How much it costs to learn digital marketing will depend on the route you take.

Some pathways into digital marketing (such as building up a portfolio of marketing projects and developing the necessary knowledge and skillset yourself through research and free online courses) might not cost you a penny, but could take a little longer.

If you want to fast-track your learning however and gain the knowledge and training needed to land a job in digital marketing quickly, you might opt to undertake a professional paid course and these can be more expensive.

In today’s world, digital marketing is becoming essential for businesses, as such the demand for digital marketing professionals has also increased.

As a result, many people are considering learning digital marketing and often employers are only looking for those candidates with the most well-known qualifications that guarantee high-quality training.

In this article, we’ll explore the options and the various aspects of digital marketing education and help you determine the cost of learning digital marketing.

Understanding the Components of Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a broad term that encompasses several components, each serving a unique purpose. These components work together to create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that can help businesses achieve their goals.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these components:

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO is a critical component of digital marketing. It involves optimising a website’s content and structure for search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

The goal of SEO is to increase a website’s visibility and improve its ranking on search engine results pages. This is achieved through various techniques, including keyword research, on-page optimisation, link building, and content creation.

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing involves creating and sharing content on social media platforms to engage with a target audience and promote brand awareness.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, provide businesses with an opportunity to connect with their customers and build relationships with them.

Social media marketing can include various types of content, such as images, videos, blog posts, and infographics.

Content Marketing

Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable content that attracts and engages a target audience, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness and revenue.

This can include blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, and infographics.

The key to successful content marketing is to create content that is relevant, informative, and engaging to your target audience.

Email Marketing

Email marketing involves using email to promote products or services, build relationships with subscribers, and drive traffic to a website. This can include newsletters, promotional emails, and automated email campaigns.

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to reach a large audience and can be highly targeted based on subscriber behavior and preferences.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC)

PPC involves placing ads on search engines or other websites, with the advertiser paying each time a user clicks on the ad. This can include search ads, display ads, and social media ads.

PPC can be an effective way to drive traffic to a website and generate leads or sales. However, it requires careful planning and management to ensure a positive return on investment.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Learning Digital Marketing

The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques is essential for success. However, the cost of learning digital marketing can vary depending on several factors, including:

Self-Study vs. Formal Education

One of the first decisions to make when considering learning digital marketing is whether to pursue self-study or formal education.

Self-study, such as reading digital marketing blogs or watching YouTube tutorials, can be more cost-effective than formal education, such as enrolling in a university course or taking a certification program.

Self-study can also be less structured and may not provide as comprehensive of an education as formal programs.

On the other hand, formal education can provide a more in-depth and structured approach to learning digital marketing.

It can also offer opportunities for networking with other professionals in the field. However, formal education can be more expensive and may require a significant time commitment.

Online Courses vs. In-Person Classes

Another factor to consider when choosing a learning method is whether to take online courses or attend in-person classes.

Online courses are often less expensive than in-person classes, as they require fewer resources and can reach a broader audience.

They also offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. However, online courses may not provide the same level of interaction with instructors and other students as in-person classes.

In-person classes, on the other hand, may provide a more immersive learning experience and opportunities for networking.

They also allow for more immediate feedback and the ability to ask questions in real-time. However, in-person classes may be more expensive and may require additional costs such as travel and accommodation.

Certification Programs

Certification programs can increase the credibility of a digital marketing professional and demonstrate a higher level of expertise.

From a reputable study centre they typically cost more than some shorter online qualifications, but they are particularly useful for those looking to advance their careers or enter a new field as they allow learners to focus in on and specialise in a particular area of digital marketing.

Having a specialised skill set can make you stand out in a competitive job market.

MMC Learning delivers some of the most popular certifications for digital marketers accredited by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) one of the top awarding bodies for digital marketing qualifications.

The Digital Marketing Institute offers a range of certifications in areas like digital strategy, search marketing, and social media marketing.

Since their foundation in 2009, the DMI has become globally recognised and their qualifications are respected by employers around the world.

