We get it. The digital marketing landscape is changing so rapidly that the strategies that were working for your company two years ago may be completely obsolete now. Try as you might, it can be a challenge to keep up with best practices without a little help. Online marketing certification programs are a great way to stay current and relevant by very quickly and affordably (sometimes at no cost) learning best practices, tactics and the latest trends that will help you effectively craft the right digital marketing strategy for your brand. Plus, you can promote your certification-status on your LinkedIn profile to showcase your marketing chops!

Here are five online certifications that we recommend you check out:

1. HubSpot Inbound Certification – FREE

The Inbound Certification is a comprehensive self-paced marketing course that covers the core elements of the Inbound Methodology and introduces the fundamentals of how to attract visitors, convert leads, close customers and delight customers into promoters. Learn More

2. Google AdWords Certification – FREE

The AdWords certification exams test your knowledge of AdWords and Google advertising products including your knowledge of basic and advanced advertising concepts, the value proposition of online advertising, and AdWords campaign setup, management, and optimization.

To access the exams, which are free, you’ll need to sign up for Google Partners, that provides a range of additional benefits including special events and trainings, industry research, and more. Learn More

3. Hootsuite University’s Social Media Certification – $199

Hootsuite University provides you with expert-level social media management skills including strategy, community building, content marketing and social media advertising. The industry-recognized certification confirms your knowledge of the essential elements of social media marketing that all social media practitioners should know. Learn More

4. Digital Marketer’s Content Marketing Specialist Certification – $499

Learn how to implement a content strategy that will deliver qualified leads and prospects without creating a ton of extra work for your team or diluting your brand proposition. In this certification class, you’ll receive the most up-to-date content marketing strategies and methodologies for Top Of Funnel Content, Middle Of Funnel Content, Content Marketing Metrics, 5 Blog Marketing and Content Distribution. Learn More

5. Certified Internet Marketer – $499

The IMA Certified Internet Marketer certification program provides a strong foundation for digital marketers to thrive in today’s fast-changing online business environment. Course topics include Overview of Internet Marketing, Online Acquisition, Online Conversion, Online Retention, Online Analytics & Measurement, and Data-Driven Marketing. Participants will learn from Internet marketing practitioners with experience at companies such as Microsoft, Omniture, Adobe, Foresee, Ancestry.com and others. Learn More

At the top of our team’s list is the Hubspot Inbound Certification, which each of our team members have taken and become certified. We regularly employ the best practices we learned from this program in our clients’ marketing and we renew our certificates each year so that we can stay relevant and knowledgeable on new strategies and tools. How do you keep up with current marketing trends to be the best marketer you can be? We’d love to hear your tips!