{"id":11894,"date":"2026-01-27T10:54:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T18:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=11894"},"modified":"2026-05-20T10:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T02:57:00","slug":"free-online-courses-for-growing-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/free-online-courses-for-growing-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Free Online Courses For Small Business Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/?d=bcta\">Check out Trailhead<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019re not alone. As a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/what-is-an-smb\/\">small and medium-sized business (SMB)<\/a> owner, you have to manage multiple jobs. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s so important to keep learning, so your business can keep growing. And the good news is that you can get the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/small-business-course\/\">best free online courses for small business owners<\/a> on-demand, whenever you carve out time to learn.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s 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 to find practical, effective and most importantly, free courses that will help you upskill and grow your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-benefits-of-free-online-courses-for-small-business-owners\">Benefits of free online courses for small business owners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s why these courses are a great choice for growth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-skills-on-a-budget\">Build skills on a budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can explore different business areas, like marketing or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/products\/commerce-cloud\/resources\/foundations-of-effective-online-selling\/\">online sales<\/a>, without stretching your budget. Think of it as a chance to try out ideas risk-free and see what clicks for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learn-on-your-own-schedule\">Learn on your own schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most <a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/\">free courses<\/a> let you learn at your own pace. Whether you grab a quick lesson over lunch or go deeper after hours, you\u2019re in control. You can even come back to lessons whenever you need a refresher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reduce-the-need-for-outside-help\">Reduce the need for outside help<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The more you know, the more you can do on your own. Learning new skills means you don\u2019t always have to bring in outside help for tasks like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/marketing\/email-marketing-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">email marketing\u279a<\/a> or data analysis. It\u2019s a way to save money and keep things under your control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stay-up-to-date-on-what-s-new\">Stay up to date on what\u2019s new<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep up with the latest trends and tools, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/marketing-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">changes in digital marketing\u279a<\/a> or new customer tools. Staying updated gives you a competitive edge, so your business doesn\u2019t fall behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"layout-five wp-block-salesforce-blog-offer\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__content\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-offer__title\"><strong>Salesforce for Small Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-offer__description\">Learn how your business can benefit from CRM on Trailhead, Salesforce&#8217;s free online learning platform.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/salesforce-essentials-small-business\/?d=bcta&#038;d=pb\">Visit trail<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t\t\t<!-- Standard Illustration -->\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-offer__graphics wp-block-offer__illustration\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/offer-block\/offer-illustration-layout-five.png\" alt=\"\">\n\n\t\t<!-- Small Accent Illustration -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-offer__graphics wp-block-offer__accent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/offer-block\/offer-accent-layout-five.png\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Left Side Illustration -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Cloud Illustration -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-offer__graphics wp-block-offer__cloud\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/salesforce-blog\/dist\/images\/offer-block\/offer-cloud-layout-five.png\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-top-free-online-learning-platforms-for-small-business-nbsp\">Top free online learning platforms for small business&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several <a href=\"http:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\">online platforms<\/a> that can help you to build new skills and grow your small business. If you\u2019re not sure where to start or what each platform has to offer, don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ve got you covered. Here are the best free online learning platforms you can get for your SMB:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Trailhead<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>: <\/strong>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\u2019s convenient, making it ideal for anyone balancing a busy schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Coursera<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>: <\/strong>Coursera provides high-quality courses created by top universities and organisations. 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edx.