Although offline marketing strategies are still used by many businesses, digital marketing provides companies with an efficient way to engage with, advertise to, and support customers and potential customers.
Digital marketing can help businesses learn about their consumers. Web analytic services can provide businesses with information on the internet users who make up their web traffic, including their general location, age range, and the frequency with which they visit and interact with the business’s digital content. This is useful for determining who their target audience is and, therefore, who they should be marketing their products to.
Marketing is essential to growing a business, improving your sales, and establishing a positive brand reputation. Much of this is now done using digital marketing strategies because of the wide usage of the internet and social media platforms where consumers talk about products. Digital marketing is a lucrative field. Companies understand that their online presence is key to growth. Common positions to pursue in the field include Digital Marketer, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist, Social Media Manager, and Digital Analyst.
The 10 Best Online Digital Marketing Classes
- Borough of Manhattan Community College—Social Media for Business (Live Online)
- Certstaffix—Google Ads Course (Live Online)
- Computer Training Source Inc—SEO Introduction (Live Online)
- Digital Workshop Center—Digital Marketing Certificate (Live Online)
- Ledet Training—SEO Essentials (Live Online)
- Noble Desktop—Digital Marketing Certificate (Live Online)
- Noble Desktop—Google Analytics Bootcamp (Live Online)
- University of Central Florida—Digital Marketing Boot Camp (Live Online)
- General Assembly—Digital Marketing (On-Demand)
- UC Davis and Coursera—Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization (On-Demand)
#1: Borough of Manhattan Community College—Social Media for Business (Live Online)
Borough of Manhattan Community College’s (BMCC) Social Media for Business class prepares students to run successful social media campaigns. Students will learn about several social media platforms, like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram, and how to create content for them. The class will focus not only on content creation, but also planning goals and objectives for a campaign, utilizing third-party web services to implement social media campaigns, and how to measure the effectiveness of a social media campaign.
The class curriculum guides students through the essentials of using social media for digitally marketing a business. Aside from social media, students will also learn about email marketing and how to use Gmail to get Google local listing reviews. Understanding how to create and design content is an important part of this class. Students will learn how to create content for social media, including social media banners, and emails.
Key Information
This is a 100% online class taught over Zoom. There are no prerequisites required to take the course, although prior familiarity with social media platforms might make this class more intuitive.
This class costs $699 plus a $15 registration fee. You may reach out to the BMCC Bursar Office to ask about flexible payment options that may be available to you; otherwise, the full price of the class is due at check out.
The course runs for three months (13 sessions). Classes are held on Saturdays, from 9:30 am EST to 4:30 pm EST. Seat availability can be checked online before checking out. If you can’t commit to the upcoming scheduled class, you can add yourself to the waitlist for a future class.
More Details
This class is run through BMCC’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. They can be contacted via phone, email, or in-person at their physical location in New York City to answer questions about registration.
#2: Certstaffix—Google Ads Course (Live Online)
Creating ad campaigns is an important aspect of digital marketing. Google Ads is a popular platform used to advertise online to web users. A company may be interested in using Google Ads to increase its reach and web traffic and improve brand recognition.
Certstaffix’s Google Ads Course will provide you with knowledge of how to implement Google Ads and create ad campaigns. This class will cover how to create and manage search ads, run per-click search campaigns, and optimize and report on campaigns with Google Ads. An expert instructor will guide you and other participants through lessons on optimizing keywords, writing ads, and how to set and manage bids and budgets.
Key Information
Tuition for this class is $1,410 per person and is due at the time of registration. You can request a group rate for a private group class that can be held online or on-site in select cities. There are no additional fees associated with this class, and your tuition includes a free six-month online retake.
Before signing up for this class, you should have experience using a web browser and productivity software, like Microsoft Office or Google Docs. This class takes place over three days from 10 am EST to 5 pm EST. The days of the class are dependent on the session you sign up for. A live instructor will be leading the class over Zoom.
More Details
This class will prepare you to take the following exams:
- Google Ads Search Certification
- Google Ads Display Certification
- Google Ads Video Certification
- Google Ads Measurement Certification
Certification exams are administered by third-party testing companies. Certstaffix’s Google Ads class will prepare you for the above-listed exams; however, testing providers will charge an exam fee.
