Which digital marketing course is right for me?
Answer three quick questions about where you are starting, what you want and how much time you have, and we will suggest the course that fits. Every course is self paced, paid once and comes with 12 months access.
Quick answer: If you are new to marketing, start with Essentials ($499, over 50 lessons). If you have done some study or free courses and want to be job ready, choose Deluxe ($799, 100 lessons). If you already work in marketing, Expert ($999, over 150 lessons) adds depth. If you need one skill, pick a short course from $79 to $149.
Find your course in three questions
Want a fuller picture? Our free 12 question self-assessment also looks at your experience, your worries and whether the roles you want need a qualification. Change my answers
Every digital marketing course at a glance
All courses are online, self paced and paid once, with lessons of about 20 minutes, 12 months access from the date of purchase, tutor support, a portfolio brief on a fictional business and a 30 day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase.
| Course | Lessons | Lesson time | Price, paid once | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Over 50 | About 18 hours | $499 | Beginners, career changers and students trying the work |
| Deluxe | 100 | About 33 hours | $799 | Getting job ready across several channels |
| Expert | Over 150 | About 52 hours | $999 | People already in marketing who want depth |
| Social Media Marketing | Over 30 | About 11 hours | $149 | One skill: social media |
| Google Ads: PPC Powerhouse | 13 | About 4 hours | $149 | One skill: paid search |
| Search Engine Optimisation | 32 | About 11 hours | $149 | One skill: SEO |
| AI Marketing: Prompt to Profit | 19+ | About 6 hours | $99 | One skill: AI tools |
| Website Design: Website Wins | 13 | About 4 hours | $99 | One skill: websites |
| Email and SMS: Inbox to Income | 18 | About 6 hours | $79 | One skill: email and SMS |
See all of them on the digital marketing courses page or the digital marketing short courses page. Run a trade business? The Digital Marketing for Tradies Course ($499) is built for you.
How to choose a digital marketing course
- Start from where you are, not where you want to end up. A beginner course that feels easy is a better start than an advanced course you stall in.
- Decide whether you need a recognised qualification. Read five job ads for roles you would apply for. If most list a degree or diploma as essential, a university or TAFE course is the right path.
- Look for something you can show. Employers and clients ask to see work. Choose a course that ends with a finished piece of work, not just a quiz.
- Be realistic about time. Three lessons of 20 minutes a week finishes Essentials in about four months.
- Collect the free certificates too. Google Skillshop and HubSpot Academy certifications are free and sit well alongside any course.
How our courses compare with TAFE, bootcamps and free certificates
| Option | Price | Recognised qualification | What it does better than us |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Minute Marketing | $79 to $999, paid once, 12 months access | No. Certificate of Completion | Not applicable. Self paced, practical, with a portfolio brief |
| TAFE or RTO qualification | $634.90 (North Metropolitan TAFE, WA, Certificate IV core units, concession) [1] to $5,535 (TAFE Queensland, Diploma of Marketing and Communication) [2] | Yes | A qualification on the national register, VET Student Loans for eligible diplomas and timetabled classes |
| Bootcamp or short course | $899 (Academy Xi, Digital Marketing: Foundations, self paced) [3] to from $8,999 (Academy Xi, Advanced Certificate, 24 weeks part time) [4] | No | Live teaching, a cohort, mentors and career services |
| Free platform certificates | Free (Google Skillshop foundational certifications [5], HubSpot Academy [6]) | No | They cost nothing and carry a brand employers know |
Competitor prices were read on each provider's own page on the date in the source list. Prices change, so check the provider's page before you decide.
Read the full comparisons: digital marketing course vs a TAFE diploma, bootcamp alternatives, is a free Google certificate enough, or every option side by side.
Still deciding? Start with your situation
Changing careers
From retail, hospitality, admin or a trade into a marketing role.
Choosing what to study
Degree, TAFE, bootcamp or an online course, compared on price and recognition.
Upskilling at work
Marketing has landed in your job and you need one skill at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Which digital marketing course should a beginner start with?
Start with Essentials. It has over 50 lessons of about 20 minutes across websites, SEO, social media, email, paid ads and AI tools, and ends with a practice audit and 90 day plan you can show. It costs $499, paid once.
What is the difference between Essentials, Deluxe and Expert?
Essentials ($499, over 50 lessons) covers the foundations of every main channel. Deluxe ($799, 100 lessons) adds depth so you can plan, run and report on a campaign across several channels. Expert ($999, over 150 lessons) adds conversion, technical SEO, GA4, paid media and automation for people already working in marketing. Each includes 12 months access from the date of purchase.
Is the course recognised or accredited?
No. 20 Minute Marketing is not a registered training organisation and our courses are not nationally recognised training. You receive a Certificate of Completion, which records that you completed a self paced online course. If the roles you want list a recognised qualification as essential, a TAFE or RTO course or a degree is the right choice. Why accredited courses lag the platforms.
Will a digital marketing course get me a job?
No course can promise you a job, and we will not. What you get is practical skills, a finished portfolio piece built on a fictional practice brief and a Certificate of Completion, which give you something real to show in an interview.
Do I need my own business or website?
No. Every course ends with a practice brief on an obviously fictional business, so you do not need a business, a website or an ad budget. If you do run a business, you can apply each lesson to it as you go.
How long does a course take?
Lessons take about 20 minutes. At three lessons a week, Essentials takes about four months, Deluxe about eight months and a short course one to three months. You have 12 months access from the date of purchase.
Can I do a short course alongside a main course?
Yes. Many people pair Essentials or Deluxe with the short course for the channel that matters most to them, such as Google Ads or SEO.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes. Every course has a 30 day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase. Email us within 30 days of the date of purchase for a full refund. The full terms are on our terms page.
Sources
- North Metropolitan TAFE (WA), Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication, core units at the concession rate. northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au, checked 28 September 2026.
- TAFE Queensland, Diploma of Marketing and Communication. tafeqld.edu.au, checked 28 September 2026.
- Academy Xi, Digital Marketing: Foundations. academyxi.com, checked 28 September 2026.
- Academy Xi, Digital Marketing: Advanced Certificate. academyxi.com, checked 28 September 2026.
- Google Skillshop Help, certifications. support.google.com, checked 28 September 2026.
- HubSpot Academy, certification overview. academy.hubspot.com, checked 28 September 2026.
