This month marks my second year at Browser Media and I’ve been reflecting on how much we’ve grown in the last 24 months.
prior to Start working at an agencyI had no practical experience in digital marketing, or marketing in general. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the industry, but that's easier said than done, as most entry-level jobs I saw online required a master's degree, five years of relevant experience, and a letter of recommendation from King himself.
Rather than blindly applying for unattainable roles in the hope that putting “willingness to learn” on my resume would get me an interview, I decided I should take the logical step of learning digital marketing to not only prepare for this career change but also prove to employers that I was serious about the role.
Of course, taking an online course or two won't make you a marketing expert, but it can help you gain some foundational knowledge so you don't start your new role feeling like you're still on the starting line.
If you are looking for a job in digital marketing or would like to learn more about digital marketing, here are some resources you can use to learn the basics of digital marketing.
Google Skillshop
No matter what industry your role is, you'll be working with Google systems in some way, whether that's understanding Google Analytics, working with Google Search Console, mastering SEO, etc. Luckily, Google offers a wide range of free courses and certifications to help you understand the fundamentals of digital marketing and related programs.
Google Digital Marketing Fundamentals This is an interactive online course:
- 24 modules covering the fundamentals of digital marketing
- A short multiple-choice assessment after each module
- It takes about 40 hours to complete
- Extensive multiple choice assessment for course completion
- Receive a displayable certificate to show potential employers that you have passed the course
This course is a great introduction to digital marketing and provides a quick overview of key topics in the industry. It is part of a broader system that Google Digital Garagecontains a wide range of free beginner courses on more specific topics, giving you more in-depth information on different areas of digital marketing.
Google Digital Garage offers self-paced online courses, Online Sessions On a variety of topics. These are events that Google organizes on YouTube at specific dates and times. You can register for free and participate online, and ask questions at any time during the event. These YouTube events are a nice change of pace from other “self-study” online courses, especially if reading is not your primary way of learning and absorbing information.
HubSpot Academy
HubSpot Academy It's packed with free online courses covering a variety of topics centered around the most in-demand business skills. Digital Marketing Certification course:
- Designed to provide an overview of the fundamentals of digital marketing
- 9 lessons
- Estimated time to complete: 5.5 hours
- Complete the assessment at the end of the course to earn your certification
HubSpot Academy also offers certification courses in content marketing, social media marketing, digital advertising, email marketing, and more. You can also explore a variety of short courses that delve into more specific topics, such as “AI for Marketers,” “LinkedIn Marketing for Business,” “Designing Effective Google Ads Campaigns,” and “How to Build a Compelling Competitive Strategy.” While these short courses don't offer a certificate, they're a great way to learn more about individual areas of digital marketing.
National Career Service – Skills Bootcamp
of Digital Marketing Skills Bootcampa course run by Digital Skills HQ and supported by the National Careers Service, covers the fundamentals that anyone starting a digital business or looking to start a career in the industry needs to know. Among the modules are SEO basics, an introduction to Google Analytics, social media and more.
Unlike the other online courses in this blog post, Skills Bootcamp is a 12-week full-time course with lessons scheduled every day from 9:30am to 3pm. You will have the opportunity to have one-on-one support sessions with a trainer, which is a great benefit if you are starting with very little knowledge and feel that you need extra support as you learn.
If you are currently working full time but would like to undertake this course, you can contact Digital Skills HQ to discuss more flexible study hours. The course is completely free, but you must be over 19 and have the right to work in the UK to be eligible.
Free courses in the UK
Free courses in England are funded by the UK Government. Digital Marketing Course It covers the fundamentals of digital marketing strategies, including social media, email, and SEO.
This course can be completed in 6-12 weeks with 4-5 hours of study per week. You will also have to complete several short assessments based on the skills you've learned on the course, which your instructor will provide feedback on. Upon completion of the course you will receive a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification in Digital Marketing.
Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC)
OHSC is a private online college specialising in certificates and diplomas approved by accrediting bodies registered with Ofqual. There are four different courses available: Free Digital Marketing Courseseach of which varies in duration and qualification level. Once enrolled, you'll have 24/7 access to the OHSC online learning platform to learn at your own pace, with support from your tutors throughout the course.
- Digital Marketing Short Course (20 hours)
- Here are some digital marketing topics to cover, including strategy, email marketing, and SEO.
- Digital Marketing Level 3 Certification (200 hours)
- Focus on Google Ads and social media marketing
- Digital Marketing Level 5 Diploma (450 hours)
- It covers various areas of the industry in detail, including Google Ads, PPC campaigns, social media, SEO, and more.
- SEO Level 5 Diploma (450 hours)
- An in-depth course on SEO
Starting with a short course is a great way to get your foot in the door in the industry, and if you enjoy 20 hours of learning, you'll probably love a longer, more information-rich course. This is one of the few free courses I found with the option to focus entirely on SEO, a fundamental part of digital marketing and a great area to hone your skills in.
Leads – Paid Digital Marketing Course
I've mentioned a lot of free resources for learning digital marketing, but I have to mention Reed because that's where I found my digital marketing course a little over two years ago.
Reed has countless properties listed Digital Marketing CourseMost courses cost between £10 and £50, but can cost more than £1,000 depending on the certification level and the organisation offering the certification.
When you search for a course, you'll see various details about each course, including:
- Will you obtain a certificate or qualification?
- Tutor support available
- How long the course will take, and whether you can proceed at your own pace or according to a schedule
- If there are reviews, be sure to read them.
I chose Reed's course because I wanted solid modules with proper assessment and tutor support and feedback, but everyone learns differently so it's important to explore all the options available to you and choose the one you think will best suit your learning style.
It's never too late to start learning something new.
