In the current business landscape, customer-centricity is more than just a trend, it's a necessity. To truly shine in this area, customer success training and certification is key. Let's delve into the best customer success certifications available to help you thrive in your role as a Customer Success Manager (CSM). Each certification will help you understand the customer's perspective, manage tasks effectively, and boost retention rates.

What is Customer Success Manager Certification?

A Customer Success Manager certification is a professional qualification that provides in-depth training on the strategies, tools, and methodologies essential for various customer service roles. The benefits of gaining a professional certification in customer success are numerous.

1. Skills Enhancement: Learn the necessary skills to build a successful career as a Customer Success Manager.
2. Practical Expertise: Gain hands-on techniques to tackle challenging situations.
3. Role Understanding: Get a comprehensive understanding of a CSM's responsibilities.
4. Profile Differentiation: Highlight your certification on your resume to set you apart from other candidates.
5. Employability: Demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the skills to excel in complex customer service environments.
6. Professional Development: Show your dedication to professional growth, thus increasing job opportunities.
7. Critical Thinking: Develop critical thinking skills, positioning yourself as a strategic employee, enhancing your chances of promotions and higher remuneration.

11 Top Customer Success Certifications

Here's a roundup of some of the best customer service certifications to boost your resume and enhance your skills.

1. Certified Customer Success Manager (CCSM) by SuccessCOACHING

The CCSM certification is perfect for anyone looking to establish or advance their career in customer success management. The program offers extensive training with insights into a CSM’s core competencies. The four levels of this program focus on engaging, managing and retaining customers, handling multiple customer accounts, developing skills for senior managerial roles, and driving customer account expansion.

2. Inbound Marketing Certification Course by HubSpot Academy

The inbound marketing certification course by HubSpot Academy helps you understand inbound marketing tactics comprehensively. It aids you in identifying new prospects, engaging with them, understanding their needs, and guiding them forward.

3. Customer Success Training Program by TriTurns

This globally recognized 100% online course offers essential skills to fast-track your customer success career. The program teaches various operational and tactical skills to be effective in your customer success role.

4. Customer Success Foundations by Aspireship

Aspireship's program helps individuals from other sectors transition to a rewarding career in tech. This 20-hour course can be completed in four weeks or less.

5. Certified Customer Success Management Professional (CCSMP) from PracticalCSM

The CCSMP is a practical training program teaching techniques and strategies to improve efficiency and productivity as a CSM.

6. Customer Success Manager Certification from Cisco

Cisco's certification provides a solid framework and core skills to help improve customer relationships and deliver immediate value to them. The Cisco Customer Success Manager (DTCSM) v2.2 course can help you prepare for the certification examination.

7. Customer Success Certification from The Success League

The success certification program from The Success League includes 15 online classes taught by experienced customer success managers.

8. CustomerSuccessBox 101 Training for CSMs

In this course, you will learn how to use CustomerSuccessBox effectively as a CSM.

9. PracticalCSM’s Certified Customer Success Management Professional (CCSMP) Customer Success Certification

Managed by Rick Adams, The CCSMP is a high-value practical training program. This certification answers most of your questions such as the what, why, and how of customer success.

10. Customer Success | How to Understand Your Customers

Created by Chuck Wall, this course is designed for beginners that helps you understand customers better.

11. Success League’s CSM Certification Program – 15 Classes

With The Success League’s CSM certification program, you'll have everything you need to grow as a CSM successfully.

Preparing for a Customer Success Certification: The Essential Tips

1. Be Informed: Understand the certification requirements to decide whether it aligns with your career goals.
2. Be Prepared: Review the related course materials to improve your chances of passing the examination.
3. Understand the Examination Pattern: Knowing the style of questions, examination pattern, and duration will aid in your preparation.
4. Familiarize Yourself with the Test Environment: Understanding more about the test environment helps reduce exam anxiety and prevent mistakes.
5. Take Practice Tests: Mock exams will boost your confidence and help you successfully complete the certification exam.

Conclusion

Customer success is a dynamic field that requires continuous learning. The right certification can give you an edge in the industry, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to excel. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, investing in a customer success certification can open new avenues for career growth and personal development.