Let’s face it — being a small business owner isn’t always easy. In fact, it hardly ever is. You need to effectively lead a team. You need to make big decisions that have a significant impact on the future of your business. You need to juggle dozens of responsibilities at once.
The good news is that you aren't expected to know all of this on your own.
20 best courses for small business owners
We’ve rounded up 20 of our best small business courses in the areas of finance, productivity, project management, sales and customer service, soft skills, and business tools. Some of our course recommendations below are completely free. What's more, we've included free lessons from some of the paid courses to give you a sneak peak!
Did you know? With a free business account, you can access any 10 lessons from every GoSkills course!
The best part? You don’t need to keep all of this knowledge to yourself. GoSkills makes it easy to put learning at the center of your company's culture, so you can encourage your employees and team members to try out these courses as well.
Leadership
Leadership skills are essential for inspiring teams, driving strategic decisions, and fostering a positive workplace culture that leads to business success. By mastering specific leadership skills, business owners can effectively navigate challenges, motivate employees, and achieve their organizational goals. Here are three leadership courses to get you started:
1. Leadership Training
Enhance your leadership skills and increase your employability with our online leadership course. Designed to help you develop the qualities necessary to influence, guide, and propel your career to new heights, this course explores seven key strategies for exceptional leadership that can significantly improve the quality and morale within your organization.
Free lesson on leadership with David Brownlee
Understand various leadership styles, effectively lead diverse personality types, set purpose-driven targets, and anticipate challenges. Additionally, the course covers motivational strategies to achieve cohesive teamwork and desired outcomes.
2. Deliver Effective Criticism [free course]
Enhance your leadership and project management skills with this free course, taught by communication expert TJ Walker. In just 6 short lessons, you'll learn how to use praise to soften the introduction of criticism, provide clear and focused advice, and increase your credibility as a leader.
Free lesson on delivering effective criticism with TJ Walker
This course equips you to empower colleagues, tackle challenging tasks, and improve your critique delivery through practical exercises. Start your journey towards becoming a more effective leader by mastering these essential techniques for building trust and fostering key relationships.
3. Conflict Resolution [free course]
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, but navigating it doesn't have to be scary. This free online course offers essential strategies for effective conflict resolution in 10 comprehensive lessons. Learn practical techniques for problem-solving and negotiation, handling conflicts within teams (including virtual ones), dealing with difficult personalities, and improving cultural sensitivity.
Free lesson on conflict resolution with Dan Gorgone
Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, this course will help you turn conflict into an opportunity for growth and improvement. Enhance your professional toolkit and move beyond conflicts with confidence.
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Claim your free business accountFinance
Not a numbers person? We get it. But keeping an eye on your financials is crucial for ensuring your business is healthy and strong. These courses can make that process far less intimidating:
4. Financial Basics for Small Businesses
This beginner-friendly course is designed to introduce you to critical financial tools such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, helping you navigate the challenges unique to businesses. Learn about different corporate structures, understand common tax forms and filing options, and gain insights into cost management and accounting methods.
Free lesson in Financial Basics for Small Business with Rachel Barnett
In just 11 bite-sized lessons, you’ll build the confidence to make informed financial decisions and take control of your business’s fiscal health.
5. Finance for Non-Financial Professionals
Are you great at business but hate financial jargon? This course takes you from scratching your head over balance sheets to using them as strategic tools. Learn to pinpoint profitable investments, separate necessary costs from wasteful expenses, and create budgets that make sense.
Over 16 lessons, it covers important topics such as budgeting, estimating, and interpreting financial data. Say goodbye to financial confusion and hello to confident decision-making.
6. QuickBooks Online
When it comes to bookkeeping, you’ll be hard-pressed to find software that’s more beloved than QuickBooks. However, there are still some features and elements that can be intimidating to newbies. This course is specifically designed for small to medium-sized business owners – start from scratch and level up to master features that tackle all your accounting challenges.
With 40 detailed lessons, learn how to generate and modify reports, manage customer and vendor info, record income and expenses, and even troubleshoot common errors. Say goodbye to manual accounting woes; enroll in this course and make QuickBooks your new secret weapon for business efficiency.
Project management and productivity
As a business owner, you know that time is money. These courses will help you and your employees streamline your processes and amp up your productivity so you can work smarter instead of harder.
7. Project Management Basics
If you or anyone on your team is responsible for overseeing projects, this course will help keep things on track. This 14-lesson course covers key topics from project initiation to closeout. Become adept at scope, schedule, and resource planning; plus, this course is grounded in PMBOK® Guide - Seventh Edition, providing you with globally recognized best practices.
Free lesson on the importance of project budgets with Ray Sheen
Turn small business chaos into a well-oiled machine by learning the foundations of project management with Ray Sheen, veteran business leader and Project Management Professional.