Your live instructor will spend the three days of class thoroughly teaching you how to use Google Ads effectively. Former Certstaffix students have provided positive feedback about their courses. Halley P. reported feeling satisfied with the Google Ads course and said that the instructor “went over and beyond” in ensuring that all students understood the course content.
#3: Computer Training Source Inc—SEO Introduction (Live Online)
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a company’s rank on the search engine results page (SERP). In the field of digital marketing, SEO specialists and Digital Marketers are responsible for SEO research keywords that their target audience uses in web searches and analyzing the content of competitors. The goal of SEO is to help consumers find a company’s products and digital communications easily when using search engines.
You’ll receive hands-on instruction from an expert in SEO in Computer Training Source (CTS) Inc’s SEO Introduction class. Participants will learn how to perform keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building. Time will also be dedicated to learning how to research your competitor’s links and keep your website web search engine friendly.
Key Information
You can attend this class in one of CTS’s Chicago-area classrooms or online from the comfort of your home. The class is two sessions long. It runs from 6:30 pm Central to 9:30 pm Central on Monday and Wednesday. CTS asks that you let them know if you’ll be attending from home or a classroom when registering.
Registration costs $399 per student and you can register multiple students at a time. Payment is due upfront. Your registration fee includes a student manual, which will be shipped to you, and a free class retake within six months of attending class. To receive a refund, you must email or text CTS at least four days before your first-class date. At least one day's notice must be given if you need to reschedule.
CTS’s internet Marketing Combo Program allows you to register for four internet Marketing classes and receive a 15% discount.
More Details
The class size for this course is small; typically, six to ten students register. Training will be hands-on, so you can expect to be led by an instructor who’s more than willing to answer your questions.
#4: Digital Workshop Center—Digital Marketing Certificate (Live Online)
Digital Workshop Center (DWC) offers a certificate in Digital Marketing to students who complete their Digital Marketing program. In this program, you’ll learn digital marketing principles, and cost-effective digital marketing strategies that are utilized by businesses. The classes you take will familiarize you with data-driven marketing skills and determine your company’s voice. This program offers a well-rounded understanding of digital marketing practices while providing hands-on practical experience.
Students will take four core classes and five electives as they work toward completing the program and earning their Digital Marketing Certificate. Core classes focus on digital marketing strategies and social media. The electives you take will teach you about Photoshop, Google Ads, email marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics. These are essential applications and strategies used in digital marketing. Having a thorough understanding of how to implement them in a digital marketing campaign can help you find a job as a Digital Marketer, SEO Specialist, or even Digital Analyst.
Key Information
This program will take 100 class hours to complete. Students take six months on average to complete the program, which consists of nine classes. You will also be expected to complete homework outside of the classroom. It’s estimated that for every seven hours you spend in class, you should expect seven to fourteen hours of homework. DWC provides a detailed schedule of class start dates and times on the program’s main webpage.
DWC provides a program roadmap for prospective students. Before enrolling, it’s suggested that you attend an information session to speak with a student advisor. Once you’ve received pre-enrollment advising, you may enroll in the program. Classes are offered on a rolling enrollment basis throughout the year, typically every 12 weeks. After enrolling, you’ll register for classes online, complete your coursework, complete a capstone project, and graduate.
Before enrolling in the program, you must demonstrate basic digital literacy. The digital literacy assessment can be found on the program’s main webpage under the section Frequently Asked Questions. You must also have purchased and installed the latest version of Photoshop and Bridge before starting classes.
Full program tuition is $5,799 or $5,599 when you pay upfront. DWC offers several flexible payment options. They also offer scholarships to students who need financial support. Applications for the Tech Skills Scholarship, the Women & Tech Scholarship, and the Veteran Skills Scholarship and information on other financial assistance programs can be found on the program’s main webpage.
More Details
The stand-alone classes you will take as part of the program include professional textbooks and reference packets, lesson files, one year for a free retake of public classes, and 30 days of technical support after the end of each class.
