Internet-marketing programs teach students about consumer targeting and advertising on the web.
With the advent of the World Wide Web, Internet marketing has become standard practice for small and large organizations around the world. Traditional advertising and marketing tools, such as ads, brochures, surveys and mail now direct clients and consumers to company websites and social-networking platforms. Colleges, universities and professional organizations offer training programs that provide students with a foundation in web-marketing strategies and tactics.
Curriculum
Courses offered in Internet-marketing programs cover a broad range of topics that fall under the umbrella of online marketing and communications. For example, students are taught about the latest search-engine marketing and search-engine optimization -- or SEO -- tactics for increasing company search rankings. SEO is the use of keywords to optimize web content in order to increase a website's search-engine rankings. Additional classes focus on budgeting, setting up pay-per-click -- or PPC -- advertising campaigns, interpreting web analytics and developing websites. In addition to instructor-led discussions, Internet-marketing training programs also include student presentations and group projects.
Skills
Students in Internet-marketing programs receive training on work well in teams, interact with multiple departments, and synthesize information from different electronic and offline sources. However, skills pertinent to Internet marketing, such as field and video podcasting, blogging and managing social-networking sites are also part of the practical training that helps prepare professionals for an Internet-marketing career. Other relevant skills that students learn, include maintaining Twitter pages and researching stock-photography websites. Some programs focus on curriculum that provides students with knowledge and tools that allow them to start an e-commerce or online business.
Potential Careers
Training for Internet-marketing programs prepares students for careers in website development, market research, email marketing and advertising. Other common job titles within the Internet-marketing field include sales and marketing manager, customer research specialist and Internet-marketing specialist. Most of these positions are found in corporations, ad agencies, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
Considerations
Although there are training programs that provide certification in Internet marketing, some colleges have business-administration programs that offer an associate or bachelor's degree with specializations in online marketing. Degree programs also have additional major and core courses that must be completed prior to receiving an official degree. For example, in addition to taking marketing classes, students may have to complete coursework in financial accounting, economics and organizational development. Moreover, some courses are only taught online, while others take place within a physical classroom setting.
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