What Are Sales and Marketing Certifications?
If you’re wondering, “Are sales and marketing certifications worth it?” read on. We’ll discuss key aspects of marketing and sales certifications – cost, benefits, and challenges. You’ll then be able to make an informed decision about their value in your career.
What are sales and marketing certifications in the first place? These are formal credentials for sales and marketing professionals seeking more recognition. These validate their expertise in selling and marketing products and services to consumers.
If you’re a sales and marketing-certified professional, you have in-demand competencies.
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- Hard skills (e.g., digital marketing, CRM systems)
- Soft skills (e.g., leadership and teamwork skills)
- A problem-solving and decision-making mindset
Think of these certifications as your competitive edge in a dog-eat-dog industry. Of course, it’s your job to leverage your sales and marketing certifications. Otherwise, they’re nothing but ink on paper.
Highlight them on your resumé and LinkedIn profile. Network with fellow professionals. Apply for leadership positions. Prove your sales and marketing expertise through concrete results.
Where can you apply for respected sales and marketing certifications? Start with professional associations like:
- Sales Management Association (SMA)
- HubSpot Academy
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
Then, look into colleges and universities that offer them. Check out the programs offered by:
- University of California, Irvine Extension
- University of Washington
- California State University
Tech companies and platforms are excellent sources, too.
- Meta
Check out training providers that provide online certificate programs. Their programs are usually in partnership with colleges and universities.
- Coursera
- Udemy
- edX
Who are these certifications designed for? If you fall into one of these categories, then you’ll find them beneficial.
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Early-career and experienced professionals
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs
- Sales and marketing teams
Since sales and marketing permeate modern society, earning them brings many benefits.
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How Much Do Sales and Marketing Certifications Cost?
Many factors affect the cost of sales and marketing certifications. The foremost factor is the provider itself – whether a public or private organization. Generally speaking, public organizations offer more affordable programs than private organizations.
Then, the duration and depth of the program also affect the total cost. The longer the program, the higher its cost will likely be. The more in-depth and advanced the topics, the higher their cost, too.
Brand value is also a primary factor. Certifications from prestigious universities tend to be more expensive. But these can bring more value to your resumé, too. Their robust support services, resources, and recall also boost their value for professionals.
Let’s take a look at free and affordable options with costs up to $500.
- Google Digital Garage (Fundamentals of Digital Marketing) is a free program for beginners.
- HubSpot Academy offers many certifications for free. Popular topics include social media, email marketing, and sales enablement.
- LinkedIn Learning offers subscription-based certificate programs. Costs start at about $40 per month.
- Meta offers Blueprint Certifications with prices ranging from zero to $150. Topics include FB and Instagram analytics, campaign strategy, and ads.
If you have more money to spare and want more advanced training, consider these programs. These have mid-range costs between $500 and $2,000 for their entirety. You’ll also appreciate a more structured learning format and widely recognized credentials.
- Salesforce offers Sales Cloud and Marketing Cloud certifications for different skill levels. Costs range from $200 to $500 per exam.
- The Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) offers its Professional Diploma program at varying costs. The actual cost depends on the course and the type of student. These can range from $445 to $895 for individual courses, but can be as high as $2,000.
The executive programs have premium fees from $2,000 to over $10,000. These offer more personalized coaching, advanced topics, and respected credentials.
- Northwestern University Kellogg Executive Education: Sales Strategy Certificate
- Cornell University Marketing and Communications Certificate
- University of Pennsylvania Wharton Strategic Sales Management Professional Certificate
The choice is yours to make based on your budget and goals.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Certified?
There are many pecuniary and non-pecuniary benefits of marketing certifications. Again, it’s your job to ensure that you actually enjoy these benefits.
Yes, earning one or more of these certifications will add one or more lines to your resumé. But these will remain lines unless you leverage them.
With that said, here are the primary benefits that you can look forward to.
Develop advanced skills for career growth.
The sales and marketing industry is in constant flux. Technological advancement, changes in customer preferences, and increased competition are why it’s so. If you can’t keep up, you’ll be redundant and, thus, left behind.
This is where sales and marketing certifications come in. In earning these credentials, you’ll learn current best practices, emerging trends, and advanced skills. You’ll be on top of your game and, thus, not redundant in your job.
Increase your job market credibility.
Being a sales and marketing professional means always proving your value. You’re in a results-driven industry that values measurable performance. As such, you’re only as good as your last successful campaign.
Where do sales and marketing certifications come in? These signals to clients, employers, and stakeholders your verified skill sets. In turn, your skill sets contribute to your results.
Certain certifications are also either required or preferred by clients and employers. Plus, certifications add credibility to your application.
Enjoy high earning potential.
There’s no guarantee that a certification will lead to a salary increase. But when you leverage it, it can lead to higher earning potential over time.
Also, certified professionals have a competitive edge for leadership roles. Employers usually prefer them over non-certified professionals.
If you earn affordable sales and marketing certifications, you’ll get more returns.
Maximize your career growth and flexibility.
You can leverage certifications for a career shift or career advancement. No matter which way you go, these are excellent tools for career growth and flexibility.
