How to Take Free Small Business Courses Online
Ins and Outs of Starting, Funding, Managing, and Growing a Business
Mar 6, 2009
Many people would like to strike out on their own and start a small business. Whether a consulting business, hair salon, dry cleaning business, franchise, or deli, the American dream of owning a business is alive and well despite poor economic conditions.
Starting a small business is exciting, yet not without its challenges. Of the numerous considerations staring in the face of the entrepreneur is how to obtain loans and financing, how to write a business plan, and how to understand federal tax requirements.
Fortunately, help can be found at the click of a mouse. And best of all, it's totally free.
Free Online Business Courses from the SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an extremely useful resource for the entrepreneur. The SBA offers numerous free online courses designed to ensure the success of any small business. Targeted course modules include
- Starting a Business
- Business Management
- Financing and Accounting
- Business Survival in a Down Economy
- Marketing and Advertising
- Government Contracting
- Business Planning
- International Trade
- E-commerce
- Federal Tax Training
Registration with a valid e-mail account is required to take free online SBA business courses. Entrepreneurs can also view business courses by new or most popular. Instructions are provided in Spanish as well as English.
Free Online Business Courses from My Own Business
My Own Business is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed in their small businesses.
The entire website is an online business course with such features as small business checklists, top do’s and don’ts, video and audio advice from business professionals, sample templates and business plans, and quizzes. Business courses include
- The Business Plan
- Evaluating Business Potential
- Business Organization
- How to Finance the Small Business
- Permits and Licensing
- Buying a Business or Franchise
- Business Insurance
- Accounting and Cash Flow
- Location and Leasing
Additionally, My Own Business offers a 276-page business course textbook and an online certificate business course option (fees apply).
Free Online Business Courses from Trump University
The infamous Donald Trump of “You’re Fired!” fame has created Trump University.com, an information-packed website whose mission is to teach success to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Trump University’s Be a Successful Entrepreneur page features numerous online business courses. While the majority of the courses require formal application and fees, some are listed as being free of charge. Free business courses include Write a Business Plan and Startup Funding.
Industry-Specific Free Online Business Courses
A brief search on the web may reveal additional industry-specific free online business courses. For example, the website LawnCareDirectory.com is specifically devoted to helping entrepreneurs start a lawn care business.
LawnCareDirectory.com features a free lawn care business course, a lawn care business kit, lawn care resources, and lawn care business forms and letters. Resources for lawn and property owners include lawn care quotes, local lawn care professionals, and lawn care ideas.
Free online business courses are highly useful for entrepreneurs. Taking these business courses costs entrepreneurs nothing, yet the wide-ranging information on the do’s and don’ts of starting a small business arms entrepreneurs with the business knowledge they need to succeed.
See related articles, "How to Finance a Small Business With an SBA Loan," "Small Business Ideas," and "How to Start a Business."
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