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>edX<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>:<\/strong> edX is great if you\u2019re 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.udemy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Udemy<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>:<\/strong> 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\u2019t cost a thing. Udemy\u2019s lessons are ideal for picking up new skills quickly and easily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com\/s\/en\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Google<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> 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\u2019s tools like Docs and Sheets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-free-online-courses-for-small-business-owners\">Best free online courses for small business owners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Picking the right skills to grow your small business can be tough. With so many options, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-build-your-business-fundamentals\">1. Build your business fundamentals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some free courses to help you to build that solid foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/build-your-business-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Build Your Business Skills<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead<\/strong> &#8211; Build the essential business skills you need to connect with customers and grow your business. You\u2019ll learn how to manage your business effectively, build relationships and make smarter decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/uva-darden-foundations-business-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Foundations of Business Strategy<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Coursera<\/strong> &#8211; This course helps you to create a strong business plan by understanding your competition and the market. You\u2019ll also discover how to make better decisions by looking at your business\u2019s strengths and weaknesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/salesforce-free-suite-quick-look\">Salesforce&#8217;s Free CRM: Quick Look<\/a> on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Stay organised and build customer relationships with Salesforce&#8217;s free CRM for small businesses. This quick look will cover the basics of what&#8217;s included in a customer relationship manager for growing teams. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-effective-marketing-and-sales-techniques-for-your-smb\">2. Effective marketing and sales techniques for your SMB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/marketing\/smb-marketing-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">right marketing strategies\u279a<\/a> help you to find the right people and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/sales\/strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strong sales techniques\u279a<\/a> make it easier to close deals. With things constantly changing, it\u2019s important to keep up with the latest tools and strategies to grow your business and stay ahead of your competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to get started with marketing and sales, these free courses will help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/transform-your-business-with-sales-operations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Transform Your Business with Sales Operations<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead <\/strong>\u2014 Discover the tools and best practices to streamline your sales operations. By the end, you&#8217;ll have the skills to refine your sales strategy and achieve measurable results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edx.org\/learn\/digital-marketing\/the-university-of-edinburgh-digital-marketing-strategy?index=product&amp;objectID=course-5e2ea83a-3ec3-4461-86ab-94d17ab0c3f0&amp;webview=false&amp;campaign=Digital+Marketing+Strategy&amp;source=edX&amp;product_category=course&amp;placement_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.edx.org%2Flearn%2Fdigital-marketing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>EdinburghX: Digital Marketing Strategy<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on edX <\/strong>\u2014Gain practical skills to identify opportunities, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/buyer-persona\/\">create customer personas<\/a> and develop a tailored strategy. You&#8217;ll also learn how to better understand your customers and outperform your competitors.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/sales-for-small-business\">Sales for Small Business<\/a> on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Learn the fundamentals of sales for small business with Starter Suite CRM. Explore sales pipeline management and sell smarter with AI and automation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-maximise-online-sales\">3. Maximise online sales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Boosting your online sales can really help your small business grow. With the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/commerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">right ecommerce set-up\u279a<\/a>, you can reach more customers, convert them into buyers and stay ahead of the competition. A solid strategy helps you to make the most of your website traffic and creates a smooth experience for your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some free courses that can guide you in boosting your online sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/explore-commerce-strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Explore Commerce Strategies<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead <\/strong>\u2014 Discover the latest trends in ecommerce and learn the tools and strategies needed for success. You&#8217;ll develop skills in system design, graphics creation, data management, quality assurance and specialised sales.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com\/c\/college-and-continuing-education\/en\/build-your-online-business\/overview.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Build Your Online Business<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Google<\/strong> &#8211; This course provides a step-by-step guide to creating a website and setting up an online store. You\u2019ll get the practical skills needed to establish and grow your online presence.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/marketing-for-small-business\">Marketing for Small Business<\/a> on Trailhead <\/strong>\u2014 Learn how to use Starter Suite CRM to create, automate and personalise marketing. Get started with finding the right marketing tools for your growing business and learn how to personalise your campaigns with AI and automation. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/commerce-for-small-business\">Commerce for Small Business<\/a> on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Discover how Starter Suite and Pro Suite can help your small commerce business. Learn how to launch and run a digital shop front, equipped with automation, right in your CRM. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-use-ai-to-streamline-your-work\">4. Use AI to streamline your work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/artificial-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Artificial intelligence (AI)\u279a<\/a> is no longer just for tech giants. