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Fundamentals of digital marketing

Grow with Google via Independent

Overview

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Master the basics of digital marketing with our free course accredited by Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and The Open University. There are 26 modules to explore, all created by Google trainers, packed full of practical exercises and real-world examples to help you turn knowledge into action.

Syllabus

The online opportunity

Today's world is a digital one, with nearly half of the global population online. With so many people using the internet, it makes sense for a business to tap into digital. Find out what opportunities exist and how a website, videos or social media could help you reach your goals.

Your first steps in online success

There are many ways to promote a business online. But before you can get started, you should familiarise yourself with how these digital channels work, which options are best suited to you, and how to set up a clear plan or strategy that will help you achieve your goals and assess your results.

Build your web presence

From websites to local listings, mobile apps to social media, there are lots of ways to be found online. If a website is the best fit for your goals, you'll need to have a basic grasp of how they work. Even more importantly, having design and usability best practices under your belt will help you build a website that tells your story well, and allow your customers to find what they need.

Plan your online business strategy

From identifying your goals to knowing how to track your progress, this topic will show you how to put your best foot forward when creating a digital business strategy. Learn how to stand apart from the competition and how to impress customers at every point of their experience.

Get started with search

Search engines make it simple to find what you're looking for with a click of a button. But how do they work, and how can you improve your visibility on them? Learn the difference between organic and paid search results and why advertising on search engines is so effective.

Get discovered with search

Search Engine Optimisation might sound like a mouthful, but once you understand how search engines work you'll be on your way to becoming SEO confident. Learn how to develop an adaptable SEO plan, identify the most effective keywords, and which tools can help you measure what matters.

Make search work for you

Optimising web pages correctly means more people can find your content faster. There are lots of ways to achieve this, so choosing the most effective methods will save you time and resources. In this topic you'll learn how to master meta tags, backlinks, international SEO and more.

Be noticed with search ads

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) can open up a world of opportunities when it comes to promoting your service or product. By specifically targeting people interested in your website, you can use online advertising to directly connect with future customers. Learn how an SEM auction works and which elements are important to master so you can create ads that stand out from the crowd.

Improve your search campaigns

The world of Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is full of opportunities, but to benefit you’ll first need to master research tools and keyword selection. From there, you can improve and optimise your search campaigns to ensure you get maximum value for what you spend.

Get noticed locally

If you have a physical storefront, you'll need to harness local online marketing in order to reach customers. Ensure you're visible to people close to your store by creating a listing in local directories, engaging in mobile marketing and building a local search presence.

Help people nearby find you online

Thanks to search engines, local directories and social networks, reaching customers who are physically close to a store is a relatively easy task. Learn some ways to take advantage of that unique opportunity to attract new customers, by mastering local advertising, mobile marketing and more.

Help people nearby find you online

Thanks to search engines, local directories and social networks, reaching customers who are physically close to a store is a relatively easy task. Learn some ways to take advantage of that unique opportunity to attract new customers, by mastering local advertising, mobile marketing and more.

Get noticed with social media

Everyone's on social media, so it makes sense for your business to be there too. Take advantage of popular social media networks by understanding why you need to be there, joining the right social media sites and growing your presence by engaging with your networks.

Deep dive into social media

An organised social media plan and strategy will go a long way in saving you time and energy. Become familiar with what social content works best, why advertising on social can be a powerful addition to your strategy, and how to measure success so that you can optimise future social content.

Discover the possibilities of mobile

Web browsing on-the-go is very much a part of everyday life - which is why a mobile presence is important for businesses to embrace. Learn about mobile SEO. the differences between mobile sites and mobile apps, and which type of mobile marketing is right for your goals.

Make mobile work for you

With mobile video consumption on the rise, it makes sense to include mobile in your advertising strategy. Understanding the options and tools available and how to choose the right keywords and ad formats will set you up to succeed in your first mobile marketing campaign.

Get started with content marketing

Content marketing is a great way to build trust and increase site traffic. In this topic, you'll learn how to write for online audiences, organise production and promotion, choose the right format based on your content, and track your content marketing success.

Connect through email

Email marketing is a great way to connect and stay in touch with your customers. From building a contact list to learning how to design emails that really stand out, this topic will teach you the basics of effective email marketing campaigns.

