Discover over 40 of the top free online marketing courses available to take in 2023
In a constantly evolving digital marketing landscape, staying up-to-date with industry trends and honing your skills is essential, regardless of whether you’re an experienced marketer or just starting out. Enrolling in marketing classes can provide valuable insights and help you stay ahead of the game.
However, the cost of enrolling in a boot camp or pursuing traditional university courses can be quite high. This is where self-paced online courses come to the rescue, offering a more affordable alternative. But with so many options available, how do you decide which one is right for you?
What are the benefits of taking marketing classes?
It’s widely known that individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher have better job prospects and higher earning potential. However, did you know that obtaining a certification can yield similar results?
With the rapid pace at which new digital marketing technologies and software emerge, relying solely on blog posts and ebooks can be overwhelming. Online marketing courses and certifications provide a convenient way to enhance your skills and broaden your knowledge.
Even if you have several years of experience in the marketing industry, online marketing courses can still bring value. Whether you’re looking for a refresher or eager to learn something entirely new, such as building a website from the ground up, online courses can equip you with the necessary skills to sustain ongoing success.
The realm of online marketing encompasses a wide range of topics. To make your search for the best marketing classes easier, we have taken the guesswork out and organized them by specific categories below.
Free Marketing Courses
The foundation of successful marketing lies in creating exceptional content. Whether you’re embarking on your content marketing journey or seeking a timely refresher, the courses listed below will enhance your marketing skills and elevate your performance.
1. Content Marketing Certification – HubSpot Academy
For those seeking to delve into content marketing, HubSpot Academy offers an excellent starting point with its content marketing certification. This comprehensive course covers essential topics such as storytelling, content idea generation, and content promotion, equipping you with the necessary skills to overcome the significant challenge of standing out in crowded content platforms.
Cost: Free
M Accelerator collaborates with HubSpot through their HubSpot for Startups program. Startups in our network can now leverage the power of HubSpot’s CRM and marketing tools to drive growth and success. By joining today, startups can unlock a range of benefits, including receiving up to a $1000 ad match with Google and LinkedIn. This exclusive offer allows startups to maximize their advertising efforts and reach a wider audience. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity—sign up for HubSpot for Startups in our network today!
2. Internet Marketing for Smart People – Copyblogger
In the broader landscape of online marketing, this concise yet informative post briefly introduces content marketing. You can quickly review it once or opt for Copyblogger‘s email series, The Killer and the Poet, for a deeper dive. This delightful asynchronous approach allows you to dip your toes into content marketing at your own pace.
Cost: Free
3. Content Marketing Courses – Coursera
Coursera presents an extensive array of content marketing classes, which can be overwhelming for beginners. To help you navigate through the options, we suggest beginning with the following courses:
- Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content: Taught by Wharton, this course is perfect for those intrigued by the creation of viral content and seeking insights into crafting similar pieces.
- The Strategy of Content Marketing: Developed by UC Davis and Copyblogger, this course empowers you to maximize your content marketing endeavors to drive lead generation.
Price: Free
4. Crafting web copy that drives sales – Skillshare
Mastering the art of copywriting is crucial for a successful content marketing strategy. With Skillshare, you will gain fundamental knowledge of copywriting tailored specifically to online marketing. The course emphasizes the importance of distinguishing yourself amidst a sea of competitors in your niche, captivating your target audience’s attention, and presenting your product’s features as exceptional benefits.
Cost: Free (7-day trial); $32/month
5. Content Marketing Courses – Udemy
In addition to Coursera, Udemy provides a diverse selection of content marketing courses, including:
- Content Marketing for B2B Enterprises: This course is essential for individuals working in B2B companies, regardless of size. It delves into writing compelling content and creating enticing offers that drive downloads.
- Copywriting Quick Start: Top FREE Writing Tools & Hacks: This course is a great starting point if you’re new to copywriting. It offers valuable tips and tricks for crafting winning pages, posts, and articles, covering everything from headlines to conclusions.
Price: Free
Where to Begin: For beginners, we recommend starting with the Copywriting Quick Start Guide on Udemy, while more experienced marketers can benefit from Coursera’s Viral Marketing course.
