Setting Up Facebook Ads Manager in 10 Minutes or Less

Ads Manager is where the magic happens. It's Facebook's tool for creating and managing all your ads.

It looks intimidating at first. Lots of buttons, menus, and options you don't understand yet.

But getting it set up is actually simple. Follow this guide and you'll be ready to create ads in 10 minutes.

What You Need Before Starting

Make sure you have:

A Facebook personal account. You'll use this to access Ads Manager.

A Facebook Business Page. You created this already, right? If not, go back and do that first.

Payment information ready. Credit card or PayPal. You'll need to add payment to run ads.

That's it. Let's go.

Step 1: Access Ads Manager

Go to facebook.com/adsmanager

Or if you're on Facebook, click the menu icon (nine dots) and select "Ads Manager."

Facebook might ask you to create an ad account if this is your first time. Click through the prompts.

Step 2: Create Your Ad Account

If you don't have an ad account yet, Facebook will prompt you to create one.

Choose your country. This affects currency and time zone. Pick where your business is located.

Choose your currency. Usually your local currency. This can't be changed later, so choose carefully.

Choose your time zone. Pick your local time zone. When you schedule ads, they'll use this time.

Click "Next" or "Create."

Step 3: Add Your Payment Method

You can't run ads without paying for them. Add your payment info now.

Click the menu icon in Ads Manager (hamburger menu in top left).

Select "Billing."

Click "Add Payment Method."

Choose either:

• Credit or debit card

• PayPal

• Other options depending on your country

Enter your information.

Click "Save."

Facebook will verify your payment method. This might take a few minutes.

Step 4: Set Up the Facebook Pixel (Important!)

The Facebook Pixel is a piece of code you put on your website. It tracks what people do after clicking your ads.

Don't skip this. The Pixel is how you measure if your ads work.

In Ads Manager, click the menu icon.

Select "Events Manager."

Click "Connect Data Sources."

Select "Web."

Click "Get Started."

Choose "Facebook Pixel" and click "Connect."

Name your Pixel. Use your business name.

Enter your website URL.

Click "Continue."

Now Facebook gives you code to add to your website. You have three options:

Option 1: Email the instructions to your web developer. They'll know what to do.

Option 2: Use a partner integration. If you use Shopify, WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, Facebook has easy integration. Click the integration and follow prompts.

Option 3: Manually add the code yourself. Copy the code and paste it in the header section of your website.

If this feels overwhelming, hire someone on Fiverr for $20 to install it for you. It's worth it.

Test your Pixel: After installing, visit your own website. Facebook will show a green checkmark if it's working.

Step 5: Set Up Billing Settings

While you're in settings, configure a few more things.

Click Settings (gear icon) in Ads Manager.

Under "Payment Settings," set:

Billing threshold: Facebook charges your card when you hit this amount. Start with $25 or $50.

Backup payment method: Add a second card in case the first one fails.

Email notifications: Make sure you'll get alerts about billing issues.

Step 6: Add People to Your Ad Account (Optional)

If you have employees or hire help, add them to your ad account.

In Ads Manager, click the menu.

Select "Business Settings."

Click "Users" then "People."

Click "Add."

Enter their email and choose their role:

• Admin (full control)

• Advertiser (can create ads)

• Analyst (can view but not edit)

They'll get an email invitation.

Step 7: Familiarize Yourself with the Dashboard

Take two minutes to look around.

Left side: Menu with options like Campaigns, Ads, Billing.

Top: Date range, filters, breakdown options.

Center: This is where your campaigns will appear once you create them. It's empty now.

Right: When you select a campaign, details appear here.

Don't worry about understanding everything. You'll learn as you go.

Step 8: Verify Your Domain (Extra Credit)

This is optional but recommended.

Facebook wants to verify you own your website. This gives you more control over how your links appear.

In Business Settings, select "Brand Safety."

Click "Domains."

Click "Add."

Enter your website domain (example.com).

Facebook gives you a verification file to upload or a DNS record to add.

Choose whichever method you're comfortable with. If this sounds confusing, skip it for now. You can do it later.

Step 9: Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Protect your account.

Click your profile picture in Ads Manager.

Select "Settings and Privacy."

Click "Settings."

Click "Security and Login."

Find "Two-Factor Authentication" and click "Edit."

Choose your method (authentication app or text message).

This prevents hackers from accessing your ad account and spending your money.

Step 10: Create Your First Campaign

You're set up! Time to create an ad.

Click the green "+ Create" button.

Choose your objective.

Follow the steps from our earlier guide about creating your first campaign.

That's It!

Your Ads Manager is ready to go. Took less than 10 minutes, right?

Most of these steps you only do once. After this initial setup, you'll just log in and create ads.

Common Setup Problems

Can't add payment method: Make sure your card isn't expired. Try a different card or use PayPal.

Pixel not working: Check that the code is in the section of your website. Visit your site while logged into Facebook to test it.

Can't access Ads Manager: Make sure you're using a Facebook account that's connected to your Business Page.

Don't have permission: If someone else created the ad account, they need to add you as a user.

Keep Your Account Healthy

A few tips for long-term success:

Never share your login. If you need help, add people as users instead.

Keep payment methods current. Expired cards pause your ads.

Review spending regularly. Check at least weekly to make sure you're not overspending.

Read Facebook's ad policies. Breaking rules can get your account disabled. Find them at facebook.com/policies/ads.

You're Ready to Advertise

Everything's set up. You have no more excuses.

Create your first campaign. The learning starts when you actually launch something.

Speed Up Your First Campaign

Now that Ads Manager is ready, the next challenge is creating your first ad.

Stirling helps you through the creative part. Instead of staring at blank fields wondering what to write, generate professional Facebook ad copy in minutes. Get your first campaign running today, not next week.

The setup is done. Now it's time to advertise.