Are Certifications Better Than a Degree?
There’s no right or wrong answer here because it’s different for every person. You must decide based on your interests, budget, and goals. There’s also the matter of timing since your interests and goals will change with time.
We must say that either path brings unique merits that make it an excellent choice. But both also have trade-offs that you must consider when choosing between them.
College Degrees
Business is the most popular degree at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This isn’t surprising because business degrees have versatile applications across diverse industries. This is also true for sales and marketing degrees, which are business subfields.
Sales and marketing degrees offer these benefits.
- Broad education with general education, core, and specialization courses.
- Long-term credibility and prestige in the job market
- Access to effective career development and networking opportunities
But there are trade-offs, too.
- Significant cost investment (i.e., $38,270 per student per year, on average)
- Time commitment (i.e., 2-4 years, but it can take up to six years, too)
- Slower return on investment when compared to skills-based certification
Choose a degree if you’re looking for long-term value and a comprehensive education.
Sales and Marketing Certifications
These offer focused skills-based training on specific skills for beginners and professionals. Topics include sales methodology, CRM systems, and digital marketing. In-person and online marketing certification programs are available, too.
Sales and marketing certifications have these merits.
- Quick time-to-completion, usually 6-12 months, depending on the topics
- More affordable costs with free programs available
- Gain up-to-date skills for an ever-changing industry
- Required or preferred for employers and clients for certain jobs
Then again, these have their disadvantages.
- Narrower in scope than a college degree
- Shorter shelf life (i.e., must be updated and renewed)
- Variable recognition among employers
Choose certifications if you’re looking for targeted skills development. You’ll agree that in the sales certification cost vs value discussion, it brings good returns.
Why choose between them when you can have both credentials? Earn a sales and marketing certification while pursuing your college degree. Check out the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Columbia University programs.
When Is a Certification Worth It?
Sales and marketing certifications aren’t for everybody, despite their merits. But if you’re in the right place and time, these offer great value.
Here are scenarios where certifications are worth the time, effort, and money.
When You’re Switching Careers
Let’s say you’re in a non-sales and marketing field but want to get into sales and marketing. Earning a sales and marketing certification can:
- Lead to quickly learning the industry’s language, tools and tech, and best practices
- Highlight your strong commitment to making the career switch
- Boost your resumé even if your relevant experience isn’t up to par yet
But even if you’re already a sales and marketing professional, a certification is a great résumé addition. You’ll stay current on industry trends, hone old skills, and learn new skills.
When You Want a Resumé Boost
If you’re a new college graduate, your résumé likely isn’t as impressive as you want it to be. With a sales and marketing certification, you can:
- Showcase your initiative in learning new skills and staying updated
- Use it as a talking point during your interviews
These benefits also apply to persons reentering the workforce and early-career professionals. If you’re also aiming for a promotion, a certificate is a good choice.
When You’re Not Ready or Able to Pursue a College Degree
Again, earning a college degree demands significant time and money. In contrast, certifications offer cheaper costs and shorter completion times.
So, if you’re not yet ready or able to pursue a college degree, consider certifications. Situations can include when you:
- Aren’t ready for the rigors of college life, including its cost
- Prefer hands-on learning that leads to practical applications
- Want to test the waters first
- Are juggling work and family commitments
Plus, if you want quick returns, certifications are a great option.
When You’re a Business Owner or a Freelancer
Sales and marketing certifications aren’t only for employees. If you’re a business owner, sales and marketing skills are a must for success. As a freelancer, certifications highlight your expertise to clients.
Affordable and Reputable Certification Options
There’s no need to spend hundreds on respected sales and marketing certifications. Here are free and affordable options you must explore.
Google is the first stop for the best marketing certifications for beginners and professionals. Look into these certification programs for starters.
- Google Digital Garage – Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
- Google Ads Certifications
- Google Analytics Certification
HubSpot Academy
HubSpot, a CRM platform, offers free online training via HubSpot Academy.
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
- HubSpot Sales Software Certification
- HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification
Coursera
The online learning platform is known for its wide range of MOOCs. Coursera offers certifications in partnership with top colleges and companies across the US.
You can audit courses in sales and marketing, too. Be sure to explore affordable certifications for high ROI.
The Internet is a goldmine of information about free and affordable certification programs. Use it to your advantage.
Final Takeaway: Are Sales and Marketing Certifications Worth It?
On a related note, do you need a certification to work in sales? No, you don’t, but a certification can give you a competitive edge. You’ll learn the best practices that will boost your performance.
In the sales and marketing certification vs degree debate, there’s no clear winner. Both have their merits and trade-offs, but you can earn both to boost your competitiveness.
If you must choose between the two credentials, use this checklist to make a decision:
- Do you need a comprehensive education or to learn specific skills?
- Do you have the resources and readiness for a college degree or not?
- Do you need long-term value or a quick return on investment?
If you answered yes to the first choice, a college degree is better. But if your answer leans toward the second, go for certification.
Again, you don’t have to make hard choices. You can earn a degree and certification at the same time. It’s also possible to earn a certification as a professional.