People on the internet consider your presence on social media to gauge your company’s quality and trustworthiness when making purchase decisions.
Nothing ensures your audience’s trust and quality, like having thousands of dedicated and loyal social media followers on your profile.
Your social media profile should be professional and appealing, and you’ll be using stories, live streaming, and all other new features to engage your audience.
Today with increasing digitization, having an online presence is certainly very important for your brand to grow exponentially. You should learn all of this and much more with none other than these Coursera digital marketing courses.
Having enrolled and completed these Coursera digital marketing specializations makes you eligible for digital marketing jobs in the best companies.
Comparison of the 7 Coursera Picks for Digital Marketing
| Course Title | Author | Rating | Duration | Level | Scope | Cons | Get Access |
| Digital Marketing Specialization | Aric Rindfleisch, Marisa Peacock, Mike Yao, Vishal Sachdev, Steve Raquel, and Kevin Hartman | 4.6 | 5 hours/week for 8 months | Beginner to Intermediate | Covers comprehensive marketing principles, digital marketing analytics, media strategies, consumer experience, traffic engagement, lead generation | Requires a significant time investment (8 months) | Check Course Details Here |
| Digital Marketing Strategy and Planning Specialization | Digital Marketing Institute and Cathal Melinn | 4.6 | 4 hours/week for 3 months | Intermediate | Focuses on digital strategy, planning, e-commerce, inbound/outbound marketing, business opportunities, brand presence, and revenue generation | Limited hands-on experience, focused more on strategy, fewer practical exercises | Check Course Details Here |
| Introduction to Digital Marketing | Steve Fritzenkotter | 4.7 | 9 hours on-demand video | Beginner | Explains all areas of digital marketing | Less depth for intermediate learners | Check Course Details Here |
| Digital Marketing Specialization | Sebastian Camiser, Francisco Albarello, Pablo Croci Pablo Grimoldi, and Andres Mociulsky | 4.7 | 5 hours/week for 5 months | Intermediate | Comprehensive coverage of digital advertising, real-time advertising strategies, Google AdWords, and more | Advanced content might be too complex for beginners | Check Course Details Here |
| Social Media and Digital Marketing Fundamentals | Digital Marketing Institute with Cathal Melinn | 4.7 | 10 hours on-demand video | Beginner | Covers social media marketing, content marketing, and sales funnel design for small businesses, focusing on audience engagement | Limited advanced-level content | Check Course Details Here |
| Social Media Marketing Specialization | Randy Hlavac | 4.7 | 2 hours/week for 7 months | Intermediate | Focuses on social media strategies, influencer marketing, analytics, building brand recognition, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, YouTube | Time-consuming, requires prior knowledge of social media platforms | Check Course Details Here |
| The Strategy of Content Marketing | Sonia Simone | 4.5 | 19 hours on-demand video | Intermediate | Covers content marketing strategy, copywriting, customer acquisition, boosting leads, and developing content marketing strategies | Lacks in-depth analytics, may be overwhelming for beginners | Check Course Details Here |
Top 7 Coursera Picks for Digital Marketing
Here is a list of the top digital marketing courses and specializations offered by Coursera:
1. Digital Marketing Specialization by University of Illinois – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Rating: 4.6 and 16859 reviews
Level: Beginners to Intermediate
This is the best Coursera digital marketing specialization offered by the University of Illinois which has always been the first choice of many aspiring digital marketers who want to start from basics. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers world-class education and research opportunities, empowering students with knowledge and skills to address global challenges. Its distinguished faculty and broad academic programs ensure graduates are well-prepared for impactful careers.
This course is led by a distinguished group of faculty from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, including experts like Vishal Sachdev, Director of MS Analytics and Illinois MakerLab, and Aric Rindfleisch, Executive Director of the Illinois MakerLab. With a diverse background in business, marketing, and digital media, instructors such as Steve Raquel, Kevin Hartman, Mike Yao, and Marisa Peacock bring extensive industry experience, ensuring students receive cutting-edge insights in business and media strategy.
7 courses in this specialization will walk you through various marketing principles. There was a time when digitization was not at all significant and everything had to be done physically. Marketing then was a very tough job that required you to spend most of your time on-field.