6. Content SEO Course – SE Ranking Academy
Content SEO aims to educate individuals on writing content that appeals to both readers and search engines. Whether you’re a copywriter, marketer, or blogger, incorporating SEO best practices into your content creation can enhance the visibility of your website and attract potential customers interested in your products or services.
This course covers every aspect of content creation, from conducting keyword research and selecting topics tailored to users at various stages of the purchasing journey to crafting SEO-friendly content and evaluating its performance.
Price: Free
Where to Begin: We recommend starting the course from the beginning, exploring the overview first and then delving into the different content types applicable to your own content marketing strategy.
Free Social Media Marketing Courses
Incorporating social media into your marketing strategy is essential, as it presents a missed opportunity if overlooked. Each social platform demands tailored content, making it crucial to stay updated on the latest best practices and trends. What works effectively on Facebook may not yield the same results on platforms like TikTok.
The courses listed below will equip you with the skills to effectively create impactful social media campaigns and analyze campaign metrics.
1. Instagram Marketing Training Courses – HubSpot Academy
If you’re specifically focused on mastering Instagram marketing and want to avoid delving into unrelated social media topics, HubSpot‘s free Instagram training course is ideal. As marketers often have limited time and stakeholders may demand immediate ROI, this course enables you to grasp the fundamentals of both organic and paid Instagram strategies.
Price: Free
2. How to Use TikTok For Business – Udemy
TikTok has solidified its position from a once-emerging platform to now a prominent social media channel alongside Instagram and Facebook. This course is your comprehensive guide to effectively market your business on this trendy social platform, enabling you to garner thousands of views on your engaging short videos.
Price: Free
3. Diploma in Social Media Strategy – Alison
Alison’s diploma in social media strategy provides a solid foundation for individuals seeking to enhance platform-specific skills or venture into the field of social media marketing. This comprehensive course not only equips you for a social media strategist role but also imparts valuable cross-over skills such as community management and social media customer service.
Price: Free
4. Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate – Meta BluePrint
This Meta Blueprint certification course, available on Coursera, serves as an excellent introduction to leveraging the Meta Business Suite (previously called Facebook Business Manager) for initiating your social media strategy. It encompasses fundamental training in social media marketing and management, allowing you to establish a solid base before putting your skills into practice through a capstone project.
Price: Free.
5. Social Media Analytics – Quintly
Creating posts on social media platforms is just one aspect of the bigger picture. What about the valuable information hidden within the likes, shares, and comments you receive? How can you extract meaningful insights to enhance your strategy? Quintly offers a free social media analytics course that serves as an excellent platform-agnostic introduction to analytics, goal-setting, and reporting.
Price: Free.
6. Social Media Quickstarter – Constant Contact
Constant Contact presents a comprehensive collection of blog posts on social media marketing, delivering detailed and actionable insights for promoting your brand across four prominent platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Additionally, it includes a bonus section on Google Business Profile. This course is ideal for those who prefer text-based learning over video-based courses. You have the freedom to read the sections at your own convenience and revisit them as desired.
Price: Free
7. Embark on your journey to becoming a Social Media Marketer – LinkedIn Learning.
This course not only equips you with the essential knowledge of social media marketing but also grants you a LinkedIn credential to showcase your expertise. It prepares you for success in various social media marketing roles and focuses on three key platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into measuring your social media marketing efforts’ return on investment (ROI).
Price: Free for a one-month trial, or $19.99 per month (billed annually).
To kickstart your learning experience, we recommend starting with Constant Contact’s Social Media Quickstarter, which enables you to craft your own impactful campaigns. Following that, Quintly’s Social Media Analytics course is an excellent choice for diving deeper into the realm of social media analysis.
Free Seo Marketing Courses
Ensuring your outstanding content reaches its intended audience requires the implementation of effective search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Master the art of SEO by enrolling in the courses listed below, which provide comprehensive instruction on the best practices in this field.
1. SEO Training Certification – HubSpot Academy
Whether you’re a marketer seeking to enhance your SEO expertise or a professional aiming for SEO marketing positions, HubSpot Academy’s SEO Training Certification is invaluable. This comprehensive course establishes a solid groundwork by covering all aspects of SEO, ranging from on-page optimization techniques to SEO reporting.
