Top 15 eCommerce Training Courses to Boost Your Dropshipping Business (Free & Paid)

eCommerce is booming.

Nearly 20% of all retail sales now take place online.

If you want to get involved with an exciting, growing industry, eCommerce training is the fastest way to do it.

But you need to choose a course that is right for your budget and experience.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best eCommerce training courses in 2021.

We’ll also cover the benefits of eCommerce training and what to look for in a course.

By the time you finish this guide, you’ll be ready to take the next step.

Let’s dive in.

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Benefits of Taking eCommerce Training?

An eCommerce course is the best way to fast-track your store’s growth and avoid the common mistakes that can derail a new business.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons a new business fails:

An experienced course instructor can help you overcome almost all of these challenges.

It’s the ideal way to develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

eCommerce training enables you to:

Get Expert Advice

You can learn from a professional that has years of experience building and growing online businesses.

Whether you’re looking for advice on a specific challenge or struggling to find the right business model, eCommerce training can help you validate your ideas and find solutions that are proven to work.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Running a new business requires you to make a lot of important decisions.

You need to choose the right products, marketing channels, and more.

An eCommerce training course can help you to avoid the common mistakes that new business owners make.

You’ll learn what to avoid and the factors you should always consider when making a decision that will impact your business.

Start Earning Faster

Most businesses fail to make a profit in the first year.

eCommerce has a much lower barrier of entry, and it’s easier to make money than many other industries.

But it still takes time and effort.

The right eCommerce course can help you focus your energy on the strategies that generate revenue.

You can start making money faster and give your business a head start.

Expand Your Skill Set

Launching a profitable eCommerce store requires several skills.

At a minimum, you need to know the basics of product management, marketing, design, and customer service.

You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to know the fundamentals.

eCommerce courses cover everything from Facebook Ads and web design to business strategy and pricing.

You can learn all the skills you need to be successful.

Make Connections

One of the most significant benefits of joining a course is the network that you become a part of.

Many course vendors have Facebook groups and online communities for students to share tips, trends, and advice.

You can form partnerships, get mentorship, and grow your network. Being part of a community of people with similar goals and interests can spur you on to succeed.

Best Free and Paid eCommerce Training Courses

There are hundreds of eCommerce courses online. But some are much better than others.

The following list contains the best eCommerce courses in 2021.

Some can be accessed for free, while others are paid courses.

1. SaleHoo: Educate

SaleHoo offers two beginner-friendly eCommerce training courses, dropshipping with Shopify, and Private Labeling on Amazon.

Both courses are taught by eCommerce experts and designed to help you launch a sustainable online store that can scale quickly.

The dropshipping on Shopify course is an excellent introduction for newbies. You learn how to get started in eCommerce with a low barrier to entry business model.

The course includes 55 lessons totaling 6.5 hours of video training. You also get 10+ educational resources to help you apply what you’ve learned to your eCommerce business.

The Amazon Private Labelling course is a great option if you’re looking to expand or try a new business model. The tactics are slightly more advanced, but beginners can still gain plenty of value and actionable advice on Private Labeling.

The course includes 26 video lessons over 6 hours, with 20+ educational resources to help you get started on Amazon.

Both SaleHoo courses are an ideal next step for beginners looking to develop a business model and get started with eCommerce.

Certification: Coming soon

Pricing: $47 for each course

2. Shopify Learn

Shopify Learn is an excellent resource for beginners and intermediates.

There are 13 expert-taught free courses covering all the different aspects of starting a profitable eCommerce business.

You’ll learn the importance of setting goals and wider business strategy before going into more detail on specific promotional and digital marketing tactics.

There’s a course for search engine optimization, pay-per-click, and even product photography. 

If you’re interested in a print-on-demand eCommerce business model, there’s a short course taught by entrepreneur Adrian Morrison that you’ll want to check out.

Certification: No

Pricing: All Shopify Learn courses are free.