Advertise on other websites

By incorporating a mix of both display and search engine advertising, you’ll be able to maximise your online visibility. Learn about the benefits of display and search ads, how they differ and how to find and target the right audience, so that you have the skills to correctly structure your ad campaigns.

Deep dive into display advertising

To make display ads succeed, it is important to first understand how advertising networks connect businesses who want to advertise, with websites with ad space to sell. You can then harness the power of retargeting solutions to stay top of mind and really move potential customers through the sales funnel.

Make the most of video

Today, video is a vibrant and popular part of the online experience. Connecting with customers through this versatile medium can open up valuable advertising and content marketing opportunities. Learn how to integrate video into your online strategy, plan and produce videos on a budget, and promote them so that they're seen by the right people.

Get started with analytics

Web analytics can provide a world of information when it comes to understanding your web users. By clearly outlining your business goals, you can then utilise analytics data to help you refine and improve your website and meet your objectives.

Find success with analytics

Analytics tools provide loads of data, but they don’t always give easy answers. Dive a little deeper into web analytics, and you'll soon be able to measure organic search analytics, understand SEM data and master segmentation techniques.

Turn data into insights

Knowing how to turn digital data into actionable insights can improve your online campaign results and help you meet your goals. In this topic, you'll learn about the data cycle, how to draw actionable insights from raw data, and which tools can help you manage digital data efficiently. We'll also cover how to present information in a way that will make the most impact with a target audience.

Build your online shop

Tap into the world of e-commerce and learn how to effectively sell your products online. From the tools you'll need to build your online shop from scratch, to payment methods and managing orders, this introductory topic will get you on your way.

Sell more online

Once your online shop is set up, it's time to ensure everything is optimised correctly so that customers have the smoothest user experience possible. Each touchpoint is an important communication opportunity between you and your customers: from signing in and browsing to checking out and receiving promotions about sales.

Expand internationally

Ready to dive into the global market? Before launching products or services to an international audience, it's important to validate your new markets, know the difference between translation and localisation and ensure you have the technical infrastructure to manage it all. Once you have a solid set-up, consider advertising across borders so that your marketing messages are seen by the right people, wherever they are.

Taught by

Google

Reviews

4.4 rating, based on 41 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Fundamentals of digital marketing

  • As the owner of a digital marketing agency, my experience with the 'Fundamentals of Digital Marketing' course has been invaluable. This course has equipped me with the knowledge to enhance our agency's offerings, optimize client campaigns, and drive tangible results. I look forward to implementing these learnings to deliver even greater value to our clients.
  • Very detailed course, learnt so much that i can take away with me. The best part is that you can complete this in your own time. The videos are detailed and user friendly with every step being explained and easy to get the hang of. The visuals are a nice touch so that the viewer doesn't get too bored and made the explanation easier to understand.
  • Profile image for Mahmmud Muktar
    Mahmmud Muktar
    Prepare for a new career in the high-growth fields of digital marketing and e-commerce, in under six months, no experience or degree required. Businesses need digital marketing and e-commerce talent more than ever before; 86% of business leaders rep…
  • Clement Sila Moki
    This blog is to share my learning feedback after completing the online course provided by Google - Fundamentals of Digital Marketing. It covers four parts beginning with for what reason I decided to learn this course. Then, the structure of the course. Next, what I have learned from it. The very last part is the tools list including all the useful websites and apps that covered in this course.