Price: Free.
2. SEO Training Course by Moz – Udemy
If you possess a foundational understanding of SEO and desire to enhance your skills further, Moz’s SEO training course is an excellent choice. This course delves deeper into technical SEO subjects, including site audits and structure. It is specifically recommended for individuals with some SEO knowledge and seeking to upskill in their current role.
Price: Free.
3. SEO Specialization – Coursera
This SEO course, developed by UC Davis, serves as an outstanding introduction for individuals who are completely new to the field. It provides valuable insights into the methods Google employs to determine website rankings, the various factors it considers, and the interconnectedness of other marketing branches like content marketing, all of which contribute to improved rankings.
Price: Free.
4. SEO Toolkit Course – Semrush
Designed exclusively for existing Semrush subscribers, this SEO toolkit course is tailored to meet the needs of those who are already utilizing one of the top SEO tools in the industry. Through this course, you will gain in-depth knowledge on harnessing the power of Semrush’s various reports and tabs, including Keyword Analytics and Organic Traffic Insights, to enhance your SEO strategy. We highly recommend this course if you have recently taken on a position that relies on Semrush as a primary tool or are seeking job opportunities requiring proficiency in Semrush.
Price: Free
5. Online SEO Training – Yoast
Yoast’s SEO training course is an exceptional option for WordPress developers seeking to enhance their SEO expertise and aspiring SEO professionals focusing on WordPress websites. This course not only covers fundamental SEO principles but also provides guidance on leveraging WordPress and the Yoast SEO plugin.
Cost: Free; $99 per year (includes Yoast Premium)
Where to Begin: Beginners are encouraged to start with HubSpot’s SEO Certification. However, if you already possess a basic understanding of SEO, Udemy’s Moz course is recommended. If you are currently utilizing Moz as your preferred SEO tool, this course will assist you in maximizing its potential and extracting maximum value from it.
Free Email Marketing Courses
Feeling underwhelmed by your email campaigns? Don’t worry, we have the solution for you. Elevate your open rates by crafting captivating subject lines that entice your audience to click. Develop compelling copy that leaves them craving for more.
Discover the array of courses below that will teach you the art of crafting standout email campaigns.
1. Email Marketing Basics – Google Digital Garage
Embark on a remarkable journey of learning with Google Digital Garage‘s concise email marketing course. This course serves as an excellent resource for establishing a strong foundation in email marketing. Gain insights not only into constructing contact lists but also in selecting tools to personalize content and monitor the effectiveness of your campaigns. The most enticing aspect is that you can complete the entire course in less than an hour (excluding quizzes).
Price: Free
2. Email Marketing Made Easy for Beginners – Udemy
If you’re seeking guidance on growing your email list through sign-ups, Udemy’s Email Marketing Made Easy course is tailored just for you. This course not only covers the fundamentals of attracting subscribers but also provides essential knowledge on crafting effective B2B and B2C emails. It is particularly beneficial for marketers venturing into roles involving email marketing or any professionals aiming to enhance their email marketing skills.
Price: Free
3. Email Marketing Unlocked – Neil Patel
This Neil Patel email marketing course is perfect for email marketers with intermediate to advanced skills who want to enhance their workflows and maximize their return on investment. Through this course, you will gain knowledge on calculating the lifetime value of your emails, optimizing and refining them, and determining the strategies that yield the best results.
If you’re wondering where to begin, we highly recommend Google’s Email Marketing Course as our top choice. It provides a solid foundation by covering essential concepts and sharing best practices to help you create a successful email campaign. Additionally, the quizzes interspersed between each module will ensure that you retain the information effectively throughout the course.
Free Web Development and Site Design Courses
While web development and design might not fall directly within the scope of a marketer’s expertise, having a grasp of the fundamentals can greatly facilitate your daily tasks, especially when it comes to uploading content independently.
Understanding HTML and CSS is becoming increasingly beneficial for marketers, as these languages form the backbone of numerous marketing tools and platforms. Take a look at our recommended choices below.
