Education platform launches to help you set up your online shop

Starting an online store can be a daunting process and isn’t as simple as installing ecommerce software on your web server. It requires a lot of work and planning. MasterStart recently launched its e-learning platform in order to address these issues and help those wanting to start an online store.

MasterStart is an online education provider and platform focusing on interactive courses for budding entrepreneurs. The system teaches users how to create an ecommerce store, how to market it, and what skills will be needed in the running of their new venture. It is marketed as a practical launch pad for becoming fully self-employed. With this system the founders hope to help and grow small, independent businesses in South Africa.

The project has been created by industry experts such as Jody Basson (SA Camera), Charl Norman (OnNet), and Jesse Hemson-Struthers (Balfour Capital). It is also endorsed by Nic Haralambous, serial entrepreneur and founder of NicHarry.com, formerly NicSocks.

The project is part formed out of queries Haralambous receives on a constant basis asking about ecommerce:

I think we’re on the cusp of something in South Africa and MasterStart is positioned right at the heart of the movement. That movement is ecommerce business. I get at least one email a week, either from a business or an individual, asking me how to start a business online or how to make a business more ecommerce relevant. MasterStart walks people through the most difficult parts of starting an online business, and then helps you grow once you’ve started.

Users are able to learn from the paid course through twelve different sections. These sections cover an introduction to ecommerce, e-marketing for beginners, sales, inventory management, and everything else needed in order to set up a shop. All topics are covered in depth. Course notes will be available for download and come with audio versions. Users will have up to twelve months to complete the course, which can be done part or full-time.

Once a user has signed up for the paid course you will have access to twelve months of telephonic support, support forums, and three online mentorship sessions with MasterStart’s team members.

A final incentive to sign up is the six-month complimentary access to an online selling platform via MasterStart.