DMI certifcations available at MMC Learning include:

• DMI Certified Digital Marketing Professional: This course is designed to arm you with the know-how, experience, and insights to be able to work and speak with authority in this fast-paced industry. You’ll learn how to reach customers and how traditional and digital media can work together. The course takes you through the basics of digital including Social Media Marketing, Paid Search (PPC) using Google Ads, Email Marketing, Analytics with Google Analytics, Content Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Optimisation, Digital Marketing Strategy and more, focusing on education you on the principles of Digital Marketing, developing objectives, connecting with the Customer, digital research and cultural research.
• DMI Certified Digital Strategist: This course uses interactive learning to teach you every aspect of digital marketing strategy. The program will provide you with a deep understanding of all the elements that go in to creating effective digital strategy, including traditional Communications, digital Communications, digital Channels, marketing automation, budget & Resourcing, big data & analytics, digital Leadership, strategy formulation & planning in order to help you drive digital marketing in your business and career. The Diploma in Digital Strategy & Planning is designed to give you the skills, know-how, strategy, and techniques to be the change you want to see in the world.
• DMI Certified Search Marketing Specialist: This SEO certification teaches students the key concepts of search engine optimisation, including keyword research, on-page optimisation, and link building strategies. With this certification, you will learn how to optimise websites for search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, with the goal of improving their visibility in search results. You will also gain an understanding of how to analyse website traffic using google analytics and use data to make informed decisions about your SEO strategy. This certification is highly valued in the digital marketing industry, as SEO is a critical component of any successful online marketing campaign. It is a valuable asset for anyone looking to work in digital marketing, as it is highly respected by employers.
• DMI Certified Social Media Marketing Specialist: This social media marketing certification equips students with the skills they need to excel in social media marketing campaigns, from building a social media strategy to creating engaging content. With this certification, you will learn how to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote brands and products, engage with customers, and drive website traffic. You will also gain an understanding of how to measure the success of your social media campaigns and adjust your strategy accordingly. This certification is particularly valuable for anyone looking to work in social media marketing, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of how social media platforms work and how to use them effectively.

MMC Learning also offers more broad certificates covering multiple areas of digital marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (more on that later) Including

• CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing: The CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing equips marketers with essential skills, deeper insights into marketing principles, consumer behavior, and effective communication strategies. Learn to develop successful campaigns, implement integrated channels, and assess metrics to drive business growth.
• CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing: Tailored for marketers aiming to harness digital channels, the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing covers core concepts like social media, content strategy, email marketing, and SEO. Master digital techniques to drive meaningful engagement, enhance brand visibility, and achieve tangible business results.

Overall, pursuing specialist certificate qualifications in digital marketing can be a great way to differentiate yourself from other job candidates and demonstrate your expertise in a specific area.

Whether you choose to pursue a specialist certification in a particular area of digital marketing or another broader ranging type of certification, you can be sure that the skills you learn will be in high demand in the digital marketing industry.

Diplomas

Diplomas can provide in-depth experiences and allow for interaction with industry professionals.

They can be particularly useful for those looking to break in to the industry or refresh their skillset by getting a broad overview of marketing techniqies. However, they may be more expensive than other learning options and may require a significant time commitment.

Diploma programs offer a more comprehensive and in-depth education in the field of digital marketing. They usually take longer on average, lasting on average 6 months to two years depending on academic level.

They provide a wide-ranging introduction to the world of marketing, they typically cover a broad range of topics, including marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and data analytics.

MMC Learning delivers diplomas from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, (CIM) one of the foremost awarding bodies of marketing qualifications established in 1911 and respected by employers around the world.

Diploma qualifications available at MMC Learning include:

• CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing: The CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing equips marketers with essential skills in core principles, strategic planning, and customer insights. This course enables professionals to create effective campaigns, monitor performance, and drive business growth.
• CIM Diploma in Digital Marketing: The CIM Diploma in Digital Marketing specialises in the digital landscape, covering social media, SEO, email marketing, and content strategy. Gain practical knowledge to create engaging campaigns, analyse metrics, and reach target audiences effectively.
• CIM Level 7 Marketing Leadership Programme: Designed for experienced marketers, the CIM Level 7 Marketing Leadership Programme focuses on strategic management, leadership development, and organisational growth. Enhance leadership abilities and drive transformative change within your organisation.

Time Commitment

The amount of time required to learn digital marketing can vary depending on the learning method and the beginning level. For example, self-study may take longer than a structured program, but it may also offer more flexibility.

The more extensive and detailed the material is, the longer it usually takes to learn. It is important to consider the time commitment required for each learning option before making a decision.

By considering these factors, you can determine the cost of learning digital marketing and choose the method that best fits your needs and budget.

Whether you choose self-study or formal education, online courses or in-person classes, certification programs or workshops, the key is to stay committed to learning and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Learning Digital Marketing

Learning digital marketing may seem like a daunting task, especially when considering the cost of tuition for traditional educational programs. However, there are many free and low-cost resources available that can help you gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field.

Online Tutorials and Guides

One of the best ways to learn digital marketing is through online tutorials and guides.

Several websites offer free resources that cover a wide range of topics, from SEO and content marketing to social media advertising and email marketing.

Moz and HubSpot Academy are two examples of websites that offer comprehensive tutorials and guides on digital marketing.

You can sign up to MMC Learnings free membership