Online Marketing Courses: The Ultimate List Of Top 19 Courses

Marketing has become an ever-evolving force of nature in the digital era. New tools, platforms, and algorithms have forced marketers to throw out the old rule books and learn on the go. While schools, colleges and universities helped form our academic foundation, upskilling is the key to staying current. Like all things in the digital era, the way to upskill is through online marketing courses.

The incessant competition in the job market demands that job candidates not only possess the relevant qualifications but also have differentiating skills. For this purpose, online courses become one of the most preferable career-building tools.  

According to a survey conducted by the company HR.com, “100 percent of respondents agreed that certification courses related to their industry are advantageous during the hiring process, in both new hire and internal employee placement scenarios.”

Today, online marketing courses are among the most popular courses people enrol for.  Marketing holds a prime position in any business operation. Thus, marketing is not just meant for marketers but also helps other professionals to get exposed to the basic values that help to build brands, network with people,  and thus grow businesses. 

Basic List of Online Marketing Courses (Free & Paid)

Now let’s understand the sources and types of online marketing courses in detail:

Where to Find Online Marketing Courses

College students have a wealth of options available when it comes to finding online marketing courses. Here's a breakdown of some popular platforms and resources:

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs):

• Pros: Free or very affordable, flexible learning pace, diverse course offerings from top universities and institutions.
• Cons: Can be instructor-led with limited interaction, may lack project-based learning opportunities, certificate value might vary depending on the provider.
• Platforms: Coursera, edX, Udacity, FutureLearn

Online Learning Platforms:

• Pros: Extensive course libraries, often include video lectures, quizzes, and downloadable resources, many offer free trials or tiered subscription models.
• Cons: Can vary in quality, some courses might be outdated, may require a paid subscription for in-depth learning.
• Platforms: Udemy, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, Unstop

University Online Programs:

• Pros: Structured curriculum with clear learning objectives, earn a certificate or even a degree in marketing, potential for interaction with instructors and classmates.
• Cons: Often require significant time commitment and financial investment, may require specific admission criteria.
• Options: Many universities offer online certificate programs or even full degrees in marketing. Check with your own university's online learning department or explore programs from other accredited institutions.

Company Training & Certifications:

• Pros: Free or low-cost certifications, learn directly from the companies behind leading marketing tools and platforms, gain practical skills relevant to specific platforms.
• Cons: Focuses on a specific company's tools or platforms, might not offer broader marketing principles, certificate value might be tied to the specific company's brand recognition.
• Examples: Google Digital Garage offers free certifications in Google Ads, Analytics, and other tools. Facebook Blueprint and HubSpot Academy offer similar programs for their respective platforms.

Additional Considerations:

• Specialization Platforms: Platforms like Hootsuite Academy or Social Media Examiner focus specifically on social media marketing, offering in-depth courses and certifications.
• Professional Associations: Organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA) offer online courses and certifications for marketing professionals, potentially at a discounted rate for student members.

Here are some online marketing courses that you can look into: 

Google Online Marketing Courses

A. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google Digital Unlocked

This certification course offered by Google is one of the most pursued online digital marketing courses in the Google Digital Garage. It enables a candidate to master the basics of digital marketing with their free Interactive Advertising Bureau-accredited course. The course is created by highly experienced digital marketing professionals and involves practical learning exposure.

This free digital marketing course will help you get trained in content marketing, business strategy, email marketing, SEO, SEM and more. Following are the important details:

B) Google Ads Display Certification by Google Skillshop

Google Ads is one of the most successful advertising methods for increasing website traffic and generating leads. Many business owners have leveraged Google ads to gain an ROI of up to 200%. A Google Ad certificate can help you deliver optimum results and make the most of your display advertising investment. Once attaining this certification, Google recognizes your ability to develop a Google Display strategy, create a digital marketing strategy, and generate a plan to tap new as well as existing customers with Google Display Audiences. Here are other details of this certification course:

 C) Google Analytics for Beginners

This course by Google- one of the most popular search engines in the world, will give you a good overview of Google Analytics in the simplest way possible. Google Analytics helps to measure your advertising ROI providing critical insights into your business. The following course for beginners can be a great addition to your digital marketing skills. 

 D) Online Advertising Course for Business Promotion

Today, no business can survive without an online presence. Thus, this course is a must for candidates who want to learn about all the key digital marketing channels to promote a business, create a strong marketing strategy, and thus attract the right customers. The course will cover lectures on understanding ad networks, email marketing strategy, creating social media strategy, and running digital marketing campaigns on various social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook marketing, etc. Here are the details

Salesforce CRM 

Another online marketing course that one can take is on CRM or Customer Relationship Management. CRM surfaces high-quality leads from data generated from the campaigns created and run within the marketing automation tool. Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms are used by many departments - sales, marketing, customer service, etc, to name a few. It helps manage relationships with customers and prospects and track data related to all their interactions.

