Are you looking for free online courses to help you work from home or start a home-based business? Then read on for our extensive list of resources.
When I started looking for work from home jobs, I had no idea what I wanted to do.
The funny thing is, I knew all the things I didn’t want to do — nursing, phone calls, having a fixed schedule — and the emails I get every day tell me this is a common theme among people wanting to work from home.
If you’re ready to make money from home but aren’t sure which direction to go in or you want to change careers, there’s a solution: there are tons of free courses, guides, ebooks, and resources that can take the guesswork out of this question.
Best of all, these courses are 100% online, so you don’t have to worry about spending time with your family.
Are you ready to find your dream work-from-home career path?
Here are 25 of the best free online courses and resources to help you grow and find a new remote career.
1. Free: Become a booked virtual assistant (VA)
If you’re detail-oriented and want to help business owners stay on top of their daily to-do lists, sign up for Abbey Ashley’s free virtual assistant training, “Become a Booked Out Virtual Assistant.” Abbey started her VA business in 2013 and was able to double her corporate income in just 30 days while on maternity leave, which is pretty impressive.
When you sign up, you’ll learn:
- How to quickly make $100,000 a year working as a virtual assistant
- What paying clients want from a VA
- How to find real customers waiting for your services
- Register for the free webinar here
2. Free Data Analysis Courses
Want to break into the high-paying technology field? If so, this free Data Analytics course will give you an overview of how to break into the data analytics field. No college degree required!
In Charlotte Chaze’s free course you’ll learn:
- The best free resources to quickly learn data analytics
- How to create a portfolio to showcase your projects
- High Paying Tech Job Resume Template
- LinkedIn tips for landing a data analytics job
- Data analyst salary guide to find out how much you should ask for
- Register for your free online course here
3. Start and grow a successful dog treat bakery
Do you love dogs? Do you love baking? Then starting a dog treat business from home could be your calling! In Kristin’s free training workshops you’ll learn about the pet industry, selling dog treats online and in person, how to price your treats, how to make $500-1,000 a month, and much more.
To sign up for this free training, click on the purple “Free Training Workshop” button to get started.
4. How to set up and run a digital tax business
If you have a mathematical nature and are detail-oriented, setting up and running a digital tax business from home could be your calling.
In this free Tax Business Workshop with Ben Robinson you will learn:
- How much can you earn from tax services?
- job description
- Who is eligible to own a tax business?
- What it takes to be successful in this industry
- Required Tools and Technical Software
- How to get customers (even if you’re an introvert)
- Register for this free workshop here
5. How to become a bookkeeper
Would you like to work from home as a bookkeeper and earn $60 or more per hour? The Bookkeepers offers a free 3-part online training series that covers the traits of a great bookkeeper, your income potential, costs to get started, how to market your business, and next steps to get started as a virtual bookkeeper.
6. How to become a voice actor
Have you ever been told that you have a pleasant voice? Do your radio commercials or audiobook recordings sound appealing? If so, check out this free mini-course from voice artist and trainer Julie Eickhoff.
This free mini-course will give you a glimpse into the world of voice acting, covering topics such as:
- Narration job description
- The context you need to succeed
- Skills you need to learn
- How to get a job
- How much can you earn?
- Equipment Requirements
- How to learn everything you need to know
- Register for this free mini-course here
7. Pinterest Virtual Assistant Business
If you love browsing Pinterest, you can start a Pinterest virtual assistant business from home and make a nice income. In this free training workshop taught by Kristin Larsen, you’ll learn 9 services you can offer as a Pinterest virtual assistant, how much to charge for your services, and how to get your first client.
8. How to Start a General Proofreading Business
Are you frustrated by grammar and spelling mistakes? Do you constantly correct other people’s texts and Facebook posts? Then Caitlin Pyle’s free workshop is for you!
