10 Best Free Online Marketing Classes You Should Take
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying abreast of the latest online marketing strategies is crucial for success. Whether you're looking to grow your business or advance your career, online marketing skills are invaluable. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to learn. Here are the 10 best free online marketing classes you should take to sharpen your skills and stay competitive.
1. Google’s Digital Marketing Course
Platform: Google Digital Garage
Duration: 40 hours
Certification: Yes
Google's Digital Marketing Course is a comprehensive introduction to digital marketing. It covers the core concepts such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, and analytics. Google experts craft this course to ensure you're getting real-world insights into marketing strategies.
Key Topics:
- Basics of digital marketing
- Building an online presence
- Understanding the digital market landscape
2. HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing Certification Course
Platform: HubSpot Academy
Duration: 4-5 hours
Certification: Yes
Inbound marketing is integral to attracting customers through valuable content and experiences. HubSpot’s course dives deep into the philosophy of inbound marketing and provides actionable strategies using this approach.
Key Topics:
- Understanding the fundamentals of inbound marketing
- Creating buyer personas
- The role of content in inbound strategies
3. SEMrush Academy
Platform: SEMrush
Duration: Self-paced
Certification: Yes
SEMrush Academy offers several courses focused on different aspects of online marketing, from SEO to pay-per-click advertising. These courses are designed by industry experts to help you master digital marketing tools effectively.
Key Topics:
- SEO fundamentals and tools
- Social media marketing
- PPC tools and strategies
4. Alison: Diploma in E-Business
Platform: Alison
Duration: 10-15 hours
Certification: Yes
Alison's Diploma in E-Business is tailored for beginners. It provides a foundational understanding of online business strategies, digital marketing methods, and the role of search engines in e-business.
Key Topics:
- Online business strategies
- Leveraging social media
- SEO in e-business
5. Facebook Blueprint
Platform: Facebook
Duration: Self-paced
Certification: No (Certification is paid)
Facebook Blueprint offers a plethora of free courses focusing on leveraging Facebook and Instagram for marketing purposes. Though their certification is paid, the free content provides valuable insights into audience targeting and advertising optimization.
Key Topics:
- Creating effective ads
- Audience targeting strategies
- Instagram marketing
6. Coursera: Marketing in a Digital World
Platform: University of Illinois via Coursera
Duration: Approximately 15 hours
Certification: Yes (with paid subscription)
This course, part of the Digital Marketing Specialization from the University of Illinois, explores how digital tools such as mobile devices, virtual reality, and social media are changing the marketing landscape.
Key Topics:
- Impact of digital tools on marketing
- Digital marketing tactics and technologies
- Consumer behavior in the digital environment
7. Moz’s SEO Training Course
Platform: Moz
Duration: 3 hours
Certification: No
Moz provides a crash course in SEO focusing on the foundational aspects of search engine optimization. It is perfect for beginners wanting to enhance their website’s visibility on search engines.
Key Topics:
- SEO best practices
- On-page and off-page SEO
- Link building strategies
8. LinkedIn Learning: Modern Digital Marketing
Platform: LinkedIn Learning
Duration: 1-2 hours
Certification: Yes (with subscription)
This course offers quick insights into modern digital marketing tactics, focusing on strategies that work in today's mobile-first internet landscape.
Key Topics:
- Mobile-focused marketing methods
- Utilizing LinkedIn for business
- Branding through digital channels
9. Copyblogger: Content Marketing Certification
Platform: Copyblogger
Duration: Self-paced
Certification: No
Copyblogger is ideal for those interested in mastering content marketing. Even without a formal certification, the knowledge gained from their tutorials and articles can significantly enhance your content marketing expertise.
Key Topics:
- Creating high-quality content
- Content strategy and distribution
- Engaging and converting your audience
10. edX: Marketing Analytics
Platform: University of California, Berkeley via edX
Duration: Approximately 4-5 weeks
Certification: Paid option available
Understanding analytics is crucial for measuring the success of your marketing efforts. This course delves into the data-driven aspects of marketing, providing skills to analyze and interpret data effectively.
Key Topics:
- Fundamentals of marketing analytics
- Data-driven decision making
- Metrics and KPIs in marketing
Conclusion
Learning online marketing doesn’t have to break the bank. With these free courses, you can significantly bolster your marketing skills and stay competitive in the digital marketplace. Whether you're a newbie or an experienced marketer looking to refine your skills, these resources provide valuable knowledge to help you thrive. Embrace these opportunities, and take your marketing game to the next level!