digital marketing degree online

Digital Marketing Degree Online vs. Practical Skills: The Best Courses for Side Hustlers

The Digital Marketing Dilemma – Degree or Practical Skills?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, marketing is no longer confined to billboards and TV ads—it’s happening on social media, search engines, and e-commerce platforms. With businesses shifting their focus online, the demand for skilled digital marketers has skyrocketed. But if you’re looking to break into digital marketing—especially as a side hustler—one big question arises:

👉 Should you pursue a digital marketing degree online, or are practical skills from hands-on courses a better choice?

This debate has sparked discussions among career seekers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs alike. Some believe that earning a formal degree provides credibility and structured learning, while others argue that practical skills and industry experience are far more valuable in today’s digital landscape.

For side hustlers—those who want to make money through freelancing, affiliate marketing, content creation, or online businesses—the right training is essential. Unlike traditional corporate professionals, side hustlers need fast, applicable knowledge that helps them generate income quickly. But can a digital marketing degree online deliver this? Or are hands-on courses the smarter choice?

This article will dive deep into both options, comparing their benefits and drawbacks. We’ll also explore some of the best digital marketing courses available, focusing on CXL.com, a platform known for its advanced marketing training. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to help you make the best choice for your career or side hustle.

Digital Marketing Degree Online – Is It Worth It for Side Hustlers?

With more universities offering digital marketing degree online programs, many aspiring marketers wonder if this is the right path for them. Let’s break down the pros and cons of a formal degree and whether it’s a worthwhile investment for side hustlers.

Pros of a Digital Marketing Degree Online

1️⃣ Structured Learning from Universities
One advantage of pursuing a digital marketing degree online is its structured curriculum. Universities design their programs to cover essential marketing principles, such as:

  • Consumer behavior
  • Market research
  • Branding strategies
  • SEO & PPC fundamentals
  • Social media marketing
  • Data analytics

For students who prefer a step-by-step approach to learning, this structured environment can be beneficial. Unlike self-paced courses, a university degree ensures that you follow a comprehensive syllabus covering both traditional and modern marketing strategies.

2️⃣ Recognition in Corporate Settings
If your goal is to land a job in a corporate setting—such as working for a large company, marketing agency, or established brand—a formal degree can be an asset. Some employers still prefer candidates with academic credentials, believing that a degree signifies dedication and theoretical knowledge.

For example, multinational companies like Google, Coca-Cola, or Procter & Gamble might favor degree holders over self-taught marketers when hiring for senior marketing roles.

3️⃣ Networking Opportunities with Professionals
A digital marketing degree online can also provide valuable networking opportunities. Universities often offer:

  • Alumni connections
  • Internship programs
  • Guest lectures from industry professionals
  • Student communities and marketing clubs

This networking can help graduates secure jobs, collaborate with peers, or gain industry insights from experienced marketers.

Cons of a Digital Marketing Degree Online

1️⃣ Expensive Tuition Fees
One major downside of earning a digital marketing degree online is the cost. Tuition fees for accredited programs range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the university. For example:

  • University of Florida – Digital Marketing Degree: $16,580
  • Southern New Hampshire University – BS in Digital Marketing: $38,400
  • Arizona State University – BS in Digital Audiences: $36,000

For side hustlers looking to start a freelance business or earn money online, spending thousands of dollars on a degree might not be the most cost-effective choice.

2️⃣ Takes Years to Complete
Unlike online courses that can be completed in weeks or months, a digital marketing degree online takes 2 to 4 years to finish. That’s a long time, especially for someone who wants to start a side hustle as soon as possible.

Time is money, and if you’re looking to generate income quickly, spending years in school might not be the best option.

3️⃣ Lacks Hands-On Experience with Real Marketing Campaigns
While a degree provides theoretical knowledge, most programs lack real-world application. Many universities focus on case studies and textbooks rather than hands-on projects.

Practical Digital Marketing Skills – The Fast Track to Success

In the world of digital marketing, success is driven by results—not by the degrees hanging on your wall. While a digital marketing degree online provides structured learning, it often falls short in preparing marketers for the real-world challenges they’ll face when working with clients, running campaigns, or growing a side hustle.

If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or side hustler, your goal isn’t just to learn marketing—it’s to use it to make money as quickly as possible. That’s why practical skills matter more than formal education. The best marketers in the industry today didn’t climb the ladder because of degrees—they got there by testing, failing, optimizing, and adapting in real-world campaigns.

So, what are the essential hands-on digital marketing skills you need, and why do they hold more weight than a degree? Let’s explore.

Why Practical Skills Matter More Than a Degree for Side Hustlers

💡 1. Digital Marketing Changes Too Fast for Textbooks to Keep Up
A digital marketing degree online follows a structured curriculum, which often takes years to update. But digital marketing moves at lightning speed—Google’s algorithms change frequently, new social media trends emerge overnight, and paid ad strategies evolve constantly.

A textbook written two years ago may already be outdated. But hands-on digital marketing courses teach you the latest strategies, equipping you with up-to-date, actionable skills that are actually relevant.

