Your marketing knowledge is your biggest asset in the industry, and marketing certifications validate your proficiency. The demand for certifications is on the rise as employers consider them as a sign that an applicant has the required skills for the job. Even if you are an experienced digital marketing specialist, your marketing certifications demonstrate your commitment to constantly upgrading your skills.
Some of the most in-demand marketing certifications related to SEO, PPC, SEM, and Analytics can open doors to top tech companies and help land remunerative offers.
The High Demand for Digital Marketing Specialists
The rising demand for marketing specialists doesn't seem to decline in the upcoming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a marketing specialist can make up to $65,810 annually. There is an expectation of 163,600 new vacancies in the industry, which is almost twice the labor market average.
On the other hand, a marketing manager can earn up to $141,490 annually, which translates to $68.03 per hour. Overall, the demand for digital marketing specialists has increased by 19.6% since 2006.
Qualifications and Certifications Pay Off
The payscale for marketing specialists with and without marketing certifications can vary from $116,500 to $67,000 per year. That's a whopping $43,000 per year difference!
The difference widens for Digital Marketing Specialist positions. While entry-level positions pay up to $47,750 annually, experienced, certified specialists have an almost double salary— approximately $94,000 per year.
The certifications range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. But they carry the immense potential to offer a substantial increase in earnings.
Academic Courses Vs Certifications
Academic courses focus on the fundamentals of digital marketing. Some advanced courses are designed to augment further the understanding of people working in marketing-related positions.
Contrastingly, digital marketing certification courses focus on specific tools. Often these certifications are prerequisites for employment. So, if you're seeking a marketing position at a company, get marketing certifications from Google and top institutes to level up your career.
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Simplilearn's Advanced Search Engine Optimization course transforms you into a full-stack SEO professional providing in-depth knowledge that helps drive sustained growth to your website's critical marketing channels.
Cost:
- Self-Paced Learning: ₹ 34,999
- Online Bootcamp: ₹ 39,999
- Corporate Training: Customized To Your Team's Needs
Why Go for This?
This SEO certification validates your skills related to keyword research, link building, technical SEO, analytics, competitive analysis, on-page optimization, off-page optimization, and more. These skills are highly valuable and rewarding in the digital marketing industry.
You also develop proficiency in the top marketing tools, including SEMrush, Moz, Majestic, and SpyFu.
How to Get Started?
If you possess an undergraduate degree/ high school diploma and find interest in the SEO field, you can enroll in the course. To obtain your SEO certification, you must:
- Complete 85% of the course
- Attend all the sessions within one live virtual batch
- Complete the projects
- Complete a simulation test with at least 75%
2. Advanced Social Media Certification
This course certification is a must-have for any aspiring Social Media Marketer, and seasoned professionals can polish their skills too. The Advanced Social Media Certification course program is designed to help you master social media marketing, including strategy formation, influencer marketing, reputation management, web analytics, and content marketing.
Cost:
- Self-Paced Learning: ₹ 34,999
- Online Bootcamp: ₹ 39,999
- Corporate Training: Customized To Your Team's Needs
Why Go for This?
This marketing certification combines the disciplines of advanced social media, advanced web analytics, and advanced content marketing to enable you to elevate your brand and execute successful social campaigns. It provides extensive project experience, and on completion of the course, you will be able to utilize popular platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn like a pro.
How to Get Started?
Anyone with basic digital marketing knowledge can enroll for the course online and get lifetime access to self-paced learning. Complete 85% of the course, take the self-assessment simulation exam and get certified.
Get a Holistic Understanding of Digital Marketing
IMT Ghaziabad Digital Marketing ProgramExplore Course3. Advanced Pay Per Click (PPC) Certification
Paid marketing is among the most effective ways to target digital audiences. It accounts for over 40% of all Digital Marketing budgets. The Advanced PPC Training Course curated by industry experts fast-tracks your career by transforming you into an able paid marketing professional.
Cost:
- Self-Paced Learning: ₹ 34,999
- Online Bootcamp: ₹ 39,999
- Corporate Training: Customized To Your Team's Needs
Why Go for This?
The certification course promotes learning the nuances of Pay-Per-Click, conversion optimization, display advertising, and web analytics. It provides in-depth knowledge of bidding methods, ranking algorithms, and ad platforms and covers the following skills:
- Performance measurement
- Lead generation improvement
- Buying funnel
- Keyword organization
- Keyword research
- Ad testing and extensions
- Display network
- Track clicks and ROI
How to Get Started?
Visit the website and select the training option. Click the enroll now button and enter the details required. Get lifetime access to high-quality self-paced e-learning content and start learning the top PPC tools.
4. Post Graduate Program In Digital Marketing
The Postgraduate Digital Marketing Program co-created with Facebook in association with Purdue University has been ranked the no.1 Digital Marketing Course by Marketing Land & Search Engine Journal.
Cost:
- Total fee: ₹ 1,17,700
- Financing option: ₹ 3,907/month
Why Go for This?
You get to learn the best digital marketing tools and strategies from industry experts. The marketing course features Masterclasses from Facebook and Purdue. Additionally, you enjoy the following perks:
- Purdue Advantage: 6-credit transfer for the Purdue Online MS in Communication program
- Meta Exam Voucher of $99 and expert sessions with trainers from Meta Blueprint
- Level up sessions with Dorie Clark and Mollie Spilman
- Job Assistance and career mentoring
- Salary hike
- You can complete this certification program while you work.
