Digital resources for businesses
You can visit Learn My Way, which covers topics such as using email, creating documents and spreadsheets and using social media.
Future Learn offers a free two-week Digital Skills Social Media course, where you can learn how to use social media for business, from creating a social media presence to measuring success.
Google offers a Fundamentals of digital marketing course, accredited by The Open University. The 26 modules include practical exercises and real-world examples to help you turn knowledge into action.
There are a wide range of providers that can help you to learn new digital skills to improve your business's online presence. We have compiled a list of some of the best to help you expand your use of e-commerce, web marketing, and social media.
Amazon
Enterprise Nation offers Amazon Small Business Accelerator Bootcamps, which include a sector-specific, week-long intensive training programme. They also provide ongoing support to help your existing business grow its online presence fast.
Backing Essex Business
Backing Essex Business provides SMEs with up to 12 hours of fully funded advice and guidance on key areas of focus for business owners. This includes finance and risk, customers and marketing, supply chains, workplace operations and people.
They can provide loans for business growth and start-ups. They also deliver recovery loans of up to £150,000 to support businesses through Covid-19.
You can find more information on the Backing Essex Business website or call 0800 970 8981.
Barclays
Barclays has compiled advice, tools, and tips on digital skills to boost your business.
BEST Growth Hub
The BEST Growth Hub offers a completely free and impartial service. Their business navigators are available for free discussions via phone or email to answer your questions and concerns.
They can also point you in the right direction for external or government advice. If you would like to receive support from your local business navigator, you need to complete their Business Support form.
They also provide information on webinars and training on topics such as digital skills, as well as information on apprenticeships.
BT Skills For Tomorrow
BT Skills For Tomorrow aims to give people the skills they need to flourish in the digital world. Working in partnership with leading digital skills organisations, it has free resources and information.
Colbea
Colbea provide business advice, training and counselling to new and existing businesses.
As part of their business offer, a business advisor can now conduct a virtual tour of your premises. They can help you think of ways to maximise your business, whilst keeping your customers and employees safe.
You can find out more about Colbea's digital skills workshops or call 01206 489351. Business Advisor Keith Powell specialises in offering his expertise to companies that are considering smarter digital operations.
Department of International Trade
The Department of International Trade (DIT) have recorded webinars covering topics including international trade and e-commerce.
Digital Boost
Digital Boost offers free digital advice for small business and charities impacted by coronavirus, provided by expert volunteers.
Digital Skills Partnership
The Digital Skills Partnership offers online support, guidance and training. This includes information on remote working tools, online advice for the self-employed and cyber security training.
Essex County Council Libraries
Essex libraries offer all those with a library card access to over 500 online courses in a wide range of subjects including business, office skills and computer training. They also offer Learn My Way courses for complete beginners.
Boost with Facebook Summer of Support offers six weeks of free training, tools, and insight from renowned entrepreneurs offering digital marketing education.
FSB Skills Hub
Federation of Small Businesses supports FSB members remotely with learning opportunities, resources and advice for your business. This includes webinars on digital marketing and social media channels.
Google Digital Garage
Google Digital Garage offer over 130 online courses, plus an ongoing programme of webinars designed to help you develop new digital skills.
They also provide resources helping you work, teach and learn from anywhere and a certificated course in the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing.
HM Government Skills Toolkit
The Skills Toolkit provides free digital and numeracy courses to build your skills. Their introductory digital courses include Learn My Way, Make It Click and Get the best out of Microsoft Outlook.
The intermediate courses include Create a Professional Online Presence, Thriving in the Digital Workplace, and Digital Skills: Social Media (for business).
Finally, the advanced digital courses include Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Learn to code for Data Analysis, and Programming essentials in Python.
National Cyber Security Centre
The National Cyber Security Centre offers both guidance for small and medium sized organisations and information for large organisations.
Open University
The Open University offers free courses with their Open Learn portal.