Setting Up Client-Owned Google Ads and Meta Accounts

By Justin Lester

5 minutes to read

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Setting Up Client-Owned Google Ads and Meta Accounts

By Justin Lester

5 minutes to read

Join our smart marketers who get our best digital marketing insights,
strategies and tips deliverered straight to their inbox.

Name(Required)

At Ruby Digital, we champion the idea of client-owned ad accounts. What does this mean? Simply put, it’s about ensuring businesses have full access and control over their advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Meta. 

Why is this important? For starters, transparency is paramount. Whether we’re setting up a new account on behalf of a client or requesting access to an existing one, our approach is grounded in ensuring our clients are never in the dark.  

They can see all activities, from the allocated budgets to the finer details of campaign strategies. This hands-on approach doesn’t just offer a peek behind the curtain but actively involves clients in their digital journey. 

The Importance of Client Ownership? 

The ownership dynamic between agencies and their clients can significantly shape the partnership’s trajectory. But why exactly does client ownership hold such weight in digital marketing? 

  • Transparency and Trust: One of the biggest challenges in Google Ads account management (or any digital advertising for that matter) is trust. Clients want to know their budget is being utilised efficiently, and there aren’t any hidden agendas. Client ownership eliminates the ambiguity. By enabling businesses to transfer google account ownership or take the lead in their Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns, we underscore our commitment to transparency. When clients have direct access, they can verify strategies, monitor performance, and see precisely where their budget is allocated. 
  • Empowerment and Autonomy: Account ownership isn’t just a term – it’s an empowerment tool. Having control over one’s account allows for real-time insights, adjustments, and understanding, fostering a sense of autonomy. It reduces dependency on the agency for every minor detail and promotes a proactive approach. 
  • Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: With the client at the helm, potential conflicts of interest are minimised. When clients have ownership and control, there’s less room for misunderstandings or discrepancies in campaign goals or outcomes. 
  • Strengthened Partnership: A mutual sense of ownership and accountability further cements the bond between agency and client. When both parties are invested, it becomes less of a client-service provider relationship and more of a collaborative partnership. We aim to work together, with shared goals and a unified vision, to achieve the best outcomes in all pay-per-click endeavours. 

Ownership isn’t just about control. It’s about responsibility, collaboration, and forging a path forward that reflects the collective goals of both agency and client. At Ruby Digital, we stand by this philosophy, ensuring our clients always feel valued, empowered, and integral to the digital journey we undertake together. 

Useful Info – Google Ads Account Access Who owns a Google Ads account?

Typically, the individual or entity that initially sets up the Google Ads account holds ownership. But with appropriate permissions and processes, ownership can be transferred, ensuring flexibility and continuity for businesses. If no PPC ads have been run before, Ruby Digital creates a new Google Ads account, implementing best practices for the account set up and then shares ownership with the client, this is to ensure quality and accuracy of the account setup before transferring ownership to the client. 

What is a Google Ads client account?
A Google Ads client account, commonly known as a child account, operates under a manager account (formerly My Client Centre or MCC). This structure allows agencies like Ruby Digital to manage various client accounts efficiently, all while ensuring each client retains the primary ownership of their respective account. 

Benefits of Setting Up Client-Owned Accounts 

There’s a clear distinction between having an account and owning it. Client ownership, especially in the realm of digital advertising, comes with a slew of benefits that elevate the marketing game: 

  • Transparency: One of the immediate advantages of client ownership is transparency. When businesses have direct access to their Google Ads or Facebook ad accounts, they can independently verify strategies, monitor campaign performance, and truly understand where their budget is being used. This unfiltered view promotes trust and ensures that there are no blind spots in the campaign. 
  • Long-Term Control: Digital advertising isn’t just about the now; it’s also about future strategies. Owning an account means businesses can retain the account’s setup, insights, and data, even if they decide to switch agencies or make internal changes. This continuity ensures that there’s no loss of valuable data or insights. 
  • Data Ownership: In today’s digital age, data is gold. Client-owned accounts mean that clients have full ownership of their data, from click-through rates to audience insights. This not only aids in immediate decision-making but also shapes long-term strategies, allowing businesses to capitalise on past campaigns and refine future ones. 

Steps to Set Up Client-Owned Ad Accounts 

Setting up client-owned ad accounts might seem daunting, but with a systematic approach, it’s straightforward. Here’s how we at Ruby Digital facilitate this process: 

Invitation Process: 

  • For New Accounts: If a business is venturing into Google Ads or Meta for the first time, we set up the account on their behalf. Once created, we send an invitation to the client, granting them complete access. 
  • For Existing Accounts: If the client already has an account registered, be it with Google Ads or Meta’s Business Manager, we request an invitation. This enables us to manage and optimise campaigns while ensuring the client retains full ownership. 

Access Levels: It’s not just about having access – it’s about having the right kind of access. At Ruby Digital, we ensure that clients are granted the highest necessary access level. This means they can view all campaign settings, results, and billing details, ensuring transparency while also safeguarding account security. Whether it’s a Google Ads campaign or a strategy on Instagram, the client is always in control. 

Ownership in the digital world is empowering. It means businesses are not only recipients of services but active participants in their digital journey. At Ruby Digital, we understand this deeply, which is why we’re committed to ensuring our clients always have the front seat, with us right beside them, navigating the digital highways together!  

In Conclusion  

The journey of digital marketing is filled with its fair share of twists and turns. By placing ownership in our clients’ hands, we’re saying that we trust them to navigate this journey alongside us.  

From Google Ads account management to defining the nuances of Facebook account ownership and control, our approach is clear: shared responsibility, shared success. 

At Ruby Digital, we firmly believe that the most fruitful relationships are those where both parties are invested, knowledgeable, and actively participating. By championing client ad account ownership, we’re not just aiming for immediate campaign success. We’re building the foundation for a lasting, productive, and transparent relationship with our clients. After all, in the world of digital marketing, results matter – and so do the relationships that drive those results!  

Written by Justin Lester

Justin is a successful entrepreneur who launched and exited two online startups by the age of 24.

He specialises in SEO and Paid Media services and played a critical role in developing cutting-edge marketing applications in the iGaming sector.

He founded Ruby Digital in 2011, which has won numerous awards and is recognised as having the 2nd highest culture score of any SME in South Africa.

Justin is committed to empowering communities with digital marketing skills and is an active member of the entrepreneurship community, sharing his knowledge and expertise as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town and serving on the board of the Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator Program.