Staying on top of the latest strategies and trends has been crucial for keeping my knowledge and skills current as a digital marketer.
Whether it’s learning new SEO techniques or understanding changing social media algorithms, free digital marketing courses have been an invaluable resource throughout my career.
![→ Click here to download our free guide to digital marketing fundamentals [Download Now].](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/0a42501f-0096-4817-9fbc-923540fe37a6.png)
While traditional options such as boot camps or university programs offer valuable education, they also often come with a hefty price tag. In contrast, online courses offer a more affordable and accessible alternative.
But with so many options, how do you pick the right one for you?
Table of Contents
Why take a marketing course?
While it’s possible to learn new skills through blog posts and ebooks, I’ve found that this method often leads to overwhelm.
Although these resources can be helpful, the most effective way to master a skill, in my experience, is through a structured learning process.
Instead of piecing together information haphazardly from various sources, taking a course offers a clear path forward and ensures you’re covering topics in a logical order.
Whether you’re interested in a refresher course or want to learn something new — like creating a website from scratch — taking a marketing course provides the structured guidance and expertise you need to truly learn and master a topic or skill set.
That said, not all courses are created equal. So, how do you know what courses are worth your time?
Don’t worry. I’ve done all the heavy lifting and handpicked some of the best digital marketing courses currently available.
How I Chose the Best Online Marketing Courses
The word “best” means different things to different people.
For some, it’s all about the reputation of the person or organization that created the course. For others, it might be how well a course helps to achieve a specific goal.
With these diverse definitions in mind, I’ve included a range of courses to help you find the right course for your unique interests, needs, and budget.
Also, to make it easier for you to browse through my selections, I’ve organized this roundup into broad “topic categories” and included the following criteria for each course recommendation:
- How much the course costs. While most of the courses on this list are free, some require payments or memberships for the platforms they’re hosted on.
- How the course is delivered. This section will provide information on how the course is formatted and delivered (video, text, audio, etc.)
- Instructor. If you’re new to marketing, this section can help you decide whether the instructor is the best person for you to learn this topic from.
- Required prerequisites. Most of the courses on this list have no prerequisites. That said, I’ve included a note if having some prior knowledge about the topic might improve your learning experience.
- Certifications. For learners who prefer or require accreditation, this section will tell you whether the course offers a certificate.
- How long it takes to complete the course. This is an estimate of how long it will take you to review the course materials. Note that in reality, this number will be highly dependent on several factors such as your current skill level, engagement with the course, whether you complete the more intensive projects or assignments, etc.
- Who is this course for? This provides a high-level target audience for each course.
- What the course covers. Some courses teach a range of specific skills, while others cover broad topics across multiple chapters. This section will give you a clearer picture of what each course covers.
- Why do I recommend the course? This section will provide a quick summary of why I believe the course is worth taking.
Now let’s find the right online marketing course for you.
Free Content Marketing Courses
Successful marketing efforts begin with excellent content. Whether you’re just starting your content marketing journey or need a quick refresher, the courses below will help you up your marketing game.
1. Content Marketing Certification – HubSpot Academy
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Cost: Free
Format: Includes 12 lessons, 54 videos, and 11 quizzes. The program is also available in English, German, Spanish and French.
Instructor: Taught by various instructors from the HubSpot team, including content experts like AJ Beltis and Justin Champion.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: After completing this course, you can get your Content Marketing Certification by passing a one-hour exam.
Course duration: 8 hours 34 minutes
Who is this course for?
This program is perfect for anyone looking to learn the fundamentals of content marketing.
Whether you’re a marketing intern starting your first campaign, a business owner exploring new growth tactics, or a seasoned marketing professional looking to expand into content, this course will teach you how to create and implement a content marketing strategy.
What does the course cover?
The program begins with foundational lessons on content frameworks, storytelling, and idea generation. As you progress, you’ll delve into practical lessons on strategy development and content creation.
Lastly, the course concludes with in-depth sessions that explore strategies for content promotion, amplification, and optimization, ensuring you have a holistic understanding of the entire content marketing workflow.
The program includes additional resources such as a content marketing workbook and quizzes to test your knowledge of the course material. It also incorporates expert insights and real-world examples to offer practical strategies that can be directly applied to your content marketing projects.
Finally, alongside the course material, you’ll also gain access to an exclusive online content marketing study group with over 18,000 members.
Why do I recommend this course?
This marketing course offers direct, clear, and easy-to-understand lessons.
