8 Online Business Courses That’ll Bolster Your Business

Launch Your Online Business in Just 7 Days

Anytime you decide to learn a new skill or improve yourself is a definite step in the right direction.

Not only are you investing in yourself, but you’re also essentially investing in your business as well.

Online business courses should be on your to-do list especially if you’re an entrepreneur.

With an abundance of great courses at your disposal (paid and free) think of the internet as your worldwide virtual classroom with you being a universal scholar.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 8 online business courses that will help you to run your business like a boss.

Class in Session!

1. Why are Online Business Courses Important?

As an entrepreneur, your start-up days come with a massive learning curve.

From complete rookie to Harvard graduate, running a business will always throw new challenges and problems your way.

These challenges can easily be overcome by upskilling yourself with an online business course.

This will help you to recalibrate your processes, assess your current state, and ensure that you’re armed with the knowledge you’ll need to grow a flourishing business.

2. Online Business Course Benefits

2.1. Convenience and Flexibility

Thanks to the world wide web, online learning can take place anywhere.

You’re able to complete your course and assignments when and where you want to and, at your own pace.

2.2. Lower Costs

Virtual schools are far cheaper than traditional learning institutions.

having little to no overheads means that costs are kept to a minimum.

2.3. Skill specific

The beauty of online learning is that you can gain a new skill without having to complete a lengthy course.

As an entrepreneur who wants to learn a skill, for example, SEO optimization, there are loads of free courses to choose from.

Short courses are great when you’re in a pinch for time.

2.4. Online Study Tools

The internet provides a multitude of study apps regardless of what you are learning.

Text-to-speech, read aloud, grammar checkers, and other tools such as algorithm testing and simple highlighting apps, makes learning new concepts and ideas a walk in the park.

2.5. Networking

Online courses can also be like having a connection to an international arena.

You have the opportunity to meet, communicate, and engage with like-minded business folks who can potentially provide you with exceptional learning experiences.

The ability to share ideas, learn from experiences of others, and to collaborate creates a lasting bond between professionals.

3. What’s the difference between paid and free courses?

It was Elon Musk that said college is "not for learning" and that you could basically learn anything you want to for free.

It all comes down to you. If you’re wanting to become a lawyer you’ll need certain qualifications from reputable law schools.

You’ll also pay a pretty penny for your tuition which ensures that you’ll get your “papers” after graduation. A requirement if you want to practice law.

If you’re an online entrepreneur, wanting to learn how SEO works, a free course is going to help you learn that specific skill so that you’ll be able to apply it to your business.

The critical outcome of the learning takes place when you execute the desired skill.

So, the two scenarios are quite vast but ring true.

Yes, there are great online business courses that will cost you money and will provide you with accreditation. That’s fine if you need it.

On the other hand, there are loads of free courses that can teach you whatever you need to know, with the only major difference being the lack of authority certification at the end of the course.

4. What Online Business Courses are out there?

The internet is peppered with online business courses.

Where to go and which course to choose depends largely on the skill you wish to acquire, your timeline, and your budget.

From paid to free you’ll find some of the best courses specifically aimed at entrepreneurs on platforms and apps such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Coursera, and EDX, to name but a few.

Certification after learning is not always guaranteed so If you’re looking at attaining something more credible, try courses that are run online by universities.

Harvard has jumped on the online tuition bandwagon and offers great online business courses.

To help you along your learning journey, take a look at the top 8 online business courses specifically aimed at entrepreneurs.

4.1. An entire MBA in 1 Course

Offered by Udemy this eight-hour course is ideal if you don’t have the time or money to go back to school for a full MBA.

Led by award-winning professor Chris Haroun this course is a top seller on Udemy and promises to cover “only practical concepts that you can use and no boring theory.”

4.2. Digital Marketing Strategy

This 5-day course, led by Nicole Ames will teach you strategies you’ll need to stay profitable, relevant, responsible, and competitive in today’s high pressure environment.

This very engaging and highly interactive online program promises to teach you a proven framework for designing, implementing, and managing a successful digital marketing strategy.

This course is brought to you by Harvard University with a set start and end dates. It’s not cheap and will set you back $2850.

4.3. Digital Marketing Specialization

Master strategic marketing concepts and tools to address brand communication in the digital world.

This course is spearheaded by industry expert Aric Rindfleisch, a Professor of Marketing and the Executive Director of the University of Illinois.

This course delves deep into topics like digital marketing analytics, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and 3D Printing.

After taking this course you’ll have a better understanding of the foundations of the new digital marketing landscape.

The course promises to provide you with everything you need to help you to digitally create, distribute, promote, and price products and services.

Pricing for the course was not readily available on Coursera’s website but they do offer financial aid for those who do not have the means to pay.

4.4. Building a personal brand, by Gary Vaynerchuk

Self-made millionaire entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk has tailored this course for, “anyone who realizes that we're living in a time when anyone can form a business or brand around something they're passionate about.”

Led by CEO and founder of VaynerMedia - Gary Vaynerchuk, his two-hour course comes packed with 50 lectures and covers topics like self-awareness, discovering your passion, utilization of social media platforms, and web traffic monetization.

This course is available on Udemy and is affordable costing just $11.00.

4.5. Achieve more in less time using SMART goals

Does your business plan include a strategy that will boost your company to the next level?

If not then be sure to join educational psychologist Dr. Richard Feenstra and learn how to use the SMART technique.

SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound.

The SMART technique teaches you time management and efficiency skills that you can incorporate to achieve long-term goals.

The course is hosted by Udemy and is completely free of charge.

4.6. Master 9+ ways to become highly productive

Any business owner knows that time is an incredibly precious resource.

This short and compact course created by Productivity Learning, (powered by Udemy) will show you how to double or even triple your productivity.

Improve your time management and overall productivity by learning the value of setting goals, making lists, prioritizing, meeting deadlines, and cutting out distractions.

4.7. SEO Foundations

Instructed by David Booth, a Google Analytics and AdWords Certified Trainer, this course will set you on a one-way path to success.

It’s offered for free via LinkedIn Learning and is one of their most popular courses.

You’ll learn how to implement optimization strategies and techniques, such as conducting keyword research, internal and external links, page, and content optimization.

After taking the course you’ll also be able to measure your success and progress whilst planning a long-term SEO strategy.

As an added benefit you’ll learn specific SEO tips for e-commerce, local search, and mobile audiences to help you expand your business reach.

4.8. Steve Blank's 'How to Build a Startup'

Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement, entrepreneur-turned-educator Steve Blank teaches you how to swiftly develop and test ideas by collecting large amounts of customer and marketplace feedback.

Steve Blanks hits hard with this course and if you’re curious about understanding the how and why of startups - this is definitely up your alley.

This course can be done for free on the learning platform -Udacity and will take you roughly a month to complete.

5. Conclusion

So, getting back to the crux of the matter “Are online business courses worth it?”

After reading this I’m sure you’ll agree with me that the answer is a resounding yes!

With eight options to choose from, there’s nothing stopping you from bridging any skills gaps you might have.

Whether you enroll for a free or paid course, you’ll definitely benefit from learning from industry experts.

These courses are sure to help you take your business to the next level, no matter which aspect of your enterprise you want to launch or expand.

By staying abreast of your industry through learning you’ll be arming yourself with all of the information you need allowing you to make the best possible decisions for your business