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/ai-for-small-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI for small businesses\u279a<\/a> is real and it\u2019s here. According to a Salesforce report, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/resources\/smb-trends-6\/?d=pb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">71% of SMB marketing teams\u279a<\/a> say they have a fully defined AI strategy. You can now use AI to automate tasks, understand customer preferences and personalise services. Learning how to use AI for your small business can save you time and improve how you connect with customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI is everywhere today and it can be tough to know what\u2019s relevant for you. These free courses can guide you through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/gain-the-ai-skills-you-need-to-succeed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Gain The AI Skills You Need To Succeed<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Get familiar with AI fundamentals and best practices. Discover how to use AI effectively and choose the right <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/what-are-large-language-models\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">large language model (LLM)\u279a<\/a>. You\u2019ll build skills in generative and predictive AI, data governance and business intelligence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/ai-for-business-generation-and-prediction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>AI for Business: Generation &amp; Prediction<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Coursera <\/strong>\u2014 Identify various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/artificial-intelligence\/what-is-generative-ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generative AI models\u279a<\/a> and their advantages. Develop strategies for integrating generative AI into business operations and understand its practical applications in real-world scenarios.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/ai-for-salesforce-suites-quick-look\">AI for Salesforce Suites: Quick Look<\/a> on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Explore how Agentforce powers Free, Starter Suite and Pro Suite for small businesses. Learn how embedded AI and employee agents can help you to move business forward, quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"layout-six wp-block-salesforce-blog-offer\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__content\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-offer__title\">Grow Your Business With AI Agents<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-offer__description\">Learn how autonomous AI can scale your small business for free in our latest e-book.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/resources\/smbs-grow-with-agentforce\/?d=bcta&#038;d=pb\">Get it now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-offer__media\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"621\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/05\/Ebook-Cover.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/05\/Ebook-Cover.webp 621w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/05\/Ebook-Cover.webp?w=300&amp;h=209 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/05\/Ebook-Cover.webp?w=150&amp;h=104 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 621px) 100vw, 621px\" \/>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-get-started-with-crm\">5. Get started with CRM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/what-is-crm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">customer relationship management (CRM)\u279a<\/a> helps you to stay organised by keeping all your customer info in one place. It tracks conversations, reminders and follow-ups so you don\u2019t miss out on anything. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/crm\/crm-for-small-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRM f<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/crm-for-small-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">or small businesses\u279a<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to be costly or complex. Today, you can get started with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/starter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">simple, easy-to-use tools\u279a<\/a> that can grow with your business.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re curious how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/ai-crm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI and CRM can work together\u279a<\/a> to transform your business, these free courses can provide the insights you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/make-crm-ai-data-your-trusted-formula\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Make CRM + AI + Data Your Trusted Formula<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead <\/strong>\u2014 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.udemy.com\/course\/why-and-how-to-use-a-crm-for-a-small-companystartup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why and how to use a CRM for a small company<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Udemy<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How an AI CRM Scales With You | Salesforce Explained\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N2z5swelQTM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-deliver-above-and-beyond-customer-service\">6. Deliver \u201cabove and beyond\u201d customer service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For a startup or small business, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">great customer service\u279a<\/a> is everything. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/resources\/smb-trends-6\/?d=pb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">83% SMB marketers\u279a<\/a> agree that customer experience is the key competitive differentiator. It\u2019s what brings people back and gets them talking about you. So, it\u2019s important to develop skills to help you to build stronger relationships and create loyal customers.<br><br>Here are a few courses that will give you the tools and techniques to handle customer enquiries and resolve issues faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/build-your-customer-service-management-toolkit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Build Your Customer Service Management Toolkit<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Trailhead <\/strong>\u2014 Become an expert in effective customer service practices, from coaching agents to using the latest technology. You\u2019ll gain insights into improving processes, motivating your team and managing customer accounts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.udemy.com\/course\/customer-support-skills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Customer Support Skills<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>on Udemy <\/strong>\u2014 Improve your customer support abilities with in-depth training. Learn key customer service techniques to write better emails and handle tough conversations confidently.