The digital marketing industry is thriving, and by 2026, the global market for digital advertising and marketing is projected to reach an astounding $786 billion. This rapid growth underscores the rising demand for skilled digital marketers who can drive online engagement, enhance brand presence, and adapt to changing technologies. Whether you’re looking to start a career in digital marketing or want to advance your skills, high-quality online courses can be your gateway to expertise. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 11 of the best digital marketing courses, most of which are free or offer free trials, so you can learn and grow without breaking the bank.
1. Native Advertising – Outbrain Academy
Duration: 1 hour per course
Fee: Free
Outbrain, a leader in native advertising, offers an in-depth look into native ad strategies with two certification courses designed to give marketers a comprehensive understanding of this growing field. The Power of Native Advertising course introduces the basics of native advertising, covering best practices, tools, and how this type of advertising works. For those wanting to go deeper, Unlocking Performance with Native focuses on audience targeting and effective campaign planning. Perfect for anyone looking to add a valuable certification in native advertising to their resume.
2. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing – Google
Duration: 40 hours
Fee: Free
Google’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing is ideal for beginners who want to build a solid foundation in digital marketing. Covering key topics such as building an online presence, search and local marketing, mobile marketing, video, and analytics, this course offers a comprehensive overview of digital marketing essentials. Plus, it’s IAB-accredited and provides a valuable certification recognized across the industry.
3. Digital Marketing Certification – HubSpot
Duration: 5 hours, 25 minutes
Fee: Free
HubSpot’s Digital Marketing Certification course delves into essential aspects of inbound and digital marketing, offering insights into SEO, website performance, blogging, email marketing, and paid search. The interactive format includes quizzes and video modules, making learning engaging and practical. HubSpot’s certification is highly regarded, and it can give your resume a competitive edge.
4. Design Basics – Canva Design School
Duration: Varies by course
Fee: Free
For marketers looking to enhance their visual design skills, Canva’s free courses are invaluable. Canva Design School covers a range of topics, from creating logos to designing social media graphics and multimedia presentations. No registration is required; just choose a topic and start learning. By mastering Canva, you’ll be able to create attractive marketing assets that engage your audience across platforms.
5. Video Editing Essentials – Great Learning
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Fee: Free
With video content becoming a crucial marketing tool, understanding the basics of video editing can set you apart in the digital marketing landscape. Great Learning’s introductory course on Adobe Premiere Pro is tailored for beginners, guiding them through the process of creating engaging video content. A quiz and certification are included, making it a practical course for anyone looking to add video editing to their skill set.
6. Blogging Basics – Wix
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee: Free
Wix’s Blogging Basics course is a fantastic resource for those new to blogging. Covering everything from content creation and SEO to blog design, this short course will help you create appealing and effective blogs. The easy-to-follow format makes it a great starting point, and the platform also offers additional blogging courses for those looking to expand their knowledge.
7. SEO Copywriting – Yoast SEO Academy
Duration: 2 hours of video content, with approx. 8 hours for coursework
Fee: Free trial for 5 lessons, $99/year for full access
Yoast, renowned for its popular SEO plugin on WordPress, offers a comprehensive SEO copywriting course. This certification course is divided into six modules, covering the essentials of writing SEO-optimized content. Participants get access to quizzes, practice templates, and a guided process for crafting an optimized blog post. For marketers wanting to deepen their SEO copywriting skills, this course is a strong choice.
8. SEO & Content Marketing – Semrush Academy
Duration: 2+ hours
Fee: Free
Semrush Academy’s Content and SEO Agency Playbook course, taught by industry expert Andy Crestodina, is an excellent option for digital marketers wanting to master SEO and content marketing. This course covers B2B marketing tactics, lead generation, and account-based content marketing, with a focus on organic growth strategies. Graduates of this course earn a valuable Semrush certification to showcase their expertise.
9. Social Media Marketing – LinkedIn Learning
Duration: 12 hours, 48 minutes
Fee: LinkedIn Learning subscription (free trial available)
Social media remains one of the most impactful channels for digital marketing, and LinkedIn’s Develop Your Social Media Marketing Skills course offers a thorough education on the topic. From foundational social media skills to advanced modules on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube marketing, this course is a must for anyone looking to succeed in social media marketing.
10. Email Marketing – Omnisend Academy
Duration: Bite-size videos, duration varies by course
Fee: Free
Omnisend Academy provides a free video library on email marketing, a high-ROI marketing channel. The courses cover the basics of email list-building, audience segmentation, and automation, with a particular focus on email marketing for e-commerce. With Omnisend’s expert tutorials, you’ll gain practical knowledge to create and optimize effective email campaigns that drive results.
11. Amazon Ads – Amazon Learning Console
Duration: 3 hours
Fee: Free
For marketers interested in Amazon’s advertising ecosystem, the Sponsored Ads Bootcamp on Amazon Learning Console offers an ideal starting point. This free course consists of three modules that guide users through campaign setup, data analysis, and campaign optimization. Participants are encouraged to launch and manage a campaign in real time, gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights into Amazon’s advertising platform.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Course for Your Digital Marketing Goals
In today’s digital landscape, staying updated with current trends and tools is essential for every marketer. Whether you’re interested in mastering SEO, creating engaging video content, optimizing social media strategies, or exploring paid advertising, there’s a course for you on this list. Most of these programs are free or offer accessible trial periods, making it easy to start learning without a significant financial investment. By building and refining these skills, you’ll not only grow as a digital marketer but also open doors to new opportunities in this ever-evolving field.
Start with the course that best matches your career goals and dive into the world of digital marketing!