With the growing influence of digital marketing, more and more organizations are taking the initiative to offer online courses to their staff. We’ll take a look at how Google promotes their digital marketing course, and also dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of taking the course online.
Why Take This Course?
The role of a digital marketer has changed a lot in the last 10 years. Back then, a digital marketer was someone who managed the online marketing and advertising campaigns of a company. Nowadays, a digital marketer is an individual who utilizes digital tools and platforms to make marketing more efficient and effective. The course from Google is the perfect example of a digital marketing course for someone who’s looking to enter the field. The curriculum is extensive and includes everything from digital marketing strategy to management of online stores. This is a complete overview of what a digital marketer needs to know, and this comes in a convenient and portable package that can be accessed anywhere, at any time.
This course will give you a solid understanding of the field and allow you to further specialize in areas of digital marketing that you feel passionate about.
What Will You Learn From This Course?
There are several key takeaways from this course. The first is how to properly scope a marketing plan, including identifying the target audience and the objectives of the campaign. You will learn how to develop a marketing strategy and then carry out the plan using both traditional and digital marketing methods.
A critical takeaway from the course is to understand the difference between top-of-the-funnel (TOFU) and bottom-of-the-funnel (BOTFU) marketing. Top-of-the-funnel marketing occurs when you’re initially interacting with a customer, such as landing on a company website or entering a shopping cart. Your goal with this type of marketing is to attract as many people as possible to your product or service, and to keep them engaged with content that is both relevant and interesting.
Bottom-of-the-funnel marketing, on the other hand, pertains to the last interaction a customer has with your brand before they decide whether or not to purchase your product. Hence, the name “Bottom of the Funnel.” This is typically the part of the marketing funnel that sees the highest bounce rate (i.e., the percentage of people who visit a brand’s website but then immediately leave) and the lowest conversion rate (i.e., the percentage of people who visit a brand’s website and then decide to purchase the product).
You will learn to utilize both traditional and digital marketing methods to target the right audience and engage them into action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter subscription. Furthermore, you will gain a clear understanding of what makes a brand unique and how you can communicate that uniqueness to potential customers through marketing content.
The Advantages Of Taking This Course Online
There are a number of advantages to taking the Google digital marketing course online. The main advantage is that you can take the course at your own pace. You can study at night when you’re not busy and can log back in and finish a section whenever you want. You can also take the course without having to travel to a classroom environment, which is especially beneficial for people interested in becoming a digital marketer who works remotely.
You can also interact with the instructor and other students via live chat, email, and an online discussion platform. This interactive component makes the course much more engaging and allows you to ask questions about the material as it’s being presented. You can’t get that type of interaction when you’re just watching a screencast. Last but not least, this type of environment forces you to focus on the material and allows you to get more out of the courses than if you were just following along with a book.
On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages to taking the course online. One significant disadvantage is that, unless you have a dedicated learning environment at your fingertips, you will miss out on the opportunity to learn how to study effectively in a physical classroom. It is highly likely that you will forget something that you learned if you were just to Google it, and you may also learn how to study in a way that is beneficial to you but that may not be the best way for the instructor to convey the information. Lastly, you have to manage your own time wisely when you take the course online. You cannot just log on and expect to get the results you’re looking for. You have to put in the effort and learn how to study for yourself.
The Disadvantages Of Taking This Course Online
There are a few disadvantages to taking the Google digital marketing course online. One significant disadvantage is that, unless you have a dedicated learning environment at your fingertips, you will miss out on the opportunity to learn how to study effectively in a physical classroom. It is highly likely that you will forget something that you learned if you were just to Google it, and you may also learn how to study in a way that is beneficial to you but that may not be the best way for the instructor to convey the information. Lastly, you have to manage your own time wisely when you take the course online. You cannot just log on and expect to get the results you’re looking for. You have to put in the effort and learn how to study for yourself.
Another disadvantage of taking the course online is that you cannot get the same feeling of accomplishment from a digital marketing certificate as you can when you earn it in a physical classroom. The only way to get that feeling of accomplishment is to complete the entire course and then sit for the certification exam. If you feel that you’re not ready to take the certification yet, you might put off earning that certificate until you’re more experienced. This is just one of the things to consider if you decide to take the course online.
Last but not least, you have to consider the cost of the course. When you take the course online, there is no additional living expenses, but you will have to pay for your own computer and internet access, which can add up quickly. If cost is no object to you and you want to be able to access as much information as possible, then the best option would be to take the course in a traditional classroom setting.
Is This Course Suitable For Everyone?
This course is suitable for anyone who’s looking to further specialize in digital marketing. The curriculum covers a variety of topics and is updated regularly, so you’re bound to learn something new. Additionally, the course material is extensive and includes everything needed to learn the subject, including real-life examples.
This course has been designed to walk you through the basics of digital marketing and then further specialize in areas of interest. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of digital marketing and be able to work in more specialized roles, such as SEO, content strategy, or social media marketing. This is also the best course for someone who already works in digital marketing and wants to further specialize in SEO or content strategy.
If you’re looking to further specialize in social media marketing, you might want to take a look at Coursera’s specialized SM marketing certificate. This is designed to give you a head start in the field by teaching you the theory and skills required for social media marketing, including building a social media schedule and utilizing social media analytics.