Best Free Online Courses For Small Business Owners

When you run a small business or startup, you may feel like you need to be great at sales, marketing, finance, and customer service, right? You’re not alone. As a small and medium-sized business (SMB) owner, you have to manage multiple jobs. That’s why it’s so important to keep learning, so your business can keep growing. And, the good news is that you can get free online courses (for small business owners) on demand, whenever you carve out time to learn. 

It’s overwhelming out there, and it can be difficult to know which resources are right for your small business or startup. This guide will help you find practical, effective, and most importantly, free courses that will help you upskill and grow your business. 

What you’ll learn:

• Benefits of free online courses for small business owners
• Top free online learning platforms for small business 
• Best free courses for small business owners
• How to make the most of free courses
• Grow your small business with the right tools

Benefits of free online courses for small business owners

Online courses give you the flexibility to learn new skills without interrupting your daily work. You can build expertise, solve challenges, and discover strategies to keep your business running smoothly. Here’s why these courses are a great choice for growth:

Build skills on a budget

You can explore different business areas, like marketing or online sales, without stretching your budget. Think of it as a chance to try out ideas risk-free and see what clicks for you.

Learn on your own schedule

Most free courses let you learn at your own pace. Whether you grab a quick lesson over lunch or go deeper after hours, you’re in control. You can even come back to lessons whenever you need a refresher.

Reduce the need for outside help

The more you know, the more you can do on your own. Learning new skills means you don’t always have to bring in outside help for tasks like email marketing or data analysis. It’s a way to save money and keep things under your control.

Stay up to date on what’s new

Keep up with the latest trends and tools, like changes in digital marketing or new customer tools. Staying updated gives you a competitive edge, so your business doesn’t fall behind.

Top free online learning platforms for small business 

There are several online platforms that can help you build new skills and grow your small business. If you’re not sure where to start or what each platform has to offer, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here are the best free online learning platforms you can get for your SMB:

• Trailhead: Trailhead by Salesforce is a free learning platform that offers short, engaging lessons in a fun, game-like format. As you work through topics like marketing and customer service, you earn badges and points to track your progress. Trailhead is self-paced, so you can learn whenever it’s convenient, making it ideal for anyone balancing a busy schedule.

• Coursera: Coursera provides high-quality courses created by top universities and organizations. Many of these courses are free, giving you access to high-quality content created by industry experts. With Coursera, you can deepen your understanding of topics like business strategy or digital marketing.

• edX: edX is great if you’re looking for more academic courses. It offers free courses from top universities around the world, covering everything from entrepreneurship to finance. Most of the courses are free, but you also have the option to earn certificates for a small fee.

• Udemy: Udemy is a flexible platform with a wide range of short, practical courses on small business skills. While not all courses are free, there are many valuable ones that don’t cost a thing. Udemy’s lessons are ideal for picking up new skills quickly and easily.

• Google Applied Digital Skills: Google Applied Digital Skills is a free platform that teaches you practical digital skills through step-by-step projects. Each lesson is focused on real tasks, like budgeting, tracking expenses, or creating a marketing plan, using Google’s tools like Docs and Sheets.

Best free courses for small business owners

Picking the right skills to grow your small business can be tough. With so many options, it’s important to focus on what will really help. Here are eight key areas for small businesses, along with free courses to help you build skills that can drive growth.

1. Build your business fundamentals

Knowing where your money is going, planning ahead, and having clear goals can make a big difference in your growth. When the basics are in place, you can avoid making costly mistakes and scale your business with confidence.  

Here are some free courses to help you build that solid foundation.

• “Build Your Business Skills” on Trailhead – Build the essential business skills you need to connect with customers and grow your business. You’ll learn how to manage your business effectively, build relationships, and make smarter decisions.

• “Foundations of Business Strategy” on Coursera – This course helps you create a strong business plan by understanding your competition and the market. You’ll also discover how to make better decisions by looking at your business’s strengths and weaknesses.

2. Effective marketing and sales techniques for your SMB

The right marketing strategies help you find the right people, and strong sales techniques make it easier to close deals. With things constantly changing, it’s important to keep up with the latest tools and strategies to grow your business and stay ahead of your competitors.

If you want to get started with marketing and sales, these free courses will help you.

• “Transform Your Business with Sales Operations” on Trailhead — Discover the tools and best practices to streamline your sales operations. By the end, you’ll have the skills to refine your sales strategy and achieve measurable results.

• “EdinburghX: Digital Marketing Strategy” on edX — Gain practical skills to identify opportunities, create customer personas, and develop a tailored strategy. You’ll also learn how to better understand your customers and outperform your competitors.

3. Maximize online sales

Boosting your online sales can really help your small business grow. With the right ecommerce setup, you can reach more customers, convert them into buyers, and stay ahead of the competition. A solid strategy helps you make the most of your website traffic and creates a smooth experience for your customers.

Here are some free courses that can guide you in boosting your online sales.

• “Explore Commerce Strategies” on Trailhead — Discover the latest trends in ecommerce and learn the tools and strategies needed for success. You’ll develop skills in system design, graphics creation, data management, quality assurance, and specialized sales.

