There are 6 main skills in the Sims Online:
These can be increased, as in the other Sims games, with practice (e.g. dancing to increase body skill; reading mechanical or cooking books).
Previously in the Sims Online it was necessary to build these skills in order to earn money in the game. The easiest way to earn would be to team up with other players and start a business. Now that EA have introduced custom content players can bring their own real-life skills to the game, by creating clothes and objects that can be sold in the game. For this reason game skills are becoming less important, but they are still a key feature of the game.