It’s also incredibly comprehensive, which means that even an absolute beginner will walk away understanding how to manage an entire content marketing campaign effectively.
The HubSpot Academy also has over 550 five-star reviews on G2, with many learners praising the programs for their relevance, usefulness, and timeliness.
2. Copyblogger Academy
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner to advanced
Cost: $199 for a yearly membership which provides access to training, masterclasses, and tools. Cancel at any time.
Format: Includes a training library and live monthly masterclasses.
Instructor: Taught by instructors from the Copyblogger team and external experts such as Steph Smith and Jacob McMillen.
Prerequisites: Your learning experience will go much smoother if you’re already a competent writer.
Certifications: No
Course duration: Self-paced training available year-long.
Who is this course for?
This course is great for marketers who are already proficient in writing but want to understand how to develop and implement a proper content marketing framework.
What does the course cover?
The course covers three key skills for successful content marketing: strategy, traffic generation, and audience engagement. You’ll learn these skills through a mix of courses like “Content Marketing Mastery,” “Creative Foundations,” and “Content Marketing Bootcamp.”
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend expert-led live classes and participate in personalized “hot seat” sessions.
Overall, the course is designed to help learners develop a strategy that fits their business goals and learn how to use technology (specifically automation) to grow their audience.
Why do I recommend this course?
While the course content on its own is pretty great, a standout feature of this program is the “built-in” mastermind.
This feature provides a valuable community of like-minded individuals who can offer ongoing support and share timely insights.
This makes it a great choice for people who are looking to connect with others in the field, expand their network, and gain diverse perspectives.
3. The Strategy of Content Marketing by Copyblogger and UC Davis
Quick Overview
Level: Intermediate
Cost: Free with a 7-day free trial or $59 a month for a Coursera Plus subscription.
Format: Includes five modules with a combination of videos, assessments, and readings.
Instructor: Taught by instructors from the Copyblogger team and external experts such as Steph Smith and Jacob McMillen.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: A certificate of completion is available.
Course duration: Approximately five weeks of study if you dedicate two to three hours per week or three weeks of study if you dedicate six hours per week.
Who is this course for?
This is primarily a “strategy-focused” course, which makes it great for learners looking for a more actionable, clinical approach to structuring and managing a content marketing campaign.
What does the course cover?
This course is a collaboration between UC Davis and Copyblogger designed to help you use content marketing to generate leads effectively.
It covers a range of topics, from the basics of content creation to developing strategies, mapping out customer journeys, and managing your content.
It’s worth noting that this course is rated 4.5 with over 4,000 reviews and is taught by Sonia Simone — who brings a wealth of experience as a co-owner of The Offer Accelerator, a founding partner of Copyblogger, and an independent content marketing coach.
Another standout feature of this course is its active discussion forums, where you can engage with other learners, troubleshoot issues, and build your network.
Here you’ll have the opportunity to participate in discussions and complete assignments, such as sharing a website for feedback from your peers.
It’s important to note that while this course provides a solid foundation in content marketing, you may need to supplement your learning with additional resources if you’re looking for the latest trends and cutting-edge topics.
Why do I recommend this course?
This is just one of many excellent courses you can use to supercharge your marketing.
Coursera offers a wealth of content marketing classes — so many that it might be dizzying to the first-time entrant.
For example, once you’ve finished this course, you may want to try Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content next.
If you’ve ever come across a piece of viral content and wondered how you can create something similar, this Wharton-taught course is for you.
4. Copywriting For Beginners: How To Write Web Copy That Sells Without Being Cheesy
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free with a 7-day trial or $32 a month.
Format: Includes 17 video lessons.
Instructor: Taught by Jesse Forest, a professional copywriter, educator, and the founder of Copywriting Crew.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: No
Course duration: Should take approximately one hour to complete.
Who is this course for?
This course is great for beginners looking for a resource that covers fundamental copywriting principles.
If you’re someone who struggles with “blank screen anxiety,” this course is a great resource for developing the skills and techniques to overcome it.
What does the course cover?
Copywriting is the lifeblood of any content marketing effort. It‘s the art of crafting compelling messages that resonate with your audience and drive them to take action.
In this course, you’ll dive deep into the basics of copywriting, tailored for online marketing.
The course is specifically designed to help you stand out in your niche. You’ll learn strategies to ensure that your message cuts through the noise, captivates your audience, and leaves a lasting impression.
One of the highlights of this course is the hands-on project and worksheet included to help you practice and apply what you’ve learned.
