What Software Do Digital Analysts Use?

If you want to become a Digital Analyst, you need to explore all your options and develop a broad range of skills. You’ll need to develop strong analytics skills, of course. In addition, you’ll likely learn marketing or gain some finance skills along the way. However, it is necessary to learn beyond the basic concepts and get familiar with all the software and tools relevant to the field and your preferred industry. This will allow you to complete your tasks with ease and the confidence you gain from mastering the software will make the job feel much less intimidating. 

What is a Digital Analyst?

A Digital Analyst specializes in analyzing data from different online sources to help businesses stay on top of their performance. This may include gaining insights from consumer behavior, marketing strategies, and other metrics. They will typically collect data from different places online and interpret what it conveys. A Digital Analyst will also draw insights specific to marketing effectiveness, user experience preferences, and other business concerns. These professionals play a pivotal role in their company and typically have strong knowledge in different subjects and fields, like data, marketing, finance, and project management.

They typically use different tools and technologies to conduct their regular tasks. They use data analytics and visualization software to track, interpret, and present their findings. In addition, they may use SEMrush for search engine optimization purposes and as a means of tracking performance. Since they often work with or take reports from others in the organization, they will also use other collaborative tools and software to complete projects, discuss findings, and share documents. Using these tools allows a Digital Analyst to perform their job with ease. The various techniques they employ help businesses make better decisions and reach their objectives. 

Digital Analysts can also find work in virtually any industry and for a wide range of businesses. This may include healthcare, finance, technology, and education. They work in varying styles depending on the company, but many can find remote or in-office roles. There are opportunities to work as a freelancer or assist the company on a contractual basis. It’s a flexible role that leads to lucrative and continually developing positions that are highly valued across all fields.

What Software Do Digital Analysts Use?

Focus on what is taught at Noble. If your career is associated with a certificate program, look at the software taught in that program and build your list around that.

Data Analytics Tools

A Digital Analyst will utilize myriad analytics tools to support them through their job responsibilities. For instance, Google Analytics is used to analyze website traffic and assist with understanding user behavior. Similarly, a Digital Analyst will likely use Power BI if they work in a more business-centered setting. Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet applications, so it’s no surprise a Digital Analyst will learn this in depth. Excel is mainly used for data manipulation, analysis, visualization, and reporting purposes. 

Data Visualization Software

To adequately share their findings and explain to other interested parties what the data suggests, a Digital Analyst will also use software designed to help with data visualization. One of the most popular applications for this is Tableau, which allows users to create interactive dashboards, charts, graphs, and tables to display data findings. Power BI is also widely used for data visualizations and making detailed reports. Excel also helps with charting, as a spreadsheet is an organized, easy-to-navigate place for data to be stored.

Marketing Tools

The aforementioned tools also count as marketing tools, but a Digital Analyst will use plenty more. For instance, SEMrush is used to monitor SEO performance and to identify opportunities for improvement. It is helpful for research purposes and determining what it takes to stay relevant in the market. Overall, it helps improve search engine rankings and draw in more customers and website traffic. They may use other tools like Adobe Creative Cloud applications, but this depends entirely on the type of task they are working towards completing.

Coding Languages

Digital Analysts often have coding skills and know multiple languages. They are often used for different reasons as well. For instance, SQL is often used for database querying. On the other hand, R is used for statistical analysis and helps with data visualization. Python, one of the most commonly used coding languages, assists in automating otherwise repetitive tasks and optimizing workflow. JavaScript may help make data visualization more interactive and is frequently integrated with Google Analytics.

How to Learn Digital Analyst Software

Self-Training

Self-training is one method to learn new and foundational skills in various digital analysis software. The most common way to teach yourself about digital analytics software is through free resources. This may include visiting career centers or public library seminars or glossing through various online sources such as blogs, chatrooms, video tutorials, and social media pages. Although this method is cheap and easily accessible, it is not suggested for professional development or reaching the most advanced skill level. You can easily gain a solid foundation for what the software does and its key functions, but you will need a more thorough explanation of the software and far more interaction with its interface, which cannot occur as easily through a free resource.

