E-commerce training: which option is right for you?

Online training has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the development of dedicated learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera. The same is true of YouTube, which is packed with videos in which experts deliver value to their subscribers.

The principle behind these platforms is simple: Internet users specializing in a wide variety of fields (e-commerce, web development, digital marketing, finance, photography or DIY) offer online courses, free or not, to share their knowledge and skills.

Rating systems usually give you a good idea of the quality of the content before you subscribe.

These courses are generally affordable (and sometimes even free). They are accessible for life, making training extremely flexible. All you have to do is log on to the platform when you have time to consume the content on offer. In this sense, this type of course is mainly aimed at self-taught learners and those able to follow a course lasting several hours in total autonomy.

On the other hand, the quality is not always there. As a result, you need to select your e-commerce training course carefully to avoid wasting time and money. And it's not always possible to contact the course creators if you have questions or need clarification.

Seminars, face-to-face workshops and other intensive courses are an excellent way to develop new e-commerce skills with a view to developing an e-commerce site. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an online retailer or a digital marketing professional, these courses are suitable for everyone.

Face-to-face with a professional trainer, you benefit from guidance and can ask questions as the course progresses. Likewise, mutual support and the exchange of best practices with other participants are undoubtedly factors in your success. In addition to this direct interaction, face-to-face training courses are also ideal for consolidating your network.

However, such a format means that you'll need to be available at set times, often during the day and over several weeks. What's more, you'll have to travel to the training center, incurring additional transportation costs.

Another option for your e-commerce training is to turn to a university or business school, with the aim of obtaining a diploma, master's degree or MBA (Master of Business Administration).

It's a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, as it's the one that will have the greatest impact on your professional career. You have two options:

• Put your career on hold while you go back to school;
• Keep on working while you take the course, giving priority to learning sessions at the end of the day.

In both cases, it's imperative that you're able to arrange your schedule. It's a real investment, during which you'll develop your skills and meet new people.

What's more, by following an academic career that leads to a degree, you'll gain recognition in the job market.

Another alternative is to opt for shorter training courses, such as workshops or webinars, either face-to-face or remote.

Less time-consuming than traditional face-to-face training or university studies, this type of learning allows you to acquire maximum skills in minimum time.

Short courses usually focus on one or two specific skills. For example, "Develop the SEO of your e-commerce site through netlinking" is a topic that could very well be the subject of such a format. As a result, they are aimed more at professionals who already have a certain background in the targeted field, and are keen to specialize.

On the other hand, they are less relevant for a novice audience, who will have to opt for a generic training course to assimilate the basics of the subject.

The benefits of mentoring are numerous. In fact, it's an approach that's particularly well developed in the world of entrepreneurship. Armed with genuine expertise in their field, mentors can guide their mentees in the acquisition of a wide range of skills. The main advantage of this format is that support is individualized.

In other words, you benefit from customized e-commerce training tailored precisely to your needs, and get concrete answers to your problems.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, the coach can also help you to implement actions in an operational way. He'll be happy to share his experience with you, so you don't make the same mistakes he did. Finally, coaching and mentoring are ideal for expanding your professional address book.