Many digital marketing tools discussed in these courses help enhance the consumer experience, traffic and engagement, ultimately resulting in lead generation.
Here is a list of the best Coursera digital marketing certificate courses in this specialization:
- Digital Marketing Analytics in Theory
- Digital Marketing Analytics in Practice
- The Digital Marketing Revolution
- Digital Media and Marketing Principles
- Digital Media and Marketing Strategies
- Marketing in a Digital World
- Digital Marketing Capstone
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 5 hours per week for eight months |
| Students Enrolled | 346,089 |
| Instructors | Aric Rindfleisch, Marisa Peacock, Mike Yao, Vishal Sachdev, Steve Raquel, and Kevin Hartman |
Learning Outcomes
In the mentioned Coursera digital marketing courses, you will learn:
- The objectives behind the collection of user data and its analysis.
- Recognize theories and methodologies for assessing customers’ digital behavior.
- The various tools used for analyzing user engagement.
Prerequisites
To earn the Coursera digital marketing certificate, you must have:
- Some familiarity with data analytics can be helpful.
- Keep your stationeries ready for taking notes.
- You should have a proper internet connection.
Who should take this course?
This specialization offered by Coursera can be useful for:
- Individuals new to Digital Marketing.
- Social Media Marketers who want to upskill.
- Business owners looking for more leads.
Industry Application
The Digital Marketing Specialization offered by the University of Illinois on Coursera is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with modern marketing skills, combining theory with practical applications. The seven-course series covers the transformation of marketing in the digital age, analytics tools, and strategies for optimizing consumer engagement and lead generation. It is ideal for aspiring digital marketers, social media professionals, and business owners seeking to enhance their online presence. With expert faculty and real-world insights, this specialization prepares students for impactful careers in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
2. Digital Marketing Strategy and Planning Specialization by Digital Marketing Institute – [Coursera]
Rating: 4.6 based on 354 reviews
Cost: Available on sign-up
Level: Intermediate
This is a specialization series of best Coursera digital marketing courses brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute, which has been setting standards in digital marketing certification in almost a hundred countries. The Digital Marketing Institute is a globally recognized certification provider with over 120,000 members and 20,000 certified professionals, collaborating with top brands worldwide.
Cathal, a seasoned Digital Marketing Director and eCommerce specialist will present this course. He brings over 16 years of expertise, having worked with leading global brands like Amazon, Apple, and Red Bull while teaching digital marketing at all levels.
In this series of courses, you will learn to think in terms of strategizing to convert your audience into paying customers. It will also enable you to view and use the changing trends as business opportunities and sometimes set one.
The presence of a brand, be it online or offline, plays a very important role in increasing its credibility and building trust among its audience.
These factors ultimately result in revenue generation. In this course, you will be well acquainted with concepts like inbound and outbound channels.
Below is a list of courses under this Coursera digital marketing specialization program:
- Business Opportunity and Digital Strategy
- Digital Channel Planning and E-commerce Strategy
- Digital Leadership and Digital Strategy Execution
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 4 hours per week for three months |
| Students Enrolled | 21,406 already enrolled |
| Instructors | Digital Marketing Institute with Cathal Melinn |
Learning Outcomes
This specialization has one of the best courses where you shall gain an understanding of:
- How the dynamic digital environment affects consumer demands.
- How collecting and analyzing consumer data can help you reach out to your audience effectively.
- Using content marketing tools and techniques to increase engagement.
Prerequisites
To learn effectively from this specialization series, you should consider having:
- An uninterrupted Wi-Fi or a 4G connection to prevent buffering.
- An understanding of the basic marketing terminologies like sales funnel, traffic, engagement, etc.
- A computer or any other device that can be used to access the course.
Who should take this course?
Completing this one of the best Coursera digital marketing specializations can prove to be beneficial for:
- Corporate digital marketers who wish to boost their career and acquire a senior position in their company.
- Freelance digital marketers who wish to deliver better to their clients.
- Anyone who owns a business or has been given the responsibility of lead generation in one.
Industry Application
This specialization provides valuable insights for professionals in digital marketing, allowing them to effectively apply strategies in real-world business environments. It equips industry professionals with the tools to analyze consumer behavior, optimize digital channels, and enhance brand presence, driving revenue generation and market growth across sectors such as e-commerce, technology, retail, and media.