3 .HubSpot: Introduction to eCommerce Marketing

If you want to learn how to use inbound marketing to scale your eCommerce business, this is the course for you.

HubSpot has an excellent reputation for free, in-depth course content. The Introduction to eCommerce Marketing course lives up to that high standard.

Creative agency CEO Ethan Giffin teaches the beginner-friendly course.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of inbound eCommerce marketing, how to build a strategy for your store, and how to leverage Shopify and HubSpot integrations to scale and automate.

It’s a great introductory course that you can complete in less than an hour.

Certification: Yes. You’ll get a digital certificate for completing the 4 lessons and passing the 3 quizzes. 

Pricing: Free, but you’ll need to create a HubSpot account.

4. Google: Get A Business Online

Do you want to learn the basics of selling online?

Google’s Get A Business Online course is a solid introduction to the world of eCommerce and digital marketing.

You’ll learn the basics so you can start your eCommerce business on a solid foundation.

The free course includes 7 modules of video lessons, step-by-step plans, and quizzes to assess your knowledge.

You’ll learn how to create a digital marketing strategy, how to build your online presence, and how to make your online store.

There’s even a module on making your store secure from hackers.

From start to finish with no breaks, you can complete the course in around 3 hours.

If you don’t care about the certificate, you could skip the 20-minute module on getting a brick-and-mortar business found locally.

Certification: Yes. You can get a certificate after completing all of the modules and passing the assessment quizzes.

Pricing: Free. All you need is a Google account to access Google Digital Garage courses.

5. Skillshare: eCommerce Essentials

Skillshare’s eCommerce Essentials is designed for beginners looking to start an online business.

Big Commerce editor-in-chief Tracey Wallace takes you through the process of starting an eCommerce store.

The course will teach you the basic principles behind choosing the right products to sell, researching your competitors, and creating a content marketing strategy.

There are some great tips and insights for beginners, and there’s a workbook to help you understand the core takeaways.

In total, Skillshare’s free eCommerce course takes around 1 hour to complete.

This is a good option for beginners. But you should look at some of the other courses on this list if you’re ready to develop your skills and grow your store.

Certification: No.

Pricing: Free with sign-up.

6. LinkedIn: eCommerce Fundamentals

LinkedIn’s eCommerce Fundamentals is more in-depth and advanced than the Skillshare course.

It’s a good option if you understand the basics but don’t know which business model is right for you.

Patrick Rauland, product manager of WooCommerce, explains the different eCommerce business models and their pros and cons.

Over 7 modules, you’ll learn how to identify a target audience and create a buyer persona, how to choose the right products, and how to build your online store.

Unlike many beginner-friendly eCommerce courses, you’ll also learn what to do after you’ve created your store and started advertising your products.

Certification: Yes. You get a digital certificate that you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

Pricing: $35.99

7. Udemy: Business Branding for eCommerce

Branding is one of the most overlooked elements of a successful online business.

In Udemy’s Business Branding for eCommerce course, you’ll learn how to create a brand that sets your store apart from your competitors.

It shows you a systematic approach to creating a brand and the aspects that contribute to the experience of buying from your business.

There are sections on graphics, product photography, and copywriting tips to establish your brand.

If you have a good understanding of the fundamentals and are looking to build an eCommerce brand, there’s a lot that you can take away from this course.

The course is delivered in 12 sections with 3 hours of video lessons and 9 downloadable resources.

Certification: Yes

Pricing: $99.99

8. Foundr: Start and Scale eCommerce Masterclass

Foundr’s Start and Scale eCommerce Masterclass is for online business owners wanting to invest in their education to get faster results.

It’s the most expensive eCommerce course on the list.

Entrepreneur Gretta Van Riel takes you through the process of finding an idea, bringing it to market, and building a customer base.

There’s a good mix of the different aspects that contribute to a successful eCommerce store.

You’ll learn about branding, influencer marketing, and how to use Instagram and Facebook to get your products in front of your ideal customers.

