Digital, Creative & Business
Digital Marketing & Online Business
Run marketing campaigns and small online businesses that actually convert.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Digital marketing strategy and audiences |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Social media content and community growth |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Paid advertising basics and budgets |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | SEO, websites and online visibility |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Online selling, payments and customer service |
Module breakdown
- 1
Digital marketing strategy and audiences
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for digital marketing strategy and audiences and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind digital marketing strategy and audiences
- Step-by-step methods and templates for digital marketing strategy and audiences
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in digital marketing strategy and audiences, and how to avoid them
- Applying digital marketing strategy and audiences in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying digital marketing strategy and audiences to a local scenario.
- 2
Social media content and community growth
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for social media content and community growth in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for social media content and community growth
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in social media content and community growth, and how to avoid them
- Applying social media content and community growth in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to social media content and community growth.
- 3
Paid advertising basics and budgets
Weeks 5–6Practise paid advertising basics and budgets on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in paid advertising basics and budgets, and how to avoid them
- Applying paid advertising basics and budgets in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your paid advertising basics and budgets work
Assessed work: Group simulation using paid advertising basics and budgets under time pressure.
- 4
SEO, websites and online visibility
Weeks 7–8Turn SEO, websites and online visibility into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying SEO, websites and online visibility in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your SEO, websites and online visibility work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind SEO, websites and online visibility
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use SEO, websites and online visibility in your role.
- 5
Online selling, payments and customer service
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own online selling, payments and customer service work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your online selling, payments and customer service work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind online selling, payments and customer service
- Step-by-step methods and templates for online selling, payments and customer service
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering online selling, payments and customer service.
Who this course is for
- • Learners, freelancers and small business owners who want practical, job-ready digital skills.
- • Programme, project and community staff who need structured, practical training.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Run a live campaign and report on its results.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Practice files and design or campaign briefs for each tool covered.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Plan and run a paid and organic campaign
- Grow an audience with a content calendar
- Set up and manage an online storefront
Practical component
Run a live campaign and report on its results.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Digital Marketing & Online Business?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.