To keep up-to-date with digital marketing trends, it’s important to keep learning new skills. There are a lot of digital courses and digital marketing certifications available online today. Many of these courses and certifications are free for digital marketers who are looking to get ahead with their personal brand in the constantly-evolving digital space.
To become a top candidate for your first marketing job or your next digital marketing job, certifications give you an edge for recruiters looking for talent like you.
Don’t fall behind with your digital marketing skills. Take advantage of digital marketing certifications.
You can sharpen your skills and ensure you a leading candidate for that new job. Everything counts when you are building your personal brand. Here are some of the best marketing certification programs you should explore to improve your credibility and reputation in digital marketing.
Top 15 digital marketing certifications to explore
To guide you toward the top digital marketing certifications available online today, I have compiled a list of the best digital marketing certifications that would look great on your digital marketing resume and LinkedIn profile. Let’s dive in.
1. Google Ads Certification
Google Ads is powerful in the digital space. Digital advertising is more than placing a banner ad on a website. Today, digital advertising is so much more. United States digital ad spending continues to increase. Google AdWords has become effective for organizations looking to boost their digital marketing return on investment.
The Google Ads certification is a professional certificate for people able to demonstrate knowledge of Google AdWords. The certificate is valid for one year.
How to become Google Ads certified
To become Google Ads certified in a Google Ads, you need to pass the assessment in a certain area. The certifications are available for the following Google Ads: Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, Google Ads Video, Shopping ads, Google Ads Apps, and Google Ads Measurement Certification.
Google recommends you have hands-on experience using Google Ads. You can study their learning materials and take the exams for free. If you do not pass the exam on the first try, you can re-take the exam seven days later.
How to get started
Learn more about Google Ads certification.
Cost
Free
2. Google Analytics Certification
Google Analytics is one of the many tools marketers can use to measure the growth of website traffic. It is easy to use for beginners and powerful for more advanced users.
Google Analytics is essential to marketers as a free tool to use in their digital marketing toolkit. Becoming an expert can be overwhelming given how comprehensive the tool is for users.
How to become Google Analytics certified
When you become Google Analytics certified, you will become effective at utilizing Google Analytics within your organization. You can help others use the tool. To become Google Analytics certified, you must take the Google Analytics exam. Google recommends you have hands-on experience using Google Analytics. However, it is not a requirement. You can review the study materials and take the exam for free.
How to get started
Learn more about Google Analytics certification.
Cost
Free
3. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
Content is king in today’s digital world and content marketing is a core pillar of an effective digital marketing strategy. Becoming HubSpot content marketing certified is a good thing to do for your career and your organization. All marketers today should possess writing and communication skills. You should understand how to build scalable and repeatable processes to implement and execute on their content marketing strategy. Whether you’re new to content marketing or a seasoned content marketing pro, HubSpot’s content marketing certification will help you grow your career in digital marketing.
What does the HubSpot Content Marketing Certification course cover?
HubSpot’s Content Marketing certification is a eight hour course with 14 lessons. It covers various the different aspects of content marketing strategy, including storytelling, content ideation, content creation framework, content repurposing, to content promotion.
How to get started
Learn more on HubSpot’s content marketing certification course page.
Cost
Free
4. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
HubSpot through HubSpot Academy also offers other free training and certifications to help you become better at digital marketing. Another certification you should take is the free HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification. This course will help you better understand inbound marketing best practices, independent of the HubSpot platform. During this certification course, you’ll learn inbound marketing techniques.
What does the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification course cover?
The HubSpot inbound marketing certification is great for digital marketers because inbound marketing discusses how to attract visitors, convert leads, gain customers, and delight them into becoming promoters. This five hour course contains 11 classes that cover the fundamentals of inbound marketing or “pull marketing” to attract potential customers to your website. It covers content creation, social promotion, converting and nurturing leads, and much more.
How to get started
Learn more about it on HubSpot’s inbound certification course page.
Cost
Free
5. HubSpot Email Marketing Certification
The HubSpot Academy has tons of free certifications you should check out. Another one I recommend is the free email marketing certification. This course will help you master the fundamentals of email marketing. Wiht email marketing one of the most in-demand skills in digital marketing, this course will help you grow your digital marketing career.
What does the HubSpot Email Marketing Certification course cover?