There are 16 workbooks to help you through the 8 modules and 50 video lessons. You also get access to a private Facebook Group.

Certification: No.

Pricing: $1,997

9. Udemy: 2021 Selling on Amazon

If you want to start selling on Amazon, this course by Alex Genadinik is a good way to see what it takes to be successful.

The 2021 Selling on Amazon course is focused entirely on the eCommerce platform.

You should already have a good understanding of eCommerce fundamentals before starting this course.

Rather than going over the basics, Alex dives into marketing strategies and optimization tactics to help you sell more products on Amazon.

You’ll learn about Amazon SEO, how to get your products featured in Amazon recommendations, and the best practices for using Amazon Ads to promote your products.

There’s even a section on optimizing your Amazon product descriptions to get more conversions.

It takes around 4.5 hours to complete the course.

Certification: Yes. There are no quizzes or tests. Just complete all sections of the course to qualify for a certificate.

Pricing: $50

10. Coursera: Digital Marketing Specialization

If you’re looking for an in-depth course about marketing and selling in today’s digital economy, you’ll want to check out Coursera’s Digital Marketing Specialization course.

However, you should be aware that this isn’t a short course. You won’t be able to complete it over a free afternoon or weekend.

It’s provided by the University of Illinois and will take around 8 months to complete if you dedicate at least 5 hours per week.

But if you have the time and want to get a deep understanding of how technology and the internet are impacting retail and consumer behavior, this course will give you a great overview.

The course is 100% online, with a mix of video lectures, assignments, and projects.

It also provides a certification that will look great on your CV.

Certification: Yes.

Pricing: Free 7-day trial and then $39 to $89 per month until you complete the course.

11. Digital Marketer: eCommerce Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketer’s eCommerce Marketing Specialist course is for more advanced online business owners.

There’s plenty here that would benefit a beginner, but you’ll get more out of the course if you have some experience building and operating a store.

The course provides an in-depth guide to using different technologies and marketing channels to scale a store and increase sales.

You’ll learn about the structure of a successful eCommerce website, how to use content marketing to get more sales, and the role of analytics in improving decision-making.

There’s also a great module on email marketing automation.

You should expect the course to take the best part of a week to complete. There are 5 modules with 40 lessons in total.

Certification: Yes. You’ll receive a “Certified eCommerce Marketing Specialist” badge that you can add to your website, social profiles, and email signature.

Pricing: $495

12. Udemy: Facebook Ads For eCommerce: The Complete Guide

Facebook Ads are one of the most effective marketing channels for eCommerce. You can get new customers and target users that have already interacted with your store through remarketing ads.

In this Udemy course, Adam Reed shows you how to use Facebook Ads to scale your eCommerce business.

You’ll learn how to set up powerful lookalike audiences based on your existing customers, split test ads to boost conversions, and maximize your budget through cost-cutting bidding strategies.

There’s also a section on writing ad copy. Even if you outsource to a copywriter, it’s important to know what makes a good ad.

The course is just over 10 hours in total.

Certification: Yes

Pricing: $17.99

13. CXL Institute: eCommerce Growth

If you’re looking for advanced tactics to scale your existing eCommerce store, this course by veteran marketer Drew Sanocki of NerdMarketing could be worth your time and money.

The CXL Institute eCommerce course looks at the three ways that you can scale an eCommerce business:

• Get more customers
• Increase the average order value
• Increase the number of purchases per existing customer

This isn’t a beginner-friendly course. Instead, it’s designed to help you scale up your existing business.

You’ll learn how to set up email automation reorder campaigns, capitalize on upselling and cross-selling opportunities, and create Instagram and Facebook funnels.

In total, it will take you around 12-14 hours to complete the 8 modules and video lessons.

Certification: Yes.

Pricing: $1,299 + Includes access to other CXL Institute courses for one year.

14. Udemy: WordPress for eCommerce

Need some help building a website for your eCommerce store?

