Master Online Business With The Best eCommerce Course

How To Find The Best eCommerce Course: 10 Top Options In 2024

February 1, 2024 GemPages Team 0 Comments

Aspiring sellers and enthusiasts today are presented with a wealth of eCommerce courses. However, this overwhelming number of options often leaves them unsure about where to start. Obviously, the challenge isn’t finding a course, but choosing the best eCommerce course that aligns with their needs, skill levels, and goals. When everyone claims to have the key to online retail success, it can get very confusing very fast.

In this guide, we’ll navigate the crowded landscape of eCommerce education to provide information that helps you cut through the noise and pick the top courses for you. Whether you are just starting or looking to strengthen your existing online business, we’ll be your compass in this complex and exciting domain. Your journey to eCommerce success starts here!

What is an eCommerce Course?

An eCommerce course is an educational program that teaches different aspects of electronic commerce. By taking part in these programs, learners can gain a comprehensive understanding of digital commerce, encompassing the entire spectrum of activities involved in buying and selling things online. eCommerce courses are offered in various formats, including online courses, workshops, seminars, and degree programs.

The topics covered by such courses often include:

eCommerce Essentials: The core principles that constitute the backbone of online retail, explaining its evolution and current trends.
Website Building Skills: How to design and manage an eCommerce site.
Digital Marketing Mastery: Online promotion, encompassing from optimizing websites for search engines to leveraging the power of social media and email campaigns.
Platform Proficiency: Explore unique features and functionalities of the various platforms that serve as the foundation for eCommerce.
Secure Payment Processing: How to handle online transactions via secure and efficient payment methods.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Inventory control and the logistics of shipping.
Customer Interaction and Support: How to engage with customers, foster lasting relationships, and provide support in a virtual environment.
Data Analytics and Utilization: Leverage data to understand customer behaviors, measure performance, and drive strategic decision-making.
Legal and Ethical Insights: Legal and ethical considerations related to running an online business, including data protection and consumer rights.

Why Should You Take an eCommerce Course?

Learning eCommerce can be very beneficial for several reasons. Here are the important ones that you should know about:

Gain a Better Understanding of the eCommerce Landscape

According to Forbes, the total value of eCommerce retail sales will reach $7.5 trillion by 2025. With clear advantages over traditional commerce, digital shopping’s popularity is projected to grow even more shortly. Should you wish to approach and sell to the world’s 2.64 billion online shoppers, or simply grasp a general understanding of how things work, you need a structured and comprehensive overview of the industry.

What’s a better way to do so than taking a course presented by experts with proven experience? Learn everything from basic concepts to market trends and in-depth techniques. Of course, you can always dive head-first into eCommerce and learn as you go. However, it will be a much more painful and costly experience than taking a course from someone who’s already in the game.

Acquire Practical Skills and Knowledge from Experts

Many eCommerce courses are taught by veteran professionals with real-world experience. They carry valuable insights and knowledge that can greatly benefit aspiring sellers. Learning eCommerce from the industry’s elite provides a more practical and applicable understanding of eCommerce, which is notoriously known for its ever-changing dynamics.

On top of that, certain courses teach skills that can be applied outside the context of eCommerce. For example, you can learn how to build a website, how to optimize it for search engines, and how to analyze data to make informed decisions. All are highly relevant and sought after in various industries.

Open the Door to New Opportunities

There are different careers to pursue in the digital economy. Equipped with knowledge about eCommerce, one can choose to start their own online business, to specialize in digital marketing, data analytics, or customer experience management. Taking eCommerce courses not only teaches you the necessary skills but also helps you identify the most suitable career path based on your interests and strengths.

What Makes a Good eCommerce Course?

We established that there are a great number of eCommerce courses out there, too great for us to count. If you know what you’re looking for, you should be able to identify which ones to take. Here are the key features that a good eCommerce course embodies.

#1 Expert Instructors

Who is presenting the course is crucial. Instructors with real-world eCommerce experience can offer accurate insights that simplify theoretical knowledge. Their expertise in navigating the complexities of online business provides valuable tips, some are probably worth more than the course itself.