On-Demand Training

On-demand training is another self-taught method that entices many digital analysis professionals. This method provides an exploration of Digital Analyst software but allows you to learn from the comfort of your home and at your convenience. An on-demand class is entirely hands-off, meaning students will not attend in-person or virtually nor will they meet with an instructor. Instead, they will follow along with course materials and complete activities at their leisure, which is good for busy professionals or those in no rush to learn new skills. The classes are typically low-cost and do not last a particularly lengthy time. However, despite how accessible these classes are, they are not the most effective and are not suggested for a total beginner since there is a considerable lack of interaction. Most software requires hands-on experience to learn the more intricate aspects, so this is a downside for anyone who is a beginner or someone whose goal is to become a professional Digital Analyst. Plus, students tend to learn more effectively with the help of an expert who can provide feedback and troubleshoot with the students.

In-Person and Live Online Classes

Live classes are the most effective way to learn any new skill, but this is especially true for anyone learning digital analytics software. Through an in-person or live online format, students can collaborate with their peers and get feedback and guidance from an instructor in real time. Additionally, there is direct interaction between the student and the software since most live classes assign hands-on projects rooted in a real-world scenario. Participants feel supported throughout a live class in ways that a self-taught method cannot offer, which makes the class less stressful and increases retention rates. If you want to become a Digital Analyst, this is one of the most cost-effective and time-sensitive ways to do so, as other degree programs are incredibly costly and lengthy. Plus, beginners can enroll in live classes and work their way up. Overall, this is the best way to grasp complex concepts and learn how to navigate the software to the best of your ability.

Other Skills Needed to Become a Digital Analyst

Soft Skills

In addition to the many analytical, technical, business-centric, and creative skills needed to become a Digital Analyst, you will need soft skills that support your reasoning behind certain decisions and practices. For instance, you’ll need exceedingly developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities since many situations call for it in a Digital Analyst’s work. Additionally, a Digital Analyst must be highly communicative in writing and verbally. They often collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines and discuss their feedback and insights with stakeholders. Plus, they often determine how the consumer must feel based on the analyzed data. These skills are needed for all the different business, marketing, financial, and project management-related skills to become a successful Digital Analyst. 

Attitudes and Mindsets

A Digital Analyst must have a certain mindset to feel confident in their work. Most of all, they are adaptable. The data and tech world constantly sees new developments that require persistent surveillance and a willingness to change or grow. Additionally, marketing is a fast-paced world that frequently sees shifts in technique and methodology. A flexible Digital Analyst will be a key asset to maintaining relevance. In connection with this, they should also be curious and willing to learn more since they often work in an ever-evolving field. Lastly, being a team player is vital for a Digital Analyst since they often collaborate with colleagues and work with multiple clients, stakeholders, and interested groups.

Learn the Skills to Become a Digital Analyst at Noble Desktop

Becoming a Digital Analyst involves learning a wide set of skills related to data, marketing, finance, and related fields. At Noble Desktop, you can begin your Digital Analyst journey by enrolling in the Digital Marketing Certificate. This course equips students with essential digital marketing skills such as search engine optimization, analytics, social media content creation, and keyword research. Students will use Google Analytics to monitor and report on the performance of their website as well as gain insight into the preferences of the consumer. In addition, the instructor will cover paid search and email marketing, as well as blogging. Through various hands-on projects, students will spend 120 total hours in class learning from their expert instructors and taking advantage of career-building resources and benefits, such as an additional elective course, bonus mentoring sessions, and a free retake of the course. Once they complete the class, they will earn their verified digital certificate to prove their new digital marketing experience.

In Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp, students will learn everything about this useful service and its many applications, including everything from setting up an account to the actual act of tracking and analytics. Throughout this six-hour class, students will learn how to track key performance indicators, create analytics reports, interpret website visitor behavior, and determine the success of marketing campaigns. In addition, the instructor will teach students how to answer stakeholder questions related to the data presented. Additionally, students will set up filters and learn how to retarget different audiences. With the help of this project-based course and the expert instructor, the students will learn how to leverage Google Analytics to successfully create and maintain marketing campaigns and other forms of analytics. This short course offers a free take and a certificate of completion.

For data visualization, most Digital Analysts use Tableau. Noble Desktop has varying courses that teach this software, including their Tableau Level I class. This is a beginner-friendly course that shows students how to use the free version of Tableau to the fullest extent. Students will learn how to connect to different datasets, design charts, tables, and graphs, and format their visualizations to their preferences. In addition, they’ll create dashboards and stories and learn more advanced visualization tools that will be discussed in more depth in the following levels of this course. With the help of the instructor and interactive projects, students will feel comfortable navigating the Tableau interface and using the basic function and can determine for themselves whether it’s necessary to advance to the next level. Once they complete the course, a digital certificate will indicate their newly acquired skills.