Are Google Analytics Bootcamps Worth It?

Attending a Google Analytics bootcamp will require a commitment of your time and money, so it’s important to make sure it’s going to be worth your investment. The first step in deciding if attending a training is worthwhile is to decide what kind of training you’re interested in, as there are many different formats and styles offered. This article will help you compare bootcamps to the other available options so that you can be armed with the appropriate information to make the best choice for you. 

What is Google Analytics?

Used by skilled marketers the world over, Google Analytics is a web analytics service with basic analytical tools and statistics used for search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing. Free to anyone with a Google account, Google Analytics can help marketers and businesses gain a complete understanding of their customers across devices and platforms.

Google Analytics can sort and sift website analytics into dozens of different data dimensions and metrics, some of which are outlined below:

• Pages visited on your site
• How long each page is viewed 
• What browser viewers/visitors are using
• If viewers/visitors are on a desktop or mobile device
• What site they were on when they clicked over to yours
• Which forms the viewer/visitor submitted
• How many users are currently on your site

When Google Analytics is used at its full potential, it can help you track your website ROI (return on investment) for all of your online marketing efforts.You can also spot trends in user activity, how your pages and posts are performing, and make informed decisions based on how your site visitors engage with your website. Google Analytics allows you to make informed decisions based on the real, raw data.

What Can You Do With Google Analytics?

Google Analytics can help you do many things. Whether you’re monitoring your company’s website or tracking the successes and failures of your own social media platforms, below is a brief list of how you can leverage Google Analytics to your advantage. 

• See how many users are on your site right now: Real-time reports can help you verify if you correctly inserted the tracking id on your site or app, see the traffic changes for a one day campaign, view the immediate effects of social share, and test changes on your site by monitoring goal completions.
• What cities and countries your users are visiting from
• Finding out what devices your audience uses: Knowing which devices your users typically use can help you prioritize your strategy with things like mobile-first design.
• Track your audience interests: this can help you create content that caters to their interests. 
• The channels that drive the most traffic: Whether they are the social sites that are driving the most traffic or your site is better ranking in organic search, you can keep track of top channels and improve your marketing strategies.
• Keep track of your marketing campaigns
• Track how users navigate your site and which pages they frequent
• View conversion rates and track your top-selling products

So, if you work in marketing, run your own ecommerce site, or have your own influencer brand, Google Analytics can help you track what matters most so you can improve your marketing strategy and cater your tactics to your target audience. 

Why Learn Google Analytics in a Bootcamp?

There are many ways to learn Google Analytics, from free resources to college degrees to certificate programs. Bootcamps are often considered one of the best ways to learn, but it’s important to understand how they stack up against all the other options available. 

Bootcamps Compared to College

College is both expensive and time consuming. The average bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete and involves taking generic courses (or ones not in your subject of interest) before getting the ones specific to a major. Typically, the first two years of your degree are spent on general education requirements, so you’ll only receive two years of training in your actual field. 

According to the Education Data Initiative, an in-state degree costs $27,146 per year, while out-of-state costs $45,708 per year, on average. This price is on the rise, too, making a four-year college degree financially inaccessible for many. College graduates still enjoy higher earnings than the average U.S. worker, but there’s a growing trend of students feeling a degree no longer holds its value, especially when you consider the high interest rates on student loans. 

Pew Research surveyed the public and found that only one-in-four U.S. adults say it’s extremely or very important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job in today’s economy. Only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree today is worth it even if someone has to take out loans. So, while a college degree still holds value, there are disadvantages to this pathway that need to be considered. 

Bootcamps Compared to Self-Paced Courses

Bootcamps are typically held live either in-person or virtually. A self-paced course, also known as an on-demand course, is offered online and can be completed at the time and pace of your choosing. Self-paced courses are ideal for those with complicated schedules as they allow you more flexibility with no set class times or assignment due dates. But it’s also important to keep in mind that these courses have disadvantages too. 

Bootcamps allow for in-the-moment discourse with an expert instructor. If you’re struggling with a particular subject, you can ask questions and receive feedback instantly. In an on-demand class, you typically won’t have access to an instructor or, if you do, you will have to submit questions via email or messaging and then wait (sometimes several days) for a reply. 

