Lock down Starter Kit: 15 Rookie Digital Marketing Courses For Small Business Owners

The best Digital Marketing Courses for 2020! 

You got us!

The worsening situation in the world around you is dropping your morale low. Just like the sugar level of a diabetic who did not eat 8 hours in a row!

And the stress? Immeasurable! Much like the heat breaking out the thermometer in Tom & Jerry Show that we have enjoyed all our childhood!

The cherry on top! You are a small business owner. 

Simply put, multiply the stress to 10. No sales! No money to pay for your employees! The worst, no bucks saved at your end! 

It is the end of the world – your business world, if not the rest!

If that’s you, we promise to turn the situation around for you!

In case you are wondering, here’s how:

We have compiled a starter kit of the most useful digital marketing courses in 2020.

Make your pick. Learn what they’ve got. Take your business soaring during the coronavirus outbreak and after that!

Interestingly, they are equally suitable for anyone having an interest in digital marketing. Be it for fun, for killing time or for wanting to turn into a digital marketer himself!

Let’s make the best out of this stressful time. That’s one way to enjoy better lives when the virus is found only in the stories you tell your kids!

Here’s to Hope!

However, before diving right into the courses, here’s a small bonus for you!

Top Online Platforms To Find Marketing Courses:

Here’s a short list of the best online resources to find digital marketing courses. You’d find them equally good for your small business or career. corona virus or not, you can always benefit from the list as per your interest, need, and expertise.

Quench your thirst for learning with us right here. Over to our Digital Marketing starter kit, 2020:

1- Udemy

Udemy is a global marketplace where instructors around the world sell their courses. The learners from any part of the world have access to the platform. Some of the courses go on flash sales. There are other occasional discounts too; some are even FREE! 

The following information on the website is not only interesting but also says a lot about the popularity of the platform:

“57 K instructors, 150 K courses, 295 M course enrollments, 33 M minutes of videos, 65+ languages, 5000+ Enterprise customers, 80% of fortune 100 companies trust us for employee upskilling.” 

If you are ready to explore all the different options the platform offers, this upcoming section is just for you!

Categories

Here’s a breakdown of the course categories:

• Development

• Business

• Finance and Accounting

• IT and Software

• Office Productivity

• Personal Development

• Design

• Marketing
  • All Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Branding
  • Marketing Fundamentals
  • Analytics & Automations
  • Public Relations
  • Advertising
  • Video & Mobile Marketing
  • Content Marketing
  • Growth Hacking
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Product Marketing
  • other

• Lifestyle

• Photography

• Health & Fitness

• Music

• Teaching & Academics

Read more about the Top Analytics Tools.

2- Coursera

Coursera is also a paid marketplace for those planning a better pastime or constructive activities. 

The idea dates back to 2012 when two professors of Stanford university designed the platform. One of them practically taught more students worldwide through one course than he did his entire tutorship period put together. 

Now that’s the global village we want you to be a part of!

These courses, degrees (YES!), and specializations are from the top 200 institutes, companies, or universities. 

Yes, that’s the quality of the courses!

Here are some interesting stats giving an insight into the platform’s users, resources, and popularity.

“53 Million Learns, 4100+ Courses, 430+ Specializations, 15 Professional Certifications, 8 Master track certificates, 17 degrees.” 

Categories

These are the categories that Coursera offers training in:

• Arts & Humanities

• Business

• Computer Science

• Data Science

• Information Technology

• Health

• Math & Logic

• Personal Development

• Physical Science & Engineering

• Social Science

• Language Learning

• Degrees

• Certificates

3- Facebook Blueprint

Skipping Facebook Blueprint would be a loss!

The platform offers self-paced certificate courses on everything Facebook & Instagram.

4- Google Skillshop

For anyone interested in learning Google Digital Marketing Training, Google Skill shop is the answer.

The best part?

It offers FREE online marketing courses with certificates, upon successful completion.  

