The marketing industry has never been more competitive. As in-demand as top talent is, landing the best positions requires every asset you can bring to the table. You already know how quickly things change in this industry. New techniques and best practices seem to pop up every day, meaning marketing leaders must stay on top of their game by proactively working to maintain and further their skills throughout their careers. Online digital marketing certifications are certainly one of the quickest and most effective means of acquiring and maintaining a broad, well-rounded arsenal of key marketing competencies.
As a senior marketer, you’ve got the skills, talent and experience to make it to the top of your profession, whether that be CMO, marketing director, vice president or other leadership role. The problem is you are up against a formidable array of equally experienced candidates vying for the same premium positions.
Demand for specific certifications is on the rise as employers look for them as indicators that applicants have the required skills for their specific marketing needs. Even for an experienced digital leader, marketing certifications demonstrate a commitment to continued self-improvement and a dedication to elevate the company they represent.
As a marketing recruitment firm, we at MarketPro know businesses want nothing less than the best marketers to join their organizations. That’s why every effort counts when working to set yourself apart. The question many candidates ask us is which certifications are actually worthwhile and credible. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled this list of top certifications digital marketing recruiters are looking for today.
1. Advanced Google Analytics
Source: Google Analytics Academy
Cost: FREE
Google Analytics remains the cornerstone of every marketer’s foundation. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to retrieve and evaluate website data, and gain critical insights to drive informed decisions in your marketing strategy. Google Analytics Certifications allow you to take full advantage of the advanced capabilities of this invaluable tool, driving website optimization, as well as user tracking and behavior. This free training and certification really can take your skills to the next level.
Advanced Google Analytics walks you through how data gets collected and processed into readable reports. You’ll learn how to use configurations such as custom dimensions, metrics and event tracking to collect data that’s specific to your business. The course will also demonstrate more advanced analysis techniques using segmentation, channel reports, audience reports and customized reports. Discover how to create and manage filters, create custom channel groupings and interact with segments. Plus, you’ll learn how to create custom calculated metrics, debug your analytics setup and more.
2. Google Ads Certification
Where to get it: Google Skillshop
Cost: FREE
Just as Google Analytics is the grandfather to website insights, its counterpart Google Ads is the default advertising platform for most digital marketers. When used strategically, Google Ads is extremely effective for businesses looking to boost ROI. The Google Ads certification is a professional credential given to those able to demonstrate basic and advanced knowledge of Google Ads. It is designed to test your knowledge of online advertising concepts like the value proposition of online advertising, campaign setup and management, and optimization. There are six certifications currently available: Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, Google Ads Video, Shopping ads, Google Ads Apps and Google Ads Measurement.
To become Ads certified in a specific Google Ads product area, you must pass the Google Ads
Fundamentals assessment and one of the additional advertising product assessments (both have passing scores of 80%).
3. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
Where to get it: HubSpot Academy
Cost: FREE
Content is still king in today’s digital space, and proficiency in content marketing is a core pillar of digital marketing. As marketers, it’s our job to tell the stories and make them compelling enough to capture the leads and eventual sales. It’s critical for marketers to possess adept writing and communication skills across all marketing channels, from website copy and blogs to advertising, email, social media … the list goes on. The trick is not just telling the story, but knowing how to get it out there to your target audience.
HubSpot Content Marketing Certification encompasses 12 modules that keep you up-to-date on the latest content marketing best practices and research. The course is designed for marketers who want to truly understand the impact of content marketing and help companies boost marketing ROI.
4. YouTube Certification
Where to get it: Google
Cost: FREE
YouTube Certified courses are currently only available to creators and partners with a partner manager or with Content ID. Video is the most effective and engaging forms of content and knowing how to build a well-defined video content strategy is a valuable skill. YouTube is the second largest search engine (after Google) and being certified greatly boosts your credibility. The YouTube Certified program is dedicated to educating creators and users of YouTube and providing the latest best practices and industry-level knowledge to help you succeed on the platform. YouTube offers three certifications covering areas such as channel growth, content ownership and asset monetization.
5. SEMrush Toolkit Certification
Where to get it: SEMrush Academy
Cost: FREE
SEMrush is widely regarded as one of the top marketing platforms available. It’s an all-in-one tool suite for improving online visibility and discovering marketing insights. The tools and reports help marketers working in SEO, PPC, SMM, keyword research, competitive research, PR, content marketing, marketing insights and campaign management. You can track SERP positioning and site health, backlinks and page authority … basically everything you need to optimize your site for Search engines.
Make the most of the SEMrush Toolkit with this course provided by a team of SEMrush professionals. You’ll be guided through all the best, need-to-know features to drive better marketing results.
6. Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification
Where to get it: Hootsuite Academy
Cost: $199
Hootsuite is a top social media management platform supporting social network integrations for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube. This industry-recognized social marketing certification course is designed and produced in consultation with social media marketing strategists and practitioners to provide practical skills you can implement to start seeing results right away. From an introductory course to advanced social media strategy certification, Hootsuite helps marketers develop fundamental social marketing skills to drive valuable impact and results. Certification tests your knowledge of core concepts of social media marketing and proves your expertise as a social marketing master.
7. HubSpot Email Certification
Where to get it: HubSpot Academy
Cost: FREE
You may have read headlines over the years proclaiming that “email is dead.” Well, they’re wrong. Email is alive and stronger than ever, with the highest ROI of any other marketing tool. So, don’t delay in maximizing this critical element of your marketing mix.
As referenced above, HubSpot has been around for a over a decade and is an industry authority on inbound marketing, including content and email strategy, SEO, social media and more. Appropriate for novices and seasoned email marketers alike, the HubSpot Email Certification course focuses on how to create an email strategy that builds trust with your contacts and brings revenue in your door. The intuitive interface and ____ allow almost anyone to create, personalize and optimize marketing emails without waiting on designers or IT.
It seems almost too good to be true that so many valuable email marketing features are available absolutely free. This includes sending bulk emails that are tested and optimized for every device type, a simple drag-and-drop editor, an extensive template library and full integration with HubSpot Sales CRM and Salesforce. You can personalize emails and grow your contacts lists quickly and easily.
Still, as with any marketing tool, you’ll want to get the most out of everything it can contribute to your digital strategy. HubSpot’s Email Marketing Certification teaches you the fundamentals of email marketing and how to incorporate them into your marketing plan. Invest in yourself and your career by learning one of the most in-demand skills in digital marketing.
8. Meta BluePrint Certification
Where to get it: Meta Certification Hub
Cost: $99 to $150 per exam
Meta BluePrint Certifications are designed to help you stand out in the job market and get the most out of Facebook Ads. In response to growing concerns over online privacy, Meta has scaled back advertising options to no longer allow targeting based on social and political affiliations, health causes, sexual orientation and/or religious practices and beliefs. Still, Facebook advertising remains highly effective for many B2C brands in the retail space for both brand awareness and lead generation.
This Meta program offers two certifications–Meta Certified Planning Professional and Meta Certified Buying Professional. These are meant for marketers who work and manage Meta Pages and advertising campaigns.
The Planning Professional will need to show expertise in planning successful campaigns on Facebook, targeting audiences for maximum impact, and optimizing reach and frequency. The Buying Professional will need to demonstrate proficiency in creating and purchasing Meta ads, managing Pages and understanding the Facebook Pixel.
Blueprint Certification is the only one formally recognized by Facebook and is the most advanced level in their Blueprint program. Your Facebook marketing skills will be tested to the fullest extent.
9. AMA Professional Digital Marketing Course + PCM
Where to get it: Digital Marketing Institute
Cost: $1,368
One test. Two powerful certifications. AMA has partnered with the Digital Marketing Institute, a world leader in professional digital marketing certification, to provide online learning and a top-tier exam. When you complete the Digital Marketing Pro program, you will become dually certified with the AMA and DMI with two credentials: PCM® Digital Marketing and Certified Digital Marketing Professional.
The Digital Marketing Institute delivers unparalleled learning experiences with course content that is continually updated to provide cutting-edge digital marketing and soft skills. You will learn Google Ads, Analytics, Facebook Ads, content marketing, SEO and more all in one place for one price.
10. OMCP Digital Marketing Certification
Where to get it: Over 900 location worldwide
Cost: $395
OMCP industry certifications verify digital marketing skills, education and experience. Choose from over 900 training institutes and stand out to employers and clients with verified digital marketing education and experience. This certification is awarded to professionals who have verified experience, extensive training and demonstrated knowledge of digital marketing best practices across multiple disciplines.
For experienced digital marketers, the OMCP certification verifies deeper skills, experience and education required to implement digital marketing practices as a specialist. OMCP certified professionals are in demand as subject matter experts and consultants, and are often asked to teach or lead initiatives within larger organizations.
Marketing executive search firms, like MarketPro, and businesses looking to hire top marketing talent certainly take notice of candidates who appreciate the importance of staying up-to-date with their skills. The rise of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and ML continue to gain relevance in the digital marketing industry and will unlock even greater opportunities for marketers in the months and years to come. As online customers have become more digitally sophisticated, and consequently demanding, new and improved skills will be more necessary to boost customer engagement and grow your company’s consumer base.
So, if you’re looking to build your marketing skills and get ahead in this constantly-evolving digital space, check out these courses and certifications aimed at boosting the core skills and capabilities digital marketing recruiters are looking for in top candidates.
MarketPro Inc. is the leading high-end marketing executive search firm delivering top-performing innovative marketers. As a team of former marketing professionals, we are uniquely qualified to separate A players from everyone else. Celebrating our 26th year, we are a certified woman-owned business with headquarters in Atlanta and clients nationwide. Visit us on LinkedIn.