Tools for Creating Impressive Certificates

By: Rachel Kolman January 5, 2023
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The online course space is getting crowded. With so many options, it can be difficult for learners to decide where to pursue their learning.

When it comes to offering an online course, you’ll need to separate from the pack with some distinction. One way to differentiate yourself from the market is by getting formal accreditation in your industry. Another way to stand out is to offer a certificate of completion.

Certificates are a common way for people to demonstrate that they have completed training. And the truth is  – people like certificates! The public acknowledgment of completion can be a huge driving factor. 

Let’s explore the benefits of offering certificates for your courses and how to easily create and incorporate a certificate into your course. 

The benefits of offering certification for your course

Not only can a certificate offer you a competitive advantage, but you can also use it as an advertising factor. Lead with the fact that learners will receive official certification after completion to drive sales. 

It’s also an incentive to completing your course. Knowing there is tangible proof and verification of your completion can compel learners to finish. Pair a certificate with some gamification, and you could see high engagement numbers as learners fly through your online course to earn their achievement. 

A certificate is also a piece of social proof of competence and credibility. Folks like collecting and showcasing certificates because it helps promote their skills. It can create faith and trust from employers who are looking to hire those certified skills. 

Plus, the social sharing of certificates works as free advertising for your course. When other folks see an official certificate, it’ll bolster their trust and drive their curiosity. 

Ready to incorporate a certificate into your course? Here are a few tools to get you started.

Tools for Creating Impressive Learning Certificates

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop still remains one of the most popular tools for creating unique graphics and images online. You’ll only need to know the basics to create a certificate, so it’s a good option if you already are familiar with the software. Plus, there are free templates from marketplaces to inspire ideas and speed up the process.

Canva

The increasingly popular Canva is a fan favorite for any of your DIY graphic needs.  This free drag-and-drop tool will allow you to create visually attractive (even impressive) certificates for your course in just a few minutes. You can sign-up for a free account and begin designing.

Google Slides

You might not have known that Google Slides has a standard Student Certificate template that’s free to download and customize. Just click “Use Template” and customize the fields for the learner. This option features the least amount of customization, but it’s a quick and easy solution in a pinch.

LearnDash Certificate Builder

If you’re building a course in LearnDash, why not use our Certificate Builder to issue official certificates to learners who complete your courses? The LearnDash certificate builder is the easiest and quickest way to build your certificates using a drag-and-drop builder through the standard WordPress Gutenberg editor. You can live preview your changes as if they were on a real certificate. Plus, there’s an RTL mode for compatibility, and certificates are backward compatible so that your existing certificates will not be impacted.

Certificates Can Help

Certificates are a piece of your course that learners can take with them. Promote a sense of accomplishment and let your course stand out with a professional LearnDash certificate in your next course. 

Ready to try it out? Give it a go in our demo.

Rachel Kolman

Rachel Kolman has over 10 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of clients and brands. She is passionate about education, social change, pop culture, and video games. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and two cats.