Top 11 Digital Strategist Certifications

Certifications are important for digital strategists in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and professionalism that employers and clients value. They also provide evidence of skills, knowledge, and commitment to the field. Additionally, certifications help digital strategists stand out from their competition by showcasing their dedication to their craft and giving them an edge when it comes to applying for jobs or landing consulting gigs. Finally, having a certification can open up new doors in terms of networking opportunities, as many certifying organizations offer members exclusive access to industry events or resources.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Digital Strategists and explains how they can help to advance a digital strategist's career.

What are Digital Strategist Certifications?

Digital strategist certification is a way to showcase your expertise in the field of digital strategy. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and managing successful digital strategies. The certification provides an opportunity to show potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications and experience to lead a team in creating effective digital strategies.

Digital strategist certification can help by providing an edge over other job applicants who do not possess the same level of expertise or experience. It also helps individuals stand out from the crowd when they are looking for job opportunities in the field of digital strategy. With this certification, employers can be confident that they are hiring someone with the right qualifications and experience to lead their team. Additionally, this certification may provide access to industry events, conferences, and other networking opportunities which can help further one’s career.

Pro Tip: If you're looking to become a digital strategist, consider investing in certifications from accredited organizations like the Digital Marketing Institute, which will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Additionally, many of these certifications have an associated exam that will help demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.

Related: What does a Digital Strategist do?

Top 11 Digital Strategist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Digital Strategists today.

1. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is an official certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of Google Ads. It is designed to help digital professionals, such as marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, and agency personnel, gain the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage Google Ads campaigns.

To get certified, you must pass two exams: the Google Ads Fundamentals exam and one of the five additional exams (Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Video Advertising, Shopping Advertising or Mobile Advertising). Each exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on real-world scenarios. To pass the exam, you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.

The entire certification process takes about 2-3 hours to complete. You can take each exam up to three times within a 12-month period. After passing both exams, you will receive your Google Ads Certification badge which you can display on your website or social media profiles.

The cost for taking the Google Ads Certification exams varies depending on where you take them. In most cases, there is no fee associated with taking the exams; however, some third-party providers may charge a fee for their services.

2. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is a certification program offered by HubSpot, an inbound marketing and sales platform. It is designed to help marketers learn the fundamentals of inbound marketing and how to use HubSpot’s tools to create effective campaigns. The certification covers topics such as blogging, social media, content creation, SEO, lead generation, and analytics.

The certification consists of five modules that take approximately four hours to complete. Each module includes video lessons, quizzes, and hands-on exercises. Upon completion of all five modules, you will receive a HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification badge that can be displayed on your website or profile page.

To get certified with HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, you must first create a free account with HubSpot Academy. Once you have created an account, you can access the course material and begin working through the modules at your own pace. After completing all five modules and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certification badge.

The cost of the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is free; however there are additional courses available for purchase if desired.

3. Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is a professional certification program created to help individuals, businesses, and organizations maximize their social media marketing efforts. The program is designed to help users understand the fundamentals of social media marketing and gain the skills necessary to effectively manage their social media accounts.

The Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification is an online course that takes about 8 hours to complete. It covers topics such as setting up and managing your social media accounts, creating content for your audience, analytics and reporting, leveraging influencers, and more.

To get certified in Hootsuite Social Media Marketing, you must sign up for the course on the Hootsuite website. The cost of the certification is $399 USD. Once you have completed the course and passed all assessments with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive an official certificate from Hootsuite confirming your completion of the program.

4. Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional

Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional is a certification program offered by Microsoft to help individuals become experts in the field of online advertising. The program is designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to create, manage, and optimize successful campaigns on Microsoft Advertising platforms.

The program consists of two exams: one for search advertising (Microsoft Advertising Search Certification Exam) and one for display advertising (Microsoft Advertising Display Certification Exam). It takes around 3-4 hours to complete each exam.

