7 Online Courses for People Who Want to Start a Small Business

Do you want to start your own business but don’t know where to begin? Many online courses can teach you the basics of entrepreneurship, or earn money from your hobby or passion. In this article, we will highlight seven of the best online courses for small business owners in Australia. These unique certifications will provide you with the skillset you need to become an expert in your chosen business, attract the right customers, and maintain your success in the industry. So, without further ado, let’s start!

The 7 Highly-Recommended Online Courses for Small Business Owners

Note: These are a mixture of short courses, certificate courses, and diploma courses (with different payment plans) that are endorsed for aspiring small business owners and start-up companies. 

1. Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business

Do you already want to develop your skills and knowledge in owning a small business even if you haven’t chosen a niche yet? Then the (BSB40320) Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business is a nationally recognised qualification that will provide you with a wide understanding of operating a startup business and how to make it successful.

This small business management course will help you establish your expertise and skill in promoting your business, managing finances and cash flow, and small business planning. It also includes components from a legal administration course, providing insights into legal fundamentals essential for small business operations. This comprehensive approach delivers a sound marketing strategy for your products or services, facilitates working with potential stakeholders or investors, and creates solid problem-solving solutions. So if you want to have full access to knowing what it takes to become a successful small business owner, this course will be your best option. For those looking to deepen their entrepreneurial knowledge even further, our Entrepreneurship Courses are the perfect follow-up, providing advanced skills and strategies needed to excel in the competitive business world.

2. Certificate in Small Trade Administration and Bookkeeping

Want to start your own small business out of your passion for crunching numbers? Then, you have the potential to become a successful and independent bookkeeper. To specialise in bookkeeping, you need to study the Certificate in Small Trade Administration and Bookkeeping.

You can study this course at your own pace, so you don’t have to worry about burning out while completing the required study hours. This will also provide you with a comprehensive learning experience in analysing and designing accounting systems, profit determination and balance day adjustments, working with sole traders, bookkeeping from the balance sheet, writing letters and other documents, and more. So if you want to become an irreplaceable asset in the trade sector, enrolling in Xero courses as part of this curriculum will help you become an expert in your chosen career.

3. Beauty Certificate Courses 

When it comes to job trends in Australia, beauty careers are always in high demand, especially for Makeup Artists and Eyelash Technicians. If you’re looking for promising business opportunities within the beauty industry or looking to develop your knowledge and skills in starting up your own business, enrolling in Makeup Courses and Certificate in Makeup Artistry or Advanced Certificate in Eyelash Extensions and Eyebrow Courses at Ulleo will help you become a successful makeup artist, eyelash technician, or salon business owner. Also an interesting fact, these two Beauty Online Courses don’t require entry requirements and are perfect for solo entrepreneurs and stay-at-home moms. 

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Not only these will provide you with new skills and training in professional eyelash extensions, creating beautiful and tailored makeup looks for each client and familiarising yourself with the right procedure and tools. Rather, you will also learn about financial planning, financial management, and business marketing so you can start in the right direction in your new career or business.

We know you may ask, “How can I study the course without available tools?” or “Should I provide the tools on my own? I’m afraid it would cost me extra money.” Don’t worry, these courses come with a professional eyelash extension kit (for the Advanced Eyelash Extension course), and a free makeup starter kit worth over $450 (for the Makeup Artistry course), so you can practice your skill every step of the way. You’re welcome!

4. Diploma in Social Media Marketing

Since new businesses and startups are considering social media as one of their main marketing strategies, many sole professionals or virtual assistants are looking for a trusted and solid certification where they can gain career advice and study tips to becoming a qualified social media specialist or Social Media Manager. Thus, making the Social Media Marketing Courses and Virtual Assistant Courses one of the most popular courses in Australia. However, if you’re looking for more advanced learning to pump up your CV or establish your social media marketing small business, then the nationally recognised (10904NATDiploma of Social Media Marketing will help you stand out.

This specialised and self-paced diploma course will help you strengthen your existing skills in social media marketing such as planning KPIs to achieve business ventures, providing an effective business idea, providing PR and advertising strategies for a new or existing business, learning Google AdWords to increase the business’ products or services’ online visibility, managing different social media platforms, creating sound social media strategies, working with different business owners and achieving their business goals, and more. Explore our online Marketing Courses to enhance your expertise and achieve your business objectives.

5. Certificate in Event Management

Running an events management business is no piece of cake, that’s why the majority of aspiring event managers and small business owners are considering taking up online Business Courses or online Management Courses to keep their businesses alive and successful. If you’re also planning to kickstart your own wedding and events management business, then studying the Certificate in Events Management will help you earn the leadership and business development skills you need. Additionally, complementing this certification with Hospitality Courses can enhance your understanding of customer service, venue management, and operational logistics, crucial for running a successful events business.

If that’s not interesting enough, this course will also enhance your leadership skills and include Customer Service Courses, providing you with professional development in establishing business relationships with suppliers, processing the legal requirements to make your business official, managing business risk, creating financial plans, strategising a successful business plan, working with your team and clients, marketing your business, and a lot more.

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6. Certificate in Horticulture Business

Got a green thumb? Want to jumpstart your own small business out of your passion for gardening, indoor plants, or landscaping? Then the Certificate in Horticulture Business is a specialised online learning Horticulture Course that will help you become a seasoned horticulturist, landscaper, indoor plants propagator, or simply a successful business owner. If you’re looking for free online courses related to this field, there are tons of courses from different universities that are government-funded, including Landscaping Courses.

This specialised Horticulture Courses will provide you with a fun and rewarding learning experience in working in the horticulture industry. It covers improving productivity and risk, exploring potential legal issues related to horticulture, developing a strategic business plan, managing potential business risks, enhancing your marketing skills, being knowledgeable about garden maintenance, identifying different plant species and plant groups, growing lawns and caring for them, and the like.

7. Certificate in Professional Photography Business

Finally, if you love photography and aim to start your own photo studio or events photography small business, then the Certificate in Photography Business will create new business ventures for you to work as a sole entrepreneur in media and advertising or the entertainment industry. This Photography Course is popular, especially for young small business owners and startups, stay-at-home parents, or students.

This specialised Camera course will enhance your skills in taking photographs, editing images, and setting up your studios, such as learning about lighting, colour, exposure, and image composition; using image-editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. Creating your portfolio to attract potential clients, marketing your business, understanding copyright and legalities in the business, working with clients, setting up contracts, and more.

Don’t worry about not having your own DSLR camera to study this online course, because this one in particular and our other Photography Courses come with a free DLSR camera upon enrolment. Isn’t it amazing?  For more information on how to get started, check out Careers Collectiv, where you can find this and other great courses to boost your photography career.

Have you finally decided on which of these top recommended courses you will take a plunge? Remember, it’s never too late to start learning and following your passion. And, let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to be their own boss? The best part is that with these online courses, including a diploma in business administration, you can learn at your own pace and become an expert in whatever field you choose. 

For detailed financial management skills, consider Accounting Courses online and Bookkeeping Courses. These courses equip small business owners with essential knowledge in financial reporting, tax preparation, and budgeting, crucial for business success.

If you want to explore more online courses in Australia for starting a small business, you'll find heaps of interesting and industry-approved courses on our website. Plus, don’t forget to share this article with a friend who might also be interested in starting their own business (or your future business partner). We wish you all the best and success on your entrepreneurial journey!