This email marketing course teaches you how to create an email marketing strategy. This important to growing your business, and your career. From contact management and segmentation to email deliverability and analyzing your email sends, the HubSpot email marketing certification course shows you how to build an email marketing strategy. You’ll learn how to be human with your email marketing and how to add value to your subscribers.
How to get started
Learn more about it on HubSpot email marketing certification course page.
Cost
Free
6. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certifications
Hootsuite is a popular social media management platform. It offers a variety of social media marketing training, ranging from intro courses to an advanced social media. Hootsuite, through their Hootsuite Academy, provides social media training courses are a great way to set yourself up as the leading candidate for your dream job and excel at your current job.
What does the Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification program cover?
The course comprises of 15 lessons and assessments. It tests your knowledge of concepts of social media marketing. Once you pass the 60-question online exam, your certification never expires. You will receive a badge.
For more advanced social media users, HootSuite has partnered with the Newhouse School at Syracuse University to offer an Advanced Social Media Strategy Certification.
How to get started
Learn more about Hootsuite’s training and certifications at Hootsuite Social Media Certification course page.
Cost
Hootsuite offers different types of social media certifications that vary by cost.
7. Content Marketing Institute Online Certification
The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) has become one of the most-respected resources for content marketers. Through its CMI University, CMI offers online training and certification for content marketers.
What does the Content Marketing Institute Certification program cover?
Their continually updated curriculum covers a wide spectrum of content marketing topics, including Planning, Audience, Story, Channels, Process, Conversation, and Measurement. The program includes classes from experts for the 7 topics/tracks and you can work at your own pace. While there is a suggested ‘route’ through the courses, you can take the 7 courses in any order.
Once you have studied the training materials and pass the exam, you will be certified. The certification never expires. You don’t need to maintain your yearly subscription unless you want to continue learning.
How to get started
Enroll on the CMI University website.
Cost
Here’s their cost structure:
- Individual $995/learner
- Non-profit $695/learner
- Alumni $595/learner
- Group discounts available for three or more learners
- Corporate and white label access is also available
8. Facebook Blueprint Certifications
Facebook advertising is an effective way for your organization to reach your target audience and drive awareness. To set yourself apart in the world of digital marketing, you can become a Facebook certified professional. Facebook’s Blueprint Certification recognizes advanced-level proficiency with Facebook’s products and services.
What does the Facebook Blueprint Certification cover?
Getting certified can help you stand out from others in the digital marketing job market. When you have a Facebook Blueprint Certified Professional digital badge to share online, you have proof of advanced level competency in the digital advertising industry. A Blueprint certification is a signal to companies you can improve their ad campaigns with your knowledge of Facebook.
This program offers eight certifications:
- 100-101: Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate
- 200-101: Facebook Certified Marketing Science Professional
- 300-101: Facebook Certified Creative Strategist Professional
- 400-101: Facebook Certified Media Planning Professional
- 410-101: Facebook Certified Media Buying Professional
- 500-101: Facebook Certified Marketing Developer
- 510-101: Facebook Certified Advanced Marketing Developer
- 520-101: Facebook Certified Advertising API Developer
How to get started
Learn more about Facebook’s Certifications and get started today.
Cost
The Facebook Blueprint Certification exams cost up to the equivalent of $150 per exam. The actual cost may differ based on your country. You’ll see the cost displayed during the checkout process.
9. Market Motive Digital Marketing Certification Program
Billed as “learning digital marketing from Silicon Valley-based industry experts,” Market Motive is recognized for its web-based training platforms. They have provided digital marketing courses and certifications since 2007.
What does the Market Motive Digital Marketing Certification program cover?
The Digital Marketing Certified Associate (DMCA) course helps you master core digital domains like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing, Pay-Per-Click (PPC), Web Analytics, and Content Marketing. In addition to the 8 core modules in this Digital Marketing course, they offer tool-based training on Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Market Motive is a registered education provider by Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP), one of the premier certifications for online marketing professionals. Their certification courses prep you for the OMCP® Certification, the emerging standard of excellence in the digital marketing industry. Only the best training courses earn this honor.
How to get started
Enroll online at Market Motive for the certificate you want to earn
Cost
An individual membership starts at $299 per month or $2,999 per year. For the DMCA course, you can enroll for self-paced learning at $499 for 180 days of access or the online classroom flexipass for $999 for 90 days of access.
