Feature
The Gist
- Career improvements. Ecommerce certifications improve job prospects and demonstrate commitment to potential employers.
- Wide selection. Learners can choose from a number of ecommerce courses covering fundamental to advanced skills.
- Practical guidance. Select the right certificate based on content relevance, learning format, career goals and more.
With the digital marketplace in a constant flux, an ecommerce certification can be what you need to stay ahead of the competition and get the most out of your career.
These certifications will not only equip you with essential skills in digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics, but also demonstrate your commitment and expertise to potential employers.
This guide explores the top ecommerce certifications and courses available today, helping you navigate the options and pick the one that best fits your career goals.
Why Should You Get an Ecommerce Certification?
Getting an ecommerce certification can be beneficial for a number of reasons.
Learn Fundamental Skills
Ecommerce certifications offer the fundamental information and abilities required to traverse the constantly changing terrain of digital business, said Ben Schreiber, head of ecommerce at Latico Leathers.
“This entails employing several ecommerce systems, data analytics, SEO optimization, digital marketing techniques and an awareness of user behavior.”
Stand out in the Workplace
Earning a certification showcases a professional’s knowledge and skills in various aspects of ecommerce, said Ross Kernez, director of search at Mavis and founder of NY-based conference SEO Meetup.
Schreiber added that qualifying for an ecommerce certificate can also help you stand out in the workplace. “Having an ecommerce certification makes you stand out in the competitive job market of today by demonstrating to prospective partners or employers that you have the knowledge and commitment needed to propel growth in a digital marketplace.”
Advance Your career
According to Kernez, earning the right certificate can be a boon for your career. “Many employers recognize and value certifications, leading to potential promotions or salary increases for certified professionals.”
Access Networking Opportunities
Another benefit that comes with earning an ecommerce certificate, said Schreiber, is the networking opportunities that these programs often provide.
“You can connect with like-minded professionals and learn from their experiences, which can help your future endeavors,” he said.
Related Article: 7 AI in Ecommerce Trends Marketers Should Consider
9 Best Ecommerce Certifications
The best ecommerce certifications available today cover a wide range of skills and expertise, from digital marketing to supply chain management.
1. Foundations of Digital Marketing and Ecommerce
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 18 hours
- Offered by: Google
This course offered by Google covers the foundational job responsibilities of an entry-level digital marketer and ecommerce specialist. It consists of four modules and 16 quizzes and can be completed at your own pace.
Key topics covered in the course material include:
- Customer loyalty
- Customer outreach
- Marketing analytics
This is the first of seven courses that make up the Google Digital Marketing and Ecommerce Professional Certificate, which gives people the skills they need to apply to entry-level roles in the field.
2. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Social Media and Ecommerce
- Cost: $585
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Offered by: University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
This course is taught by ecommerce expert and Wharton professor David Bell and gives students the foundational knowledge of how the digital economy works, including the insights necessary to succeed in ecommerce, digital and social media marketing.
Some themes touched on in the course include:
- Behavior in the online-offline landscape
- New forms of interaction
- Tools and principles of digital marketing
- New media platforms and “organic” celebrities
This course is part of Wharton Online’s Digital Marketing Professional Certificate.
3. Ecommerce Marketing Course
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Offered by: HubSpot
This course, which includes four lessons and three quizzes, is designed for those who want to learn how to optimize their ecommerce website to successfully attract, engage and delight customers. It’s also helpful for marketers who want to learn about effective ecommerce strategies.
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Topics covered in this ecommerce course include:
- Tailored ecommerce marketing strategies
- Techniques for attracting qualified traffic
- Increasing conversions on your online marketplace
- Best practices for improving customer engagement
- How to retain customers long-term
Related Article: Why Ecommerce Needs to Evolve for Gen Z
4. Make the Sale: Build, Launch, and Manage Ecommerce Stores
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 23 hours
- Offered by: Google
This is another ecommerce course that is part of the digital marketing and ecommerce certificate from Google. This course includes four modules and 14 quizzes that learners can complete at their own pace.
Topics covered include:
- Ecommerce strategy
- Seasonality
- Fulfillment and delivery
- Website structure
Those who complete the course will learn various skills to prepare them for an entry-level position, including how to conduct market research and product research, how to set up a mock ecommerce store using Shopify, how to create Google Ads to engage ecommerce customers and more.