#2 Engaging and Interactive Delivery

Whether online or in-person, the course should be engaging and interactive. You can’t absorb knowledge well if it’s presented poorly. To improve understanding and retention of the material, choose courses with interactive elements like live Q&As, forums, workshops, and practical assignments.

#3 Comprehensive and Up-to-date Content

eCommerce is dynamic. A good eCommerce course should comprehensively cover all pertinent topics, whilst providing the latest information. Make sure the course content is updated regularly to reflect the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the eCommerce industry. Real-life case studies and examples are a great bonus.

#4 Exclusive Benefits

The best eCommerce course often comes with additional resources such as exclusive data, advanced insights, or tools that greatly enhance its value. Networking opportunities with fellow students and industry professionals can also be a significant benefit.

#5 Reasonable Pricing

Of course, there are bound to be courses priced higher than others. You should not decide by looking at the price alone but consider the price-to-return ratio. The course’s cost should justify its offerings in terms of content quality, instructor expertise, and additional resources. Always try to get your money’s worth, balancing affordability with comprehensive, quality education.

#6 Certification or Accreditation

Courses that offer certification or accreditation upon completion are more desirable. A certificate can enhance your resume, serve as proof of your skills, and aid in career advancement. Additionally, accreditation may indicate that the course meets certain educational standards.

Learn More: Top 10 Shopify Courses With Highest Review For eCommerce Beginners

What are the Best eCommerce Courses: 10 Courses to Take in 2024

It should be noted that all of the courses mentioned in this segment are online eCommerce courses. We’ll break them down into 2 categories: the best free and paid eCommerce courses.

5 Best Free eCommerce Courses in 2024

These courses are tailored for beginners, providing foundational knowledge of eCommerce. They act as an entry point to the industry, focusing on essential concepts and introductory material.

#1 How to Start an eCommerce Business Using Shopify

“How to Start an eCommerce Business Using Shopify”, as the name suggests, teaches the basics you need to build a Shopify store. The instructor, Trevor Ginn, is the founder of VendLab. He has 15 years of experience running eCommerce businesses. If you want to learn from an expert instructor, this is it.

This eCommerce course online takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. By the end, you should have a rough idea of how Shopify works and how you can establish a brand on the platform. It offers a certificate upon completion if you score 80% or higher. However, you’ll need to pay for the certificate.

What you’ll learn:

Understand the advantages of Shopify
Identify winning products and set up a store
Create a brand for your business on Shopify
Manage sales, customers, orders, and returns

#2 Digital Marketing Specialization by the University of Illinois

“Digital Marketing Specialization” presents a unique opportunity to learn from a prestigious institution. The course is free to enroll on Coursera in 20 languages. It boasts a 4.6-star rating with over 16,000 reviews. Learn about digital marketing from leading experts – an in-demand skill for not only eCommerce but also other industries.

However, there’s a catch. Though the course is free to enroll in, you only have free full access to it for 7 days. After the 7-day trial, it costs $79 a month to continue learning. If you can squeeze everything in a week or get financial aid from Coursera, it’s technically free.

What you’ll learn:

Follow the Digital Marketing Revolution
Market and sell a product in the digital age
Make winning digital marketing strategies

#3 Hubspot Academy eCommerce Marketing Training

“eCommerce Marketing Training” by Hubspot Academy is a free eCommerce course taught by experts from Groove Commerce. Learn how to craft a winning marketing strategy for eCommerce businesses in under an hour. It’s a great starting point to diversify or specialize your knowledge. Yet, this isn’t detailed or advanced enough for intermediate learners.

What you’ll learn:

Develop an effective ecommerce marketing strategy
Master techniques for attracting qualified traffic and increasing conversions
Use best practices to enhance customer engagement and retention

#4 eCommerce Essentials on Skillshare

This 1-hour long course by Tracy Wallace will get you up-to-date with the industry’s latest trends as well as show you how to build a profitable online business. Learn the ways to choose a winning product and craft a content marketing strategy that converts. It also comes with an exclusive competitive analysis template.