10. Digital Marketing Institute Certified Digital Marketing Professional
Founded in 2008 and with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) has “trained more graduates to a single digital marketing standard than any other certification body.” Their suite of courses are built for digital marketing and sales professionals. Leading digital marketing experts teach the courses. The courses are geared for everyone ranging from beginners to advanced users.
How to become a certified digital marketing professional
Courses include Digital Marketing, Digital and Social Selling and Planning, Social Media, Mobile Marketing, and Search Marketing. For example, you can get a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing. It is DMI’s cornerstone certification and can provide you with an introduction to key digital marketing specialisms. They include mobile marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, digital advertising, and search engine optimization.
How to get started
You can start by taking a free digital diagnostic and then sign up for a course.
Cost
The price for the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing is $1,995
11. Cornell University Digital Marketing Certificate Program
As a part of Cornell University’s online learning subsidiary, eCornell offers one of the top online professional and executive development programs in the world. The marketing program was developed by the faculty from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.
What does the Cornell Digital Marketing Certificate program cover?
This certificate program begins with an overview of the digital marketing landscape, preparing you to implement proven frameworks. The program then goes into opportunities and strategies associated with leading digital marketing channels. Then, you will create your own digital marketing plans. By the end of this program, you will be able to develop an integrated digital marketing plan based on your company’s priorities and resources.
How to get started
Learn more about Cornell’s Digital Marketing Certificate program.
Cost
Tuition for the certificate program is $3,600.
12. Duke University Digital Media and Marketing Certificate Program
The online, self-paced Digital Media and Marketing Certificate is for professionals looking to enhance their existing digital marketing skills. Or it can help you pursue a new career in digital marketing. This program is accessible anytime from any computer with an internet connection. Students can determine the course schedule and set their own pace.
What does the Duke Digital Media and Marketing Certification program cover?
During the 12-month program, you will learn from industry-known authors, speakers, and consultants. Students can study the real-time curriculum online, watch streaming video lessons, and learn the valuable and actionable skills necessary to be competitive online
The online Digital Media and Marketing Certificate program has 350 hours of online instruction. Study time covers modules such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media, mobile marketing, pay per click (PPC), conversion optimization, web analytics, email marketing and display advertising. Most of these modules qualify students for an Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) designation when other requirements are also met.
How to get started
Learn more about Duke’s Digital Media and Marketing certificate program.
Cost
The program costs $3,195.
13. YouTube Certification
YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine, processing more than 3 billion searches a month. And 100 hours of videos are uploaded every minute. As video becomes a preferred content medium, it is important to have a well-defined video content strategy. YouTube is a great place to start.
What does the YouTube Certification cover?
The YouTube Certification will help you learn how to create a YouTube channel, how to grow it, how to optimize it. You’ll also find out how to monetize it. The certification is valid for one and half years (18 months) from the date you pass your certification.
How to get started
Learn more about how to become YouTube certified.
Cost
Free
14. GetResponse Digital Marketing Certifications
GetResponse is an email marketing software company, helping 350,000+ small businesses, marketers and brands. The company’s goal is to help marketers get better results online with landing pages, webinars, and marketing automation.
What does the GetReponse Digital Marketing Certification program cover?
They offer four certificate courses to expand your digital marketing expertise.
Content Marketing Certification
In this dynamic course, you’ll learn how to create a content marketing program, how to use different marketing channels to attract new prospects, how to best distribute content, and how to become a better content marketer.
Email Marketing Certification
In this course, you’ll learn how to use the power of email subscription. You’ll learn how to craft marketing messages, build a list of engaged contacts, and convert clicks into sales.
Marketing Automation Certification
In this course, you’ll learn why and how to automate your campaigns. You’ll learn how to set up automation workflows, and when to use automation to get your best return on investment (ROI).
Landing Page and Conversion Optimization Certification
In this course, you’ll learn how to design mobile-friendly landing pages. You’ll be able to hone your copywriting skills, and learn tools to help you analyze your landing page performance.