American cloud-based software company Salesforce is a global leader in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The company offers a free short course designed as a bite-sized module to acquaint you with its CRM platform. Here are the details:

Inbound and Content Marketing Certification by Hubspot Academy

A) Inbound Marketing Certification

This is one of the most popular online marketing courses available at Hubspot Academy. Designed for inbound professionals and marketers, this certification course is one of the best on the internet for those willing to learn about inbound marketing techniques and develop an understanding of the core tactics of inbound marketing. The course will touch upon topics such as Behavioral marketing, content distribution strategy, maximization of ROI with marketing attribution,  marketing automation, and more. Following are the details:

B) Content Marketing Certification

The content marketing certification course will give you hands-on experience on how to become an effective content marketer and help you to learn a content creation framework for producing effective content on a consistent basis and thus maximize your marketing efforts. Here are the course details:

Semrush Courses

SEO Toolkit Course

Provided by a team of Semrush professionals, this is one of the best online digital marketing courses that delves into all the need-to-know features of the digital marketing toolkit to help a business grow tremendously. The course gives an overview of all the necessary toolkits required for search engine marketing.

This online marketing course gives a brief introduction to methodologies to grow social strategy.  Irrespective of your background, this free course is a perfect fit for you and can help you take your social media marketing to the next level. To top it all up, you will get to learn about the SMM essentials with industry expert Neal Schaffer.

SMM Fundamental Certification

This online marketing course briefly introduces methodologies to grow social strategy.  Irrespective of your background, this free course is a perfect fit for you and can help you take your social media marketing to the next level. To top it all up, you will get to learn about the SMM essentials with industry expert Neal Schaffer.

Video Marketing YouTube Certification

As video content is becoming a more popular form of content, it's critical to have a well-defined video content strategy. This YouTube certification, which spans 29 modules, includes best practices for channel growth, platform strategies, and channel development tactics to help you succeed on YouTube and beyond.

Email Marketing Made Easy For Beginners

Email marketing is one of the most basic and integral skills that everyone should have irrespective of their background. This online marketing course by Udemy helps us to learn the basics of email marketing and write better emails to businesses and consumers.

Choosing the Right Online Marketing Course

Selecting the right online marketing course can be overwhelming. Here are some key factors to consider to make an informed decision:

Identify Your Learning Goals:

Are you seeking a broad overview of digital marketing fundamentals, or do you want to specialize in a specific area like SEO or content marketing?

Do you aim to gain practical skills or theoretical knowledge?

Consider aligning your course selection with your career aspirations or interests within the marketing field.

Evaluate Your Learning Style:

• Do you prefer instructor-led video lectures, interactive exercises, or self-paced learning with downloadable materials?
• Some platforms offer a mix of formats, while others cater to specific learning styles.

Assess Instructor Credentials:

• Look for courses taught by experienced marketing professionals with industry expertise.
• Check the instructor's background, qualifications, and any relevant teaching experience.

Consider Course Content & Structure:

• Does the course curriculum align with your learning goals?
• Does it offer a clear structure with a logical progression of topics?
• Look for courses with a mix of theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, and real-world case studies.

Read Reviews & Ratings:

• What do other students say about the course content, instructor quality, and overall learning experience?
• Reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into the course's effectiveness.

Compare Costs & Investment:

• Online marketing courses range from free MOOCs to premium programs with certifications.
• Consider your budget and the value proposition of each course before enrolling.
• Some platforms offer free trials or tiered subscription models that might be more cost-effective.

Remember: Don't be afraid to explore different resources. Many platforms allow you to preview a course before committing. Take advantage of free trials or introductory modules to gauge the course quality and see if it aligns with your expectations.

A career in marketing can be exciting. However, as exciting as the possibilities are, marketing is one of the most uncertain professions. Every week, new approaches, digital marketing concepts, and best practices emerge, forcing marketers to stay on the edge of their seats in order to keep up. These free online learning courses will certainly help you to add the required skills to your resume and thus significantly increase your chances of getting hired for entry-level marketing jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will I learn in an online marketing course?

You will learn key digital marketing strategies, including SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, and content creation. Courses often cover analytics to measure campaign performance.

2. Are online marketing courses suitable for beginners?

Yes, most courses cater to all levels. Beginners can start with foundational topics, while advanced learners can dive into specialized areas like PPC or influencer marketing.

3. How long does it take to complete an online marketing course?

Course duration varies. Some can be completed in a few weeks, while others may take several months. Most courses offer flexible schedules to fit your lifestyle.

4. Will I receive a certification after completing the course?

Many online marketing courses offer certificates upon completion. These certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.

5. How do online marketing courses help in career advancement?

These courses equip you with in-demand skills. They can open doors to roles like digital marketer, SEO specialist, and social media manager. Certifications also add credibility to your professional profile.

6. Can I apply the skills learned immediately?

Absolutely. Online marketing courses are designed to provide practical, hands-on experience. You can start applying the skills to real-world projects or your own business right away.

7. Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in an online marketing course?

Most courses have no prerequisites and are designed for all skill levels. However, having a basic understanding of internet usage and social media can be beneficial.

By following these guidelines, you can make an informed decision about enrolling in an online marketing course that meets your needs and helps advance your career.

You might also be interested in reading:

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3. Why and how to choose an online course?
4. IIT Delhi certificate course for digital marketing launched; graduates eligible to apply