1. Web Development Courses – CodeAcademy
If you’re eager to immerse yourself in web development, CodeAcademy is a fantastic resource worth exploring. It offers the flexibility to choose either a specific career path or individual courses, including the following options:
- Master HTML & CSS
- Create a Website
- Discover Javascript
- Explore Ruby
- Dive into Python 3
If you’re uncertain about where to begin, web development languages like HTML and CSS are widely applicable to various marketing and content management positions. Additionally, Python is highly recommended for data analysis tasks.
The best part? CodeAcademy provides these learning opportunities for free.
2. Dash HTML, CSS, & Javascript Course – General Assembly
Although General Assembly is predominantly recognized for its coding bootcamps, it’s worth noting that they also provide a free web development course called Dash. Dash offers an engaging and interactive learning experience, focusing on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Instead of relying on theoretical concepts, you’ll gain practical knowledge by actively building and practicing.
Price: Free
If you’re new to web development and seeking a beginner-friendly option, CodeAcademy’s “Make a Website” course is a great place to start. Once you have grasped the fundamentals, consider exploring their course on Ruby for a deeper dive into the subject.
Free Online Advertising & PPC Courses
In addition to organic traffic, incorporating paid advertising into your marketing strategy can be highly beneficial. Whether you opt for pay-per-click (PPC) ads on Google or leverage the advertising capabilities of your preferred social media platform, it is crucial to make judicious use of your advertising budget.
Below, you will find courses that will guide you through the process of creating your inaugural paid campaign and conducting keyword research for PPC ads, ensuring that you maximize the effectiveness of your paid advertising efforts.
1. What Digital Advertising Is and How to Do It – HubSpot Academy
For novice marketers, delving into the realm of advertising can seem daunting. Questions like the cost involved and the optimal advertising platforms often arise. However, you can find answers to these inquiries and more by enrolling in HubSpot Academy’s complimentary digital advertising course. This course not only provides valuable insights into the world of advertising but also offers a tangible real-life example of successful advertising.
Once you feel confident in your understanding, you can further enhance your expertise by exploring additional advertising courses available from HubSpot Academy, such as the Digital Advertising Certification Course and How to Build a Paid Media Strategy.
Price: Free
2. PPC University – WordStream
When it comes to pay-per-click (PPC) courses, WordStream’s PPC University stands out as one of the most comprehensive options available. With over fifty self-paced lessons dedicated to online advertising, this course focuses specifically on social and search pay-per-click advertising. It is particularly beneficial for marketers currently or potentially involved in roles with a significant PPC component.
Price: Free
3. PPC Fundamentals – Semrush
If you have a preference for video-based learning, Semrush offers an outstanding pay-per-click course that serves as an excellent alternative to WordStream’s offering. This course provides immediate immersion into campaign optimization techniques and the art of creating compelling landing pages. Designed with experienced marketers in mind, it emphasizes practical and actionable knowledge, making it an ideal choice for those who are eager to enhance their skills quickly.
Price: Free
4. Copywriting 101: Crafting Your First Ad Campaign – Skillshare
Effective copywriting plays a vital role not only in content marketing but also in advertising. In fact, it becomes even more crucial in advertising since you have limited space, often just one or two lines, to capture your audience’s attention. If you’re looking to master the art of crafting attention-grabbing ad copy, Skillshare’s Copywriting 101 course is an excellent choice. This course not only focuses on digital ads but also covers techniques for creating impactful TV and radio ads.
Price: Free (7-day trial); $32/month
5. Affiliate Marketing for Beginners – Udemy
In addition to traditional advertising, Affiliate Marketing serves as an alternative method for businesses to generate leads and sales. It involves paying external publishers a commission for driving successful conversions. If you’re a freelancer building an affiliate website or a marketer involved in an affiliate program at your company, this course is an excellent starting point to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of affiliate marketing.
Price: Free
Where to Start: If you’re new to the world of digital advertising, HubSpot Academy’s “What Digital Advertising Is and How to Do It” is the perfect entry point. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of advertising fundamentals and offers a step-by-step guide for creating successful campaigns.