The only downside is that you must finish everything during the 7-day trial. But don’t worry if you cannot complete the course in time. Skillshare only charges $5 a month or $24 if you opt for the annual plan. One month is more than enough to complete this course, and perhaps a couple more.

What you’ll learn:

Choose the right product
Understand the competition
Determine the right platform
Create a content marketing strategy

#5 Build an eCommerce website using Wix

For those who seek a guide on how to build an eCommerce website, this course is for you. You will learn all the basics to get started in just over an hour. It’s a great entry point to eCommerce, presented concisely and straight to the point. Do keep in mind that this is a course designed for beginners only. Also, it won’t help if you want to design a website using platforms other than Wix.

What you’ll learn:

Build a website from scratch using WIX
Create an ECWID store for a WIX website
Set up payment using Stripe software

5 Best Paid eCommerce Courses in 2024

Paid courses cover in-depth topics with added perks. These are aimed at beginners who are serious about eCommerce or experienced sellers looking to enhance their knowledge.

#1 The Complete Shopify Dropshipping Masterclass 2024

Price: $74.99

For aspiring drop-shippers, this 8-hour-long master class will teach you everything you need to know to succeed. The course contains 11 sections that together guide learners through the process of building a winning dropping business with Shopify. It is accessible from anywhere and it offers a certificate of completion. The downside is that the course is dropshipping exclusive, meaning it isn’t very helpful if you want to tackle other sectors of the online economy.

What you’ll learn:

Build a Shopify Dropshipping Store
Order Management & Fulfilment
Optimize Abandoned Cart Recovery
Drive Traffic

#2 Google Digital Marketing & eCommerce Professional Certificate

Price: $14/month after trial

If you want to learn the fundamentals of digital marketing and eCommerce, we highly recommend this course. Presented by Google experts, the program will equip you with in-demand skills that get you job-ready in less than 6 months. Offered through Coursera, this seven-course certification course involves at least 190 hours of instruction, along with numerous practice-based assessments. However, it’s a foundational program only.

What you’ll learn:

Masters The fundamentals of digital marketing and eCommerce
Measure marketing performance through analytics and present insights
Build eCommerce stores, analyze online performance, and grow customer loyalty

Learn More: 10 B2B Marketing Campaign Ideas You Should Never Miss in 2024

#3 Build eCommerce websites with WordPress & WooCommerce

Price: $68.99

Already have a foundation in eCommerce and want to build your first eCommerce website? Then the Build eCommerce websites with WordPress & WooCommerce course is the best eCommerce course for you. It’s a comprehensive program aimed at teaching learners how to create and manage eCommerce sites using WordPress and the WooCommerce plugin.

Participants will gain practical skills in designing user-friendly online stores, integrating payment and shipping options, and effectively managing product listings. The course also often covers crucial elements of digital marketing and SEO to enhance online visibility and sales.

Offered on Udemy, the course boasts every benefit of the platform, such as easy access and exclusive downloadable content. However, the material might not be the latest and the price tag is on the higher side.

What you’ll learn:

Create WordPress eCommerce website
Master eCommerce website Tax Settings
Optimize On-Page SEO for WordPress
Control the Installation of WordPress on a Web Hosting

#4 eCommerce Marketing Master

Price: $495

For those who are super serious about a career in eCommerce, this 6-module course will not disappoint. Provided by DigitalMarketer, the eCommerce Marketing Master program is designed to teach you everything you need to know to become a true eCommerce master. Learn from industry experts and gain a reputable certificate upon completion. The only caveat here is its price tag. But hey, you can’t put a price on knowledge!

What you’ll learn:

Identify the right market and products
Build a strong eCommerce store
Gain traffic and convert traffic to sales
Build and sustain a brand

Learn More: Understanding Page Performance Tool (Google Analytics 4)

#5 How to Start an Amazon FBA Store on a Tight Budget

Price: $89.99

Amazon FBA has recently emerged as one of the best sectors of the online economy. The “How to Start an Amazon FBA Store on a Tight Budget”, as the name suggests, will teach you how to build an Amazon FBA store with little start-up costs. Learn how to source winning products, master Amazon SEO, and utilize advanced tactics to gain profits, even on a tight budget.