In this free 76-minute proofreading workshop, you will learn:
- 5 Signs Proofreading is the Right Career for You
- Proofreading is your ticket to freedom and financial security
- An easy way to attract proofreading clients
- Register for this free workshop here
9. Start a profitable resale business
Are you good at finding hidden gems at garage sales and flea markets? Turn your passion for going to yard sales and thrift stores into a profitable reselling business. Rob and Melissa Stevenson make six figures a year reselling flea market finds online, and now they’re teaching others how to do the same.
In this free 75-minute workshop you will learn:
- 5 Signs That Resale Items Are Right for You
- How reselling can be your ticket to freedom and financial security
- 3 inside secrets to help you increase your resale profits
10. Make money selling print materials online
You’ve probably read about people creating and selling printables on Etsy, but how do you get started and can you really make money from this side hustle? Business partners Julie Berninger and Cody Berman both make money selling printables online, and they’ve taught 10,000 students how to do the same.
In this free workshop, you will learn:
- What kind of prints can I sell to make money?
- What are some great ideas to print?
- What do I need to start an Etsy shop?
- How much does it cost to get started?
- How can you ensure your Etsy shop succeeds instead of fails?
- Register for this free workshop here
11. General Transcription Basics: Free Workshop
You’ve probably heard of transcription jobs (transcribe audio files into text), but what exactly does the job involve? In this free mini-course, veteran transcriptionist Janet Shaughnessy explains the industry, how much you can make as a transcriptionist, where to find clients, and what it takes to get started. She also shares 9 signs that transcription isn’t for you. In this interview, she also talks about medical transcription, which is a must-read if you’re considering this career.
12. I love print-on-demand
In this free course, Jessica Loop shares her expertise on how to make $500-1,500 selling print-on-demand (POD) products from home. She explains why this business model is great for aspiring side hustlers and explains 17 popular POD products you can sell to make money from home. If designing t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more sounds like a fun way to make money, sign up for this free guide here.
13. Very focused – food photographer
If you love cooking and photography, try this free training by Melodee Lynn. This free course with 4 modules will teach you everything you need to know to become a food photographer for bloggers. Topics covered include:
- Why Bloggers Hire Photographers
- The demand for these professionals
- How much can a food photographer make?
- job description
- What equipment do I need?
- How to Set Up a Home Studio
- And much more!
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to get started, this course is perfect for beginners. You can sign up for this free training here.
14. TEFL Hero
If you want to work remotely as an ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor, you’ll need to get TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified. TEFL Hero offers a free 40-hour certification that includes 4 modules, 32 lessons, 5 assessments, and an instant certificate.
15. How to become a successful Amazon influencer
In this free eBook by Jessica Larrew, you’ll learn how to make money reviewing products you already own on Amazon, including what you need to start publishing videos, how to get approved for the Amazon Influencer Program, and how to create videos that generate sales.
Other Free Online Learning Courses and Educational Resources
16. Grow with Google
Grow with Google is a non-profit program that offers free online courses, certifications, and live training in digital marketing, career development, and data. Many courses offer a certificate of completion upon completion and passing a final exam. Formats include online self-study courses and live webinars.
Popular courses include:
- Learn the fundamentals of digital marketing to help grow your business and career
- Learn how to write a resume, prepare for an interview, and land your next job
- Get an overview of the code, learn how it works, what it can do, and how it can help you
17. Alison
Alison is an online learning platform that offers 5,000 courses and diploma programs for free. It also offers paid premium options that remove ads, offer discounts on certifications, provide certificates, and access to paid courses. Alison offers a wide range of courses for free, including IT, sales and marketing, health, management, engineering, education, academics, and more. It also has a mobile app for Android and iOS devices, so you can attend courses on your phone.
18. LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda, offers over 21,000 online courses and learning paths taught by industry experts. Key areas include project management, business, design, web development, photography, cloud computing, and marketing. LinkedIn Learning gives you access to as many classes as you want for $34.99 per month, but you can try it for free for 30 days. When you sign up for the free trial, you’ll need to enter a credit card number. Mark your calendar so you can cancel the trial (you can if you don’t want to continue), or your credit card will be automatically charged.
