Starting a business from the ground up is a challenge even with business education. But how can you increase your business knowledge while still being able to run your business day to day?
Online business courses are amazing ways to expand your knowledge and help support your business in the future.
From business loans to the simple structure of a working business, it can all become confusing. So, why not take an online business course to help you get started?
Below are 5 of the best online business courses (see also ‘Best Business Analyst Certifications‘) to help you improve yourself and your business.
1. Business Strategy From Wharton
If you are looking for a business course with a competitive advantage, this course from Wharton is sure to put you ahead.
The business course supplied by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is tied for the number one business course available.
However, attending the university full-time does come at a hefty price. Instead, you can complete the business strategy course online for free on the EDX platform.
Your business can gain an incredible competitive advantage without having to acquire any funding.
You will study important business ideas regarding how to position yourself against competitors and communicate the value of your product or service.
You may already be aware of the reasons why clients should choose your company, but after completing this course, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to translate that knowledge into an action plan that offers your company a competitive edge.
Pros
- Topics. Learn about topics such as value proposition, and strategic positioning, and test new strategies that may work for your business.
- Price. The online course is free on the EDX platform. However, there is an option $199 fee for a course completion certification.
- Lecturers. Taught by professors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and gain from their knowledge and experiences.
Cons
- Course level. This course is an intermediate level course and requires a basic knowledge of business before attending.
2. SBA Business Legal Requirements
Starting your business and having no idea where to start? This course by the SBA is a crash course that introduces the concepts of business registration, taxes, and gaining the correct licenses for operating.
This course is taught through a 16-part video with each video lasting around 3 minutes long. The videos are created for those who do not have a strong knowledge of business and make them easy to understand.
Taking around 20 minutes to complete this course is great for beginners or those needing a refresh on certain topics. You could complete the entire course on your lunch break!
There is also no one better to learn about business from than the US Small Business Association.
Pros
- Time. A set of 16 videos lasting around 3 minutes makes this course quick and simple to follow. In 20 minutes you can expand your knowledge of basic business concepts.
- Price. This course is completely free for anyone to participate in and offers a good foundation for starting your own business.
- No Registration. There is no registration for this course. Simply find their website and begin when you have a spare 20 minutes. ‘
Cons
- Additional Reading. The courses are not extremely in-depth meaning additional reading will be required to gain a deeper understanding of certain topics.
- Support. As there is no one physically teaching the course there is limited support when a topic seems confusing or hard to understand.
3. Harvard Leading With Finance
If you are looking to take your business to new heights in terms of its finances, then this online course may be the one for you.
This course takes place over 6 weeks and covers topics such as financial analysis, capital markets, valuation, and finance versus accounting.
Because it addresses financial concepts that give important decision-makers more power and is taught at one of the top business schools in the world, this course stands out as a fantastic option.
You will be learning from some of the top people in the field of finance and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Not to mention it will look excellent on funding applications and your LinkedIn profile to say you have completed a course at Harvard Business School.
However, this course is rather expensive and is only offered on a limited number of dates. It may be difficult to improve your business while also taking the Leading with Finances course at Harvard.
Pros
- Materials. You will partake in lectures, quizzes, exercises, and a large project in order to complete the course.
- Reputation. Learning at one of the top universities in the world will give you a competitive edge when applying for funding or other career roles.
- Professors. You will be learning from some of the leading industry professionals.
Cons
- Price. This course has an expensive registration fee that may not be affordable for everyone.
- Application. You must complete an application and be accepted in order to complete the course online.
4. MIT Introduction To Financial And Managerial Accounting
Running your business for profit but not seeing the results you want? This course from MIT will help you better understand your business’s financials and accounts in order to help you make a larger profit.
Complete this online course for free at the MIT Sloan School of Management. The Sloan school is ranked as the fifth best business school and you could be learning from some of the best in the industry.
Understanding your accounts is something you might often put off or even hire someone else to do the job. This course is targeted at business owners, not accountants.
Once you complete the course you will understand bookkeeping (see also ‘Is A Bookkeeping Certificate Worth It?‘) and how to use accounting reports to your advantage.
You will learn from a range of materials including lecture notes, exams, and course assignments. However, this material will be from a recording in 2004 which may need updating.
Pros
- Price. This course is completely free and can be taken in your time so as not to be overwhelming.
- Materials. Learn how businesses’ finances and accounts really work from a range of resources.
- Topics. Learn about a range of topics including how to use bookkeeping and accounting reports to better your business.
Cons
- Outdated. While the materials are of high quality and useful, they were recorded in 2004 and may be outdated for today’s procedures.
- Time. To complete the entire course takes a significant amount of time and effort which can be difficult for someone running their own business.
5. University Of Maryland Fundamentals Of Digital Marketing
As technology continues to become the most important form of marketing and ensures the success of your business, the University of Maryland has developed a course that helps you better understand how to use digital marketing for your business.
Increasing your business’s presence online is no easy task, so taking a course that focuses on digital marketing could be highly beneficial.
This course, which covers digital marketing strategy, lead generation, marketing through mobile devices, omnichannel marketing, and other topics, is taught by a team from the University of Maryland.
Over a course of 4 weeks, you will spend 3-5 hours a week studying the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing. This is an introductory course and requires little to no previous experience or knowledge of digital marketing.
All you need is a willingness to learn.
Once you complete the course there is an optional $499 fee for a certificate or you can just tell everyone you meet about your new skills and knowledge.