The capstone project that you will work on before the completion of the program comes with 1-on-1 help from a mentor. As you approach graduating from the program, you’ll receive career coaching. DWC’s career services include 1-on-1 resume writing, job search, and mock interview workshops. Former students have spoken highly of DWC’s digital marketing classes. “Digital Workshop has a wide variety of digital marketing classes to take, ” said Laurie G. She also said that their online classes were a convenient way to “refresh several of my skills in applications that have evolved since I first learned them.”
#5: Ledet Training—SEO Essentials (Live Online)
Ledet Training’s online SEO Essentials class is ideal for beginning webmasters and business owners who maintain their websites. This workshop will walk you through best SEO practices and an understanding of the tools used for search engine optimization. You’ll receive demonstrations of real situations and hands-on practice with problems. The instructor will also oversee your daily self-evaluations to ensure that you’re understanding the content.
By the end of this class, you’ll know how to create content that appeals to visitors of your website, monitor the progress of an SEO campaign, and other principles and practices essential to improving your website’s visibility.
Key Information
This class takes place over two days, from 9 am until 4 pm. There are scheduled breaks throughout the day, including a one-hour lunch that typically takes place between 12 and 1 pm.
When enrolling in the class, you’ll be asked to fill out, sign, and submit a web-based enrollment form, which can be found on the class’s main webpage. A signed copy of the enrollment form and full payment must be collected before your seat is confirmed. Enrollment and payment are expected at least two weeks before the class starts. You can reach out to Ledet Training to find out about course tuition and the upcoming schedule.
More Details
Ledet Training has training centers in Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, and Washington DC. They offer private onsite training and instructor-led live online training. If your business is interested in onsite training and located in the same city as a Ledet training center, you can reach out to them about the digital marketing classes they can provide to you and your team.
Although Ledet provides course outlines, they are dedicated to meeting your needs and objectives. Course topics may be altered to suit the skill level of students as well as their learning needs.
Ledet Training provides hands-on training to help students gain practical experience that will translate over to their work. Former students of Ledet classes have noted the importance of the hands-on training they received while also praising the knowledge, organization, and patience of Ledet Training’s instructors.
#6: Noble Desktop—Digital Marketing Certificate (Live Online)
Noble Desktop offers a live online Digital Marketing Certificate program that will teach you the fundamentals of digital marketing. This program is ideal for those looking to begin a career in digital marketing and those looking to promote their business. You’ll learn about software, tools, and applications that can help you run a successful digital marketing campaign, including email marketing principles, Google Ads, and Google Analytics. Expert instructors will guide you through hands-on practical projects as you strengthen your digital marketing skills.
Key Information
Tuition for Noble Desktop’s Digital Marketing Certificate program is $3,995. They have several payment options to help meet your financial needs, including a corporate invoice option. Tuition includes 126 hours of expert-crafted instruction, supplemental materials, and a free one-year retake policy which allows students to retake any part of the program for free. There are no extra fees for any of the courses that you’ll need to take as part of the program. You may need to acquire software for one or more of your classes, but Noble Desktop will set you up with a free trial of paid software before the start of a class.
Noble Desktop allows you to create a custom schedule, where you’ll choose between the various available dates for each class in the certificate program. You will need to complete 6-12 hours of work on class projects outside of class hours for one class. However, it’s recommended that you work on developing and improving projects for your portfolio outside of class hours.
More Details
The classes that are in Noble Desktop’s Digital Marketing Certificate program are taught in-person in New York City or live online using Zoom. Class sizes typically range from 8-12 students, although they accept up to 20 students per class. “Our batch had a diverse mix of people working in different streams of life from who[m] one could learn, [and] share [their] personal experiences, ” Manizaay G. said.
#7: Noble Desktop—Google Analytics Bootcamp (Live Online)
Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp provides comprehensive lessons in Google Analytics and its accompanying applications. This class is a great choice for anyone with little to no experience using Google Analytics. This includes business owners and entrepreneurs who’d like to improve their website performance and marketers looking to learn how to interpret and apply data to improve their digital marketing skills.
An expert instructor will give you an introduction to the latest version of Google Analytics and how to get started using the service. You’ll learn about the key performance indicators you need to track, how to understand Google Analytics reports, and how to use the service to track the success of your marketing campaign. As part of the curriculum, you’ll work on real projects under the guidance of your instructor to help strengthen your practical skills.