8. Time Management & Productivity
Take back your day! Learn to master goal-setting, time-blocking, and even the art of saying "no" to take control of your hectic schedule. We also dive into task and project management tools to help you organize your business more efficiently.
Free lesson on Time Management & Productivity with Dan Gorgone
The course balances professional enrichment with personal growth, so you can excel in both arenas.
9. Project Meetings [free course]
Unlock the secrets to successful project meetings with this free online course led by industry expert Ray Sheen. Learn to navigate common mistakes and apply systematic approaches to keep your project meetings on track. This course provides you with the tools to run effective meetings that align your team with project goals.
Free lesson on how to conduct project meetings with Ray Sheen
In six bite-sized lessons, you'll discover various meeting types, structures for maintaining project alignment, and strategies for proactive communication. You'll also gain access to project meeting agenda templates and tips for conducting management and technical reviews.
Boost your business
Get access to free courses and resources to unlock your business' potential — it only takes a minute!
Claim your free business accountEssential apps
In today’s technology-obsessed world, it seems like there’s constantly a new program or piece of software to master. Let’s stay focused on the basics and cover some everyday business tools you’ll want to know the ins and outs of.
10. Google Drive & Apps
Feel like your small business could be more organized, but unsure how to achieve it without complex or expensive software? This Google Drive course is the simple solution you've been waiting for.
Ideal for beginners, this course equips you with the know-how to use Google Drive and its suite of productivity apps to manage your business documents, collaborate in real-time, and even create engaging presentations and surveys.
Packed with 42 practical tutorials, these lessons will equip you with what you need to know to effectively use Google Drive, as well as apps like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms. Say hello to streamlined operations and improved team collaboration. Enroll today to elevate your small business's efficiency to new heights.
11. Microsoft Excel - Basic and Advanced
Do you feel like you're not using Excel to its full potential, or worse, find it completely intimidating? It's time to turn the tables. Over 100,000 people have already taken this Excel course – and it will transform you from a novice user to an Excel powerhouse. Learn how to navigate Excel like a pro, creating reports, graphs, and even dabbling in complex data analysis. From mastering formulas and shortcuts to sorting and filtering data with ease, this course has got you covered.
This course includes both basic and advanced topics so you can become a better, faster, and stronger Excel user — regardless of how much knowledge you’re starting with. If you want to start small, try our free online course, Excel in an hour.
12. Microsoft Word 365 - Basic and Advanced
Microsoft Word might seem like a basic word processor, but it’s capable of so much more than you’re likely giving it credit for. This course is tailored to cover beginner through advanced techniques, this course empowers you to create, format, and share documents that reflect the quality of your services.
Free Microsoft Word Basic & Advanced lesson with Andy Lanning
With more than 60 lessons, learn to streamline business communication with mail merge features for emails and form letters, while tracking changes and adding comments to foster efficient team collaboration.
13. Microsoft Outlook 365
Elevate your workplace efficiency with our comprehensive Microsoft Outlook 365 course. Whether you’re new to Outlook or seeking to enhance your skills, this course will teach you to manage emails effectively using labels and filters, schedule and track important events with the Calendar, and extend Outlook’s capabilities with integrations like OneNote.
Free Microsoft Outlook lesson with Andy Lanning
By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the skills to master your digital office and boost productivity.
14. Collaboration in Microsoft 365
Feeling overwhelmed managing various tasks and projects solo? Enhance your collaborative skills with our extensive course, Collaboration in Microsoft 365. Become an expert at working together, managing files, and sharing resources from anywhere with anyone securely and efficiently.
Free Collaboration in Microsoft 365 lesson with Deborah Ashby
Learn to craft targeted surveys, collaborate on team-centric projects, and even integrate live polls into PowerPoint presentations. In just a few hours, transform how you collect and analyze data, making your information gathering not just easy, but also insightful.
Communication & soft skills
Technical competencies carry a lot of weight for both you as the business owner and the members of your team. But ultimately, soft skills matter too. It’s these less-tangible qualities that make us effective communicators, thoughtful collaborators, and successful professionals. Here are a few courses to help you advance your soft skills.
15. Business Writing Skills
Make every word count. Level up your business writing skills and transform the way you communicate – whether it's persuasive sales pitches or clear and concise emails – this course offers practical, actionable lessons in a digestible format.
Free lesson on business writing with Claudia Buckley
Learn essential elements like style, tone, and grammar so your messages hit the mark every time.
16. Customer Service Training
Master the art of customer service with this comprehensive course designed to help you exceed client expectations and create lasting impressions. Led by the dynamic David Brownlee, you’ll learn how to handle challenging situations, communicate with empathy, and turn customer feedback into actionable steps.
Free customer service lesson from David Brownlee
This course empowers you to build customer loyalty and enhance your business reputation. Start your journey to delivering exceptional service and fostering strong customer relationships throughout your organization.