We enjoy this course because it is entry-level, is taught by qualified professionals at a reputable institution, and covers a wide range of important knowledge in a brief amount of time.
You may learn the basics of online marketing from this course and walk away with the knowledge you need to put your first strategy into action.
Pros
- Price. This course is completely free with an optional fee of $499 for a certificate.
- Level. This is an introductory course and requires no knowledge of digital marketing to complete. You can leave with the knowledge of how to generate a business reputation online.
- Professors. Learn from an experienced team of staff from the University of Maryland for free.
- Time. With only 3-5 hours of studying per week over 4 weeks, there is a limited time commitment to complete the course.
Cons
- Certificate. The fee for a certificate of completion is expensive.
Buyers Guide For Online Business Courses
So you have 5 of the best online business courses on the US market but what makes them the best?
There are certain features of an online business course that you should look out for when choosing the course you will complete.
Video Hosting
As the course is online, it should be through either pre-recorded videos or a live stream of a video such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
There should be a dedicated video system organized with the platform without you having to search on YouTube or Vimeo.
While other materials will be provided, in the age of technology, video hosting is a large part of why people choose to study online.
This allows you to work at your own pace while still being supported by the lecturing staff.
If you are having to fight with your teaching platform or switch back and forth from the platform to YouTube, you may find it more beneficial to find another online course.
Materials & Topics
Often when completing an online course the materials provided have been pre-written and pre-recorded. While this is fine if you are working through the course at your own pace, it can be a hindrance when you need support on a certain topic.
A high-quality online business course will be comprehensive and provide you with the knowledge you require to improve your business.
From quizzes, case studies, exams, and even projects it is all about the skills you can develop throughout the course.
The most common form of online business courses will have pre-recorded lectures or live stream lectures for you to attend with others taking the course.
At the very least you should be provided with contact information for a professor to support you through your struggles.
In terms of topics, this is where your needs play a major role. If you are looking for financial advice, you wouldn’t sign up for a marketing course.
Each topic covered within the course should provide you with new information or build on your own knowledge.
Typically a course would last 6 weeks covering 6 topics. This means you will spend 1 week studying a particular topic.
Now, this can be overwhelming for students as it does not seem like enough time to cover a topic properly. However, as a student, you should also be completing your own reading outside of class hours.
Cost
It may feel like all courses, online or on campus will cost you your entire business to complete. However, there are a few other options.
Many Universities now offer free online courses through a range of online learning platforms.
So while it may not be taught on the official University website, the materials are produced by a professor of the school, and the certificate is provided accredited by the University.
However, many courses will have rather expensive fees for you to be awarded with a physical certificate.
Now, in the event that you are willing to invest in your online business course then there are a few options to consider.
Completing an online business course provided by a University is an expensive cost, however, it is but a fraction of the cost of attending full-time.
Payment options for online business courses include:
- Debit or Credit Cards. You can pay the University or platform directly through your debit or credit card in one payment or through a monthly payment plan.
- PayPal & Other 3rd Parties. Pay your tuition fee through PayPal by selecting Pay with PayPal when completing your enrollment.
- Tuition Assistance. If your employer is allowing you to complete the online course as a form of employee training then you may be eligible for Employer Tuition Assistance. This is where your employer will pay in full or party for you to complete the online business course.
- 529 Plan. This is a saving program that allows you and your family to help put funds towards your education. Each institution has its own rules and regulations to be followed.
Learning Platforms
The platform on which the online business course is completed is also an important factor. Some platforms may have more integral interfaces that can make them difficult to navigate.
Popular, easy-to-use learning platforms are:
- Udemy. On Udemy you can pay per course which allows you to control your funding without having to pay any monthly subscriptions or fees. There are also no deadlines allowing you to work through each course at a pace that suits you and you can really learn the materials.
- edX. edX is a non-profit online course platform that was designed and funded by Harvard and MIT to provide university-level courses online. With a range of free courses and pricing options.
- Udacity. Through the use of Nanodegrees (the name for its courses), you will learn from industry-leading companies such as Google and Microsoft. With over 200 courses available this is a great place to begin your education. However, the certificates gained are not accredited as Udacity is a private educational institution.
- Masterclass – Masterclass has some of the best courses available as well as some of the most recognizable teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Online Business Courses?
Digital lessons that cover a particular subject are called online business courses.
While some online business courses are self-directed at any time and at your own speed, others have a defined timetable and are guided by a live instructor.
Are Online Business Courses Worth It?
Depending on what you wish to learn and the course, online business courses are worth the time, money, and commitment.
Read the course syllabus to determine if a particular course is worth it to you before signing up and paying any tuition fees.
Choosing a high-quality course that is worthwhile your time can also be made easier if you stick with reputable platforms and organizations.
What Topics Are Most Useful In A Business Course?
The most beneficial business course topics are the topics:
- It will help improve your business
- You know little to nothing about it.
If you have little to no business experience or knowledge you may want to start with courses that offer a foundation of topics such as marketing, finance, accounting, and business strategy.
Final Thoughts
Online business courses are an effective way to jump-start your education or build on your knowledge of the business.
Whether you are looking to learn new skills to improve your own business or your employer has recommended taking a course to boost your skills, online courses are excellent.
With 5 of the best courses on the market above, you can select which course will provide you with the most benefits.
All from the comfort of your own home or in the office.