Skill-shop, the new name for Academy for Ads, offers training on the following Google tools:

• Google Ads

• Google Marketing Platforms

• Analytics Academy

• Google My Business

• Google Ads Manager

• Authorized Buyers

• Google AdMob

• Waze

5- HubSpot Academy

HubSpot provides free digital marketing courses worldwide on Inbound marketing and sales free digital marketing courses. The courses vary in a range of topics as well as expertise level. The platform also provides training on its software-related topics.

Categories

As of now, the platform has over 300 courses available in the following categories.

• Marketing
  • Content Management
  • Content Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Lead Generation
  • Marketing Automation
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Social Media
  • Web Design

• Sales
  • Content Management
  • Inbound Sales
  • Sales Enablement

• Services
  • Content Management

• Design

6- Lynda.com

It is an online learning platform From LinkedIn for people to groom themselves personally and professionally.

10,000 tutorials, available in 5 different languages, are accessible in multiple subscription types.  Make use of the platform in one of the available categories:

• Business

• Higher Education

• Government

• For Your Team

Categories

Here is everything that the platform offers for you to benefit from:

• 3D+ Animation

• Audio music

• Business

• CAD

• Design

• Developer

• Education + E-learning

• IT

• Photography

• Video

That’s all our list!

Choose any course, training, and certificates as per your interest and the level of expertise.

Now over to the purpose of the post.

Let’s read about the best Digital Marketing Courses for 2020. You can easily benefit from each from the comfort of your home (not that you have another option!). 

 

Top Digital marketing courses for beginners during COVID-19

1- Digital Marketing – on Future Learn

It is a small, 2-weeks long course requiring 2 hours per week. The course covers some strategies and techniques of Digital Marketing for small business owners. If you are or want to be a Digital Marketer, you can use the same techniques to advance your career.

Topics

Here’s is the breakdown of the topics that the course covers:

Week 1: Using Digital Marketing

• Digital Marketing – An Introduction

• Display and Pay per Click Marketing

Week 2: Techniques of Digital Marketing

• SEO

• Email Marketing

• Integrating Techniques

Why should you take the course?

If you are a beginner, this course is for you. Learn the importance of applying Digital Marketing Techniques to small companies.

You’d also learn the types of Digital Marketing, and their value. You would learn about the basics of designing a digital marketing plan for your business (or your boss’s).

Read why do you need a Digital Marketing Plan in 2020?

The right way of targeting the right clients with the available data is the most important learning outcome of this course. The cherry on top, you’d learn the value and techniques of having an integrated Marketing Strategy.

When can you start?

The next batch for this course is due on 27th April 2020. However, you can enroll right away FOR FREE.

2- Digital Marketing Tool Kit – on Visit Britain

This Digital Marketing tool kit is nothing on the pattern of a regular course. It’s rather a Business Support Guide (pdf) modeled for tourism businesses. However, you can apply everything you learn to whatever variety of companies you want.

Topics 

Here’s a brief outline of the topics covered in the tool kit:

• Introduction to Digital Marketing

• Website

•  Content

• Google

• Social Media

• Digital Channels

Why should you take the course?

The guide starts with the basics of a given topic from beginners. the details aim at making them understand about the platform/topic in question. It covers aspects like why a platform should be used, taking to how to use them in growing the model business.

This is a useful guide for anyone who is not much familiar with digital marketing.

The best part? 

With the help of examples, case studies, and other useful content, learn to apply Digital Marketing to your business. 

3- Complete Digital Marketing Course – on Udemy

This is not a single course but a complete specialization comprising 12 solid courses. You should opt for it if you are a beginner, planning to take the knowledge to expert level.

Topics 

Here is an outline of the topics covered in detail in the specialization.

• Digital Marketing Introduction – that covers some important tools as well

• Doing Market Research

• Making a website

• Details of Email Marketing

• Copy-writing

• SEO

• YouTube Marketing in detail

• In-depth Facebook Marketing

• Details of Twitter Marketing

• Quora Marketing

• Google Ads

• Google Analytics in detail

• Instagram Marketing

• Pinterest Marketing

• LinkedIn Marketing

• Nearly everything about Facebook Ads

• App Marketing

Why should you take the course?

The total duration of the course is 24 hours, which is worth $200. Currently, however, it is available on 90% waived off – $18.88. This is an incredible specialization covering everything Digital marketing. With the current price, however, there is nothing better than this specialization.