5. Launch Your Online Business
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 16 hours
- Offered by: The State University of New York
If you’ve ever wanted to learn what it takes to start an online business from the ground up, this is the course for you. This digital marketing and ecommerce certificate program includes four modules and 16 quizzes that help learners gain an understanding of different business models, the ins and outs of creating customer personas, best practices for building a website and much more.
Key topic areas covered in the course material include:
- Business branding
- Developing a website
- Business metrics to track
- Marketing strategies
Those who complete the course can earn a career certificate that is shareable on LinkedIn and other social media sites.
6. Amazon Ads Advanced Retail Certification
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Offered by: Amazon
This Amazon ecommerce certification covers everything you need to know about selling on the platform. It’s best suited for advertising and marketing professionals who manage ecommerce operations and advertising campaigns on behalf of Amazon selling partners.
The certification consists of six courses, followed by a final assessment. The course topics include:
- Optimizing product detail pages
- Driving brand and product discoverability
- Identifying brand growth opportunities
- Promoting products with deals, events and more
- Using retail insights to optimize results
- Recognizing growth opportunities with brand metrics
7. Omnichannel Retail Strategy Specialization
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 40 hours
- Offered by: University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
Another option from Wharton, this course offers insights into operating in a transformed retail industry. Learners will discover how to navigate disruption in retail marketing and develop a framework to create a competitive strategy with a customer-centric approach.
This specialization includes three courses:
- Retail marketing strategy
- Managing human capital in retail
- Retail digital supply chain
The course is self-paced, and those who complete it will earn a shareable career certificate.
8. Google Digital Marketing & Ecommerce Professional Certificate
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 240 hours
- Offered by: Google
This Google ecommerce certificate includes seven courses. Learners can complete courses individually, or finish all of them to earn a Google Career Certificate. Those who finish the entire program can also earn college credit from participating colleges and universities.
The seven courses within the certificate program cover:
- Foundations of digital marketing and ecommerce
- Attracting and engaging customers with digital marketing
- Interacting with customers online
- Thinking outside the box with email marketing
- Understanding marketing analytics and measurement
- Building, launching and managing an ecommerce store
- Developing customer loyalty and satisfaction online
9. Supply Chain Management for Ecommerce
- Cost: $49 per month
- Duration: 5 hours
- Offered by: Starweaver
This course covers all of the essential elements of ecommerce supply chains. The single-module course is self-paced, including five quizzes and one assignment. Learners will cover common challenges in the area and how to address them, the nuances between global and local supply chains, how to analyze data to optimize supply chain operations and more.
Some key topic areas covered include:
- Sustainability
- Logistics
- Fulfillment
- Automation
Related Article: How Brands Can Keep Customers Happy During Supply Chain Shortages
Tips for Selecting the Right Ecommerce Certification
Not all ecommerce certifications are one-size-fits-all. Selecting the right course involves carefully considering your skill level and career goals.
Schreiber and Kernez offered some tips on how to select the best ecommerce certificate for you:
- Course Content: Look for a certificate that offers a comprehensive understanding of ecommerce, said Schreiber. At the very least, he said, it should cover customer acquisition, conversion and retention strategies, analytics, digital marketing, SEO and an overview of popular ecommerce platforms.
- Format: Consider the delivery format of the certification program and ensure it fits your learning style, suggested Kernez.
- Relevance to Career Goals: Professionals should choose certifications that align with their career goals and areas of interest within ecommerce, Kernez said.
- Credibility: Seek out well-established program providers with a positive reputation in the industry, said Schreiber. He also recommends checking if the certification is recognized by learning ecommerce or digital marketing bodies.
- Real-World Application: The best certificates offer practical insights and direct applications to real-world scenarios, Schreiber said.
- Reviews and Testimonials: Schreiber also recommends always checking reviews and testimonials from alumni, which can provide a firsthand perspective on the quality of the program.
Maximizing Your Potential With Ecommerce Certifications
Choosing the right ecommerce certificate can set you on a path to success in the digital economy. Remember, the best certification is one that not only broadens your understanding of the field, but also provides practical tools that you can apply to real-world business challenges.