How to get started
Learn more about GetResponse Digital marketing certificate program
Cost
$199 per course
15. American Marketing Association (AMA) Digital Marketing Certification
The American Marketing Association (AMA) is the largest professional marketing association in the world. They have partnered with LinkedIn Learning to curate a learning path of AMA-approved courses so you can become a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)® in Digital Marketing.
The learning path and exam offer you the knowledge and confidence to conceptualize, execute, and measure your digital marketing strategies. The program is as flexible as your schedule. It is rigorous enough to prove you have the knowledge needed to advance your digital marketing career.
What does the AMA PCM® Digital Marketing Certification program cover?
The AMA digital marketing certification program covers in-demand topics. Topics include analytics, social media marketing, user experience (UX), search engine optimization (SEO), digital advertising, email marketing, and content marketing.
The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes two hours to complete. There is an option of a 15-minute break halfway through the exam. Like most other programs, you need to answer 80 percent of the questions right to obtain your certificate. You can take the exam up to three times within one year of purchase. The PCM® Digital Marketing Certification is created and vetted by AMA’s PCM programs to ensure you’re equipped with the skills you need to make a difference in your marketing career.
How to get started
Review the skills you need to know to pass the AMA PCM® Digital Marketing Certification exam. Then, take the free practice exam (ama.org login required).
Cost
The program costs $249 for AMA members and $349 for non-AMA members.
BONUS #1: Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP)
OMCP is a certification standard and an industry association that maintains the competency and exam standards for online marketing in coordination with industry leaders. They provide certification verification and credentialing of individual practitioners, agencies, and educational institutions.
OMCP publishes competency standards used for curriculum and employee evaluation, the industry body of knowledge, certification exams, readiness tests, and podcasts related to best practices in online marketing. OMCP does not provide training. The organization is not tied to any one platform, training provider, agency or vendor.
How to get started
Find out which training programs and higher learning curricula are OMCP Authorized.
Cost
Depends on the individual education provider
BONUS #2: Directive Consulting Institute Digital Marketing Certifications
Directive Consulting is a marketing and advertising agency. The agency consists of search marketing experts, creatives, and technical specialists who help in-house, enterprise marketing teams such as Allstate, Cisco, and Betterment.
What does the Directive Consulting Institute certification program cover?
This digital marketing program consists of more than 40 lessons across 4 main modules (PCC, SEO, CRO, and Analytics and Optimization) based on campaigns they have used with their clients.
How to get started
Learn more about Directive Institute certificate program.
Cost
You can sign up for a free trial that includes 4 video tutorials, 2 PPC lessons, 2 SEO lessons. If want access to the full course, it is $39 per month or $468/year.
BONUS #3: JobPrepped Digital Marketing Bootcamp
JobPrepped is an online program founded by Joseph Blanco, who has trained and hired more than 3,000 marketers and sales professionals in marketing and sales from more than 150 U.S. universities. This digital marketing course is meant for anyone that wants to get into digital marketing with less than two years of digital marketing experience. Working experience is the #1 thing hiring managers want so JobPrepped makes sure students get more than just a certification.
What does the JobPrepped certification program cover?
The program covers social media, email marketing, pay per click (PPC), and search engine marketing (SEO). It’s different from other digital marketing certification courses because JobPrepped provides students with real-world working experience in marketing.
How to get started
Learn more about JobPrepped Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
Cost
The “basic” level provides training videos at $199. The “hire me” level gives you access to training Videos + one skill set such as SEO, social media and lead generation, and email marketing and PPC at $349. The “all star candidate” level provides training videos and all of the above skill sets for $499.
Digital marketing certifications give you a competitive advantage
To stay top of mind with today’s digitally savvy consumer, you need to stay fresh and relevant. You should approach the development of your digital marketing career the same way and obtain a digital marketing certification. After you obtain one or more of the above digital marketing certifications, you should add it to your resume and LinkedIn profile. For example, you should include your digital marketing certifications in the certifications section of your LinkedIn profile.
When you add your certifications, make sure you include the dates of when you received them and when they expire. You may also want to include your new certifications in your online bio on your website and online social media profiles such as your Twitter bio. There is a range of digital marketing certifications to choose from today and they can help you to stand out from the crowd. Digital marketing certifications can help you excel in your current job and/or find your dream job.
What digital marketing certifications are missing? What digital marketing certification should be added to this list?
Comments are closed.