You shouldn’t give this specialization a second thought if you:

• want to boost your business, starting from scratch

• want to make a high-paying career in Digital Marketing

• are planning to work as a freelancer and sell a variety of gigs

• are planning to nail it with Affiliate Marketing

When can you start?

When you purchase a course on Udemy, they offer you lifetime access to all the material. You can enjoy the self-paced course as and when you desire.

4- Online Business: Digital Marketing For Success – on Future Learn

This is a short course comprising 4 weeks only. You are required to give it only 2 hours each week. The course provides you with an advanced-level knowledge of driving sales through online marketing.

Topics 

Here’s an outline of the topics covered in the course:

• Designing an integrated marketing plan

• Types of Marketing and business-specific tools for each type

• Comparison of Digital Marketing tools for ROI

• Value of SEO

• Evaluating audience behavior with the listening tools

• Metrics you need to measure to gauge success

Why should you take the course?

This wouldn’t really be called a beginner-level course. You should take it if you:

• Plan to out-compete your competitors with Digital Marketing.

• Want to be able to design a stellar integrated marketing strategy with the most appropriate channels.

• Increase your reach to the right audience by using a mix of traditional and digital marketing.

5- Branding: The Creative Journey Specialization – on Coursera

This is another specialization comparison of 4 beginner-level courses. The course covers the basics you should know to be a branding manager. Giving it about 6 hours a week, you should be able to cover the specialization in about 4 months.

Courses

The specialization comprises of the following 4 courses:

• Brand identity and strategy

• Brand and Content Marketing

• Creating high impact campaigns that tell brand stories

• Branding and customer experience

The course titles above explain well the reasons to take the course.

Read everything you need to know about designing a Content Marketing Strategy from Scratch.

When can you start?

Coursera offers self-paced courses that you can take anywhere, whenever you want. 

The best part?

Registration and learning are FREE.

However, the certificate for Coursera courses is paid.

6- SEO Specialization – on Coursera

This specialization doesn’t just cover the basics of traffic, keywords, and ranking. Taking the specialization would earn you the position of an SEO expert. 

Courses

The following courses are covered in the specialization.

• SEO – introduction

• SEO fundamentals

• How to optimize the website for searches

• Advance knowledge and tactics on SEO

And you have all the reasons to take the course already! 

I mean, who doesn’t love quality traffic that can convert fast; skids loads of such traffic!

7- Inbound – on HubSpot Academy

Inbound is a free digital marketing course, self-paced certification course by the academy. The course as a whole is an ideal choice for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the subject. However, the best part of the curriculum is Flywheel-basics and application.

The course comprises 7 lessons, 15 videos, 4 quizzes, and can be completed in close to 2 hours.

Topics 

Here’s the outline of the curriculum:

• Fundamentals of inbound

• Flywheel model for businesses

• Creating a company purpose

• Business goals

• Buyer Persona

• Developing Buyer’s journey 

Why should you take the course?

Take this course if you are interested to learn different dimensions – including marketing, sales, and services – of an inbound business.

8- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing – on Google

This FREE, beginner level fantastic course by Google Digital Garage, consists of 26 modules. The self-paced course comprises 40 hours of practical exercises, case studies, and a certification.

Modules

Here’s an outline of all the modules:

• Online opportunity

• Your first step in online success

• Building web presence

• Online business strategy

• Getting started with search

• Get discovered with search

• Making search work for you

• Getting noticed with search ads

• Improving search campaigns

• Getting noticed locally

• Getting found in near me searches

• Making better Social Media appearance

• Exploring new avenues with mobile

• Content marketing

• Email marketing

• Advertising on other websites

• Display advertising

• Video marketing

• Analytics

• Building your online shop

• Selling online

• Expanding worldwide

9- Introduction to eCommerce – on HubSpot

Having your basics clear before setting up your eCommerce store pays off! This 29 minutes introductory course with 4 lessons, 8 videos, and 3 quizzes is everything a beginner needs.

Topics 

Here are the topics that the course covers:

• eCommerce inbound marketing- introduction

• Getting started

• Creating your strategy

Why should you take the course?