3. Introduction to Digital Marketing by University of California, Irvine – [Coursera]
Rating: 4.7 based on 139 reviews
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Level: Beginner
It is one of the most popular and best Coursera digital marketing courses where the instructor has expertly combined all areas of digital marketing. Every topic is well-explained in both voice and video, with pertinent examples.
This course is unlike any other since it strives to help you learn how all of the digital marketing elements fit together to produce an integrated, seamless strategy. You will study with Steve Fritzenkotter. He is a Managing Partner at an Internet Marketing firm and brings extensive expertise in serving small to mid-sized businesses. With an MBA in marketing and over 15 years of teaching experience, he was honored as Distinguished Instructor of the Year at UC Irvine in 2017.
It’s an excellent primer for entrepreneurs and marketing professionals who want to learn how to create digital marketing strategies.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 139 reviews |
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 9 hours on-demand video |
| Students Enrolled | 13,492 already enrolled |
| Instructors | Steve Fritzenkotter |
Learning Outcomes
Having earned this Coursera digital marketing certificate proves your knowledge about:
- Search engine optimization and its use to enable audience and potential customers to find you.
- Social media marketing enables you to use these platforms to better connect with your audience.
- Brand reputation management which means taking control of how people look at you.
Prerequisites
This is the best digital marketing course on Coursera which requires you to have:
- No prior knowledge of studying digital marketing
- Access to accounts on different social media platforms is desirable for you to apply the concepts practically.
- Being a comprehensive course, note-taking equipment becomes a necessity.
Who should take this course?
These courses are a valuable learning resource for:
- Solopreneurs must go through this course to boost their sales.
- Social Media Managers who manage company pages or personal accounts.
- Experienced Digital Marketers who want to update their existing knowledge.
Industry Application
This course provides students with essential industry knowledge in digital marketing, empowering them to develop integrated marketing strategies for businesses. By mastering key concepts such as SEO, social media marketing, and brand reputation management, students can effectively boost online visibility, enhance customer engagement, and drive business growth. These skills are applicable across industries like retail, e-commerce, media, and professional services, helping professionals and entrepreneurs succeed in the digital marketplace.
Review by AA. :
“It is better to add more explanation about the difference between choosing keyword in PPC and SEO.
4. Digital Marketing Specialization by Austral University – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Level: Intermediate
Rating: 4.7 based on 1787 reviews
These Coursera digital marketing courses cut through the hype and buzzwords surrounding digital advertising to give you a thorough understanding of the various types of digital ads and tactics, how they’re purchased, and how much they cost.
This course is presented by the Austral University, which aims to serve society by seeking truth through knowledge development, virtuous education, and fostering leadership in intellectual, professional, and social spheres. Your instructors for this course—Sebastian Camiser, Francisco Albarello, Pablo Croci, Pablo Grimoldi, and Andres Mociulsky—are all adept professionals in their respective fields, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the learning experience.
It also teaches you about the targeting options available and how to create your own digital market strategies based on specific goals associated with your business objectives.
If you’re a business owner, working in advertising sales, want to enter into marketing, or just want a more holistic grasp of digital advertising, below listed are courses covered in this specialization for you:
- Pillars of Digital Marketing
- Social Network Strategies
- Digital Advertising with Google AdWords
- Programmatic Media Buying: Online Advertising in Real Time
- Final Project – Specialized Program in Digital Marketing
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 5 hours per week for five months |
| Students Enrolled | 36,594 |
| Instructors | Sebastian Camiser, Francisco Albarello, Pablo Croci Pablo Grimoldi, and Andres Mociulsky |
Learning Outcomes
In this best Coursera digital marketing specialization program, you will learn about:
- Comprehending and coordinating large-scale digital marketing projects.
- Implementing and monitoring digital marketing strategies.
- Using social media to reach out to people, connect with them, and get their feedback.
Prerequisites
To enroll in the course, you are required to have:
- A fast internet connection to ensure an uninterrupted flow of learning.
- Note-taking gears
- Some familiarity with digital marketing terms can make your journey through this course a lot easier.
Who should take this course?
Earning this best Coursera digital marketing certificate will benefit:
- Experienced affiliate marketers who want to shift to digital marketing.