19. Open Courseware
The OpenCourseWare site is a collection of free classes offered by educational institutions and universities, such as MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, that can be accessed online from anywhere in the world. The goal is to make learning accessible to everyone, regardless of income or location.
Taking these courses won’t earn you a college degree or certification, but it will allow you to increase your skills and knowledge from the comfort of your own home.
Sites offering free OpenCourseWare include Khan Academy, Caltech, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania.
20. Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning community that hosts over 25,000 online classes on a variety of topics. Course categories include animation, design, illustration, lifestyle, photography, business, writing, entrepreneurship, social media, and more. Skillshare allows you to create a custom curriculum based on your needs and passions. And best of all, it’s budget-friendly. Take as many courses as you want for just $32 per month (or $168 per year). You can get a 30-day free trial using this link or explore all the free classes here.
21. Udemy
Another place to find free online courses is Udemy. Many online instructors offer free classes in a variety of areas, including HTML, business, IT, personal development, design, and marketing. I haven’t tried Udemy, but their website lists over 10,000 free courses, which you can access by simply searching the keyword “free.” They also offer a 7-day free trial of their Personal Plan membership, after which it costs $20 per month.
Free online courses include:
- Web Design for Web Developers: Build a Beautiful Website!
- Excel for beginners
- Introduction to Python Programming
- Javascript Basics
22. Coursera
Coursera is an online learning platform that partners with over 275 top companies and universities, including Duke, Stanford, Google, and Facebook, to help people prepare for in-demand careers.
Coursera allows you to earn a degree or certification online, discover a new career, or advance your current one. Coursera offers different participation options, and depending on your goals, you can take a course for free or join one of their affordable training options.
- Gain new knowledge: 2,700+ free courses
- Learn new job skills: From $9.99
- Specialization: $49/month
- Professional Qualifications: $49/month
- Coursera Plus (7,000 courses): $59/month
- Master Track Certificate: From $2,000
- Degree Programs: From $9,000
Course subjects and degrees include data science, business, computer science, IT, personal development, language learning, mathematics and social sciences.
23. Meta Blueprint for Business
If you want to work as a social media manager or need to improve your social media marketing skills, Meta for Business offers free online classes on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The courses are self-guided and include topics such as:
- Get ready to take your business online
- Engage your audience
- Improve your creative strategy
- Power your ads with Ads Manager
Some courses also come with free online certificates, perfect for adding to your resume or LinkedIn profile.
24. IBM Training – Free Digital Training
Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, gain a certification or change careers, IBM Training can help you achieve your goals with free online training. We offer free courses on automation, business operations, cloud, data, AI, IT infrastructure, security and supply chain. Courses range from 30 minutes to 4 hours in length and you’ll receive a certificate of completion if you pass the quiz with a score of 80. IBM also offers more extensive training programs that you can join by purchasing an annual subscription.
25. Codeacademy Free Coding Courses
If you want to work in the tech industry, consider Codeacademy. They offer a variety of free courses on AI, coding, analytics, development, web design, and more. Their basic training course gives you access to training materials, community support, and resources. Upgrading to their Plus plan gives you access to a full catalog of online courses, skill paths, projects, and certificates. It costs $34.99 per month, or $17.49 per month if you choose the annual plan.
Conclusion
So, we have a massive list of free online courses and resources to help you start and grow your work-from-home career. Whether you want to become a remote worker and earn a full-time income, start your own business, or start a part-time side hustle, there’s something for everyone on this list. Sign up for as many as you like to find the jobs and career paths that best fit your skills, passions, and situation.
Which one is interesting to you? Do you know any other free courses that should be on the list? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
Originally published on January 16, 2017. Content updated August 2024.
