Building Your First Online Course: Complete Checklist

Creating an online course can be a great way to share your expertise and generate income. This guide breaks down everything you need to know into five simple steps:

• Plan Your Course: Identify your audience, set clear goals, and validate your course idea.
• Develop Content: Structure lessons using a course map, mix content types (videos, quizzes, text), and ensure accessibility.
• Choose a Platform: Compare platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Crevio to find the best fit for your needs.
• Market and Sell: Set competitive pricing, use tiered plans, and promote your course through content marketing and ads.
• Prepare for Launch: Run beta tests, fix technical issues, and create a strong launch strategy.

Quick Comparison of Platforms:

Feature	Crevio	Teachable	Thinkific
Starting Price	$29/mo	$39/mo	Free plan
Transaction Fees	0%	5-10%	0-5%
Marketing Tools	AI-powered	Basic email	Course bundles
Mobile Support	Native app	Responsive	Responsive
Community Features	Live chat	Discussion boards	Add-on required

Follow these steps to turn your knowledge into a profitable online course!

A Beginner’s Guide to Making Money with Online Courses

Step 1: Course Planning

Planning a course effectively begins with understanding your audience and pinpointing what they need to learn. Research shows that tailoring courses to meet specific student needs can boost completion rates by 76%. Let’s break this down into actionable steps.

Know Your Students

Start by building detailed student profiles. Use survey tools like Typeform, which can improve response rates by 53%. Focus on gathering insights about:

• Professional background and experience level
• Available study time (aim for 30-minute daily sessions)
• Technical skills
• Main goals and challenges

These insights will help you design a course that resonates with your audience.

Set Course Goals

Using your audience research, turn broad topics into clear, measurable objectives. The SMART framework can help here. For example, instead of saying "Learn Instagram Marketing", reframe it as: "Create and schedule three Instagram Reels that drive conversions within two weeks."

Organize your content with the Milestone Matrix:

1. Identify Core Competencies
   Break the course into 5–7 key skills students need to master. Eliminate any content that doesn’t directly support these.
2. Define Success Metrics
   Establish clear benchmarks to track progress, such as:
   • Quiz completion rates (target 80% or higher)
   • Submission of practical assignments
   • Achieving portfolio milestones

Test Your Idea

Before finalizing your course, validate your concept to ensure it meets audience expectations. Use these methods tailored to your student profiles:

Validation Method	Success Threshold	Timeline
Target Audience Survey	30%+ interest rate	1–2 weeks
Landing Page Test	5%+ conversion rate	2 weeks
Beta Program	50+ signups in 72 hours	3 days

Additionally, consider scheduling 15-minute discovery calls, as these often uncover challenges that surveys might miss.

Step 2: Content Development

With your course goals set in Step 1, it’s time to bring your content strategy to life.

Build Your Course Map

Use backward design to structure your course, organizing it into four types of modules:

Module Type	Duration	Content Focus
Foundation	15-20 min	Core concepts, definitions
Skill-Building	25-30 min	Demonstrations, practice exercises
Application	30-45 min	Projects, case studies
Assessment	10-15 min	Knowledge checks, feedback loops

Each module should be broken into 3-8 sections that are easy to follow. For example, in a course on "Instagram Marketing", the first module might cover "Platform Basics" with sections like profile setup, content types, and basic analytics.

Mix Content Types

To engage different learning styles, use the VERB framework:

• 40% video content: Keep videos under 15 minutes for better retention.
• 30% interactive elements: Include worksheets, quizzes, or activities.
• 20% text-based resources: Provide guides, articles, or reading materials.
• 10% audio supplements: Use podcasts or voice recordings for added depth.

Leadership coach Sarah Turner managed to earn $25,000 with just a smartphone, a $200 microphone, and Canva Pro.

Make Content Accessible

Accessible courses can reach a broader audience – up to 23% more learners. Here’s how to ensure your course is inclusive:

1. Video Content
   Use tools like Otter.ai (around $0.10 per minute) to create accurate transcripts. Always include closed captions in your videos for better accessibility.
2. Text Elements
   Make sure text has at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio. Use clear headings in PDFs and documents to support screen readers.
3. Interactive Components
   Design exercises that work seamlessly across devices, as 45% of learners access courses on mobile. Platforms like H5P or Articulate Quizmaker can help create mobile-friendly interactive content.

"The Global Marketing Institute increased completion rates by 33% through iterative beta testing and accessibility improvements".

Track your course’s performance using platform analytics. Aim for at least a 65% completion rate and over 80% pass rates on assessments. Plan quarterly updates to keep your content relevant and up-to-date.

Once your content is well-structured and accessible, you’re ready to move on to choosing the right hosting platform.

Step 3: Platform Selection

Once your content is ready, choosing the right platform is key to expanding your reach and boosting revenue. Platforms with built-in SEO tools have been shown to increase organic traffic by 40-60%.

Crevio vs Other Platforms

Feature	Crevio	Teachable	Thinkific
Starting Price	$29/mo	$39/mo	Free plan
Transaction Fees	0%	5-10%	0-5%
Marketing Tools	AI-powered	Basic email	Course bundles
Mobile Support	Native app	Responsive	Responsive
Community Features	Live chat	Discussion boards	Add-on required

Course creation expert Samantha King emphasizes: "Prioritize platforms offering native community features – engaged students spend 3x more than passive learners".

Platform Requirements

Make sure your platform aligns with your course objectives from Step 1 by focusing on these three key areas:

1. Technical Infrastructure

Ensure the platform includes SSL encryption, supports videos, PDFs, and interactive formats, and offers automated enrollment.