Additionally, live bootcamps offer a level of accountability that many students say they need to succeed. Schedule class times and assignment due dates motivate you to stay on track. Self-paced courses require you to hold yourself accountable, which can work if you’re a focused and self-motivated individual. If you aren’t, a bootcamp may be a better fit. 

Bootcamps Compared to Certifications or Certificates

Another option is to attend a certification or certificate program. Certifications are often required by various employers to prove that you have continuing competency in ever-evolving tools and technology. They are a tried-and-tested method of proving one’s competence in a chosen field and, because of this, some employers will often cover the cost of these certifications and exams, eliminating the need for you to financially invest in this continuing education. But, if you’re attempting to transition into a new field, a certificate may not be the right choice, especially if cost is a concern.

Certificate and certification programs can be lengthy as well. They typically fall somewhere between a bootcamp and a four-year degree, taking up to a year or two to complete. While their curriculum is robust and a certificate of competency will look good to potential employers, they aren’t the best option for folks looking to change careers quickly. A bootcamp can be completed in a much shorter time frame and also typically comes with a certificate of completion that can be added to your resume or LinkedIn to showcase your knowledge. Then, once you’re established in your new field, you can pursue a certificate as a means of continued professional development. 

Bootcamps Compared to Free Training Options

There are free training options as well. These are typically found on sites like YouTube and consist of video tutorials, blog posts, and discussion forums. These free resources can often be the open door to a new hobby, subject, or endeavor that you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. But, while free training sources can be beneficial, they are most beneficial when dealing with training for general soft or technical skills, like communication and problem-solving or programs like Excel. 

Free training resources often lack the depth of knowledge that bootcamps offer. Because free online courses are developed to address general needs, the material may not be as specific as students or professionals might hope. They also lack benefits like live feedback and interaction, accountability with scheduled classes and assignment due dates, and a top-notch curriculum created by industry experts or educational professionals. It’s best to view free resources as a way to get an initial idea of what Google Analytics is all about, not as the primary source of your education. Think of them as a jumping off point, just the start of your journey to becoming a Google Analytics master. 

Learn Google Analytics Skills with Noble Desktop

Live Google Analytics courses are an ideal learning method for those entirely new to the field. Noble Desktop’s live classes offer expert instructors, setup assistance for online classes, and the chance for 1:1 mentoring. Held both live online and in person in New York, you can learn everything you need to know to become a Google Analytics expert. 

Noble Desktop’s Google Analytics Bootcamp will teach you all about this handy tool’s applications for marketing, including tracking data, interpreting reports, and optimizing performance. You’ll learn how to set up an account and understand what you should be tracking and discover the exciting features of GA4, including its data model and advanced methods for tracking events that matter to you. With the help of an expert instructor and hands-on learning, you’ll leave this training with a solid understanding of the tool and how to optimize its wealth of data to your advantage.

If you want to take your skills a step further, their Digital Marketing Certificate could be the right fit. You’ll gain the essential digital marketing skills to promote a business in today’s competitive markets by developing an actionable, multi-tiered campaign optimized through search engine optimization (SEO), social media, paid search, content marketing, and email marketing. You’ll also learn to increase your return on investment by determining key performance indicators, monitoring web analytics, tracking conversions, and creating reports with Google Analytics.

There’s also Google Ads Bootcamp, a hands-on training that teaches you to develop and manage successful Google Ads campaigns, generate leads and sales, track conversions, and improve your search engine ranking. You’ll get an introduction to paid advertising and walk away with an understanding of the essential elements needed to create successful paid campaigns via Google.

If you’re mostly interested in social media platforms, Noble’s Social Media Marketing Certificate. You’ll learn to create effective strategies on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to grow your online following and stand out in the marketplace. You’ll also create a professional portfolio that you can share with employers and clients and learn how to optimize your resume, LinkedIn profile, and social media accounts to highlight your experience and make yourself stand out as a job candidate. This court is part of the Digital Marketing Certificate and can count towards that training should you choose to continue your education. 

Noble’s SEO Bootcamp is another option. Designed for business owners, marketers, and front end developers who want to enhance their marketability, this course will help you get familiar with the fundamentals of SEO and gain an edge over your competition through hands-on lessons in search engine optimization and competitive keyword analysis. To help you get started, this course includes a 7-day free trial of Semrush, the top keyword research tool. This course is also a part of the Digital Marketing Certificate, should you choose to pursue that more in-depth option.