Top 11 Online Sales Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an online sales manager in the job market because they help demonstrate knowledge, expertise and experience to employers. Certifications can provide evidence that a candidate has the required skills and qualifications to perform well in a given role, as well as show an employer that the applicant is committed to continuing their professional development. Additionally, certifications can also provide industry-specific knowledge and insight that employers may not be aware of. By having a certification on their resume, an online sales manager can stand out from other candidates and increase their chances of being hired.

The purpose of this article is to review the key certifications for Online Sales Managers and to demonstrate how these certifications can advance a career in online sales.

What are Online Sales Manager Certifications?

Online sales manager certification is a type of professional certification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage sales teams, develop successful sales strategies, and increase sales performance. This certification can help individuals become more successful in their current positions or advance their careers in the field of sales management. With this certification, individuals gain an understanding of contemporary sales practices, customer service techniques, and marketing strategies. They also learn how to use technology to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in their roles. Additionally, online sales manager certification can help professionals stay up-to-date on best practices for managing a sales team, as well as provide them with the tools they need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Pro Tip: Take the time to research online sales manager certification programs and find one that is tailored to your specific needs. Make sure to look for programs that provide hands-on training, as well as those that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as customer service, marketing, sales strategy and negotiation. Additionally, ensure the program is accredited and provides job placement assistance upon completion.

Related: What does an Online Sales Manager do?

Top 11 Online Sales Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Online Sales Managers today.

1. Certified E-Commerce Manager (CECM)

Certified E-Commerce Manager (CECM) is a professional certification program designed to help e-commerce professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage an online business. The program is offered by the Electronic Commerce Council of Canada (EC3).

The CECM program consists of three courses: Introduction to E-Commerce, Advanced E-Commerce Strategies, and Managing E-Commerce Platforms. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study and can be completed in as little as two weeks.

To get certified, applicants must pass all three courses with a minimum score of 70%. Once they have successfully completed the program, they will receive their CECM certification.

The cost of the CECM program varies depending on which provider you choose. Generally, it costs between $400 and $800 for the entire program.

2. Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) is a professional certification program designed to equip digital marketing professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's digital landscape. The program covers topics such as SEO, PPC, analytics, content marketing, email marketing, and more. It is designed for those who are looking to become certified in digital marketing or advance their current career in the field.

The CDMP certification can be completed in as little as 6 months depending on the individual's prior experience and knowledge. The program consists of four core courses: Introduction to Digital Marketing; Digital Strategy & Planning; Digital Analytics & Measurement; and Advanced Digital Marketing Techniques. Each course requires approximately 30 hours of study time and includes an online exam at the end of each course.

To get the CDMP certification, individuals must complete all four courses and pass each exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will receive a certificate from the International Institute of Digital Marketing (IIDM).

The cost of the CDMP certification varies depending on which provider you choose to take it through. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,000 - $2,000 USD for all four courses and exams.

3. Certified Online Sales Professional (COSP)

Certified Online Sales Professional (COSP) is a certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF) that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in online sales. The COSP certification is designed to help online retailers and other professionals succeed in the increasingly competitive world of e-commerce.

The COSP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, digital marketing, website design, and analytics. It also requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of industry best practices and standards. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $125 for NRF members or $175 for non-members.

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain criteria including having at least two years of professional experience in online sales or retail operations, completing an approved training course related to online sales, and passing the COSP exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, applicants will receive a certificate from the NRF that can be used to demonstrate their expertise in online sales.

4. Professional Internet Marketer (PIM)

Professional Internet Marketer (PIM) is a certification program designed to help professionals become more effective in their online marketing efforts. It is an intensive program that covers topics such as search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, web analytics and more. The program typically takes 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual’s knowledge and experience.

In order to get the PIM certification, individuals must first complete an application process which includes passing an exam and providing a portfolio of work that demonstrates their understanding of the topics covered in the program. Once accepted into the program, students will then be required to attend classes or workshops and complete assignments in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the PIM certification varies depending on the institution offering it but generally ranges from $1,000 - $3,000 USD.