This is the course for you, if you want to:

• learn to set reasonable goals.

• create a strategy that helps you meet those goals.

• and attract more of the right audience.

10- Creating High-Quality Blog Content – on Udemy

With 40 minutes of learning content, this is a must-take guide for every digital marketer or copywriter. The course gives you a step by step guide to creating the material that actually gets shared.

Topics 

Here’s the breakdown of the guide:

• Blog content fundamentals

• 4 blog types

• The must-have resources

Why should you take the course?

After the current 90% discount, the course is now available for $18.99 only. However, it is worth million-dollar information for marketers and the copywriters.

11- Google Analytics for Beginners – on Udemy

When you are a beginner, you have to start from A. There’s no shortcut to F, M S, or Z.

Want to make google analytics your strong suit?

Interestingly, you are less than 150 minutes away from your dream.

The course is now available for $19.99 after a 90% discount.

Topics

Here’s what the course covers:

• Introduction

• Setting up google analytics

• Analyzing reports

• Bonus

12- WordPress Training Course: How to Build a WordPress Website Using Elementor – on HubSpot Academy

This is a simplified and shortened A-Z guide on creating your functional website. In 4 videos, 17 lessons, and 3 quizzes, this 71 minutes course covers everything you need to get started.

Topics 

Here’s what the course covers:

• Getting started with WordPress

• Setting up a website

• Building a website with Elementor

• Next step

Why should you take the course?

If you want to create a functional website from scratch but have no clue where to begin, you begin here.

13- Graphic Design Essentials: Easy Steps for Creating Your Own Compelling Visuals – on HubSpot Academy

If you are a graphic designer or a digital marketer or aspiring to be one, take the course. 44 minutes spent on this course would be 44 minutes of your life well spent.

Topics 

Here’s what the course covers:

• Principles and best practices

• Design foundations

• Graphics designing & building

Why should you take the course?

Learning the skill is not the real thing; knowing the right practices to apply with the skills is. If you have anything to do with graphic design, you should take this course to create what appeals to the eyes.

14-  Become A Digital Marketer – on Lynda.com

This 17-hours long course is a must-take for anyone planning to make use of digital marketing in his career. 

The best part?

You earn a certificate at the end!

Topics 

Here’s what the video lessons by the experts cover:

• Basics of Online Marketing 

• Basics of SEO 

• Google analytics

• Basics of Content Marketing 

• Lead Generation basics

• Basics of Growth Hacking

• Creating an Integrated Marketing plan

When can you start?

You can start the course anytime you purchase it. Before that, however, you can preview the first video. Alternatively, start one month’s free trial to determine the value of the course you want to invest in.

15- Marketing Fundamentals: eCommerce – on Lynda.com

eCommerce is not an ordinary thing. It is the future of marketing. All the more reason, more than one eCommerce courses made it to our list today.

This one is a comprehensive (beginner – advance level) eCommerce course. Lucky for you, it covers nearly everything you need to know on the subject in about 2 hours.

Topics 

The content covered in the course include:

• Overview

• Working of eCommerce

• Niche Marketing

• Free Traffic

• Paid Traffic

• Increasing Conversions

Why should you take the course?

If you are into digital marketing; If eCommerce has any special meaning for you – you should check the content in detail.

Bonus: 

Talk of eCommerce but no talk of Shopify – doesn’t sound right.

Explore this fantastic bonus course yourself now. Thank us later!

What Next?

Well, 15 courses to cover the whole digital marketing? Ask us to gather all the planets in the universe, instead. 

In a word, IMPOSSIBLE!

But that doesn’t mean we can’t even try.

Our honest attempt to make the best out of your time at home got us these resources. 

Now, it’s your turn!

Need a better reason and time to get started? 

Well, if you find your head going up and down, reset your priorities now. You are still not ready to learn! If it moved horizontally, you are just prepared to discover all the learning options there are!

Let’s all make a solemn promise to ourselves: We’ll make the best out of these courses and our time. 

While you are on your way to getting started, don’t forget to share with us your pick.

Happy learning, world 🙂