What is the Fastest Way to Learn Google Analytics?

There are many ways to learn Google Analytics but, as the saying goes, time is money. If you’re eager to jumpstart a new career or advance your current one, you may be looking to learn Google Analytics as quickly as possible. This article will cover the main ways to study the subject and how much time each option, generally, takes. 

Free Resources: The Very Basics

There are quite a few free resources available for learning Google Analytics, you just need to know where to look. YouTube boasts a wide range of tutorials and informative videos on all kinds of Google Analytics subjects: from short five-minute episodes on the fundamentals to more in-depth breakdowns of advanced topics. YouTube is a great way to explore your initial interest or get answers to specific questions on Google Analytics. 

Other websites like Google and LinkedIn offer short free tutorials and trainings designed to help you grasp the history and basic principles of Google Analytics. Free resources are often your fastest option and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Their brevity is one reason they are so popular for beginners, but the drawback of these courses is that they will lack the in-depth knowledge and real-time interaction with an expert instructor that more immersive programs offer. With that in mind, it’s best to use these resources as a brief introduction to make sure you’re interested in the subject (or as supplemental learning materials) instead of the sole source of your education. 

Introductory Classes: Ideal for Eager Beginners

If you’re looking for something slightly more in-depth than YouTube tutorials and blog posts, an introductory course is a great place to start. These classes cover the history of Google Analytics, basic principles, and the fundamental techniques. They often will focus on beginner skills like creating an account, implementing tracking code, setting up data filters, navigating the interface and reports, setting up dashboards and shortcuts, analyzing basic reports, and setting up goals and campaign tracking. You’ll have access to top-notch curriculum crafted by an expert instructor and will usually spend a portion of the class on project-based assignments that can be added to your professional portfolio. Introductory courses can be held in-person or online in a live or on-demand format. 

The goal of an intro class is to offer you a strong foundation in the subject, building your confidence to pursue more advanced tools and techniques. These courses can vary in length from a few hours to a few days, but rarely are longer than that. 

Certificate Granting Programs: For Aspiring Professionals

While certificates take more time than introductory courses or free resources, they offer a wider breadth of knowledge, noteworthy credibility, and the potential to network. These programs cover a Google Analytics curriculum in a few weeks (or a few short months for part-time students) and are focused on professional development and technical training. While they may be longer than other options, they are still quicker than an undergraduate or graduate degree. The content covered will focus more on professional skills rather than introductory material or advanced theory, so you won’t get the immersive experience that a web development degree program would give you. You also won’t spend 2 to 6 years working on a degree, or be saddled with substantial student loans debt. These kinds of programs are the fastest options available for students whose goal is immediate professional development and employment.

On-Demand Courses: It's Hard to Tell

Self-paced courses from websites like Coursera and Udemy are a great way to learn the ins and outs of Google Analytics from whatever angle you find to be the most interesting. If your schedule is complicated or you prefer to learn at your own pace, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility and freedom. All lessons are prerecorded and there’s no due dates or class times to worry about. You can skip any lessons you’ve already mastered or spend more time on more difficult subjects. With this comes the disadvantages of no live collaboration with other students or instant feedback from an expert instructor. While you’ll have more time to master challenging subjects, you won’t have someone to help walk you through those challenges or provide additional insight. 

It’s also important to remember that with more freedom comes less accountability. On-demand classes can work for independent learners who can keep themselves on task and motivated, but may not be the best fit for those who find motivation through accountability. Without scheduled class times and due dates, you may fall behind or take longer to complete your training. And without the right level of motivation, you can easily lose interest in completing the training altogether.

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.