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/service-cloud-essentials-basics\">Service for Small Business<\/a><\/strong> <strong>on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Learn how to use Starter Suite CRM to deliver, automate and personalise your customer service efforts. You\u2019ll learn how to define the basics of customer service for small businesses and understand common service challenges faced by SMBs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-improve-productivity-with-project-management\">7. Improve productivity with project management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing projects alone can often be challenging for small business owners. From deadlines to team co-ordination, it\u2019s easy to miss something important. But with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/project-management-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">right project management skills<\/a>, you can get your tasks done on time and within budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re organised, you can handle more work without the pressure. These free courses can help you to increase your productivity and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/learn-project-management-essentials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Learn Project Management Essentials from Walden University<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>\u201d on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Explore essential project management methodologies and best practices. This course from Walden University will help you build skills in scheduling and business intelligence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/copy-of-project-management-essentials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Project Management Essentials<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>\u201d on Coursera<\/strong> \u2014 Improve communication with your team and clients. Strengthen your leadership skills and create clear project plans. You\u2019ll also learn to select the right project management tools for your needs.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/modules\/slack-for-small-business\">Slack for Small Business<\/a> on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Improve productivity for your small business by using Slack. Get started with Slack and CRM working together and collaborate with trusted security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-understand-data-for-decision-making\">8. Understand data for decision-making<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Data helps you to make smarter and faster decisions. But, it can be tricky to know where to begin \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make sense of your data and use it to drive better decisions, check out these free courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/content\/learn\/trails\/build-your-data-literacy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Build Your Data Literacy<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>\u201d on Trailhead<\/strong> \u2014 Use data to make smarter decisions and grow your business. Learn how to understand, explore and share data clearly. Build skills in analysis, visualisation and data management to help your business succeed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edx.org\/learn\/data-analysis\/ibm-data-analytics-basics-for-everyone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>IBM: Data Analytics Basics for Everyone<\/strong>\u279a<\/a><strong>\u201d on edX <\/strong>\u2014 Learn the basics of data analytics and how data works. Understand the steps in analysing data and how to use it to make smart decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-make-the-most-of-free-courses\">How to make the most of free courses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s learning more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/marketing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small business marketing\u279a<\/a> or understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/benefits-of-crm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRM benefits\u279a<\/a>. Having a specific goal will keep you motivated and make learning feel more purposeful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, put what you learn into action. You\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ornament-card\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-ornament-card__content\">\n\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-get-salesforce-free-for-30-days\">Get Salesforce free for 30 days.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">No credit card required, no software to install.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/free-trial\/starter-suite-v2\/?d=bcta&amp;d=pb\">Start your free trial<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-ornament-card__media\">\n\t\t<span class=\"img-object-fit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/04\/small_business-clouds.webp?w=300&#038;quality=80\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/04\/small_business-clouds.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/04\/small_business-clouds.webp?w=300&amp;h=135 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/04\/small_business-clouds.webp?w=768&amp;h=346 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/04\/small_business-clouds.webp?w=150&amp;h=68 150w\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/span>\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-grow-your-small-business-with-the-right-tools\">Grow your small business with the right tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a small business owner, it\u2019s great that you\u2019re eager to learn and grow. There are plenty of free courses available to help you to sharpen your skills. While continuous learning is essential, there\u2019s only so much you can do on your own when running a small business, especially with limited time and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you apply the skills you\u2019ve learnt, Starter Suite can support your efforts by simplifying your sales, service, marketing and commerce with an all-in-one CRM. Start your journey with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/free-trial\/starter-suite-v2\/?d=bcta&amp;d=pb\">Starter Suite<\/a> today. Looking for more customisation? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/small-business\/pro-suite\/\">Explore Pro Suite<\/a>. Already a Salesforce customer? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/ap\/crm\/foundations\/\">Activate Foundations<\/a> and try out Agentforce today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>AI supported the writers and editors of this article.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These free online courses can transform your small business into an empire \u2014 so you can make 2025 the best year yet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":11914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sf_justforyou_enable_alt":true,"optimizely_content_id":"b6fc24a30e0648cbbf5c2339AP","post_meta_title":"","ai_synopsis":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"sf_topic":[],"sf_content_type":[],"coauthors":[583],"class_list":["post-11894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Best Free Online Courses For Small Business Owners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best free courses for small business owners in 2025. 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