Coding is a valuable skill for many career paths these days, I am strongly in favour of all kids learning to code at a basic level, even if they’re interested in marketing and Google Ads, things that rely on lots of creativity – something that doesn’t always seem to reconcile with the more logical side of the brain that coding is usually aligned with. Sound odd? Google Ads is a visual interface; there isn’t any coding involved, right?
No, not quite.
Google Ads has a ‘back-end’ that ads managers can use to automate ad changes. It’s provided through a feature that many ads managers don’t know exists, which is descriptively named “Google Ads Scripts.“
Google Ads Scripts require simple JavaScript knowledge to get the hang of – but just about any coding experience can easily be translated. The scripting interface that Google provides makes it very straight forward to translate coding skills into.
Similarly, conversion tracking often requires digging into scripts to retrieve the right trigger events from a website. Conversions can take many forms and Google Tag Manager makes it possible to track and report on all kinds of actions. However, this can mean needing to at least be able to read and understand what a script is doing in order to troubleshoot why it might not be working quite right.
As a small team, it’s essential that each person we employ has diverse skills that can serve multi-purpose roles, while still allowing each individual to become experts in their field. To that end, we believe there is a lot of value in every person on our team having basic coding knowledge, and this especially includes our ads managers.
We are currently working on Google Grants Ads for a client who offers online coding classes for kids along with a number of other online courses and who is working to bring a new way of learning into schools in Australia and Malaysia (and at TerraMedia, we think their approach is a great way to develop these critical skills for a digital world).
Learning to code early on can give kids a significant advantage in marketing roles, when working with Google Ads accounts, website updates, or just about anything else in the digital space, it helps them understand the technical side of digital advertising.
Coding teaches children how to think logically and solve problems step by step. These skills are crucial in marketing, where professionals must analyse data and make intelligent decisions.
When it comes to Google Ads, having coding knowledge allows marketers to create custom scripts and automate tasks, making their work more efficient and giving clients an edge. One client we manage Google Ads for in Ipswich operates a laundromat, so we used a custom script to automatically increase their bids when it rains in their area and reduce them again when it is sunny. This helps them to get in front of more customers automatically when there is higher demand, reducing management costs and increasing profitability. Win-Win.
By learning to code, kids also gain a deeper understanding of technology and how digital platforms work. This knowledge is invaluable in online marketing, where staying up-to-date with the latest tools and trends is essential – and those tools change constantly!
Plus, coding can spark creativity in children, which is crucial for developing innovative marketing campaigns and strategies.
Understanding the Role of Coding in Marketing
The Intersect of Coding and Digital Marketing
Coding is now a core marketing competency. As we saw above, we can use it to automate tasks that might result in multiple changes per day that are impractical to make manually, e.g., if the weather is sunny, then it rains, then it’s sunny again within a few hours, and maybe it rains again before the day is out (does this sound like Scotland?).
We can also use coding skills to build landing pages, set up tracking pixels with custom conversions, and manage CRM databases with their own scripting languages.
Coding also improves our digital literacy. We gain a deeper understanding of how websites and online platforms work – and, importantly, how users engage with them. This knowledge lets us spot opportunities and solve problems more effectively.
These skills give marketers an edge in the fast-paced world of digital marketing and is something that we actively look for.
How Coding Skills Contribute to Google Ads Efficiency
Coding skills boost our effectiveness when managing Google Ads accounts. We can create scripts to automate routine tasks like bid adjustments or ad scheduling. This saves time and reduces errors.
With coding, we can also build custom reports that pull data from multiple sources. This helps us make better decisions based on comprehensive insights.
We can also use coding to build landing pages that work well with our ads. This helps boost our quality scores and lowers our cost-per-click. By at least understanding the coding behind the scenes, even if we aren’t the ones to build the landing pages, we can better create the project briefs for better results, meaning a better overall user experience for those users coming to the landing page.
We can also use coding to:
- Create dynamic ad copy that updates automatically
- Set up automation between marketing tools
- Build tools for bulk edits across large accounts
Developmental Benefits of Early Coding Education
Teaching kids to code offers many advantages for their growth and learning. Coding helps children develop crucial skills that will serve them well in many areas of life.
Cultivating Problem-Solving Skills
When kids learn to code, they become better problem solvers. Coding teaches children to break big problems into smaller, more manageable parts, a skill called decomposition.
Kids learn to think critically and find creative solutions as they work through coding challenges.
We’ve seen that coding encourages kids to experiment and try different approaches. If their code doesn’t work the first time, they learn to debug and fix errors, a job that drives me up the wall sometimes. This process builds patience, resilience and teaches them not to give up when faced with difficulties.
Coding also helps children develop algorithmic thinking. They learn to create step-by-step plans to solve problems. This structured approach to problem-solving can help in many areas beyond coding, including marketing funnel planning and lead nurturing.
Enhancing Mathematical Understanding
Coding and maths are closely linked. As kids code, they practice math concepts without even realising it.
They work with variables, use logic, and apply geometry when creating graphics.
We think that coding can make maths more engaging for kids. Instead of solving equations on paper, they can see how math is used to create games or animations. This hands-on approach can boost their interest in math – it certainly did for me when I was a kid!
Coding also introduces children to concepts like algebra. As they use objects in their code, they gain a better understanding of how object-oriented programming works. This practical application can help solidify their grasp of algebra and other math concepts.
Building Confidence Through Code
Learning to code can be a big confidence booster for kids. When they create a working program or solve a coding challenge, they feel a sense of achievement. This success can motivate them to take on more complex projects.
Coding also allows kids to express their creativity. They can build their own games, animations, or websites. Seeing their ideas come to life on screen can be very empowering.
Equipping Kids for the Digital Future
Coding prepares kids for success in our tech-driven world. It builds useful skills across many fields, including marketing and digital advertising.
Preparing for a Tech-Driven World
Our world runs on technology, and this trend will only grow.
Kids who learn coding are better prepared for this digital future. They understand how things work behind the scenes and can use this knowledge in many jobs, including in ad management.
Understanding code can help in many ways in marketing and give kids an edge when they enter the job market.
We believe coding helps kids become creators, not just users, of technology. This active role in the digital world can lead to more job options and better career growth.
Check out our client, PieX Education, to learn more about their online Scratch coding courses and in-school programs.
