Breaking Down Google Career Certificates: Digital Marketing & E-commerce
In today’s multi-part blog series, I’ll be covering a popular topic: digital marketing and E-commerce.
If you aren’t familiar, this is pretty much the technical name for the buying and selling of things online, and the way these things reach and connect with you, the consumer.
Think of it like this…
Have you ever seen an Instagram ad for some cool product or service and next thing you know, you’ve made a purchase and followed the business’ account? That is digital marketing and E-commerce in a nutshell.
If you’ve been following along in this series, you know that Google offers 5 career certificate programs. Today I’ll be breaking down how the Digital Marketing & E-commerce certificate works and how it can potentially benefit your career.
Let’s Get Technical—What Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Is And Looks Like:
Google Career Certificates defines E-commerce as the following:
“The buying and selling of goods and services online”
These goods & services have four main categories:
Physical products (clothes, homeware, etc.)
Digital products (eBooks, music, etc.)
Services (doctor’s appointments, classes, etc.)
Software (word processing software, editing systems, etc.)
Google Career Certificates defines digital marketing as the following:
“The practice of reaching consumers online through digital channels with the aim of turning them into customers”
Examples of digital marketing:
Social media marketing
SEO
Marketing analytics
Google Career Certificates defines a digital channel as the following:
“Any communication method or platform a business can use to reach their target audience online.”
Examples of digital channels:
Email
Websites
Social media
So, how do E-commerce and digital marketing connect?
E-commerce and digital marketing rely on one another. Digital marketing needs E-commerce to have something to market, and E-commerce needs digital marketing to help it succeed. Digital marketing creates the connection between the customer and the goods and services E-commerce sells, by establishing trust, customer loyalty, and creating growth.
What Am I Learning In The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate?
The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate is aimed to give you a strong foundation on what digital marketing and E-commerce are, and how to apply that knowledge and strategy into play in the real world. By the end of the course, the goal is that you’ll learn what it takes to be an entry-level digital marketing and E-commerce professional.
You’ll learn:
How to develop digital marketing and E-commerce strategies
How to use digital marketing channels (including social media, searches, email, influencers) to appeal to and engage with customers
How to utilize popular platforms and resources like Google Ads, Google Analytics, Shopify, Canva, Constant Contact, and more
How to understand, analyze, and measure analytics
What it takes to make an E-commerce store successful, including analyzing its growth and generating customer loyalty
How to better your social media, email, and ad skills
How Fast Can I Finish This Certificate?
This course is taught asynchronously and entirely online. This means that no matter what you do or where you are (as long as you have WiFi, that is), you can fit this certificate into your lifestyle. You can take a few months to finish the course, or, you can stretch it out over an entire year if you want. But the point is, it’s up to you.
If you’re looking for a ballpark range, though, Google estimates that this certificate should take about 3-6 months to complete, with roughly 10 hours of learning and studying each week.
Need Help With Your Job Search?
Enroll in our online course, Find a Job Fast: The Job Search Accelerator For Career Professionals
How Difficult Is The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate?
This certificate is listed as a beginner level course. This means that no prior experience is necessary. Whether you’re a young professional or have a few decades of professional experience under your belt, this is a course that you should be able to take and successfully complete.
Nonetheless, there are some factors that could make this course more challenging for some people more than others:
Familiarity with technology - It’s no secret that technological proficiency varies with each generation. Users who are more familiar, or are “fluent” in the language of technology will likely have an easier time than users who aren’t. There could also be a learning curve when it comes to learning online through things like modules and videos.
Vocabulary - This goes for any industry; if you aren’t familiar with the vocabulary and terminology of digital marketing and E-commerce, there’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve. That’s totally okay, though! Vocabulary is an easy thing to learn with time, and you’ll naturally improve as you go through the course.
Education level and experience - For users who are fresh out of school or have multiple degrees, this course may be a little easier. This is just because these users likely have their study habits and learning styles figured out. If school wasn’t a major part of your professional experience, don’t sweat it. This course is meant to be done at whatever pace works for you.
Access to WiFi and resources - If you don’t have access to consistent, reliable WiFi, this course may be a little more challenging for you and take longer to complete.
What Kind Of Jobs Can I Get With The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate?
Common careers within the Digital Marketing & E-commerce industry:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist
Paid Search Specialist
Email Marketing Specialist
E-commerce Associate
Media Planner
Marketing Coordinator
Other career areas this certificate applies to:
Copywriting
Graphic design
Website and content management
Customer engagement
Target audience research
Brand awareness
Sales
What Real People Are Saying:
“Being a content writer, I should have a better understanding of e-commerce and the digital platforms for which I write. That’s why I took this course… The instructors are great. The videos are engaging and informative… I had enrolled in 2 other digital marketing courses in the past. But this one is by far the most impactful.”
Manika P., Freelance Content Writer
“I like this course because it provides very useful tips and shows me new perspectives. Reading case studies of American companies, as well as the tips and strategies provided by Google professionals, help me in my current activities as a social media manager for some nonprofit organizations. I highly recommend taking the Digital Marketing & E-commerce course.”
From Vincenzo D., Social Media Manager
Final Thoughts….
Although I’ve not taken this Google Career Certificate course myself, it seems to be a valuable, worthwhile course for the people that have.
In an industry like digital marketing and E-commerce especially, things evolve and grow over time. Whether you’re totally new to the industry or just want to have a better understanding of the field, this Google Career Certificate course is an engaging and informative one to take. It provides useful information, insights, and strategies, and then applies them with real world examples.
Real people recommend this course, and as a freelance content writer myself, the research I’ve done on this topic seems to ring clear. Digital marketing and E-commerce is growing, and this course is here to keep you up to date and in the know, so you can succeed in a large, but hugely relevant field.
Related:
Meet The Writer!
Hello! My name is Lea Rose and I am an avid writer with a love for all things international. I recently graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in Communication Studies as well as Dance Performance and hope to be a full time travel writer one day. My writing primarily focuses on the ways places and experience shape us as individuals. Please feel free to check out my blog or connect with me through LinkedIn or Instagram @writtenworldblog.
