Guide to Setting Up a Snapchat Advertising Account

Snapchat has emerged as a powerful platform for businesses looking to engage with younger audiences. With over 750 million monthly active users, Snapchat offers unique advertising opportunities through immersive formats like AR lenses, Snap Ads, and Story Ads.

If you’re looking to use Snapchat ads for your business, the first step is setting up a Snapchat Advertising Account.

Why Advertise on Snapchat?

Before diving into setup, let’s explore why Snapchat ads are worth considering:

Highly Engaged Audience – Snapchat’s user base is primarily Gen Z and Millennials, who spend an average of 30+ minutes daily on the app.
Innovative Ad Formats – From Augmented Reality (AR) lenses to short video ads, Snapchat offers engaging ways to promote your brand.
Advanced Targeting – Advertisers can target users based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and custom audiences.
High ROI Potential – With lower competition than Facebook or Instagram, Snapchat ads can be more cost-effective.

How to Set Up a Snapchat Advertising Account

Step 1: Create a Snapchat Business Account

1. Go to Snapchat Ads Manager.

2. Click “Create Account” and fill in your business details (name, email, password).

3. Verify your email and log in.

Step 2: Set Up Billing Information

1. Navigate to “Billing” in the Ads Manager.

2. Enter your payment method (credit/debit card or PayPal).

3. Choose your currency and time zone.

Step 3: Define Your Advertising Goal

Snapchat offers different campaign objectives:

• Awareness (Brand awareness, reach)

• Consideration (Website visits, app installs, engagement)

• Conversions (Drive sales, leads, or sign-ups)

Select the goal that aligns with your marketing strategy.

Step 4: Create Your First Ad Campaign

1. Click “Create Campaign” in Ads Manager.

2. Choose your campaign objective (e.g., website traffic, app installs).

3. Set your budget and schedule (daily or lifetime budget).

4. Define your target audience (age, location, interests, lookalike audiences).

5. Select ad placements (Snapchat Stories, Discover, Spotlight, etc.).

Step 5: Design Your Snapchat Ad

You can choose from multiple ad formats:

• Single Image or Video Ads – Short, full-screen ads.

• Collection Ads – Showcase multiple products.

• Story Ads – 3-20 second skippable video ads.

• AR Lenses – Interactive filters for brand engagement.

• Dynamic Ads – Automatically promote products from your catalog.

Upload your creative assets (images/videos) and add a compelling CTA (Swipe Up, Shop Now, etc.).

Step 6: Launch & Monitor Your Campaign

Once your ad is reviewed (usually within 24 hours), it will go live. Use Snapchat’s analytics dashboard to track:
✔ Impressions & Reach
✔ Swipe-Up Rate (SUR)
✔ Cost Per Result (CPR)
✔ Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)

Optimize based on performance data to improve results.

Best Practices for Snapchat Advertising

Keep It Short & Engaging – Snapchat users prefer quick, visually appealing content.
Use Vertical Video – Snapchat is a mobile-first platform; optimize for 9:16 aspect ratio.
Leverage AR Lenses – Interactive filters boost engagement and brand recall.
Test Different Audiences – Experiment with lookalike audiences and interest-based targeting.
Retarget Website Visitors – Use Snapchat Pixel to retarget users who visited your site.

Setting up a Snapchat Advertising Account is a straightforward process, but success depends on creative ads, precise targeting, and continuous optimization. With its young, highly engaged audience, Snapchat offers a unique opportunity for brands to stand out in a crowded digital space.