This practical approach ensures that you not only understand the concepts but can also confidently implement them in your marketing efforts.
Finally, more than half of the learners who have completed the course say it exceeds expectations. They specifically highlight the practical examples, clear explanations, and engaging teaching style as standout features.
Why do I recommend this course?
Jesse’s course offers a quick introduction to the core principles of copywriting that sell products and services. If you’re new to writing for business, this is an excellent way to learn the basics of copywriting.
5. Content Marketing for B2B Enterprises
Quick Overview
Level: Intermediate
Cost: Free
Format: Divided into six sections with a total of 19 video lectures.
Instructor: Taught by William Flanagan, the Founder and CEO of Audienti.
Prerequisites: Experience with social networks and search engines, moderate understanding of marketing concepts, and user-based experience with analytics platforms like Google Analytics.
Certifications: The free course doesn’t include a certificate, but you can get a certificate of completion with the paid version of the course.
Course duration: 35 minutes
Who is this course for?
If you’re part of a B2B company and you’d like a glimpse into the inner workings of an actual content marketing strategy, this course is a must.
What does the course cover?
This course covers several aspects of building a content marketing system, such as understanding your target market, creating engaging content (even in less exciting industries), and building a system for continuous improvement.
It also covers topics like content types, managing a content calendar, finding promotional channels and influencers, etc.
Additionally, the course offers a practical learning experience by showcasing the content marketing process that William’s company, Audienti, uses to drive B2B lead generation.
Why do I recommend this course?
It can be tough to get B2B-specific instruction on content marketing. This is because the specifics are unique for each business, and some leaders are hesitant to share their best strategies.
However, this evergreen course offers an excellent set of tools for B2B marketers to refine their understanding of this approach to content.
Pro tip: If you liked this Udemy course, you might also want to check out Copywriting Quick Start: Top FREE Writing Tools & Hacks. This course will cover hacks to help you write winning pages, posts, and articles from headline to conclusion.
Free Social Media Marketing Courses
If you‘re not currently using social media as a marketing tool, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Unlike traditional marketing channels, social media provides a unique immediacy that allows you to interact with your audience in real time and capitalize on emerging trends as they unfold.
However, it’s crucial to understand that each social platform operates differently, with its algorithms and “etiquette,” so to speak.
For example, I’ve found that Instagram content is typically more focused on visual storytelling and aesthetics, while Facebook is a bit more versatile, allowing for a mix of content types.
The courses listed below will help you master various aspects of social media, from strategy to metrics. Some of the courses also focus on a single platform, which is great if you’re looking to deep dive into a specific social media channel.
6. Social Media Strategy – Hubspot Academy
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Cost: Free
Format: Includes 38 videos and 29 quizzes to test your social media acumen.
Instructor: Taught by twenty professionals, including Mari Smith, Christina Garnett, and Ai Addyson-Zhang.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: After completing this course, you can get your Social Media Certification by passing a one-hour exam.
Course duration: This course includes over five hours of content.
Who is this course for?
This course is great for anyone looking to learn social media marketing fundamentals.
Whether you‘re an influencer, a small business owner, or a social media marketer, you’ll find valuable insights here to help you create a strong social media strategy.
What does the course cover?
This free certification course teaches you how to leverage social media to boost your brand, attract new customers, and forge meaningful online connections.
It covers the fundamentals of social media strategies and management, including media monitoring, social media advertising, and measuring social ROI.
This program is also highly praised by professionals and college marketing programs alike.
Additionally, HubSpot Academy offers over 90 lessons on current and related topics beyond the certification course.
Why do I recommend this course?
This is one of several globally-recognized marketing certifications from HubSpot.
You can jump into your social media certification or start with platform-specific learning. For example, HubSpot’s free Instagram training course offers lessons on Instagram strategy, attracting followers, content, and more.
Whether you’re a beginner or just want to refresh your certification, this is an exceptional online marketing course.
7. How to Use TikTok for Business
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
Format: Includes 36 video lessons split into three sections. The paid version of the course also includes instructor Q&A and direct messaging.
Instructor: Taught by Scott D. Clary, a marketing executive and host of the Success Story podcast.
Prerequisites: Access to a smartphone.
Certifications: While the free course doesn’t include a certificate of completion, you can get a certificate with the paid version of the course.
Course duration: This course includes almost two hours of content.
Who is this course for?
Marketers or business owners who want to understand how to leverage short-form video content. While this course focuses on TikTok, the learnings should be transferable across multiple short-form video platforms.
What does the course cover?
