So your organization doesn’t have a full-time training department or perhaps you are just looking at supplementing your existing sales training with online sales training options? There are many reasons to consider online sales training in your new salesperson curriculum.

1. It’s cheaper. With no out-of-office time or travel expenses, e-learning is much less expensive than instructor-led on-site training.
2. It’s convenient. Salespeople and reps can do it during downtime.
3. It’s consistent. The training experience of your employees will be the same because they are all using the same program.
4. You can measure ROI. Many e-learning companies provide assessments and other tools to help track your training’s ROI.
5. Someone tracks your training. The e-learning training company will keep a record of the progress throughout the training for each employee.
6. There are learning assessments. Your employees will know where they stand throughout the training, and so will you.

Now that you have seen some solid reasons why you should consider online sales training as a part of your training package, here are seven online sales training tools that encompass a mix of free and fee-based online sales training, and include varying training formats such as seminars, self-directed training, video training, and more.

1. American Management Association’s Blended Learning Solution

The American Management Association (AMA) offers both online and on-site training. Their blended training combines both formats for a comprehensive approach. This method has been repeatedly proven to be highly effective in making the training “stick”. After the training sessions are over, employees have access to related resources and information that can be used to reinforce their learning. http://www.amanet.org/elearn/

2. Richardson QuickSkills™

Their QuickSkills™ program has over 70 integrated course titles that run the gamut of sales training; covering topics such as Consultative Negotiations, Sales Presentations, and Telephone Selling. The sessions are 20 minutes long and are very interactive. They include assessments, role playing, and sales manager guides for reinforcing the learning in team meetings. http://www.richardson.com/How-We-Do-It/Training-Delivery/eLearning/

3. DigitalThink Simulation-Centered^TM Online Sales Training

This company offers packaged online sales training. They have a “learn-by-doing” philosophy for their training, and they use challenging sales simulations to teach their lessons. This allows your employees to practice in a safe environment instead of on real customers. You can watch a short overview on their website to see if this type of training is right for your needs. http://c-beta.digitalthink.com/dtfs/e-learning/sales.html

4. The Resource Connection Online Sales Training Subscription

When you subscribe to this sales training and development site, you’ll receive one year access to 9 online courses, with titles that include “Territory and Account Management”, “Win-Win Negotiations”, and “Prospecting to Create Interest”. View course demos, complete course descriptions and more on their website. http://www.resourceconnection.com/elearning-stp.html

5. LearnSellingOnline.com (LSO)

LSO’s vision is to be the #1 web delivered training provider for sales, customer service and sales management training. They offer free comprehensive diagnostic tools which are competency-based and focus on observable behaviors. Use there tools to help you assess your team’s training needs, and find out how LSO can help you. They customize their training packages to meet your individual needs. Available 24/7/365, when you purchase their individual annual membership plan. http://www.learnsellingonline.com/

6. iMarket® Free Training Modules

iMarket®, in collaboration with expert sales trainer John Peaker, has created a free online resource of modular-style online sales training materials. There are over 150 pages of content, broken down into 12 modules that cover tactical sales issues such as: what to say and how to say it when opening and closing a sale, both on the phone and in person. There are also sections on fact finding, secondary markets, sales scripts, and more. http://www.imarket.ca/files/sales-training-free.htm

7. SalesPro Online

This company offers online sales training seminars. They have a workshop component to the seminar where employees participate in creating a sales strategy based on what was learned in the session. There is also a section for managers to view each employee’s results. http://www.4moresales.com

Online sales training is making sales training more convenient, cost-effective and accessible for sales professionals everywhere. To decide if it’s right for you, consider reading this article by Josh Bersin regarding measuring the success of your online training.

Study hard, work hard, sell effectively. Sell smart.

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