Key Information
Tuition for this boot camp is $650. Payment is due in full before the class starts. Your tuition includes 12 hours of in-depth instruction, supplemental materials, a one-year retake policy for any part of the course, and a certificate of completion.
There are no extra fees associated with this course. If you plan to take the class online, you may be required to acquire software beforehand. Noble Desktop will set you up with a free trial of any paid software you will need before the class.
You have several scheduling choices for this class. Noble Desktop offers both weekday and weeknight classes. The number of sessions you sign up for will depend on whether you’re taking classes during the day or at night.
There are no prerequisite classes required to enroll in this boot camp. Students should be comfortable using a computer. A Google Analytics account is not necessary, but if you already have one set up you should be able to access it during class.
More Details
Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp can be taken in-person in New York City or live online using Zoom. Noble Desktop also offers private onsite training and group class vouchers.
This boot camp is highly reviewed by former students. Erica N. said, “This class gives a great overview of Google Analytics. It is helpful for anyone with no expertise or for someone who just wants to brush up on their skills.” The hands-on nature of the boot camp makes it great for beginners and those with previous experience using analytic services alike.
#8: University of Central Florida—Digital Marketing Boot Camp (Live Online)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a Digital Marketing boot camp to help you increase your knowledge of online marketing and advance your career. You’ll be taught the foundational practices of digital marketing and the latest platforms being used in the field. This boot camp will provide you with professional experience as you work a paid micro-internship while enrolled.
This boot camp consists of three modules which focus on digital marketing strategy, optimizing campaigns and websites, and digital advertising and automation. You also have the option of completing a pre-course module in marketing fundamentals and a post-course module on building a digital marketing portfolio. At the end of the boot camp, you’ll have built an impressive portfolio of projects and have a thorough understanding of in-demand digital marketing skills.
Key Information
This is a part-time online program. It takes roughly 18 weeks to complete. Live classes take place three times a week during weekday evenings and come out to nine hours a week. You’ll spend about 20+ hours a week working on homework and projects.
The fee for this boot camp is $8,295. If you enroll by the early registration deadline, you’ll receive a $500 discount when you pay the fee in full. UCF offers a 24-month interest-free payment plan. They also accept employer funding, Sallie Mae loans, and workforce funding. Alumni are also eligible for a $500 scholarship. You can reach out to UCF to discuss other payment options that may be available to you.
More Details
Before enrolling in the boot camp, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with an admissions advisor. During the boot camp, you’ll have access to 1-on-1 tutoring. This boot camp will also expand your network as you meet and work with instructors, TAs, peers, and graduates. Students also have access to UCF’s Career Engagement Network which will help you optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, and build an impressive portfolio.
Graduates of the boot camp have praised the program’s content as well as the help that the Career Engagement Network provided them with. “Getting in-touch with Career Services was certainly game-changing; they not only brought me up to speed with the know-hows of the job search, but also helped me build confidence and always believe in myself, ” Carlos C. said.
Students have attributed their success in finding a job post-graduation to the boot camp: “It has given me the base level knowledge I needed to gain the type of employment I wanted to, and I believe it is a direct result of the boot camp.”
#9: General Assembly—Digital Marketing (On-Demand)
General Assembly’s on-demand Digital Marketing program is a flexible way to learn foundational digital marketing skills and advance your career. The program will provide you with thorough instruction in marketing principles applicable to your career. You’ll learn about customer insight, creating content, marketing channels, analytics, and marketing technology.
Each lesson is expert-crafted, and mentors are readily accessible. This program also includes free access to the Certified Marketer Level 1 assessment, study guide, and practice assessment. With this, you can evaluate your skills in areas like creative development, analytics, and multi-touch attribution. This score will give insight into your strengths and weaknesses.
Key Information
This program costs $950 and payment is due upfront. This price pays for premium content created by experts in the field, 53 unique lessons, downloadable lesson guides, and quizzes. Because it’s an on-demand program, you are welcome to work through it at your own pace. You’ll have 12-month access to the platform, which is available on any device, 24/7.
General Assembly has laid out a learning path for students on the program’s main webpage. This path describes the major content areas the program covers, like customer insight and analytics, as well as sub-topics and principles, like market research, social media, and data management.
