Depending on the last time you completed some formal learning or certifications, digital marketing processes and best practices might have changed drastically. To help point you in the right direction, we’ve put together a list of some great online options to help you refresh your knowledge.
Google AdWords Certification
The Google AdWords certification is a professional accreditation that Google offers to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of AdWords. An AdWords certification allows individuals to demonstrate that Google recognizes them as an expert in online advertising.
When signed up, you’ll get access to these free certification exams and all pre-study materials required. In order to become a certified Professional, you need to pass the “AdWords Fundamental” exam as well as one of the following exam options: Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Mobile Advertising, Video Advertising, or Shopping Advertising.
To get started, you’ll need to sign up for Google Partners
Digital Garage
Google’s Digital Garage allows you to boost your digital knowledge by offering courses on everything from search to social media. These free tutorials allow you to choose which topics you want to learn, or complete the entire online course (26 topics) for a certification from Google and IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) Europe.
To start your learning, you’ll need to create or sign in with a Google account.
Primer
Google Primer is another “grow with Google” program, and is a fast, easy way to learn new business and digital marketing skills. You can participate in the interactive lessons via the downloaded app, whenever you have a 5 minutes to spare.
Primer is always adding new topics to stay relevant to small business owners and marketing professionals, and the app is personalized so that after you complete each lesson you’ll receive a recap and suggestions on the next steps you should take to continue progressing.
To get started, download the app (available for both iPhone and Android users).
HubSpot’s Academy offers a number of courses and certifications to help you learn and become a master of inbound marketing…all for free! Being HubSpot-certified ourselves, we can definitely vouch for these courses and how helpful they can be in expanding your inbound expertise.
Here’s a list of some of the courses they offer:
- Inbound Certification
- Content Marketing Certification
- Email Marketing Certification
- Inbound Sales Certification
- Growth-Driven Design Certification
- Sales Enablement Certification
- HubSpot Design Certification
- Growth-Driven Design Agency Certification
- HubSpot Contextual Marketing Certification
You’ll need to sign up for an account with HubSpot in order to get access to the course programs.
Academy for Ads
Offering even more opportunities for learning, the Academy for Ads is another round-up of “bite-sized” courses which can be accessed on either a laptop or mobile device and completed at your own pace. You’ll be guided through set Learning Paths to Assessments, at the end of which you’ll receive an Achievement to prove what you’ve learned.
Whether you’re new to online advertising or an expert, you can always refresh your skills with the Academy and Google’s documented “best practices“. The Best Practices series provides strategic advice on core search engine marketing tactics and is intended to help you get the most out of your AdWords account.
GetResponse Digital Marketing Certification
Want to expand your online marketing expertise? Test and showcase your skills with other pros? Then join the GetResponse Digital Marketing Certification. They offer 111 lessons, 4 certificates, 14 teachers and 11 hours of training across 4 topics: Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, Landing Page & Conversion Optimization, and Content Marketing.
Each course topic costs $199 USD and you need to sign up to begin the certification.
Analytics Academy
Google Analytics is a treasure trove of information, and all of that data can be overwhelming if you don’t understand how to read it. Analytics Academy will explain all about Google’s measurement tools so that you can be even more intelligent about your website data and analysis.
There’s also a section all about Google Tag Manager, which will break down the complicated tag implementation process so you can easily manage it going forward.
And once you’ve mastered all of those…become an educator!
Once you’ve mastered all of the Google certifications, you can take two additional exams to certify yourself as an “Educator”. This would be ideal for manager or directors, or those responsible for running their marketing departments.
Educator Level 1 is for those who have learned the fundamentals of using Google tools and want to validate their standard technology implementation skills. Educator Level 2 is for those who are ‘super users’ and enthusiasts of Google tools, and can demonstrate advanced technology integration skills. Learn more at Google’s training centre.
