Entrepreneurs considering franchising can now access a new online course from the U.S. Small Business Administration and FranNet to help them navigate the competitive franchise industry.

The introduction to franchising course, Franchising Basics, is a free online seminar which provides three key sections that examine more than 10 essential areas relating to franchising, including Is Franchising Right for You and How to Choose the Right Franchise. The course also covers franchising options, strategies for growth, and pitfalls to avoid. Course participants will be able to better understand franchising and decide if it is the best small business option for them.

The Franchising Basics course can be accessed from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, under the Free Online Training icon by selecting Franchising Basics in the Starting a Business section. The courses can be reviewed at the learner’s own pace and in their own time, and a certificate of completion will be provided to participants who finish the course.

“SBA is committed to helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals of business ownership, and the online training tool is both accessible and educational in determining if franchising is the right business option,” said Anoop Prakash, SBA’s associate administrator for Entrepreneurial Development. “We believe that combining our resources to help build up small businesses and to help train future entrepreneurs is important to strengthening the nation’s small business community.”