What are the best business development courses online?

Browse the business development courses below—popular starting points on Coursera. Relationship Management and Business Development: Starweaver Business Growth Strategy: University of Virginia Business Growth Strategy: University of Virginia Business and Marketing Strategies: University of London Business Foundations: University of Pennsylvania

Can I take free business development courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning business development on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many business development courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in business development, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a business development course?

You’ll learn how to identify market trends, manage relationships with partners and clients, and create strategies to drive growth. Some courses also cover negotiation , data analysis for decision-making, and digital tools for managing leads and customer pipelines.

Do I need a business background to start learning about business development?

No prior business experience is required for most beginner-level courses . They start with the basics and provide step-by-step instruction. For learners with experience, there are also advanced courses on strategic partnerships and scaling operations.

Can Coursera’s business development courses help me in my career?

Yes. Business development is a critical function in any growing organization. Coursera courses can help you build practical skills, understand market dynamics, and develop a mindset for identifying and executing growth opportunities—whether you’re starting your career or looking to expand your expertise.

Top Business Development Courses - Learn Business Development Online

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Business Development

Business Development Courses

Business development courses can help you learn negotiation strategies, market analysis techniques, customer relationship management, and sales funnel optimization. You can build skills in networking, strategic planning, and identifying growth opportunities. Many courses introduce tools like CRM software, data analytics platforms, and project management applications, showing how these skills are applied to drive business success and enhance client engagement.

Popular Business Development Courses and Certifications

Status: Preview
Starweaver
Relationship Management and Business Development
Skills you'll gain: Relationship Management, Rapport Building, Business Development, Customer Retention, Communication, Business Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Market Opportunities, Organizational Development, Upselling, Active Listening
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
242 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
UBITS
Business Developer
Skills you'll gain: Benchmarking, Closing (Sales), Consultative Selling, Negotiation, Retail Sales, Sales Presentation, Overcoming Objections, Stakeholder Management, Sales Strategy, Customer Relationship Management, Rapport Building, Accountability, Value Propositions, Customer experience strategy (CX), Business Development, Customer Relationship Building, Emotional Intelligence, New Business Development, Personal Development, Initiative and Leadership
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
International Business
Skills you'll gain: International Finance, Transportation, Supply Chain, and Logistics, Transportation Operations, Cultural Diversity, Management Training And Development, Supply Chain Planning, Commercial Laws, Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Shipping and Receiving, B2B Sales, Market Opportunities, Business Marketing, Payment Systems, Risk Management, Financial Trading, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Business Development, World History, Business Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
504 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Goldman Sachs
Grow Your Business with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women
Skills you'll gain: Market Opportunities, Business Planning, Feasibility Studies, Growth Strategies, Business Development, Business Strategies, Strategic Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics, Goal Setting, Peer Review, Innovation, Professional Networking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Doing Business in China
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Peer Review, Market Opportunities, Business Planning, Innovation, Consumer Behaviour, Business Leadership, Brand Management, Strategic Thinking, Marketing, Business Strategy, Business Development, Global Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Business Consulting, Business Strategies, Digital Media Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Competitive Analysis, Go To Market Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
655 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Glasgow
Strategic Business Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, Business Leadership, Innovation, Market Research, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Leadership Development, Business Strategy, Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making, Organizational Strategy, Business Planning, Business Development, Leadership and Management, Competitive Analysis, Corporate Strategy, Organizational Leadership, Business Management, Organizational Change
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Preview
Starweaver
Fundamentals of Business Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Engagement, Business Analysis, Business Systems Analysis, Organizational Change, Stakeholder Communications, Requirements Analysis, Stakeholder Analysis, Requirements Management, Change Management, Performance Analysis, Project Performance, Business Development, Quality Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
90 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Prompt Patterns, Generative AI, Generative Model Architectures, ChatGPT, Responsible AI, OpenAI, AI Product Strategy, Data Ethics, Large Language Modeling, Leadership and Management, LLM Application, Strategic Leadership, Risking, Business Ethics, Legal Risk, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Business Development, Deep Learning, Content Creation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Duke University
Negotiating with Impact Investors
Skills you'll gain: Due Diligence, Strategic Partnership, Negotiation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Value Propositions, Fundraising, Entrepreneurship, Storytelling, Presentations, Investments, Business Development, Entrepreneurial Finance, Investment Management, Capital Markets, Financial Market, Finance, International Finance, Financial Management, Business Strategy, Business Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Michigan State University
Capstone - Launch Your Own Business!
Skills you'll gain: Product Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Operations Management, Operations, Accounting, Business, Small Business Accounting, Legal Risk, New Business Development, Business Development, Commercial Laws, Digital Advertising, Financial Statements, Marketing, Business Strategy, Cash Flows
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
144 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Fundamentos del Modelo de Negocio Canvas
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Strategic Partnership, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Value Propositions, Entrepreneurship, Market Opportunities, Customer Analysis, Business Development, Target Market, Customer Relationship Management, Revenue Management, Resource Management, Cost Accounting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
245 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp
Product Management Certification
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Product Management, Product Development, Innovation, Product Lifecycle Management, Product Roadmaps, Usability Testing, Product Planning, Product Strategy, Project Management Life Cycle, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Management, Competitive Analysis, Product Testing, Business Development, Agile Product Development, Product Requirements, Business Planning, Leadership, Go To Market Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
557 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Searches related to business development

relationship management and business development

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mastering ux & business app development with oop

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular business development courses

Relationship Management and Business Development : Starweaver
Business Developer: UBITS
International Business: University of Colorado Boulder
Grow Your Business with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women: Goldman Sachs
Doing Business in China: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Strategic Business Leadership: University of Glasgow
Fundamentals of Business Analysis : Starweaver
Generative AI Fundamentals: IBM
Negotiating with Impact Investors: Duke University
Capstone - Launch Your Own Business!: Michigan State University

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Development

Yes. You can start learning business development on Coursera for free in two ways:

Preview the first module of many business development courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in business development, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.