There are no prerequisites required to enroll in this program. Expert mentors will provide you with guidance and feedback in 1-on-1 sessions if requested. Ultimately, this program is customized for beginners who are looking to get started with digital marketing.
More Details
General Assembly offers 1-on-1 mentoring sessions for students enrolled in on-demand classes and programs, including their Digital Marketing program. Mentors can troubleshoot complex concepts, provide portfolio project feedback, help you apply new skills to your job, and offer insights on industry careers.
This program is eligible for employer sponsorship. Reach out to General Assembly to learn more about their Employer Sponsorship package.
#10: UC Davis and Coursera—Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization (On-Demand)
University of California, Davis offers an SEO Specialization course on-demand on Coursera. This self-paced specialization will teach you how to optimize your website content to improve your search engine ranking. You’ll learn both theory and practical approaches that you can apply to a career in digital marketing or online content development. The specialization ends with a hands-on capstone project where you’ll apply your skills to a comprehensive SEO consulting task.
Key Information
You can enroll in this class today for free if you have a subscription to Coursera Plus or pay $39 a month for Coursera’s Specialization subscription. A monthly Coursera Plus subscription starts at $59 per month and includes a free trial. An annual subscription is $399 a year and comes with a 14-day free trial. A Coursera Plus subscription includes access to 7,000+ courses, guided projects, specializations, and professional certificates. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
Included in this specialization are course videos and readings, practice quizzes, graded assignments, and peer feedback. All classes are 100% online and can be followed at your own pace. It takes approximately five months to complete the specialization when following the suggested pace of six hours per week.
This is a beginner-level specialization, although participants should have at least two years of business experience.
More Details
There are five courses in this specialization: Introduction to Google SEO, Google SEO Fundamentals, Optimizing a website for Google Search, Advanced Content and Social Tactics to Optimize SEO, and Google SEO Capstone Project. All courses have maintained a rating above 4.5 stars. Former students have called the specialization “an eye-opening learning experience” and courses “interesting, fun, and motivational.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Online Digital Marketing Classes?
You can learn digital marketing through a live online class or an on-demand class. Classes may focus on general digital marketing principles and strategies, or they may be crafted with the intention of certification at the end of the course.
Live online classes are taught by an expert instructor over a web conferencing platform like Zoom. Live online classes are typically small but still encourage participation and discussion like an in-person class would. Long-running live online classes typically meet at the same time and on the same days of the week.
On-demand digital marketing classes are self-paced. These classes may provide you with video lectures and written material to learn and practice new concepts and principles. On-demand classes are a flexible learning option, and most programs allow you to access content for an extended period. You can find low-priced or even free on-demand digital marketing classes and seminars online.
What Will I Need for an Online Digital Marketing Class?
You will need a computer with an internet connection to take an online digital marketing class. It’s also best if you take the class in an interruption-free environment. Some classes may require you to use web services or software that you don’t already have downloaded on your computer. This may include a Google Analytics account, an analytics service, or Semrush, an SEO SaaS software.
Most classes will inform you of purchases you need to make before the first session. Some schools and companies will also set you up with free trials of software to help you get started.
Can I Learn Digital Marketing Online for Free?
You can learn some basic digital marketing concepts through YouTube videos and online tutorials. These are typically created by companies or freelance marketers. They may be free or come at a cost.
If you’d like to be up-to-date on digital marketing strategies that your industry is using, you’ll benefit from taking a digital marketing class. Classes that are focused on digital marketing may teach you anything from basic principles to running campaigns. If you are interested in something more specialized, consider what digital marketing strategies will impact your business or the advancement of your career. There are classes in SEO principles, data analysis, social media marketing, and other digital marketing strategies available to you online.
Is It Better to Learn Digital Marketing in a Live or Self-paced Class?
Before enrolling in a digital marketing class, you should determine if a live or self-paced class fits your learning needs and goals better.
Live classes are fairly similar to a traditional classroom. In a live class, you’ll have access to an instructor who can answer your questions. There will also be other students attending whom you can interact with.
Self-paced classes don’t have these same features. However, they’re a more flexible learning option. Self-paced classes allow you to work through the material at a speed that fits your schedule. It also is easier to reference old material in a self-paced class because you can navigate through it online, whereas a live online class may not be recorded.