Entrepreneurs have to juggle many roles like CEO, marketer, and accountant. But learning these skills isn’t innate; you have to learn them step by step.
In the past, you’d learn from mentors, take university classes, or read hefty books. But now, you can learn online.
Online courses cover a wide range of topics related to startups. You can sign up quickly and start learning immediately.
Best of all, many online courses are free. You can access valuable content without spending any money.
Finding the right course can be tough. It’s important not to waste time on a course that isn’t helpful, even if it’s free.
If you’re not sure where to begin, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a list of the best free online courses for 2024. These courses cover everything from building a big Instagram following to writing great landing pages.
16 Best Free Online Courses
1. Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content
Ever wonder why some things become super popular while others don’t? This course is all about that. You’ll learn how to make stuff stick, boost your influence, get people talking about you naturally, and use social media to spread the word.
This course is divided into 4 modules, so let me tell you what will you learn in all the modules:
What you’ll learn in the course:
Module 1:
- Understand why certain products, ideas, and behaviors become contagious.
- Explore the science behind popularity and failure.
- Discover the six key principles (SUCCESS factors) that make messages stick.
- Learn techniques to make any idea more memorable.
Module 2:
- Examine how social influence impacts decision-making.
- Learn how companies leverage social influence to shape products and services.
- Understand when people conform or diverge from social norms.
- Discover strategies to avoid being influenced and to use influence for personal success.
Module 3:
- Explore the power of word of mouth and person-to-person communication.
- Understand why word of mouth is more effective than traditional advertising.
- Discover why some products and ideas generate more buzz than others.
- Learn the six key STEPPS that drive people to share and make content contagious.
Module 4:
- Learn about social networks and their impact on information and influence.
- Understand how social ties between people shape behavior and trends.
- Explore how people we’ve never met can influence our preferences.
- Learn how to analyze and apply insights from popular products and ideas to your own work.
It’s taught by Professor Jonah Berger, who wrote a really popular book called Contagious: Why Things Catch On. It’s all online and takes about 4 hours to finish.
2. How to Go From 0 to 500k+ Followers in 12 Months
Instagram can be tough. There are tons of people and lots of stuff going on, so it’s hard to get noticed.
But don’t worry, we’ve been there too. We’ve learned some tricks to grow a huge following without spending money on ads. In this course, you’ll learn:
- How do you write a bio that gets people to visit your website?
- The secret method that Foundr used was to get 500k followers in under a year.
- How do you figure out what to post for your specific audience?
- How can awesome content be made that people love to engage with?
Nathan Chan, the CEO of Foundr, is the host of this free course. He’s not some fancy expert—he’s an entrepreneur like you who actually built Foundr’s massive Instagram following.
3. Graphic Design Basics
In this course, you’ll learn how to create eye-catching images, GIFs, and videos, even if you don’t consider yourself creative.
You’ll discover basic design skills using Canva, a free online platform, so you don’t need expensive software or equipment. The course covers essential design principles to help your content stand out online.
It’s beginner-friendly and takes about 30 minutes to complete, so you can start creating impressive graphics right away.
What will you learn in this course :
- Enroll in this course and join the Graphic Design Specialization.
- Learn from industry experts and gain a foundational understanding of graphic design.
- Develop job-relevant skills through hands-on projects.
- Earn a shareable career certificate upon completion.
4. How to Run Facebook Ads
Whether you’re new or experienced in advertising, this free course teaches you how to make successful Facebook ads. Nick Shackelford, an ex-Apple marketer, shares tricks for creating effective ads on any budget. You’ll learn:
- Simple changes to increase your ROI.
- Step-by-step methods for making ads that convert well.
- Proven ways to start making money with your ads.
- How to test and grow your ads affordably.
- The science behind writing great ads for local and online businesses.
- There’s a lot to learn in this course, but it’s worth your time.
5. SEO Training Course
Moz, known for its SEO expertise, offers a beginner-friendly course on optimizing your website for search engines. Over 250,000 people have taken this course, giving it a 4.3-star rating.
It includes about 3.5 hours of video content, but you’ll spend more time practicing these skills. If you’re new to SEO, this course is perfect for you. In this SEO Training Course, you’ll learn:
- How to check and improve your site’s setup.
- Finding the best keywords for your business.
- Basics of on-page SEO.
- Strategies for building links and off-page SEO.
- How to get your website featured in Google’s answer boxes.
6. The Genius 10-Step Copywriting Framework
This course is all about writing good copy for digital marketing. Copywriting is using words to persuade people to buy or engage with something.
In digital marketing, everything from emails to ads to social media posts relies on good copy to be effective.
