Understanding your customers
Understanding your customers is a self-paced online course delivered by The Open University (OpenLearn). It is free, takes about 8 hours, and awards a statement of participation (free).
FreeChecked on 29 September 2026
- Relevance to work
- 1.8 / 3
- Cost and access
- 2 / 2
- Provider
- 2 / 2
- Credential
- 0.8 / 1.5
- Currency
- 0.45 / 1.5
- Total
- 7 / 10
Provider learner rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings on provider page, as at 2026-09-29
Key facts
| Cost | FreeFree on OpenLearn as at 29 Sep 2026. Free OpenLearn account needed to track progress and get the statement of participation. |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 hours (provider stated) |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Format | self-paced online |
| Prerequisites | none |
| Credential | statement of participation (free) |
| Open to | Worldwide |
| Free in | Worldwide |
| Content written for | Any country |
| Last checked | 2026-09-29 |
Topics:Service and customers
Things to know
- Framed through marketing and buyer behaviour rather than frontline service techniques
- Content last updated November 2020
- Rating is based on only 14 learner ratings
- Level 2 (intermediate) OpenLearn course; no digital badge, statement of participation only
Summary
A university short course on how consumers and business buyers behave, and how to use that understanding to build more valuable customer relationships. It helps small business owners and marketers see service from the customer's side.
You will be able to
- Explain the essential concepts of consumer and business buying behaviour
- Describe how business-to-business marketing differs from consumer marketing
- Improve the value of customer relationships
Modules
- Why should you care about your customers?
- Understanding customer behaviour
- Customers in organisations
- Conclusion
Who it suits
Small business owners and staff, marketing professionals and people considering marketing study who want to understand what customers need and expect.
Who is behind it
- Delivered by
- The Open University
- Hosted on
- OpenLearn (open.edu/openlearn)
- Funded by
- Not stated
- Partners
- Not stated
Related courses
Questions
- Is Understanding your customers free?
- Yes. It is free for anyone, anywhere in the world. Free on OpenLearn as at 29 Sep 2026. Free OpenLearn account needed to track progress and get the statement of participation. Checked 29 September 2026 against the provider's own page.
- How long does it take?
- About 8 hours (provider stated).
- Do you get a certificate?
- Yes. It awards a statement of participation, free.
- Who is it for?
- Small business owners and staff, marketing professionals and people considering marketing study who want to understand what customers need and expect.
- Can I take it from outside Australia?
- Yes. It is open worldwide. It is free in: Worldwide.
Sources
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