If you’re in a business where getting new clients is a part of your job, having the right credentials is key.  And when it comes to the world of search engine marketing, the more certifications you can gain, the better.  Many people have asked us over the past few months how to become Google Analytics certified.  So, we’ve done our research and in this post I’ll tell you how.

What you’ll gain:

As with other Google certifications ^[1], an Analytics certification ^[2] will provide you with a “Google Analytics Authorized consultant” logo and designation. From this you may receive possible client referrals, elevated tech support, a listing on Google analytics partner page, an invitation to attend the annual GAAC summit at Google offices and access to exclusive GAAC web forums to share ideas and tech tips with google and other GAAC’s.

Becoming a GAAC (Google Authorized Analytics Consultant), you must feel your company has already achieved an advanced level of knowledge with the Google Analytics program. You cannot become an individual GAAC, its company based.

Below is a list of the requirements and proof each company must fulfill in order to be considered for a GAAC:

• 3 verifiable, paid, expertly deployed GA projects with 3 different clients that Google can contact for reference. At least one of these engagements should involve configuration of funnels and filters.

This doesn’t mean GA clients only. You can manage a client’s PPC or SEO account, as long as you’re using Google Analytics in conjunction.

• Offer a range of paid services related to Google Analytics, including implementation, configuration, training, and consulting. Will need to list your current Google Analytics services and the approximate prices charged.

This means you must add to your list of services that you offer GA services.  If you’re running PPC or SEO for a client, and you offer GA analytics set up and implementation, then you qualify. If you run any reports from GA that you send to your clients, then you qualify. All this is a matter of including in your official list of services.

• You must represent a business (individuals do not qualify) and be legally incorporated to do business in your locality.

This is pretty self explanatory. You must be a legal business to qualify.

• Proven expertise in web analytics. Please list any speaking engagements at conferences, influential blogs, white papers, management bios, ad campaigns, marketing programs, and/or other evidence demonstrating your expertise with analytics and your ability to evangelize web analytics.

If you’ve written any blogs or whitepapers on GA then you qualify.  If you haven’t, then start writing! Unless of course you have given presentations on GA before, then maybe you could provide the PowerPoint slides, etc.

• Website content linked from your home page that prominently describes your GA services (please provide a link).

• You agree to send at least one employee to the Google Analytics Authorized Consultant summit, at your own expense (generally held once per year over 4 days in Mountain View, CA, USA, covering technical, marketing and business topics as deemed appropriate by the GAAC team).

Fun! Sign me up!  This means one employee from your team. The summit itself is free, but you’ll be responsible for travel and hotel.  Even the meals are free during the summit!

• You will provide a report to Google by the last day of each calendar quarter summarizing all GA projects you have worked on during the quarter (listing client names and results achieved)

This could include setting up of goals and funnels and analyzing them. Setting up tracking, running various reports, etc.

• Have Professional Indemnity/Liability insurance as appropriate for your jurisdiction ($1m in the USA)

This basically means you’re company needs to have proof that you have the appropriate amount of liability insurance. According to allinsuranceinfo.org ^[3], professional indemnity insurance is recommended for “people whose occupation demands extensive academic training and who provide services of high quality”. Professional indemnity protects you from negligence.

The best part about becoming a GAAC company is that only 75 firms globally are in the program. This means that if you become a GAAC you have something that not too many other companies have, and that’s always nice to sell your potential clients on.