The course called the Genius 10-Step Copywriting Framework, teaches you how to write copy that grabs people’s attention, feels personal, and is interesting to read.
It’s taught by Arman Assadi, who’s known for helping with successful product launches. So, he knows a lot about using words effectively in marketing.
He’ll teach you:
- Simple tips for writing interesting content.
- Writing persuasive copy that grabs people’s attention.
- Ways to make your writing more personal and entertaining.
7. How to Make a Website
This free online course from Codeacademy teaches you how to build websites using HTML and CSS. These are the basic building blocks of web development, and you can do a lot with just these two languages.
The course is designed for beginners and takes about 9 hours to complete. It’s divided into easy-to-follow lessons with step-by-step instructions, quizzes, and assignments to help you learn.
By the end of the course, you’ll have built four websites from scratch and learned how to modify basic web page structures.
This hands-on approach means you won’t just learn theory—you’ll actually create real websites as you go.
If you’re new to web development and want to learn how to build websites, this course is a great place to start. It’s like learning to bake something simple and delicious—easy to grasp and rewarding once you see the results.
8. How to Create a 7-Figure Online Course From Scratch
Foundr offers a free course that teaches you how to create your own profitable online course in just two weeks or less. This course is perfect for those who are tired of watching online courses and are ready to start creating their own.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the course:
- 5 Simple Steps: You’ll discover the step-by-step process to transform your knowledge into a valuable online course. This includes everything from outlining your content to structuring your course effectively.
- Validation Techniques: Learn how to quickly validate your course ideas so you can avoid wasting time and money on topics that may not resonate with your audience.
- Evergreen Course Checklist: Get access to a checklist that ensures your course remains relevant for the long term. This checklist covers essential elements to keep your course content fresh and valuable over time.
- Avoiding Deadly Traps: Identify and steer clear of common pitfalls that can hinder your success in creating and selling online courses. By learning from Foundr’s experiences, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of course creation.
The course provides you with the exact strategies and tips that Foundr has used to successfully launch over 100 online courses.
All you need to get started is a laptop, an internet connection, and a passion for sharing your knowledge through online education.
9. How to Make a Podcast: Plan, Record, and Launch with Success
If you’re considering diving into the world of podcasting but feel like you might be late to the party, don’t worry! There’s still plenty of opportunity to succeed in this growing medium.
This comprehensive 5.5-hour podcasting course is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in starting their own podcast or incorporating podcasts into their marketing strategy.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the course:
- Starting, Growing, and Monetizing: Discover the ins and outs of starting, growing, and monetizing a podcast. From choosing your niche to attracting and retaining listeners, you’ll learn the essential steps to building a successful podcasting business.
- Equipment Essentials: Understand the equipment you’ll need to get started with podcasting. Whether you’re on a budget or willing to invest in professional-grade gear, you’ll learn about the tools necessary to produce high-quality audio content.
- Publishing Your Podcasts: Learn how to publish your podcasts effectively to reach the widest audience possible. From selecting the right platforms to optimizing your episodes for maximum visibility, you’ll get practical tips for sharing your content with the world.
- Recording Tips: Explore techniques for recording high-quality audio that engages your audience. From mic placement to editing tricks, you’ll learn how to ensure your podcasts sound professional and polished.
- Choosing a Hosting Platform: Understand the options available for hosting your podcasts and discover which platforms offer the best value for your needs. You’ll learn how to select a hosting provider that meets your budget and delivers the features you require.
10. The Content Marketing Playbook Behind Millions in Organic Sales
It can be overwhelming to navigate the vast world of content marketing, especially when resources are limited. But fear not! Eric Bandholz is here to guide you through the maze and unlock the secrets of successful content marketing.
In this masterclass, Eric shares his expertise in creating compelling content that attracts followers, subscribers, and organic sales—all without breaking the bank. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Quality Over Quantity: Discover why focusing on creating high-quality content is more important than churning out endless posts. Learn how to make every piece of content count.
- The Viral Trio: Explore the three types of content that have the potential to go viral and capture the attention of your audience. Uncover the secrets to creating share-worthy content that spreads like wildfire.
- Content Funnels: Understand how to leverage content funnels to turn your content into a reliable source of income. Learn how to design strategic pathways that lead your audience from discovery to conversion.
- Automating Success: Get insider tips for setting up a content marketing system that runs on autopilot, delivering results 24/7, 365 days a year. Learn how to streamline your processes for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
If you’re ready to transform your content into cash and unlock the full potential of your marketing efforts, then this masterclass is tailor-made for you.
With Eric’s guidance, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the dynamic world of content marketing.