5. Google Adwords Certification

Google Adwords Certification is a certification program that allows individuals to demonstrate their expertise in Google Ads. It is designed to help professionals and businesses get the most out of their Google Ads campaigns. The certification consists of two exams: the Adwords Fundamentals exam and one of the five advanced exams.

The Adwords Fundamentals exam covers topics such as account setup and management, targeting, ad formats, bidding, budgeting, reporting, optimization, and more. The advanced exams cover topics such as search advertising, display advertising, video advertising, shopping advertising, mobile app advertising, and measurement & optimization.

It typically takes about three hours to complete both exams. To get certified you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher. After passing both exams you will receive an email from Google confirming your certification status.

The cost for the certification is free for individuals but businesses may be charged a fee if they are using Google Ads professionally or if they are using it to advertise their business services or products.

6. HubSpot Inbound Certification

HubSpot Inbound Certification is an online certification program designed to help marketers, sales professionals, and customer service representatives learn the fundamentals of inbound marketing. The program consists of four modules: Attracting Visitors, Converting Leads, Closing Customers, and Delighting Customers. Each module includes video lessons, quizzes, and exercises to help you understand the concepts behind inbound marketing.

The entire certification program takes approximately 8 hours to complete. You can start and stop at any time as long as you finish within 90 days of registering for the course.

To get certified, you must first register for the HubSpot Inbound Certification course on the HubSpot Academy website. After registering, you will have access to all four modules of the course. You will need to complete each module with a passing score before moving onto the next one. Once all four modules have been completed with a passing score, you will receive your official HubSpot Inbound Certification badge that can be displayed on your website or social media profiles.

The HubSpot Inbound Certification is free for anyone who wishes to take it.

7. Social Media Marketing Certification

Social Media Marketing Certification is a formal credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of social media marketing. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in using social media platforms to reach business objectives.

The certification process typically involves completing a course or program that covers topics such as creating content, building an audience, measuring results, and more. The length of time it takes to complete the certification depends on the provider and the type of program chosen. Some programs can be completed in as little as two weeks while others may take several months.

To get certified, you will need to find a reputable provider that offers an accredited program. Once you have found one, you will need to register for the course or program and pay any associated fees. After completing the program, you will receive your certificate of completion from the provider.

The cost of Social Media Marketing Certification varies depending on the provider and type of program chosen. Generally speaking, most courses range from $500-$2,000 USD for online programs and up to $5,000 USD for in-person programs.

8. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect is a certification program offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This certification validates an individual's expertise in designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. With this certification, you can demonstrate your technical skills and knowledge of the AWS platform to employers and customers.

How long does it take to get it?

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for the exam, depending on your experience with AWS. You should plan to spend at least 15 hours per week studying for the exam.

How to get it?

To become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, you must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam. The exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that cover topics such as networking, storage, database services, security, compute services, application services and more. To register for the exam you will need to create an account with Pearson VUE. Once registered you will be able to select a date and time for your exam.

How much does it cost?

The cost of taking the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam is $150 USD per attempt.

9. Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional

Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional is a certification program that recognizes digital marketing professionals who have demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Advertising. It is designed to recognize individuals who are knowledgeable in the use of Microsoft Advertising tools, platforms, and services.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and an online proctored exam. The online assessment is a multiple-choice test that covers topics such as campaign setup, keyword research, targeting strategies, ad copywriting, optimization techniques, and reporting. The second part of the process is the online proctored exam which tests your knowledge on advanced topics such as bid management, audience targeting, and performance analysis.

To get certified as a Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional you must first pass both parts of the certification process. The entire process typically takes about two to three weeks to complete.

The cost for the Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional certification varies depending on your location and currency exchange rate but generally ranges from $100 - $200 USD.

