Coursera, a top Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) website, has over 10 million users as of October 2014.
Whether you’re an established eBay seller or just starting out, running a business is a constant work in progress and there’s always room for improvement. Luckily, the internet boasts tons of free business resources, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, that can help you hone your business strategies. All that’s required is an internet connection and the motivation to learn.
Coursera and edX
coursera.org
edx.org
Coursera and edX are two of the largest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) websites, featuring free classes taught by world-class universities. Both MOOCs offer a variety of business and math classes in addition to other topics. Course offerings vary since many classes are taught in real time with an official start date and finish date. Students study at their own pace within the deadlines.
Udemy
udemy.com
Udemy is another online learning site, featuring a mix of free classes and classes for a fee. Anybody can teach a course on Udemy and learners move at their own pace.
ALISON
alison.com
ALISON, like Coursera and edX, provides free online classes. All of ALISON’s classes allow learners to study at their own pace.
Khan Academy
khanacademy.org
Khan academy features free online classes for math and economics and finance. Learners study at their own pace.
SCORE
score.org
SCORE offers free mentoring and free or low cost online and in person workshops for small businesses throughout the United States. Plug your zip code into the SCORE website to find your local SCORE chapter.
YouTube and Podcasts
Many universities, companies, and business experts provide free podcasts or video lectures on YouTube.
Your local library
Books
Libraries carry a variety of business books. Don’t know where to start? Talk to your local librarian–they can point you in the right direction. Many libraries offer interlibrary loans sometimes for free or sometimes for a small cost. Interlibrary loans can give you access to more advanced material or material not available at your library.
eBooks
Libraries also carry eBooks that you can check out without leaving the the comfort of your couch! All you need is a valid library card and an ereader (e.g. Kindle, Nook, etc.) or a computer with internet access in order to borrow and read eBooks from your library.
Other library resources
Libraries offer much more than books these days. Some libraries offer business workshops, networking events or free access to online databases or other online educational sites like lynda.com. Each library offers different access and different services so visit your local library in person or online for more information.