You stay in charge of the accounts and the budget

Launch sequence

Nothing goes live until tracking is in place and you have signed off.

1. Tracking first: conversion tags, GA4 events and form routing are set up and tested.
2. Pages next: landing pages and forms are built or fixed, then checked on phones and desktops.
3. Campaigns after that: ads, keywords or audiences, budgets and schedules are built in your accounts.
4. Launch last: you approve, campaigns go live and the partner confirms conversions are recording.

What to prepare before scoping

None of this needs to be polished. Notes are fine.

• A short description of your typical customer
• Offers you want to promote, with any terms or limits
• Existing ad accounts and who owns them
• Your website platform, such as WordPress, Webflow or Squarespace
• Any current tracking: tags, pixels, call tracking numbers
• Where inquiries go today and who follows them up
• A rough monthly ad budget

Access without sharing passwords

Each ad platform lets you invite another person or business to an account with a set role. Google Ads, Microsoft Advertising, Meta, LinkedIn, GA4 and Google Tag Manager all work this way. Use those invitations instead of handing over a login. They keep a record of who changed what, let you limit what each person can do and let you remove access in a few clicks. Admin roles are usually needed during setup, since conversion actions and audience lists require them. Once setup is done, ask whether a standard role is enough for day-to-day management.

Staying in control after launch

You keep the final say on budget, offers and wording after campaigns go live. The partner manages the day-to-day detail and reports on it, and you decide what changes. A few habits help. Log in to your ad accounts now and then and compare what you see with the latest report. Keep a shared document of agreed changes. Raise problems with inquiries quickly, such as the wrong locations or the wrong kind of buyer, so targeting can be corrected. If the work stops suiting you, give notice as your agreement says, remove access and keep your accounts as they are.