In order to get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher. The cost of each exam is $99 USD. You will also need an active Microsoft Advertising account in order to take the exam.

Once you have completed both exams, you will be awarded the Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional credential which is valid for 12 months from the date of completion.

5. Adobe Digital Marketing Suite Certification

Adobe Digital Marketing Suite Certification is an industry-recognized certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in the use of Adobe’s digital marketing solutions. The certification covers a wide range of topics including web analytics, search engine optimization (SEO), content management, email marketing, and social media. It also provides an understanding of how to effectively use Adobe’s tools and services to create successful digital marketing campaigns.

The certification is offered by Adobe and takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. To get certified, individuals must pass a series of assessments that cover the different aspects of digital marketing with Adobe products. There are no prerequisites for taking the assessment; however, it is recommended that participants have some experience working with Adobe’s products and services prior to taking the assessment.

The cost for the certification varies depending on which version of the exam you take. The standard version costs $150 USD while the advanced version costs $250 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations or if you need to retake it.

6. Content Marketing Institute (CMI) Digital Strategist Certificate Program

The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) Digital Strategist Certificate Program is an online course designed to help marketers become more effective in their digital strategies. The program consists of six courses that cover topics such as content marketing strategy, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and analytics. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and includes interactive exercises, quizzes, and case studies. Participants will also receive a certificate upon completion of the program.

To get the CMI Digital Strategist Certificate Program, you must first register for the program on the Content Marketing Institute website. The cost of the program is $1,299 USD and includes access to all six courses as well as one-on-one support from CMI’s team of experts. Upon successful completion of all six courses, participants will receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media profiles or resumes. This badge serves as proof that you have successfully completed the program and are now a certified digital strategist.

7. SEO Certification from the Moz Academy

Moz Academy is an online learning platform that offers SEO certification. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of search engine optimization (SEO). The course covers topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and analytics. It also includes hands-on exercises to help you apply what you learn to your own website.

The Moz Academy SEO Certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to SEO, Advanced SEO Tactics, Link Building Strategies, and Analytics & Reporting. Each course takes about 8 hours to complete and can be taken at your own pace. At the end of each course, you will take a final exam to demonstrate your mastery of the material. Once all four courses are completed and passed with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive a certificate from Moz Academy confirming your completion of the program.

The cost for the Moz Academy SEO Certification program is $299 USD per person. You can purchase access to the program through the Moz website or via an approved reseller.

8. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) is a certification program offered by Google that tests an individual’s knowledge of the Google Analytics platform. It is designed to help users become more proficient in using the platform to measure and optimize their online marketing efforts.

The exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and takes around 90 minutes to complete. The passing score is 80%.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Google Analytics Academy website. Once registered, you can take the exam at any time and from any location with an internet connection. The cost of the exam is $50 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive a digital certificate from Google that confirms your qualification as a Google Analytics Individual Qualified user. This certificate will be valid for 18 months, after which you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your qualification status.

9. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a program created by Facebook to help marketers and businesses learn how to use the platform more effectively. It is an online certification program that provides comprehensive training on how to use the various tools and features of Facebook, including Ads Manager, Audience Insights, Ads Reporting, and more. The program consists of several courses, each of which can take anywhere from one hour to several days to complete.

To get certified, you must first complete all the required courses in the program. Once you have completed all the courses, you will be eligible for the final exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as targeting audiences, creating campaigns, optimizing campaigns and more. You will need to score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass and earn your certification.

The cost of Facebook Blueprint Certification varies depending on where you are located and what type of package you choose. In general, it costs between $50-$200 USD per course or $500-$1,000 USD for a full certification package.

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a great way for businesses and marketers to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in social media marketing and understand how best to leverage Facebook’s powerful tools for their own purposes. It also provides an opportunity for professionals to gain recognition within their industry by earning a valuable credential from a trusted source like Facebook.