- Social media marketers who want to increase traffic and engagement on their client’s website.
- Start-up owners and founders who want their work to be recognized over the internet.
Industry Application
This specialization equips students with the skills to manage and implement comprehensive digital marketing strategies effectively. By understanding digital advertising tactics, targeting options, and large-scale project coordination, students can enhance their ability to drive traffic, improve engagement, and achieve specific business objectives in various industries. This knowledge is crucial for business owners, marketers, and advertising professionals aiming to excel in the competitive digital landscape.
5. Social Media and Digital Marketing Fundamentals by Digital Marketing Institute – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Level: Beginner
Rating: 4.7 based on 264 reviews
Social media is a strong and entertaining tool that can help you reach hundreds of new consumers every day! There are billions of social media users, and mastering some basic ways to get targeted followers may help your business grow considerably.
This Coursera digital marketing certificate program begins with the fundamentals, teaching you how to construct a compelling, professional presence for your business on multiple social media sites to effectively appeal to your potential customers. The instructors include Digital Marketing Institute with Cathal Melinn. Cathal is a renowned Digital Marketing Director and e-commerce specialist with over 16 years of experience, recognized for his ability to simplify complex concepts across various digital marketing disciplines.
Beyond Cathal, the experts from the Digital Marketing Institute will also share their variable insights. They have worked with top global brands like Amazon and Apple, ensuring students learn from industry leaders who are shaping the future of digital marketing. Engaging with his expertise equips learners with the skills needed to excel in the dynamic digital landscape.
Even if you’ve previously created an account, it’s critical to know that you’ve done it in the best possible way for social media development and promotion!
Next in this one of the best Coursera digital marketing courses, you’ll discover how to get hundreds of followers, comments, and likes for your company’s account every day by utilizing wonderful advertising marketing techniques.
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 10 hours of on-demand video |
| Students Enrolled | 32,773 already enrolled |
| Instructors | Digital Marketing Institute with Cathal Melinn |
Learning Outcomes
It is the best digital marketing course on Coursera. Here you will get familiar with:
- Evolving consumer behavior and expectations as a result of digital, social, and mobile technologies.
- How to use content marketing to reach and engage your audience to build credibility.
- How to design an effective sales funnel for your audience to ensure a higher conversion rate.
Prerequisites
To enroll in these Coursera digital marketing courses, you require:
- No prior experience or knowledge
- A practical and feasible approach
- An electronic device like a computer, tablet, or mobile phone to access the course.
Who should take this course?
These social media and digital marketing courses are specially designed for:
- Social media managers who wish to create an engaging audience for their clients.
- Any individual interested in learning about the basic fundamentals of digital marketing.
- Small business owners who wish to increase their sales.
Industry Application
This course provides foundational knowledge essential for professionals looking to leverage social media for business growth. By understanding consumer behavior and mastering effective content marketing techniques, students can enhance their online presence, engage targeted audiences, and drive sales. These skills are applicable across various sectors, enabling social media managers and small business owners to optimize their marketing strategies and maximize brand visibility in a competitive digital landscape.
Review by MG. :
“Very helpful. Structured and easy to understand. Pacing is also just right to accomplish all the tasks. I also like the idea of peer reviews.
6. Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Level: Intermediate
Rating: 4.7 based on 4526 reviews
These Coursera digital marketing courses will help you become a great Social Media Marketer. You’ll discover the concepts and tactics used by the greatest brands to develop high conversion rates effectively.
You will also learn about advertising strategies for companies and clients on social media and the tools and practices used by leading brands to build brand recognition on social media by Randy Hlavac. He is a digital marketing expert and a 20-year instructor at Northwestern University, specializing in social media marketing and analytics.
As the CEO of Marketing Synergy Inc., he consults on effective digital strategies and is the creator of the Social Media Marketing specialization on Coursera, sharing his insights on building impactful social media marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, YouTube… this course covers all aspects of social media marketing. All marketers and company owners need to know how to optimize their social media accounts.
- What is Social?
- The Importance of Listening
- Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies
- Content, Advertising & Social IMC
- The Business of Social
- Social Marketing Capstone Project
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 2 hours per week for seven months |
| Students Enrolled | 109,672 already enrolled |
| Instructors | Randy Hlavac |
Learning Outcomes
In this Coursera digital marketing specialization, you will get to know:
- Planning a business model to generate sales over social media.