💡 2. Clients and Employers Care About Results, Not Degrees
Whether you’re freelancing or working a side hustle, results are the only thing that matters. Clients won’t ask for a diploma—they’ll ask if you can grow their website traffic, increase their conversion rates, or scale their ad campaigns profitably.

✅ A degree might look good on paper, but real-world experience proves you can drive revenue.

For instance, if a business hires you to run their Google Ads, they don’t care if you took a university class on PPC—they care if you know how to lower their cost-per-click (CPC) and maximize their return on ad spend (ROAS).

💡 3. Side Hustlers Need Quick, Actionable Skills to Start Earning
Unlike those looking for long-term corporate careers, side hustlers need to generate income fast. Spending four years on a degree before making money isn’t practical. Instead, learning and applying skills immediately through hands-on digital marketing courses allows you to start earning within months, not years.

Many successful freelancers, bloggers, and e-commerce entrepreneurs learned marketing by doing, testing real campaigns, and learning from failures—not by sitting in a classroom.

The Key Hands-On Digital Marketing Skills That Matter

If you want to learn digital marketing online and apply it to your side hustle, focus on these high-impact skills:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Every business wants to rank on Google. Learning SEO allows you to:
✔️ Rank websites higher in search engines.
✔️ Drive free organic traffic.
✔️ Master keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building.

✅ Best Practical SEO Learning Resources:

  • CXL.com (Advanced SEO strategies)
  • Ahrefs Academy (Free SEO training)
  • Moz SEO Guide (Beginner-friendly SEO resources)

2. Content Marketing & Copywriting

Content drives engagement, builds trust, and converts visitors into customers.
✔️ Learn how to write engaging blog posts, emails, and landing pages.
✔️ Understand storytelling and persuasive writing techniques.
✔️ Master content distribution via social media and email marketing.

✅ Best Practical Content Marketing Courses:

  • CXL.com (Content marketing frameworks)
  • Copyhackers (Conversion copywriting)
  • HubSpot Academy (Free content marketing course)

3. PPC Advertising (Google Ads & Facebook Ads)

Paid ads are one of the fastest ways to make money online.
✔️ Learn how to set up, optimize, and scale ad campaigns.
✔️ Reduce ad costs while increasing conversions.
✔️ Target the right audience for maximum ROI.

✅ Best PPC Learning Platforms:

  • Google Skillshop (Free Google Ads training)
  • Facebook Blueprint (Free Meta Ads certification)
  • CXL.com (Advanced PPC techniques)

4. Social Media Marketing & Growth Hacking

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn can fuel business growth.
✔️ Learn how to create viral content.
✔️ Master organic and paid social media strategies.
✔️ Understand engagement metrics and audience psychology.

✅ Best Social Media Marketing Resources:

  • Hootsuite Academy (Social media certifications)
  • CXL.com (Advanced social media marketing)

5. Email Marketing & Conversion Optimization

Email marketing remains one of the highest ROI channels.
✔️ Learn how to build and segment email lists.
✔️ Write high-converting email sequences.
✔️ Optimize conversion rates using A/B testing.

✅ Best Email Marketing Courses:

  • CXL.com (Advanced email marketing)
  • Mailchimp Academy (Free email training)

6. Data-Driven Marketing & Analytics

Every marketer needs data analysis skills to measure campaign success.
✔️ Use Google Analytics to track performance.
✔️ A/B test landing pages to improve conversions.
✔️ Analyze data to make informed marketing decisions.

✅ Best Data & Analytics Courses:

  • Google Analytics Academy (Free training)
  • CXL.com (Data-driven marketing strategies)

Why Top Marketers Recommend Learning by Doing

Some of the world’s best digital marketers didn’t start with degrees—they started with practical experience.

🚀 Neil Patel (SEO & Content Marketing Expert) → Learned SEO by testing websites, not through university courses.
🚀 Gary Vaynerchuk (Social Media Marketing Guru) → Built his personal brand by experimenting with content.
🚀 Russell Brunson (Funnel & Conversion Expert) → Mastered digital marketing by launching online businesses.

The best way to learn digital marketing is by doing it—running test campaigns, optimizing websites, and learning from real-world challenges.

The Fastest Path to Digital Marketing Success

If you’re a side hustler, freelancer, or entrepreneur, spending years on a digital marketing degree online might not be the best use of time and money. Instead, focus on practical, hands-on skills that allow you to start earning faster.

In the next section, we’ll explore the best online courses for learning digital marketing the right way—including why CXL.com is one of the top recommended platforms.

👉 Up Next: Section 3 – The Best Digital Marketing Courses for Side Hustlers

The Best Digital Marketing Courses for Side Hustlers (Why CXL.com Stands Out)

If you’re serious about building a profitable side hustle with digital marketing, choosing the right course is crucial. Unlike a digital marketing degree online, which takes years to complete and focuses heavily on theory, hands-on courses provide practical, job-ready skills that can help you start earning in just a few months.

Among the many online platforms available, CXL.com stands out as one of the best digital marketing courses for serious learners. It’s not just another online marketing program—it’s designed by industry experts who have successfully run real-world campaigns. But what makes it so special, and why should side hustlers choose it over a traditional degree? Let’s find out.