10. Salesforce Certified Administrator

Salesforce Certified Administrator is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced Salesforce Administrators. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to successfully manage, configure, and maintain a Salesforce environment.

The exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and covers topics such as user management, security, data management, reporting, automation, and more. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

In order to become certified as a Salesforce Administrator, you must first meet the prerequisites for taking the exam which include having at least 6 months of experience with Salesforce or completing an approved training course. Once these requirements are met, you can register for the exam through the Salesforce website.

Once registered for the exam, you will need to study for it in order to pass. There are many resources available online such as practice tests and study guides that can help prepare you for the exam. Additionally, there are also several courses offered by Salesforce that cover all of the topics on the exam in detail.

Upon passing the exam with a score of 65% or higher, you will receive your official certification from Salesforce which will be valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

11. Adobe Analytics Business Practitioner

Adobe Analytics Business Practitioner is a certification program designed to help professionals gain the skills and knowledge needed to become proficient in Adobe Analytics. This certification is designed for those who want to use Adobe Analytics to measure, analyze, and optimize digital marketing campaigns.

The certification consists of two exams: the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) exam and the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exam. The ACE exam covers topics such as data collection, analysis, reporting, segmentation, dashboards, and more. The ACP exam focuses on advanced topics such as testing and optimization strategies.

The certification process takes approximately three months from start to finish. The first step is to register for the ACE exam. Once you have registered and paid the fee, you will be able to access the online course materials that will prepare you for the ACE exam. After completing the course materials, you can take the ACE exam at an authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE. Once you have passed both exams with a minimum score of 80%, you will receive your Adobe Analytics Business Practitioner Certification.

The cost for this certification varies depending on which version of Adobe Analytics you are using (Standard or Premium). For Standard users, it costs $400 USD for both exams; for Premium users it costs $600 USD for both exams.

Do You Really Need a Online Sales Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. If you are looking to pursue a career in online sales management, then an online sales manager certificate could be beneficial for you. This type of certificate is designed to help professionals develop the skills necessary for success in this field, such as understanding customer needs, developing strategies to increase sales and optimizing digital marketing campaigns.

Having an online sales manager certificate can also demonstrate that you have taken the time and effort to learn the necessary skills required for success in this field. It can provide employers with evidence that you have the knowledge and experience needed to effectively manage online sales operations, which could give you an edge when competing for positions in this competitive industry.

Finally, having an online sales manager certificate may open up more job opportunities since some employers require proof of certification or training before they consider hiring candidates. Although having a certificate isn't always essential for landing a job, it can be helpful if your resume lacks relevant experience or education.

In conclusion, whether or not you need an online sales manager certificate depends on your own career goals and ambitions. However, it could potentially provide you with valuable skills and knowledge as well as make your resume stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in this field.

Related: Online Sales Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Online Sales Manager Certifications

Q1: What is an Online Sales Manager Certification?

A1: An Online Sales Manager Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person's knowledge and skills in the field of online sales management. It is designed to provide individuals with the necessary tools and resources to successfully manage and lead teams in e-commerce environments.

Q2: How long does it take to complete an Online Sales Manager Certification?

A2: The length of time it takes to complete an Online Sales Manager Certification varies from program to program. Generally, it will take between 6-12 months depending on the program and its requirements.

Q3: What are the prerequisites for an Online Sales Manager Certification?

A3: Most programs require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Additionally, many programs may require applicants to have a certain number of years of relevant work experience in online sales management or related fields.

Q4: How much does an Online Sales Manager Certification cost?

A4: The cost of an Online Sales Manager Certification can vary depending on the program and its requirements. Generally, courses may range from $500-$3000 USD depending on the course materials, duration, and any additional fees associated with the certification process.

Q5: What are some of the benefits of becoming certified as an Online Sales Manager?

A5: Some of the benefits include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, improved negotiating power when dealing with vendors, better customer service skills, and more credibility in the industry overall.