Walking into a new classroom for the first time can be nerve-wracking, am I right?

While those days might be over, remember that learning never stops, especially if you want to see your business rake in the big bucks. Luckily, resources like Google Skillshop are here to help you become a Google Ads expert and watch your business grow. To guide you on your path to Google Ads mastery, we’ll be exploring Skillshop and some other top-notch Google Ads training courses, all available without breaking the bank. The best part? They’re all online, so ditch the first-day-of-school outfit stress! Consider this your crash course on Google Ads training!

Table of Contents

• Google Skillshop for Google Ads: Your Need-to-Know Guide
• Weighing the Pros and Cons of Google Skillshop
• 5 Google Ads Training Courses to Supercharge Your Skillshop Journey

Google Skillshop for Google Ads: Your Need-to-Know Guide

Before diving into our full list of recommended training, let’s explore Google’s official learning hub: Skillshop. This is your one-stop shop for earning those coveted official Google Ads certifications. While other courses can complement your learning, Skillshop is where your Google Ads training journey should begin and end. Got questions about Google Skillshop? We’ve got you covered:

• What exactly is Skillshop? Google Skillshop is Google’s online learning platform for anyone and everyone who wants to become a pro at using Google’s tools and platforms. Think Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Business Profiles, and much more.
• Is there a fee for Google Skillshop certifications? Nope, all courses and certification exams on Skillshop are completely free.
• Are Google Skillshop certifications valuable for businesses and agencies? Absolutely! As the only official provider of Google Ads certifications, Skillshop can boost your business or agency’s credibility and give you a competitive edge.

Want to know if your ads are making the grade? Try our free Google Ads Performance Grader to see if you’re passing with flying colors!

Google Skillshop Pros and Cons

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of Skillshop compared to other Google Ads training courses to see how it best fits your needs:

Pro: Skillshop is 100% Free

Unlike some other courses on our list that might have associated costs, rest assured that Google Skillshop will always be easy on your wallet.

Con: Skillshop Focuses Solely on Google Products

Being powered by Google, this is to be expected. However, gaining different perspectives on PPC best practices from external courses can be beneficial. If your goal is to become a marketing whiz across various platforms like Microsoft Ads or Facebook Ads, exploring other courses on our list will provide a more comprehensive understanding of online advertising beyond Google Ads.

Pro: Google Skillshop Is Regularly Updated

Google is known for constantly updating its business products, so you can trust that Skillshop provides the most current information on the latest features. Third-party courses not affiliated with Google Skillshop don’t have this luxury, so be wary of outdated content. However, since Skillshop is a Google product, it naturally promotes Google’s latest products and technologies as best practices for all advertisers. Third-party courses, on the other hand, are more likely to offer unbiased educational content.

Con: Skillshop Certifications Expire Annually

To maintain your Google Ads certifications, you’ll need to retake the Google Skillshop exams every year. This differs from other courses that either don’t offer certifications and serve purely as a resource or provide non-expiring course completion certificates.

This example Skillshop certification would be considered obsolete. In a nutshell, Google Skillshop is a must-have for advertisers of all levels looking to enhance their knowledge, credibility, and digital marketing game plan. Supplementing your learning with additional Google Ads training courses (like the ones we’ll cover below) can better prepare you for Skillshop certification exams while building a strong PPC foundation.

Want a quick intro to Google Ads? Get the guide >> PPC 101

The 5 Best Google Ads Training Courses to Complement Google Skillshop

Beyond Google Skillshop, here are a few other excellent resources to level up your Google Ads knowledge:

1. LocaliQ Marketing Lab

Our friends at LocaliQ have created their own comprehensive learning hub for marketers, advertisers, and business owners. LocaliQ Marketing Lab is entirely free and goes beyond just a course specifically in PPC, offering courses on essential marketing channels like social media marketing, SEO, small business websites, and more.

2. Coursera Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate

Coursera has teamed up with Google to offer a complete digital marketing course designed to prepare individuals for entry-level digital marketing roles. This course typically takes six months or less to complete and requires a $49/month Coursera subscription.

3. Udemy Google Ads Training Courses

Similar to Coursera, Udemy also offers paid Google Ads training courses. However, instead of a single comprehensive Google-provided course, Udemy boasts a wide variety of courses taught by different experts, each with its own length, style, and focus. Instead of a recurring subscription, Udemy allows you to purchase individual courses, giving you the flexibility to choose the course that aligns with your specific needs based on price, duration, lesson structure, and instructor preference. Reading course reviews can also be beneficial in making your decision. For example, check out this highly-rated five-star Google Ads training course currently available on Udemy:

4. nexus-security’s PPC University

Our very own PPC University is a fantastic free Google Ads training resource for all skill levels! PPC University offers self-paced learning materials on a vast array of online advertising topics, making it an excellent option for those seeking in-depth guidance on specific PPC subjects like remarketing or keyword research. You have the freedom to choose your starting point and learn at your own pace. Not sure where to begin? No problem! PPC University organizes all lessons into suggested phases from start to finish, guiding you through the entire learning process. Additionally, PPC University offers courses on social ads, Facebook ads, and more to equip you with the knowledge to create a well-rounded digital marketing strategy.

5. Class Central Google Ads Tutorials from Surfside PPC

Featured on Class Central, Surfside PPC’s series of YouTube Google Ads training courses is entirely free and offers a whopping 41 hours of valuable content! This extensive course is beneficial for advertisers seeking information on the latest Google Ads features, such as Performance Max campaigns. The videos provide detailed tutorials on various campaign types and tools within the platform.

Achieve PPC Black Belt Status by Combining Google Skillshop with Other Google Ads Training Courses

To create killer PPC strategies, it’s crucial to equip yourself with a comprehensive understanding of Google Ads. These courses are here to empower you to make informed marketing decisions for your business with confidence. Short on time? No worries! Explore our solutions and discover how we can help you streamline your Google Ads strategy and reach your business goals effortlessly. As a quick recap, here are all the Google Ads training resources we covered:

1. Google Skillshop
2. LocaliQ Marketing Lab
3. Coursera Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate
4. Udemy Google Ads Training Courses
5. nexus-security PPC University
6. Class Central Google Ads Tutorials from Surfside PPC