For those seeking in-depth knowledge, specifically on pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, WordStream’s PPC University is highly recommended.
Other Free Digital Marketing Courses
With the marketing fundamentals covered, let’s move on to the more enjoyable aspects. If you’re already skilled in crafting email and ad campaigns and are eager to elevate your graphic design abilities, these courses are perfect for you.
By enrolling in these courses, you’ll learn how to create visually captivating designs, harness the power of video content, and master the art of image editing. Whether you want to enhance your design skills, incorporate engaging videos, or become a pro at editing images, these courses have got you covered. Get ready to have some fun while expanding your creative horizons!
Graphic Design Courses
In the world of marketing, graphic design has become an essential and sought-after skill. To kickstart your journey, consider exploring the following courses:
- Graphic Design Basics – Canva
- Graphic Design Specialization – Coursera
- Photoshop 2021 Essential Training: The Basics – LinkedIn Learning
- InDesign Essential Training – LinkedIn Learning
If you’re unsure about where to begin, Canva offers an excellent starting point. Widely recognized as a versatile tool, Canva allows you to effortlessly create visually appealing content for various purposes, such as email campaigns, infographics, and even resumes. By taking their Design Basics course, you’ll enhance your skills as a visual communicator and tap into your inner designer. It’s time to unleash your creativity and become a master of visual expression.
Video & YouTube
Embrace the power of video, an increasingly influential marketing medium in today’s landscape. Whether you aspire to excel in a video marketing role or want to bolster your skillset, the courses below are worth exploring:
If you’re new to video marketing and looking for a starting point, HubSpot Academy’s video marketing course is an excellent choice. It equips you with the knowledge and tools to craft a comprehensive video marketing strategy, even if you have no prior experience with this medium. Get ready to delve into the world of video marketing and unleash your creativity!
Experiential Marketing
Experiential marketing provides a powerful and personalized approach to engage potential customers and drive lead generation. Elevate your skills in creating impactful in-person or virtual events by exploring the courses below:
- Event Marketing Strategist Certificate – Meeting Professionals International
- Successful Events: Event Planning, Marketing & Management – Udemy
For those committed to becoming proficient experiential marketers, the Event Marketing Strategist Certificate offered by Meeting Professionals International is highly recommended. This comprehensive program will equip you with the expertise to plan and execute successful events. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a solid foundation and a broader understanding of the topic, Udemy’s course serves as an excellent starting point. Whether you’re aiming to specialize or simply gain more insights into experiential marketing, these courses will provide the knowledge you need to succeed.
Conclusions
In the realm of marketing, professionals unanimously recognize the value of continuous education as a means to progress in their careers or enhance their businesses.
Whether you opt for a free online marketing class or decide to invest more time and resources in a paid program, selecting from a list of recommended courses ensures a reliable choice.
However, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of focusing your studies on a specific sector of marketing and developing a niche skill set. Doing so positions yourself on a path toward success as a well-rounded and accomplished marketer.
M Accelerator: Hands-On Marketing
Discover the power of our “Funders Cohorts” membership program designed to support startup founders (with live sessions) on their journey towards acquiring product-market fit. Ours isn’t a course per se, but a coaching program, with our mentors and coaches hands-on on your business concept.
We believe that acquiring Product Market Fit isn’t simple and can’t be done with a course or a book, so we created the Founders Cohorts.
Our hands-on sessions provide valuable insights and practical guidance, ensuring you make informed decisions for your project’s success. With a focus on rapid testing techniques, we offer specific sessions to help you determine the most effective approach for your unique venture.
As part of our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation, we have integrated several Facebook and Linkedin platform testing sprints, allowing you to leverage the vast potential of this popular social media platform.
Our program is not your typical beginner’s course on digital marketing. Instead, during live sessions, we guide founders in focusing on the right direction and shortening their business journey by imparting comprehensive pre-seed and seed funding knowledge.
Join our monthly founders’ meeting to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, share experiences, and gain invaluable networking opportunities. With our “Funders Cohorts” membership, you’ll gain the knowledge, support, and resources needed to navigate the challenging startup landscape and take your venture to new heights.
Visit our pages to learn more and embark on a transformative journey today.