10. SEMrush Online Visibility Management Certificate

SEMrush Online Visibility Management Certificate is an online course offered by SEMrush, a leading provider of digital marketing tools and services. The course provides an in-depth overview of the fundamentals of online visibility management, including SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and PPC. It also covers advanced topics such as website optimization, link building, keyword research, analytics, and reporting.

The course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and consists of 5 modules: Introduction to Online Visibility Management; SEO Fundamentals; Content Marketing; Social Media Marketing; and PPC Advertising. At the end of the course students must take a final exam to receive their certificate.

The cost for the course varies depending on whether you are taking it as part of a larger SEMrush package or not. If you are taking the course as part of a larger package then it is included in that price. Otherwise it costs $99 USD for access to the Online Visibility Management Certificate Course.

To get started with the Online Visibility Management Certificate Course you will need to create an account on SEMrush’s website and purchase access to the course. Once you have done this you will be able to begin your studies right away!

11. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is a certification program that provides professionals with specialized training on how to effectively use Twitter as a marketing tool. The program is designed to help marketers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals understand how to use the platform effectively and maximize their reach.

The certification consists of four courses: Twitter Basics, Advanced Twitter Strategies, Twitter Ads & Measurement, and Advanced Analytics & Insights. Each course takes approximately two hours to complete and includes hands-on activities and assessments.

To get certified, you must take all four courses and pass the final assessment with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have completed the courses and passed the final assessment, you will receive your official certificate from Twitter Flight School.

The cost for the certification program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $99 USD and includes access to all four courses plus the final assessment. The pro package costs $199 USD and includes access to all four courses plus additional resources such as webinars, ebooks, templates, worksheets, and more.

Do You Really Need a Digital Strategist Certificate?

The short answer is no. A digital strategist certificate is not a requirement to work in the field of digital strategy. However, having a certification can be beneficial for those who are looking to advance their career and gain recognition in the industry.

Certifications demonstrate commitment and knowledge to potential employers, so having one can help you stand out among other applicants when applying for roles. Additionally, they may provide additional credibility when working with clients or presenting ideas within your organization.

That being said, there are many ways to gain experience without a formal certificate program. Many digital strategists have learned through trial and error, self-teaching, attending conferences and workshops, or taking online courses through platforms such as Coursera or Udemy. Having a portfolio of projects that showcase your skillset is also an effective way to demonstrate your capabilities as a digital strategist.

Ultimately it’s up to you to decide if pursuing a digital strategist certificate would be beneficial for you and your career goals. Some people may choose to jump straight into the job market while others may prefer the structure of a formal program in order to learn more about the field before entering it professionally. Either way, it's important to consider all options available and make an informed decision based on what works best for you.

Related: Digital Strategist Resume Examples

FAQs About Digital Strategist Certifications

Q1. What is a Digital Strategist Certification?

A1. A Digital Strategist Certification is a credential that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in digital marketing strategy and tactics. It is designed to help professionals gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to develop and implement effective digital strategies for businesses.

Q2. How long does it take to earn a Digital Strategist Certification?

A2. The length of time required to complete a Digital Strategist Certification varies by program, but most programs can be completed within six months or less.

Q3. What type of job roles are available after earning a Digital Strategist Certification?

A3. After earning a Digital Strategist Certification, you may qualify for jobs in the areas of digital marketing, e-commerce, search engine optimization (SEO), content strategy, email marketing, web analytics, and more.

Q4. What qualifications do I need to apply for a Digital Strategist Certification program?

A4. To apply for a Digital Strategist Certification program, you must have at least two years' experience in digital strategy or related fields such as marketing or IT management; excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of HTML/CSS and other web development technologies; an understanding of data analysis techniques; and strong organizational skills. You may also be required to pass an exam or submit an application essay demonstrating your knowledge of digital strategy topics.

Q5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining a Digital Strategist Certification?

A5. Yes, most certification programs require payment of fees for course materials and/or exam fees prior to enrolling in the program. Fees vary depending on the program you choose, so it’s important to compare costs before enrolling in any certification program