The online eCommerce course is readily available on Udemy and it also offers a certificate upon completion. However, being only 10 hours long, it won’t cover many in-depth concepts that intermediate sellers would appreciate.

What you’ll learn:

Source winning products
Create the best listing on Amazon
Get informed about pitfalls and costly mistakes to avoid

How to Choose an eCommerce Course That Suits Your Needs?

Choosing the best eCommerce course possible provides practical knowledge to achieve specific goals, maximizes learning efficiency, and offers higher returns for the invested resources. Consider the following factors when picking an eCommerce course:

What do you need? Clearly define what you want to achieve from the course. Is it basic or advanced knowledge or a specific skill like digital marketing? Do you wish to pursue a career in eCommerce, start your online store, or simply have an interest? Clarifying your goals and skill level should limit the course choices.
Which course offers what you want to learn? Review the course syllabus to ensure it covers the topics you’re interested in. Look for courses that address key areas of eCommerce that you want to learn about. Ensure the curriculum aligns with your goals and level. Look for reviews or testimonials from past students to gauge the course’s effectiveness and relevance.
Is the instructor credible? Check the instructor’s background and expertise in eCommerce. You want lecturers with real-world experience, someone who can offer more than theoretical knowledge.
How much does it cost? Consider free courses or ones that fit your budget. Don’t just opt for the cheapest option; consider the quality and depth of the training.
Does it come with added perks? Are there exclusive benefits that you can only gain from a specific course? Certification or accreditation is common nowadays. Look for additional benefits like insider information or downloadable content.

Wrapping It Up

The pursuit of knowledge is an investment. In the context of eCommerce, this investment is not just about monetary expenditure on courses and training, but also the time and effort dedicated to learning and skill development. Choosing the best eCommerce course ensures that you gain favorable returns on your investments. Make your choice based on careful considerations, weighing different options to find one that best matches your current skill level and specific learning objective.

We’d like to end with some of our favorite courses from the lists above to aid you in the exploration of the online economy. The best eCommerce training course by Google should offer a fundamental understanding of electronic commerce and digital marketing. It’s a very detailed program that covers everything you need to start as a beginner. The course comes with a Google certificate and only costs $14 a month. From there, you can specialize in different branches of eCommerce. Learn how to start a business with Shopify, do Amazon FBA, or become an eCommerce marketing expert.

It’s easy to get confused by the overwhelming number of options out there. Know what you want and find courses that help you achieve it.

FAQs about the best eCommerce course

What is an eCommerce Course?

An eCommerce course is an educational program that teaches the various aspects of conducting business online, including digital marketing, website development, and sales strategies. These courses are designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully operate and manage an online store or business in the digital marketplace.

Which Course is best for eCommerce?

The best choice for an eCommerce course varies depending on your needs. There are free courses offering basic information that you may want to check out first. Identify what you want to learn and find courses that teach it.

Which Course is best for Online Selling?

The best course for online selling depends on your specific needs and the platform you’re interested in. If you’re interested in building a Shopify business, check out the “How to Start an eCommerce Business Using Shopify” by VendLab. On the other hand, if you’re interested in a broader approach to eCommerce, courses like Skillshare’s “Ecommerce Essentials” offer more general insights into starting and managing an online business.

What is the Duration of an eCommerce Course?

How long an eCommerce course takes depends on the course content and your pace. Basic courses are often a few hours long, while advanced courses may require hundreds of hours to complete. Many online courses offer on-demand learning as well, meaning you learn at your own pace – which also affects the duration of the course.

About GemPages Academy

GemPages Academy is a knowledge hub for storefront optimization and achieving overall eCommerce success. In collaboration with industry experts and leveraging cutting-edge Shopify applications, GemPages Academy offers a diverse array of content in various formats, including insightful blogs, intuitive tutorials, comprehensive webinars, and educational courses.