The course starts with the basics. It kicks off with essential TikTok marketing principles and then dives deep into various strategies tailored to the platform.
You’ll get a walkthrough of TikTok‘s interface, which will help you learn about core functionalities and how to navigate the platform. You’ll also learn how to create your first TikTok video, leverage the “Discover” tab for marketing, and engage users with hashtag challenges.
The course then offers more advanced topics such as navigating premium tools and services, understanding TikTok Ads policies, etc.
All that said, it’s important to note that critical reviews mention a lack of practical examples and techniques for increasing visibility on the platform.
Why do I recommend this course?
Clear instructions, like the ones provided in this course, are helpful when you’re first learning a social platform. This is a great course to begin your TikTok education, as it provides a solid foundation you can then build on.
8. Diploma in Social Media Strategy
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free
Format: Includes 14 learning modules that include videos, quizzes, and online chat support.
Instructor: There is limited information about who teaches this course.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: This online marketing course offers a CPD-accredited diploma. While the course is free, there is a charge for the diploma.
Course duration: This course should take 10-15 hours to complete.
Who is this course for?
This course is perfect for people looking for a more well-rounded understanding of social media.
It not only prepares learners for a social media strategist role but also teaches cross-over skills such as community management and social media customer service.
What does the course cover?
This course takes a more holistic approach to teaching about social media.
It covers a wide range of topics, from the evolution of social media to social media policy and, of course, more practical topics like market analysis and marketing strategies.
Overall, you’ll learn how to set goals, select platforms, craft content, analyze marketing personas, and launch successful campaigns.
Why do I recommend this course?
This course is helpful for learners who like to learn about a topic from many different angles. This course covers social media history, career expectations, community management, and more.
9. Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free with a 7-day free trial or $59 a month for a Coursera Plus subscription.
Format: This certification includes six courses.
Instructor: The professor for this course is Anke Audenaert, an experienced educator, digital marketer, and CEO.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: Upon completion, you’ll receive a professional certificate and the Meta Digital Marketing Associate Certification.
Course duration: Requires 30+ hours to complete.
Who is this course for?
This is a great course for anyone looking to break into social media as a social media manager, specialist, or coordinator.
What does the course cover?
This program provides a path for launching a professional career in social media. It covers the fundamentals of digital marketing and then drills down into creating social media campaigns on the major social media platforms.
In this certification, you’ll learn how to successfully manage a social media account for a brand (or yourself) and drive traffic — both organically and through ads. The course also includes several applied projects to ensure you’re practicing these skills and building a portfolio.
Why do I recommend this course?
This social media marketing course is a professional-level course from one of the top social media platforms. Plus, it’s available in 22 different languages and rated 4.9/5 with over 16,000 reviews.
10. Become a Social Media Marketer – LinkedIn Learning
Quick Overview
Level: Beginner
Cost: Free with a one-month trial or $19.99 a month for an annual subscription.
Format: This course is a compilation of videos from different online teachers curated for this topic. You can view most videos on a tablet or phone as well as your desktop or laptop computer.
Instructor: Taught by five instructors who collectively have several years of professional marketing and social media management experience.
Prerequisites: None
Certifications: After completing this course, you get a LinkedIn certificate of completion.
Course duration: This course includes just over six hours of content.
Who is this course for?
If you’re looking to learn from experts across certain niches or subjects rather than a single instructor, this might be the course for you. If you’re also looking for a shiny LinkedIn credential to display on your profile, this course is also for you.
What does the course cover?
This course is essentially a collection of videos organized into a single “learning path”.
It currently offers seven lessons on the following topics: social media marketing foundations, social media strategy and optimization, copywriting for social media, social media management skills, content creation, short-form video content, and storytelling.
Individual videos have a Q&A tab where learners can ask questions or share insights. The average learner review rating for videos in this course is also pretty high (4.7), with comments being generally positive.
Why do I recommend this course?
This is a basic compilation of videos you can watch any time during your free trial. It‘s best for social media beginners who are just beginning to understand social media marketing. It’s also a good introduction to developing social media skills and strategies.
Free SEO Marketing Courses
Your superb content is only effective if users can find it. That’s why search engine optimization (SEO) is so important.
But mastering SEO goes beyond just targeting the right keywords; it’s about understanding the intent behind each search term and creating content that satisfies that intent.
Moreover, SEO is a field that’s constantly evolving. As search engines update their algorithms, we marketers also need to adapt our strategies accordingly.
Learn SEO best practices with the courses below.