally-recognised stamp of approval, which showcases your knowledge of the latest AdWords tools and best practices. You can choose from a variety of exams based on what's most relevant to your areas of specialisation. The goal of the exams is to provide you with the knowledge you need to effectively manage Google advertising programs.

Over the last few months we have offered live webinars to help you study for the Google Advertising Fundamentals and Search Advertising Advanced exams. We are pleased to announce that we are now offering live webinars to help you prepare for the Google Certified Partner Reporting and Analysis Advanced Exam. In this three-part webinar series, we will cover the key topics found on the exam and offer a few tips to help you study.

Reporting & Analysis Advanced 1: Advanced Conversion Tracking
Date: October 19th at 12pm Sydney time (9am SG and 2pm NZ)
Description: In this session, we'll review the function and purpose of AdWords Conversion Tracking and explain related terms. We'll also share some best practices for using AdWords Conversion tracking in your AdWords account.

Reporting & Analysis Advanced 2: Google Analytics
Date: October 21st at 12pm Sydney time (9am SG and 2pm NZ)
Description: In this session, we'll discuss which types of data can be found in each section of Google Analytics. We'll show you how you can analyze visitor, traffic sources, content, and goal report data to meet your advertising goals.

Reporting & Analysis Advanced 3: Website Optimiser
Date: October 26th at 12pm Sydney time (9am SG and 2pm NZ)
Description: In this session, we'll discuss how website and landing page testing can help achieve online performance goals. We'll walk you through getting started with Website Optimiser and summarise the differences between A/B and multivariate testing.

Visit the AdWords Webinars for Agencies site to register for these sessions.

In addition to the new webinars above, you can now watch the Google Advertising Fundamentals and Search Advertising Advanced webinars on-demand. The sessions cover the key topics found on each exam and you can access them online whenever it is convenient for you. All you need to get started is an Internet connection and a computer with speakers or headphones.

Google Advertising Fundamentals
- Targeting the Google Network
- Understanding Search Ads Quality
- Optimisation Tools & Strategies
- Selling Google AdWords

Search Advertising Advanced
- Leveraging AdWords Tools
- Performance Monitoring and Conversion Tracking
- Conversion Optimiser Strategies
- Multiple Account Management Tools and Best Practices

View these on-demand webinars in our online classroom.

Please visit the Online Learning Centre for more insight into the topics covered on all exams in the Google Certified Partner Program.

Posted by Kelly Blackford, Agency Training Team

Editors Note: This guest post is from Vinoaj Vijeyakumaar -- a Googler focused on Analytics solutions in Asia Pacific. This new blog aims to share advanced usage tips, and case studies from digital marketers about successfully using Google’s conversion products to increase performance and conversion rates. With specialists sitting in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, India, and Japan, you will be sure to get a variety of perspectives!

Google Analytics, Google Website Optimiser, Search Funnels, AdWords Conversion Tracking - these are some of our favourite tools for measuring and optimising conversions on websites. These tools help you to maximise your returns on investment whether your site exists to share information, generate leads, or make sales.

Today we introduce the Japan and Asia-Pacific (JAPAC) Conversion Room and Blog. Over the last two years we have seen a tremendous uptake of Google’s conversion products in this region, celebrated many success stories with users, and witnessed the development of local expertise. The JAPAC Conversion Room aims to inspire JAPAC (and global) online marketers towards maximising conversions through sharing success stories and expert tips from this region.

If you are drawn to digital marketing, optimising for conversions, and have an interest in the Japan and Asia-Pacific region, then head on over to the site now and subscribe to all the latest articles.

Posted by Vinoaj Vijeyakumaar, Google Analytics Solutions, and James Toepfer, Google Customer Marketing Manager

We recently released the Make Your Website Work e-book to show common pitfalls of website design and review steps that can be taken to improve your website conversions. Today we'd like to delve further into the checkout process on websites, and give some suggestions on areas to test and ways to improve your conversion path.

Many e-commerce websites suffer from low conversion rates. We have compiled a list of e-commerce checkout tips that you may like to test on your own site. Think about testing the following:

1). Product Images & Location
2). Buy Buttons
3). Checkout without Registration
4). Progress Indicators
5). Simple Forms
6). Answer Custome Questions
7). Trust Indicators
and more......

Here is an example of one of the e-commerce checkout tips that you can test on your site.

Do you give your users progress indicators? These are vital and one of the most overlooked elements on many e-commerce websites. A progress indicator is the online equivalent of the shopping centre "You are here!". The main benefit is that users can easily see where they are in relation to completion of the task.



It instantly answers:

1. Where am I?
2. How many more steps till I finish?
3. What can I expect next?
4. Do I get a chance to review my order?

Review all of the tips that you can test to improve your site's checkout process at the Conversion Room Blog.

Posted by Kelly Blackford, Agency Training Team
This is a partial cross post from the Conversion Room Blog