In 2021, more and more people are looking for a way to make money online. While some will choose to start their own business, others will choose to follow the footsteps of their entrepreneurial spirits and get a degree. With higher education costs and the pandemic taking a significant toll on many students’ wallets, more and more people are looking for affordable options.
If you’re looking to make some extra cash and want to learn how to market products online, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’re going to discuss top 10 online marketing courses you can take for free.
Marketing
One of the most in-demand degrees right now is marketing. With the world shifting to a digital sphere and the cost of living steadily rising, people are becoming more and more interested in getting a marketing degree. The demand for marketers even surpassed the demand for software developers in 2020.
This trend is unlikely to reverse itself any time soon, as marketing is a degree that you can use to kick start your career. Once you complete your studies, you’ll be able to secure a job as an online marketer and work from home. You won’t have to go through an office environment, which can be a comfortable change for anyone who is currently working through the pandemic.
To qualify for free public university education in Marketing in the UK you must be enrolled on a full-time course and have a UK passport. The Open University offers a range of distance learning courses in marketing that you can complete for free.
Web Design and Development
Another degree that saw a surge of popularity this year is web design and development. Not only does it offer a way to make a decent living, but it can also be used to gain valuable knowledge and enhance your career prospects.
In 2020, many businesses shifted to taking on freelance web designers and developers to help with the growing demand for digital marketing and website build services. If you’re looking to make extra cash, freelancing is a great option as you’ll be able to showcase your skills and gain valuable experience. You won’t get rich from freelancing, but it’s a solid way to make some extra cash.
To get started, you’ll need to register with platforms like Upwork or Fiverr and then start hunting down projects. You’ll be able to pick up small projects for just $5-$10 a day, but large orders typically pay out more and can range between $20 and $100 a day. You can register for a free account on platforms such as Upwork to get started.
Accounting & Finance
Many of today’s most successful businesses are those that are able to use accounting and finance to their advantage. With so much information available online, students can complete most of the required modules for an accredited accountancy degree (like ACCA) from home. This coupled with increased access to online learning means that fewer students are getting left without a degree just because they couldn’t fund it.
If you’re looking to make extra cash during the pandemic, setting up a limited liability company (LLC) for your small business can be a profitable option. Being an owner of an LLC doesn’t require any specific qualifications, so if you want to get started, all you need is a little bit of courage and a lot of hustle.
For those seeking a more traditional route to a lucrative career, an accounting degree will give you the knowledge you need to work in a professional capacity. While it’s not always the case that you’ll need to specialize in finance to prove yourself, having a working knowledge of accounting and finance can prove to be invaluable. Once you qualify, you can look to the future with optimism.
Sales Management
If having a solid grasp of accounting and finance isn’t your cup of tea, you can also gain valuable knowledge through a bachelor’s degree in sales management. Just like marketing, sales management is another degree that can be used to secure a job in digital marketing or sales. The big difference is that you’ll be specifically teaching and coaching individuals on a one-to-one basis.
A career in sales can prove to be very rewarding. You’ll be using your communication skills to help others and be able to demonstrate empathy. Additionally, you’ll need to be a people person, as sales can be highly social endeavors and there’s a lot of interaction with customers and prospects. If you’re looking for a change of pace from working for a corporation and want to work in a smaller environment, a sales job might be the answer you’re looking for.
Search Marketing
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional and want to follow the footsteps of successful entrepreneurs, search marketing is the degree for you. While SEO is a highly complex subject and takes a lot of time to learn, you can complete most of the required courses for a reputable search marketing degree from home. You won’t get rich from SEO, but it’s a respected way to make a living.
The demand for SEO professionals is at an all-time high, and many respected SEO agencies and colleges offer degree courses that you can complete online. Earning a search marketing degree will not only put you in the right place, but it will also give you the ability to prove yourself and gain valuable experience.
Digital Marketing & Advertising
The list of marketing degrees wouldn’t be complete without mention of digital marketing and advertising. If you’re going down the online route, getting a degree in digital marketing isn’t solely for the sake of getting a degree. You’ll be able to specialize in digital marketing and gain hands-on experience while also learning the theoretical aspects at home. If you’re looking to make a career change and want to work in a field that is constantly evolving, becoming a digital marketer is a great option.
With increased competition, many traditional marketing degrees don’t cut it anymore. To be able to stand out, you need to be able to implement effective digital marketing strategies and build marketing programs from the ground up. To do this, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of digital marketing and how to create an effective marketing plan.
If you’re looking for a career in digital marketing, you don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree. There are many reputable institutions that offer accredited digital marketing degrees, and you can complete many of the required courses online. This way, you don’t have to worry about finding the time to fit learning into your schedule and can focus on getting ahead in your career.
Business Analytics & Reporting
Many big businesses now use business analytics and reporting to gain valuable insights into their operations and make better decisions. If you’re looking for a career in management, a business analytics degree might be the ticket you’re looking for. Just like accountancy and finance, business analytics is another degree that can be used to gain employment in a variety of fields. From marketing to sales to operations, a business analytics degree will put you in the right place and give you the skills you need to succeed.
Reporting is an important component of any business. Whether you’re submitting records to the IRS or detailing your company’s performance in a glossy brochure, there’s a lot of paperwork that goes into running a successful business. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, you can take a degree in business administration and hone your skills by completing online business reporting courses. Most of the work will be done for you, so you can get back to focusing on growing your business.
Public Relations & Communication
Last but not least, we have public relations and communication. Many businesses and marketing agencies utilize PR and comm to gain exposure and favor with the media. For PR and comm students, bachelor’s degrees aren’t specifically required, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
If you’re looking for a graduate degree but don’t want to commit to a specific specialty, a public relations degree will prove to be valuable. You’ll be able to diversify your career choice and land a job in a variety of fields, from media to communications to public relations. If you’re looking for a change of pace from the corporate world, a career in public relations and communications would be perfect.
A degree in marketing doesn’t mean you have to specialize in marketing, as there’s a lot of opportunity for those seeking to break into the field. You can gain valuable knowledge through a bachelor’s in business administration, and then seek a job in a traditional marketing role or get a graduate degree in marketing and pursue a career in management. The choice is yours.