11. Email Marketing Course: Get Certified in Email Marketing
Email marketing is a classic method in digital marketing that has stood the test of time. This course from Hubspot covers everything you need to know about email marketing, ensuring you respect your customers’ privacy while still making money.
The course covers various aspects of email marketing, including managing contacts, building email lists, segmenting your audience, and ensuring your emails reach their destination.
With over 3 hours of content, including lessons, videos, quizzes, and more, you’ll get a comprehensive understanding of email marketing strategies and best practices.
In detail, you’ll learn:
- Contact Management: Discover how to effectively manage your email contacts, ensuring you maintain organized and up-to-date lists.
- List Building: Learn strategies for building email lists, attracting subscribers, and expanding your audience reach.
- Segmentation: Understand the importance of segmenting your email list based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to deliver personalized content.
- Email Deliverability: Dive into the factors that impact email deliverability and learn techniques to ensure your emails reach your subscribers’ inboxes.
- Fundamentals of Email Marketing: By mastering these fundamentals of email marketing, you’ll be equipped to create effective campaigns that engage your audience and drive results.
12. Social Media Quickstarter
If you’re new to the world of social media or need a refresher, Constant Contact’s Social Media Quickstarter free online course is perfect for you.
It covers the basics of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Google My Business, YouTube, and Snapchat.
By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident navigating and using social media platforms, setting a solid foundation for more advanced topics like advertising and analytics.
13. Finance for Founders
In this free masterclass, you’ll learn how to manage your business’s financial aspects effectively. It will help you organize your business finances to generate more cash and increase profits.
By examining models used by successful companies, you’ll gain insights into structuring your own financial systems.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Proper methods for setting up and organizing your business finances.
- Strategies to maximize profits while minimizing revenue.
- Common money management mistakes to avoid.
- Techniques for calculating your salary to grow your business to seven figures and beyond.
- Insider tips from a FinTech founder who built a $375 million-dollar company.
14. PPC University
WordStream’s PPC University is like a comprehensive guide to pay-per-click marketing. It covers everything from the basics of PPC to advanced strategies like remarketing and automated bidding.
Whether you’re interested in advertising on TikTok or Facebook, this free online course has got you covered.
PPC University is perfect for beginners who want to become experts in PPC marketing. It offers a wide range of topics, but they’re organized in a way that allows you to choose what you want to learn.
This means you can easily find the content you need without wasting time on things you already know.
15. Google Analytics Academy
Google Analytics is a super useful tool for understanding your website’s performance, but it can feel overwhelming at first. Luckily, Google offers free online courses to help you learn how to use it effectively. Here’s what you can learn:
- Google Analytics for Beginners: This course covers the basics, like setting up your account and tracking website traffic.
- Advanced Google Analytics: Once you’ve got the hang of the basics, this course dives deeper into analyzing data and making informed decisions.
- Google Analytics for Power Users: Learn advanced techniques for using Google Analytics to improve your website’s performance.
- Getting Started With Google Analytics 360: Explore the features of Google Analytics 360, a more robust version of the standard tool.
- Introduction to Data Studio: Discover how to visualize your Google Analytics data using Data Studio, Google’s reporting tool.
- Google Tag Manager Fundamentals: Learn how to use Google Tag Manager to manage and deploy tracking tags on your website.
These courses break down complex topics into easy-to-understand lessons, so you can become a pro at using Google Analytics in no time. By the end, you’ll feel confident navigating the platform and using it to make data-driven decisions for your website.
16. Advanced Ecommerce Strategies
Already mastered the basics of ecommerce and are ready to take your online store to the next level? This course has got you covered. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Upsells, Cross-sells, and More: Discover advanced selling techniques to increase your revenue, including upselling and cross-selling strategies.
- Product Selection: Learn how to choose your next product wisely to keep your store growing.
- Ad ROI Threshold: Understand the percentage of return on investment you need from your ads to ensure they’re profitable.
- Email Marketing: Find out why using certain types of emails can hurt your business and what strategies you should avoid.
- Ad Creative: Learn the two most critical elements of effective ad design to maximize your advertising success.
This two-hour advanced training session will provide you with valuable insights and strategies to scale your ecommerce business to new heights.
Quick Links:
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Conclusion: Best Free Online Courses
With so much to learn and so little time, don’t waste hours deciding which course to take. Start exploring them all! Check out Foundr’s complete collection of free online courses here.
They cover everything from digital marketing to ecommerce and startup strategies. Whether you need a new business idea or tips to make your content go viral, we’ve got the perfect class for you.
Plus, the courses are taught by experts who have achieved real success in their fields—not just self-proclaimed gurus.
They’ve broken the rules and found success, and now they’re sharing their secrets with you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your business in just a few hours!