This WordPress for eCommerce course will show you how to build a store using the CMS and WooCommerce plugin in 12 hours.

If you’re new to web design, the step-by-step breakdown offered in each video lesson will help you create a professional-looking site and implement basic SEO best practices.

You’ll learn how to set up your domain and hosting, add products and pages, and set up PayPal integration.

You can have a store up and running over the course of a weekend.

Certification: Yes

Pricing: $17.99

15. Alison: Diploma in E-Business

If you’re looking for an eCommerce course that teaches you how to create a digital business strategy, this Diploma in E-Business from Alison is a great option.

You’ll learn about SEO and paid search and how to use Google’s toolset to grow your business.

It’s a great introduction to Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Search Console.

Lessons are delivered in short 15-minute chunks that are easy to digest. You’ll start learning about online business basics before getting into the more advanced lessons covering Google tools.

After each module, there’s an assessment to test your knowledge.

In total, it will take around 10-12 hours to complete the course. If you pass all the assessments, you can purchase a certificate for a fee.

Certification: Yes. Requires payment of €65.00 ($75+).

Pricing: Free

How To Choose the Best eCommerce Training Course for You

The right eCommerce course for you depends on the stage your business is at and what you want to achieve.

Where are you currently in your eCommerce journey?

If you’re starting out, a free course like Skillshare’s eCommerce Essentials can teach you the fundamentals of selling online and give you a good indication of whether a career in eCommerce is right for you.

If you’re looking to put your new knowledge into action and launch your online eCommerce business, SaleHoo’s courses are the ideal next step and will push you to get started.

For store owners looking to scale, an advanced course from CXL Institute or Digital Marketer can provide the training you need to take your store to the next level.

It’s also important to factor in your goals.

If you have a specific goal, like learning how to use Facebook Ads, a specialized course from Udemy could be the best option.

What do you want to do with the skills and knowledge you acquire from the course?

Think about your goals and base your decision on your desired outcomes.

What To Look For in eCommerce Courses

The above list contains the best eCommerce courses online. All of these courses have made the list because they offer good value.

However, there are factors you should consider before signing up.

Once you’ve found a course that covers the topics you want to learn, use the factors below to determine if the course is worth your time and money.

1. Who Is the Instructor?

You want to ensure that the person teaching the course knows what they are talking about and has experience in the industry. 

Google the course instructor to see who they are and what their background is.

Do they have a LinkedIn profile that shows their past work experience?

Have they been involved with successful eCommerce stores?

You can also check out the reviews of people that have already taken the course to see if they are satisfied with the depth of the information and quality of teaching.

2. Pricing

Make sure you understand what is included with the course. This is especially important if you want to get a certificate.

There are lots of courses that provide lessons for free but require payment for assessments and certifications.

Generally, the more advanced the course, the higher the cost will be.

One of the most significant benefits of eCommerce is the low barrier to entry. It doesn’t cost much to get started, and there’s a bunch of free information available.

But mistakes and time cost money. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to pay for a course that will help you avoid mistakes and start earning faster.

3. Money-Back Guarantee

For paid courses, check to see if the course provider offers a money-back guarantee.

If the vendor is confident in the course content and the value they offer, they will often provide a money-back guarantee. If you feel the course didn’t deliver on your expectations or help your business in the way it was advertised, you should be able to get a refund.

4. Do You Need an eCommerce Certificate?

The main benefit of a certificate is that it boosts your credibility. But it’s not a key consideration for most people. 

Unless you are pursuing eCommerce as a side hustle to a full-time job as a digital marketer, a certificate shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

For most eCommerce store owners, there’s little benefit in getting certified unless it’s included in the course price.

That’s it.

We’ve covered the best eCommerce training courses in 2021, what you should look for in a vendor, and how to decide which course is right for you.

The most successful entrepreneurs never stop learning. It’s how you keep progressing and building your business.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started or an experienced store owner looking to sharpen your skills and scale, there’s a course out there to help you succeed.