    Don’t waste your time at home especially when you lost your job. Develop your own business, keep learning and do a self-reflection which you may too busy to do it before.
  • Anonymous
    The course is about 40 hours and there are exercises to test skills at the end of each video (each video is about 3 to to 6 minutes). The topics covered are very basic, sometimes too much so. Still, it remains a Google-labeled course that awards a certificate upon completion of the final exam (40 questions, no timers). All in all I recommend it, it is consistent with what its goal is, which is to make people aware of the fundamentals of digital marketing.
  • This course is great for my career. I gained valuable digital marketing skills with this Google certificate.
  • Sarfraz Ahmed
    Taking a digital marketing course has been a transformative experience, expanding my horizons and providing me with invaluable skills in the rapidly evolving landscape of online marketing. One of the standout aspects of the course was its real-world…
  • Profile image for Naman Chaudhary
    Naman Chaudhary
    Great for revision. You can always try this course if you want to expand your existing knowledge base or revise. This course is beginner friendly as well as covers tough topics.
  • Profile image for Vishal Prajapati
    Vishal Prajapati
    "The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course by Grow with Google via Independent is an outstanding introduction to the core concepts of the digital landscape. The content is well-structured and presented in a way that is accessible to both beginner…
  • Anonymous
    A very comprhensive course. Through Googles' Fundamentals of digital marketing course i've been able to understand and develop deep connection with the digital marketing world. And as a plus i've been hired to play that role in a well positioned company. Ever so grateful
  • Muhammed Imran
    I recently completed the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course by Google, and it was an excellent experience. The course is well-structured, beginner-friendly, and covers all the essential aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, social media…
  • CHILUKA ASHMITHA
    The Google Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Certificate is well-regarded for beginners looking to understand digital marketing concepts. It covers SEO, social media, email marketing, and analytics in a structured, easy-to-follow format. The course is free, self-paced, and includes interactive quizzes and a final exam. Many learners find it valuable for building foundational knowledge, though it may be too basic for experienced marketers. The Google-backed certificate adds credibility to resumes and LinkedIn profiles but may not replace specialized or hands-on experience. Overall, it's a great starting point for those new to digital marketing.
  • Baisa Swarna
    The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course by Google is an excellent introduction to key digital marketing concepts. It covers SEO, SEM, social media marketing, email marketing, and analytics in a structured and easy-to-follow format. The course is well-designed, with engaging videos, real-world case studies, and interactive quizzes to reinforce learning. The certification adds value to career growth. Ideal for beginners, it provides a strong foundation for anyone looking to enter the digital marketing field. Highly recommended for those wanting to enhance their online marketing skills!
  • This course is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to understand the basics of digital marketing. The content is well-structured, beginner-friendly, and covers key areas like SEO, SEM, email marketing, content strategy, analytics, and social media. The real-world examples and interactive quizzes make learning more engaging. I especially appreciated the practical tips and how the course emphasizes the importance of building an online presence. It’s a great resource for students, professionals, or small business owners who want to grow their digital skills. Highly recommended!
  • Profile image for DEEKONDA SRAWIK
    DEEKONDA SRAWIK
    This course is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to understand the basics of digital marketing. The content is well-structured, beginner-friendly, and covers key areas like SEO, SEM, email marketing, content strategy, analytics, and social media. The real-world examples and interactive quizzes make learning more engaging. I especially appreciated the practical tips and how the course emphasizes the importance of building an online presence. It’s a great resource for students, professionals, or small business owners who want to grow their digital skills. Highly recommended!
  • Jeet Deepak Agrawal
    The course is about 40 hours and there are exercises to test skills at the end of each video (each video is about 3 to to 6 minutes). The topics covered are very basic, sometimes too much so. Still, it remains a Google-labeled course that awards a certificate upon completion of the final exam (40 questions, no timers). All in all I recommend it, it is consistent with what its goal is, which is to make people aware of the fundamentals of digital marketing.
  • Profile image for Shaharyar Khan
    Shaharyar Khan
    An amazing course for complete beginners. Very informative and greatly taught. This course is the perfect place to start off your career in digital marketing. Before looking into Google Ads, or Google Analytics courses, I highly recommend you to first check this course out. I personally thought it was too slow, which is why I would always watch all the videos at a 1.5x playback speed, but I can imagine how it can perfectly introduce a beginner to a new interest.
  • Preetham Sai Bolla
    Fundamentals of Digital Marketing provides a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts of online marketing. Covering essential topics like SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, PPC advertising, and content marketing, it serves as a great starting point for beginners. The material is well-structured, with practical insights and real-world examples that make learning engaging.
  • Anonymous
    Completed this 40 hour course for it to glitch out and not allow access to final assessment meaning that I can not complete the course. Utter waste of time and effort. Contacting Google or anyone to help is a joke and when I reported it online, they have just put padlocks on sections I have completed (I have screen shots) and will not allow access to those either. Absolute disgrace! Do not waste your time completing this course, you will be left frustrated and without a certificate.
  • Profile image for Tayla Dlodlo
    Tayla Dlodlo
    I enjoyed taking this course. I learnt a lot more about the digital marketing space and through this course I learnt way more than I thought would be included. I would highly recommend this course for someone who is looking to learn more about the digital marketing space , preferred on a short time bases. I give it a 10/10.

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