Offering ad account audits is one of the fastest ways for beginner traffic managers to start getting noticed, build authority, and land paying clients. Even if you don’t have years of experience, you can still deliver real value by analyzing campaigns and identifying areas for improvement.
In this article, you’ll learn what an ad account audits is, why clients need it, what to include, and how to deliver one—even as a beginner.
What Is an Ad Account Audit?
An ad account audit is a professional review of a business’s advertising campaigns, with the goal of:
- Identifying what’s working
- Spotting what’s wasting budget
- Recommending improvements
- Creating a clear action plan
Audits are often the first service traffic managers offer, because they help clients see your value before committing to a monthly retainer.
Why Offer Audits as a Beginner?
- You can do them with limited experience if you know how to read campaign data
- You’ll learn quickly by analyzing real campaigns
- It opens the door to paid work (e.g. implementation, retainer)
- It shows you’re strategic, not just technical
Many clients have been running ads with no structure or optimization—they’re eager for feedback from someone who’s paying attention.
What Platforms Can You Audit?
The most common ad platforms to audit are:
- Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)
- Google Ads (Search, Display, YouTube)
- TikTok Ads (less common, but growing)
- Pinterest and LinkedIn Ads (B2B or niche-specific)
Start with platforms you understand well—usually Meta or Google for beginners.
What to Include in a Basic Audit
You can present the audit as a PDF, slide deck, or Loom video. Here’s what to cover:
1. Campaign Overview
- How many active campaigns?
- Are the naming conventions clear and organized?
- Are they using the right objectives (e.g., conversions vs. reach)?
2. Targeting & Audience Structure
- Are they using interest, lookalike, or custom audiences?
- Is audience overlap hurting performance?
- Are exclusions and retargeting set up?
3. Ad Creative Review
- Are images/videos clear and relevant?
- Is there a strong value proposition or hook?
- Are headlines and CTAs effective?
4. Budget Allocation
- Is the budget evenly distributed?
- Are low-performing ads getting too much spend?
- Are they scaling correctly?
5. Performance Metrics
- Review metrics like:
- CTR (Click-Through Rate)
- CPC (Cost Per Click)
- CPA (Cost Per Action)
- ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)
- Identify underperforming ad sets or placements
6. Tracking and Pixel Setup
- Is the Meta Pixel or Google Tag Manager installed?
- Are standard events being tracked properly (e.g., leads, purchases)?
- Are custom conversions set up?
7. Landing Page Alignment
- Does the ad message match the landing page?
- Is the page fast, mobile-friendly, and conversion-focused?
8. Actionable Recommendations
- What should they stop doing?
- What should they test next?
- What’s the highest-priority fix?
Keep it short, clear, and practical.
Tools to Help You Audit
- Meta Ads Manager / Google Ads Dashboard – Primary data source
- Google Analytics (GA4) – To check traffic behavior and bounce rate
- Meta Pixel Helper / Tag Assistant – Chrome extensions to verify tracking
- Canva or Google Slides – For clean audit presentations
- Loom – Record a personalized walkthrough for the client
How to Offer Your First Audit
Step 1: Choose a Niche
Pick one you’re comfortable with (e.g., coaches, local businesses, course creators).
Step 2: Make a Simple Offer
“I’m offering a free/low-cost ad account audit for businesses running Meta or Google Ads. You’ll receive a personalized video review with 3–5 action steps to improve results.”
Step 3: Post in Communities
Use Facebook groups, Reddit, or LinkedIn to connect with your target audience.
Step 4: Deliver Value First
Even if it’s free, deliver a professional and clear audit. This builds trust and authority.
Example Audit Structure (Simple)
- Introduction (what the audit covers)
- Quick wins (2–3 things they can change immediately)
- Deeper strategy tips (audience refinement, retargeting ideas)
- Offer to help (optional service upsell)
What to Charge for Paid Audits
When you’re ready to charge:
- Beginner: $50–$150 per audit
- Intermediate: $200–$400
- Advanced: $500+ (especially with video analysis and written plan)
You can bundle audits with campaign setup or monthly management.
Final Thoughts
Ad account audits are a powerful service—even if you’re new. They give you:
- Real experience
- Portfolio material
- Client trust
- A low-pressure way to start conversations
Position yourself as someone who helps businesses stop wasting money and start getting better results—and clients will pay attention.
I specialize in Meta Ads, Google Ads, sales funnels, and client strategy—sharing everything I’ve learned through hands-on experience and real campaign results. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow as a traffic manager, this blog is here to guide you with practical tips and clear strategies.
Let’s grow together—one campaign at a time.