• “Build Your Online Business” on Google Applied Digital Skills – This course provides a step-by-step guide to creating a website and setting up an online store. You’ll get the practical skills needed to establish and grow your online presence.

4. Use AI to streamline your work

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just for tech giants. AI for small businesses is real, and it’s here. According to a Salesforce report, 71% of SMB marketing teams say they have a fully defined AI strategy. You can now use AI to automate tasks, understand customer preferences, and personalize services. Learning how to use AI for your small business can save you time and improve how you connect with customers.

AI is everywhere today, and it can be tough to know what’s relevant for you. These free courses can guide you through it.

• “Gain The AI Skills You Need To Succeed” on Trailhead — Get familiar with AI fundamentals and best practices. Discover how to use AI effectively and choose the right large language model (LLM). You’ll build skills in generative and predictive AI, data governance, and business intelligence.

• “AI for Business: Generation & Prediction” on Coursera — Identify various generative AI models and their advantages. Develop strategies for integrating generative AI into business operations and understand its practical applications in real-world scenarios.

5. Get started with CRM

A customer relationship management (CRM) helps you stay organized by keeping all your customer info in one place. It tracks conversations, reminders, and follow-ups so you don’t miss out on anything. CRM for small businesses doesn’t have to be costly or complex. Today, you can get started with simple, easy-to-use tools that can grow with your business. 

If you’re curious how AI and CRM can work together to transform your business, these free courses can provide the insights you need.

• “Make CRM + AI + Data Your Trusted Formula” on Trailhead — Learn how to use CRM tools, AI, and data to make smart choices, automate tasks, and create reliable solutions. Build skills in app development, customer service, digital marketing, and sales management.

• “Why and how to use a CRM for a small company” on Udemy — Learn what makes a good CRM system and the common mistakes to avoid. Discover how to use CRM for finding new customers, improving customer service, and driving sales growth.

6. Deliver “above and beyond” customer service

For a startup or small business, great customer service is everything. In fact, 83% SMB marketers agree that customer experience is the key competitive differentiator. It’s what brings people back and gets them talking about you. So, it’s important to develop skills to help you build stronger relationships and create loyal customers.

Here are a few courses that will give you the tools and techniques to handle customer inquiries and resolve issues faster.

• “Build Your Customer Service Management Toolkit” on Trailhead — Become an expert in effective customer service practices, from coaching agents to using the latest technology. You’ll gain insights into improving processes, motivating your team, and managing customer accounts.

• “Customer Support Skills” on Udemy — Improve your customer support abilities with in-depth training. Learn key customer service techniques to write better emails and handle tough conversations confidently.

7. Improve productivity with project management

Managing projects alone can often be challenging for small business owners. From deadlines to team coordination, it’s easy to miss something important. But with the right project management skills, you can get your tasks done on time and within budget.

When you’re organized, you can handle more work without the pressure. These free courses can help you increase your productivity and efficiency.

• “Learn Project Management Essentials from Walden University” on Trailhead — Explore essential project management methodologies and best practices. This course from Walden University will help you build skills in scheduling and business intelligence.

• “Project Management Essentials” on Coursera — Improve communication with your team and clients. Strengthen your leadership skills and create clear project plans. You’ll also learn to select the right project management tools for your needs.

8. Understand data for decision-making

Data helps you make smarter and faster decisions. But, it can be tricky to know where to begin — like figuring out which data is useful, how to interpret it, and how to apply it effectively. Without clear data, decisions often rely on guesswork. This can lead to missed opportunities, inefficient spending, and limited growth.

To make sense of your data and use it to drive better decisions, check out these free courses.

• “Build Your Data Literacy” on Trailhead — Use data to make smarter decisions and grow your business. Learn how to understand, explore, and share data clearly. Build skills in analysis, visualization, and data management to help your business succeed.

• “IBM: Data Analytics Basics for Everyone” on edX — Learn the basics of data analytics and how data works. Understand the steps in analyzing data and how to use it to make smart decisions.

How to make the most of free courses

Online learning is productive when you go in with a plan. Think about what skills would help your business the most right now, whether that’s learning more about small business marketing or understanding CRM benefits. Having a specific goal will keep you motivated and make learning feel more purposeful.

Try to make learning a small but steady habit. Even just 15–20 minutes a few times a week can make a difference without taking much time from your business. Remember that you don’t have to know everything at once. Focus on the parts that feel most relevant and useful to your business. Take notes, bookmark useful sections, and save resources that you can come back to later.

Most importantly, put what you learn into action. You’ll see results only if you apply a new strategy, tool, or new AI solution. It might seem like a big task at first, but starting small and trying one feature at a time can lead to significant improvements.

Grow your small business with the right tools

As a small business owner, it’s great that you’re eager to learn and grow. There are plenty of free courses available to help you sharpen your skills. While continuous learning is essential, there’s only so much you can do on your own when running a small business, especially with limited time and resources.

Once you apply the skills you’ve learned, Salesforce Starter can support your efforts by simplifying your sales, service, marketing, and commerce with an all-in-one CRM. It’s quick to set up and easy to use, so you can start seeing results right away. With Starter, you can convert your learnings into real results. Try it for free today and drive your small business to success.