How to Get Started?
The program has a six months duration. Visit the website and check the starting date for the next cohort. Fill out the application form and begin your journey.
5. Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing
IMT Ghaziabad, in collaboration with Simplilearn, offers Digital Marketing Expert Professional Certificate to facilitate a holistic understanding of digital marketing topics like SEO, Web Analytics, Social Media, PPC, and Marketing Analytics. The course program has a five months duration.
Cost:
- Total fee: ₹ 1,17,700
- Financing option: ₹ 3,907/month
Why Go for This?
Candidates who enroll on the program get the following benefits:
- Live classes by IMT faculty
- IMT Ghaziabad Certificate and Associate Alumni Membership.
- Meta exam voucher of $99
- Expert sessions by Meta Blueprint trainers
- LevelUp sessions by the leading industry experts like Dorie Clark and Mollie Spilman
- Job assistance and career mentoring
- 25+ hands-on projects
How to Get Started?
The prerequisites are:
- At least two years of work experience
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline
- A digital marketing background is desirable but not essential
The application process comprises three simple steps.
- Submit an online application: Tell about yourself and why you wish to pursue the program.
- The admission panel will review the application and shortlist candidates.
- If selected, you can begin the program within 1-2 weeks.
6. Microsoft Advertising Certification
One of the highly sought-after marketing certifications offered by Microsoft —Microsoft Advertising Certification is completely free. It helps you learn how to make the most of your advertising dollars and optimize ad campaigns.
Cost:
Free
Why Go for This?
Once you complete the certification, you get placed in the member directory so potential employers can confirm your certification status. It polishes your existing skills and teaches you the best practices that would help you get started in the marketing world.
How to Get Started?
Visit the Microsoft learning lab and choose from the three free certifications:
- Search Advertising Learning Path
- Native & Display Advertising Learning Path
- Shopping Advertising Learning Path
Click the Start button to begin the course. To earn the certification, you will have to pass an online multiple-choice exam of 50 questions. Achieve at least 80% or more.
Those who pass all 3 certified courses receive the highest-level certification–the Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional (MACP).
7. Google Analytics Individual Qualification Exam
Google Analytics is a must-learn tool for any marketer. The Google Analytics Individual Qualification certification is highly specialized. It transforms you into a well-trained marketing expert who can effectively use Google Analytics to recognize ad strategy's weaknesses and strengths.
Cost:
Free
Why Go for This?
A strong understanding of Google Analytics is sure to push you one step closer to building profitable digital marketing campaigns.
How to Get Started?
Enroll and take a 90-minutes long exam in a single session to get certified. You require a minimum score of 80% to pass. If you do not make it to 80%, you will have to wait a week before trying again.
8. YouTube Certified
YouTube is a promising platform in the marketing world. A YouTube certification introduces candidates to the compelling video marketing journey and assists them in advancing their careers.
Cost:
Free
Why Go for This?
It helps in learning the tips and tricks to creating engaging video content. It allows learners to take up all the building blocks of digital marketing and apply them to the YouTube platform. It provides four in-depth courses on:
- Content Ownership
- Asset monetization
- Music course
- Music rights management
How to Get Started?
First of all, you need to check if you're eligible. The certified courses are only for creators and partners with a partner manager/ Content ID. Also, you must possess a Google Account and be in ongoing compliance with all YouTube policies.
If you are eligible, enroll in a course by contacting your partner manager. Complete your course and take the exam for a 2-hour duration. You must score at least 75% or higher. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may retake the exam after 24 hours.
9. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
The HubSpot Content Marketing Certification comprises 12 courses that help you build a strong content marketing foundation. The course covers everything from guest blogging strategies to content promotion.
Cost:
Free
Why Go for This?
The course is ideal for beginners, Marketing Professionals, Inbound Professionals, and Content Producers who wish to learn a content creation framework to consistently produce effective content for both humans and search engines.
How to Get Started?
Visit the HubSpot academy, sign up, and start your course.
10. Facebook BluePrint Marketing Certification
Utilize Facebook's massive reach to generate traffic and conversions by learning top practices taught in Facebook's two unique marketing certifications:
- Facebook Certified Planning Professional
- Facebook Certified Buying Professional
Cost:
$150 per certification
Why Go for This?
Meta certification bears testimony to your advanced-level proficiency in various aspects of digital marketing with Meta products.
How to Get Started?
Sign up and choose an exam. Prepare well and take the exam. Demonstrate your understanding of planning successful campaigns, targeting the right audiences, and maximizing your reach via Pixels and Facebook Pages.
11. SEMrush SEO Toolkit Course
The SEO Toolkit Course by SEMrush helps you dive into the world of SEO and takes up only three hours of your time. Completing the course will make you ready to handle keyword research, campaign building, and metric measurement.
Cost:
Free
Why Go for This?
The course is free and has a shorter duration. You get to learn proven tactics from digital marketing experts.
How to Get Started?
Visit the website and enroll for free in a course that suits your needs. Start your eLearning journey and prove your potential to prospective employers.
Final Thought
Digital marketing evolves each day. The tactics and platforms that were considered ideal a few years ago don't work well today. To match the pace and stay on the cutting edge, you must enroll in the latest and globally accepted PGP in Digital Marketing that bear testimony to your core competencies. Eroll today and start learning!
