Thanks to online typing services, learning to type has never been easier. Whether you want to increase your typing skills for home or work typing programs and typing tests give users all the tools and experience they need to get ahead.

Practice typing sessions, typing tutors and typing speed tests all can assess your staff’s proficiency level and enhance your business’s productivity. To improve your employees’ typing speed and accuracy or to determine the typing skills of new or prospective hires you should:

1. Buy or download typing programs.

2. Encourage employees to learn to type or practice typing via online typing lessons.

3. Schedule an online typing test

4. “Hire” a typing “tutor” to evaluate your employees’ efficiency levels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Set up typing tests for your employees

Whether an existing employee or a new or potential hire, find out how their typing skills measure up by giving them an impromptu typing test.

I recommend: AssessTyping allows employers to schedule an online typing test at a moment’s notice. In some cases, individuals may take the free typing test multiple times to attain maximum results. This website allows employers to customize a typing test specifically for their potential employees. Learn2Type also offers free online typing tests. Users can create their personal account to keep track of their typing speed and accuracy rate.

Learn to type or improve your typing skills with an online typing tutor

Typing tutors can provide one-on-one instruction to individuals or group training for your company or business.

I recommend: Custom Typing Training is an online typing tutor that operates through your Internet browser which means there is nothing to download. Its typing services allow an employer to create administrative accounts to review an employee’s score, monitor their progress and customize typing tests. TypingWeb is available at no cost to individuals. Its company version can manage multiple participants and design learning materials to fit your business needs.

Purchase typing software or typing programs for personal or business use

Typing software is an easy, hands-on way to increase typing speed and accuracy at home or in the workplace.

I recommend: When buying typing software, look for a typing program that is easy to install, simple to use, provides technical support and offers a variety of typing speed tests and typing practice tests. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing was rated among the most successful typing programs by Top Ten Reviews. It includes videos and interactive instructional guides. TypingMaster also is highly recommended. It boasts nine languages and 34 varieties of keyboards.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Online typing programs and typing software are compatible with Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems. You'll probably need Adobe Flash Player and Javascript to run some typing programs. Both are available online at no charge.

Typing, in its original form, has become a bit of a thing of the past. Sure, we spend more hours than ever in front of a computer screen, plunking away at the keys to email, instant message and maybe even hammer out a business letter, but many professionals today don’t have a clue when it comes to formal typing. Some use the two index finger approach (effective yet slow and unsightly), while others may use every finger but wouldn’t dream of not looking down at the keys.

If you or your staff could benefit from stronger typing skills, don’t worry: The same tools that were around way back in the days of secretarial school still exist, coupled with some handy-dandy typing software and online typing tests to let you learn to type on your own time, at your own speed. If learning how to type has become a priority for you or your employees, consider the following:

1. Go the traditional route with typing lessons – albeit online typing lessons.

2. Purchase or download typing software.

3. Make learning to type fun by sticking to online typing games.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find typing lessons online

You may be hard pressed to find a good old typing lesson at your local college (although they do exist), but online typing lessons are just as good if you follow the lessons in order and heed the advice of your online tutor, especially when it comes to typing ergonomics.

I recommend: Peter’s Online Typing Course is a great, free option for learning how to type. The course starts with the basics of where to put your fingers and ends with advanced touch typing, such as numerals and math symbols. Qwerty also offers free online typing lessons.

Learn how to type with typing software

Typing software is a great way to learn to type as well as monitor your progress along the way. You'll learn why touch typing is the best typing approach for speed, accuracy and your own physical and mental well-being.

I recommend: Purchase Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor to learn to type the proper way while having fun. It even has you typing lyrics to favorite songs on iTunes. Download Kiran’s Typing Tutor for free. Be sure to check out the minimum requirements and installation instructions to make sure your computer can handle this typing tutorial.

Make learning fun with online typing games

Learning how to type doesn't have to be serious business. Even kids - or kids at heart - can get in on the act with fun typing games. Best of all, they actually will teach you how to type; just remember that you are trying to learn good typing technique and not just win the game!

I recommend: About One Hand Typing and Keyboarding has several typing games you can download to help you practice typing. Just click on Al Bunny’s Typing Class or 10 Finger BreakOut to get to the fun. FreeTypingGame.net has several fun typing games, including Meteor Typing Blast, Save the Sailboat Race and Keyboard Triathlon.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Encourage staff members who need typing practice by setting up a fun competition in the office. The person with the fastest typing speed after a certain number of weeks gets a gift card for a local restaurant or other prize.