17. Introduction to Sales
Struggling to meet sales targets and finding it hard to stand out in a crowded market? Whether you’re the one handling sales for your business or you’ve brought on a team member to land more deals, this course covers eight steps to help you reach prospective customers, craft an effective pitch, and ultimately grow your business (and your revenue).
Free sales lesson with David Brownlee
Master proven techniques to not only elevate your sales but also turn prospects into loyal clients. Learn how to identify your ideal customer, connect meaningfully with various personality types, and deliver impactful presentations that seal the deal. Say goodbye to stagnant sales numbers and hello to incredible growth.
18. How to Conduct a Job Interview [free course]
Conducting effective interviews is crucial for making the right hiring decisions, avoiding costly mistakes, and providing a positive introduction to your business for potential employees. Our free course offers a series of interactive, bite-sized lessons designed to equip you with the skills needed to conduct interviews confidently and effectively.
Discover how to assess candidates for the best cultural fit within your team, keep interviews timely and focused, and master the nuances of conducting interviews online. This comprehensive course is ideal for anyone looking to refine their interviewing skills to ensure they find the best person for the job, whether meeting face-to-face or online.
Free lesson on how to conduct a job interview with TJ Walker
Equip yourself with the knowledge and techniques to improve your hiring process and make each interview count.
Data analysis & process improvement
Data analysis and process improvement skills are crucial for identifying inefficiencies, making informed decisions, and driving business growth. By mastering these skills, business owners can streamline operations, reduce costs, and optimize performance to stay competitive. Leveraging data insights ensures smarter strategies and long-term success.
19. Excel Charts for Data Visualization
Understanding your business data can feel overwhelming, but our Excel Charts for Data Visualization course makes it easier to uncover the insights that matter. Learn how to create clear, effective charts that help you identify trends, communicate findings, and make informed decisions with confidence.
Free lesson on Excel charts by Microsoft MVP Deb Ashby
This course is designed to help business owners simplify complex information and gain a deeper understanding of their data. Start turning numbers into meaningful visuals that support your business goals.
20. Introduction to Lean Six Sigma [free course]
Learning how to improve your business processes may be as simple as taking this free Introduction to Lean Six Sigma course. Identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and enhance quality to create smoother workflows and happier customers.
This course is designed to help business owners improve operations by implementing techniques that drive sustainable growth.Why is small business owner training important?
You have a lot on your plate as a business owner, and we can understand if you think that these types of online business courses for entrepreneurs are yet another thing to add to your lengthy to-do list.
However, taking small business courses online offers a number of advantages for both you and your business:
- Expanded skill set: Running a business is a constant learning process, and participating in different small business training programs and courses helps you expand your knowledge and improve as a professional and business owner.
- Increased productivity: As you build expertise, you’ll become more proficient and even faster at many of the aspects of business ownership — whether it’s pulling together a polished document in half the time or understanding how to avoid rework on projects. The result? Improved productivity for you and your entire team.
- Greater fulfillment: When you lead the charge of your own business, there’s no structured development path. You aren’t working toward a typical raise or promotion. Investing in your own professional development can add to your sense of purpose and lead to a far more fulfilling and rewarding career.
Upskilling yourself is important, but you should also think about making learning and development opportunities available to your employees.
While this type of training for small business owners offers numerous benefits for you alone, it’s also worthwhile to offer these types of learning and development opportunities to your employees.
When you provide them with opportunities to pick up new skills, you can experience the following benefits:
- Improved employee retention: Research from LinkedIn found that 94 percent of employees say they would stay at a company longer if it invested in helping them learn. Offering education opportunities shows your employees that you’re engaged in their development, and it might inspire them to stick with your small business for the long haul.
- More positive work culture: Employees don’t want to feel like they’re punching the clock and instead want to know that they’re encouraged and empowered to advance in their careers. Providing ample learning opportunities boosts employee morale and supports a positive culture on your team.
- Reduced skill gaps: Hiring is a big pain point for small business owners, with 64.2 percent of them admitting they struggle to attract qualified talent. With the right upskilling programs, you can invest in the employees you already have, support them as they expand their skills, and fulfill some of the needs on your team with employees you already trust.
Needless to say, training for small business owners and their employees isn’t an extra responsibility on a to-do list. Instead, it’s an important strategy for advancing yourself, your team, and your entire business.
Boost your business
Get access to free courses and resources to unlock your business' potential — it only takes a minute!
Claim your free business accountKeep your (and your team’s) learning on track
There’s no denying that investing in professional development in the form of online learning is important for you and your small business employees.
The best way to make the most of this experience is to use a learning management system (LMS) learning management system (LMS) like GoSkills. It comes pre-loaded with helpful courses (including all of the ones we mentioned above), keeps your learning content organized, tracks progress, and offers fun features like social learning and gamification.
That way you (and your team) can master what you need to know — and enjoy the process. Ready to prioritize learning and knowledge for you and your small business team? Get started with GoSkills today.