- Using influencer marketing as a tactic to build trust among the audience.
- Using web analytics to regularly inspect the performance.
Prerequisites
To achieve this best Coursera digital marketing certificate, you shall need:
- A fast internet connection to learn seamlessly.
- A fundamental idea of various social media platforms can be very helpful for you in the course.
- Taking notes might help you revise the previous classes while not having to go through everything again and again.
Who should take this course?
It is the best digital marketing course on Coursera and is suitable for:
- Businesses and startups who want to build their brand awareness over social media.
- Social media marketers responsible to market the brand’s products over social media.
- Digital marketers who want to build a better understanding of social media marketing.
Industry Application
This specialization equips students with practical skills to create effective social media marketing strategies that drive brand recognition and engagement. By learning from industry leaders, participants can implement advanced tactics like influencer marketing and analytics, enabling them to optimize their campaigns and enhance brand presence across various platforms. This course is especially beneficial for businesses looking to strengthen their social media presence and for marketers aiming to elevate their expertise in a competitive digital landscape.
7. The Strategy of Content Marketing by University of California – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
Level: Intermediate
Rating: 4.7 based on 4652 reviews
Learn how to utilize content marketing to grow your brand, create more leads, boost sales, and enhance client loyalty. In these best Coursera digital marketing courses, you’ll discover how to make a content marketing strategy that won’t overwhelm you and is reasonable in terms of your resources and time.
You will also get to learn about the various copywriting skills used to write compelling copies that make your audience take some action, be it visiting a landing page, liking your content, or buying your product.
You will study with Sonia Simone. She was the founding partner at Copyblogger Media (now Rainmaker Digital). Sonia has a rich background in traditional marketing and has been influential in shaping content marketing strategies since 2010. With a philosophy that prioritizes the relationship between companies and their audiences, she teaches students to view marketing as a holistic practice that encompasses all forms of communication.
Her extensive experience, including the creation of the acclaimed course, The Remarkable Marketing Blueprint, positions her as a leading voice in the evolving landscape of digital marketing. Currently, she is the Chief Content Officer at the University of California, Davis.
| Rating | 4.5 based on 4652 reviews |
| Certification | Only in the paid version |
| Paid | Yes |
| Duration | 19 hours on-demand video |
| Students Enrolled | 603,349 already enrolled |
| Instructors | Sonia Simone |
Learning Outcomes
You need to learn in detail about the following to achieve the Coursera digital marketing certificate.
- How to develop and implement a content marketing strategy.
- Different effective strategies used by top brands and digital marketers to increase customers.
- Copywriting which compels the audience to take a particular action when they visit your client’s website or page.
Prerequisites
For this Coursera digital marketing specialization course, you must have:
- You require no previous experience or knowledge to enroll in this course. But, some insight into data analytics can help you with this course.
- An internet-enabled device to access this course.
- Being a comprehensive course, you need to keep your note-taking tools with you.
Who should take this course?
This is the best digital marketing course on Coursera which is meant for:
- Social media marketing novices who need to learn everything from scratch.
- Seasonal digital marketers who need to brush up their skills.
- Copywriting beginners who want a basic understanding of how to write compelling copies.
Industry Application
This course equips students with practical skills in content marketing, allowing them to create effective strategies that drive brand growth and customer engagement. By focusing on copywriting and strategic implementation, learners can enhance their ability to attract and retain customers across various industries, making it invaluable for businesses seeking to boost sales and improve client loyalty in today’s competitive market.
Review by SR. :
“Very beautifully designed course for the beginners even. The course instructor took us through a journey of content strategy and share awesome points to be worked on. Thank for such a beautiful course
Conclusion
In this list of best Coursera digital marketing courses, we came across many individual courses and specializations offered by Coursera.
All these courses are in collaboration with some of the most prestigious universities in the world. These courses will build a concrete understanding of the digital marketing goals and help you execute the proven techniques and tactics to grow a business.
These are the best Coursera digital marketing specialization programs to provide you with a complete understanding of digital marketing strategies and help you learn the skillsets that will help you land your dream job.