What Makes CXL.com Courses Different?

CXL.com is not your average e-learning platform. Unlike many beginner-friendly digital marketing courses, CXL is designed for professionals who want advanced, results-driven skills. It’s perfect for those who want to skip the fluff and get straight into high-impact marketing techniques.

Here’s why CXL.com is a top choice for side hustlers:

✅ 1. Expert-Led Training (Learn from Real-World Industry Leaders)
Most online courses are taught by generic instructors with limited real-world experience. But CXL.com brings in industry experts—people who have worked at top companies like HubSpot, Shopify, and Google.

These are professionals who actually run million-dollar ad campaigns, optimize websites for massive traffic, and scale businesses using data-driven marketing. When you learn from them, you’re not getting textbook knowledge—you’re learning exactly what works in today’s market.

✅ 2. Hands-On, No-Fluff Learning (Learn by Doing)
CXL isn’t about passive learning. Unlike a digital marketing degree online, which often involves reading outdated textbooks, CXL courses focus on practical application.

Each course includes:
✔️ Real-world case studies (Learn from actual business campaigns).
✔️ Interactive exercises (Apply what you learn immediately).
✔️ Projects & assignments (Build a portfolio of work).

This is essential for side hustlers who need to implement strategies quickly rather than spend years studying theory.

✅ 3. Fast-Tracked Learning (Job-Ready Skills in Months, Not Years)
One of the biggest drawbacks of a digital marketing degree online is that it takes 3-4 years to complete. But with CXL.com courses, you can master high-income marketing skills in just a few months.

Since side hustlers need to start earning quickly, this makes CXL an ideal choice. You can finish a course, start freelancing, and land your first client faster than if you had taken a university program.

✅ 4. Data-Driven Marketing Strategies (Not Just Theory)
CXL.com focuses heavily on data-driven marketing—which is exactly what clients and businesses care about. Their courses teach you how to:
✔️ Use Google Analytics to track and improve marketing performance.
✔️ Run A/B tests to increase conversions.
✔️ Optimize landing pages to generate more leads and sales.

This kind of real-world, numbers-driven marketing is what separates successful digital marketers from amateurs.

Top CXL.com Courses Recommended for Side Hustlers

CXL offers a wide range of marketing courses, but which ones are the best for side hustlers? Here are the top three picks that will help you start and scale your online business fast:

🚀 1. Growth Marketing Mini-Degree (Best for Freelancers & Entrepreneurs)

🔹 Who it’s for: Side hustlers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to master the full spectrum of digital marketing.
🔹 What you’ll learn:
✔️ Growth hacking techniques to scale a business fast.
✔️ SEO, paid ads, email marketing, and social media strategies.
✔️ How to generate leads and increase conversions.

🔥 Why it’s great for side hustlers: This course teaches everything you need to start a profitable online business—whether you’re running a blog, offering marketing services, or launching an e-commerce store.

🎯 2. Conversion Optimization Course (Boost Website Sales & Revenue)

🔹 Who it’s for: Anyone running an online business (bloggers, affiliate marketers, e-commerce store owners).
🔹 What you’ll learn:
✔️ How to increase conversion rates on websites and sales funnels.
✔️ Advanced A/B testing strategies to improve sales performance.
✔️ How to design landing pages that convert more visitors into customers.

🔥 Why it’s great for side hustlers: If you want to increase your sales without spending more on ads, this course is a game-changer.

📈 3. Paid Media & PPC Course (Mastering Facebook & Google Ads)

🔹 Who it’s for: Freelancers, business owners, or marketers who want to run profitable ad campaigns.
🔹 What you’ll learn:
✔️ How to run high-ROI Facebook and Google Ads campaigns.
✔️ How to optimize ad spend and lower cost-per-click.
✔️ Advanced retargeting strategies for better conversions.

🔥 Why it’s great for side hustlers: If you want to make money as a freelance media buyer or run profitable ads for your own business, this course is one of the best investments you can make.

Conclusion:

The Smart Choice for Side Hustlers – CXL Over a Degree?

After comparing a digital marketing degree online with practical courses like CXL.com, one thing is clear:

👉 If you want a traditional corporate career, a degree might be useful.
👉 But if you want to start a profitable side hustle, freelancing career, or online business—CXL.com is the smarter choice.

Why CXL.com Courses Are Better for Side Hustlers

✅ Faster learning: Get job-ready skills in months, not years.
✅ Hands-on training: Work on real-world projects instead of just theory.
✅ Expert-led: Learn from marketing leaders, not general instructors.
✅ High-income skills: Master SEO, PPC, conversion optimization, and more.

Ready to Start Your Digital Marketing Journey?

If you want to learn digital marketing fast and start making money as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or marketer, CXL.com offers some of the best digital marketing courses available today.

🚀 Take the first step today: Explore CXL.com Courses

By choosing practical skills over a digital marketing degree online, you’ll fast-track your success, land more clients, and build a profitable side hustle faster than you ever thought possible.

💡 Your future in digital marketing starts now—are you ready to take action? 🚀