2. Payment Processing

Choose platforms that provide:

• Multiple payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)
• Flexible pricing options
• Automated tax handling
• Installment plans
• Tiered pricing and upsell options to enhance your Step 4 pricing strategy

3. Student Experience

Look for cross-device compatibility, progress tracking, interactive features, and automated certificates to enhance student satisfaction.

Platform Setup Guide

Follow these essential setup steps to ensure a smooth launch:

1. Payment Configuration

• Connect your payment processors
• Set up tax settings based on your target regions
• Configure coupon systems
• Test the checkout process with a low-cost product (e.g., $1)

2. Content Organization

• Create a clear course hierarchy
• Set up progress tracking for students
• Enable completion certificates
• Automate email notifications

"The key to successful course delivery isn’t just about features – it’s about finding a platform that aligns with your growth trajectory. Our data shows creators prioritizing scalability earn 40% higher second-year revenue. Choose platforms that grow with your business, not just meet current needs." – Axel Grubba, Crevio Founder

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Be mindful of these additional expenses:

• Payment processing fees (around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
• Domain registration ($10-$50/year)
• Certificate costs ($2-$5 per student)
• Video storage overages ($0.10-$0.50 per GB)

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Step 4: Sales and Marketing

Now that your platform is set up (Step 3), it’s time to focus on how you’ll generate revenue.

Set Your Price

Research at least three competitors using tools like CourseMeter or Udemy Insights. Factor in your production costs, the spending habits of your target audience, and the overall value of your course.

Pricing Tier	Price Point	Included Features
Basic	$97	Core course content
Premium	$197	Course + worksheets + coaching call
Pro	$297	All features + community access

Using a tiered pricing model allows you to cater to different customer needs and budgets. To make each tier stand out, offer 20–30% more value in the higher tiers with extras like coaching calls or exclusive resources. This approach ties back to the interactive elements discussed in Step 2’s VERB framework, ensuring premium tiers feel worth the investment.

Marketing Plan

Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy that targets where your audience spends their time. Start with a three-month campaign that combines content marketing and paid advertising.

Content Marketing

• Publish two SEO-optimized blog posts per month addressing your audience’s challenges (from Step 1).
• Host 45-minute webinars (30 minutes of training + 15 minutes for pitching your course).
• Record these webinars and use them in email follow-ups – non-attendees often convert at an 18% rate.

Paid Advertising

Start small with a $20/day budget and test across platforms:

• Google Ads: Target keywords tied to your audience’s pain points.
• Facebook Ads: Use lookalike audiences based on your existing customers.
• Track all campaigns with UTM codes and aim for a 3:1 return on ad spend.

Additional Revenue Options

Don’t stop at the initial sale – leverage your platform’s features (from Step 3) to increase earnings. Upsells alone can account for up to 28% of total revenue.

Here are a few ways to boost revenue:

• Offer post-course modules for $97.
• Collaborate with brands to drive traffic (a potential 15% increase).
• Launch an affiliate program with ready-to-use promotional materials.

To build trust, display guarantee badges prominently on your sales pages. Pair these guarantees with specific promises, like “Master [Skill] in 30 Days or Your Money Back,” to reassure buyers and encourage conversions.

Step 5: Launch Preparation

Once your pricing and marketing strategy (Step 4) is finalized, it’s time to gear up for the launch. Here’s how to make sure everything is ready.

Run Beta Tests (Validate Market Fit)

Choose 10-20 participants who closely match your target audience. Avoid relying solely on friends or family for feedback – they’re likely to be biased.

Focus on these metrics during the beta phase:

Metric	Target Benchmark	Why It Matters
Course Completion Rate	>60%	Tracks how engaged participants are
Quiz/Test Scores	>80% average	Measures knowledge retention
Technical Issues	<5% of participants	Ensures platform reliability
Net Promoter Score	>8/10	Reflects overall satisfaction

Schedule feedback sessions every 10 days. Asking for input too often – more than three times a week – can overwhelm testers and lead to lower-quality insights.

Final Course Review

Before launching, ensure your course is polished and ready to deliver on the promises made in Steps 1 and 2.

Technical checklist:

• 1080p video quality
• Audio tested on multiple devices
• Compatibility with iOS and Android
• Validation of all resource links
• Payment gateway functionality

For content accuracy, use tools like Copyscape to check for plagiarism and verify that all statistics are up to date. Have experts in your field review the material to ensure it meets professional standards.

Launch Strategy

Coordinate your launch with the marketing plan established in Step 4. Research shows that launches between Tuesday and Thursday at 10 AM EST tend to achieve 22% higher enrollment rates. Avoid periods like tax season or back-to-school weeks when your audience might be distracted.

Launch sequence:

• Build anticipation (3 weeks): Send teaser emails and showcase social proof.
• Launch execution: Host a live Q&A webinar 48 hours before opening enrollment.
• Sustain momentum: Offer weekly Zoom office hours and feature student spotlights.

Set up a real-time dashboard to track enrollment and engagement metrics. You might also consider adding bonus content as students progress through the course. This tactic boosted engagement by 40% in a recent photography course case study.

"The beta test for our ‘Power-Up Podcasting’ course with 20 students at $200 each provided invaluable feedback for improving module pacing and adding practical exercises. After implementing these changes, our full launch enrolled 500 students at $499, generating $249,500 in revenue." – Pat Flynn, Smart Passive Income

Next Steps

Main Points Review

Once you’ve wrapped up your launch strategy (Step 5), shift your attention to these key metrics for success:

Success Indicator	Target Benchmark	Implementation Time
Beta Test Completion	>85%	2-3 weeks
Average NPS Score	45+	Ongoing
Email List Size	1,000+ subscribers	4-6 weeks
Technical Validation	100% feature functionality	1 week

According to Thinkific, creators who find success often dedicate 40% of their time to building content and 60% to validation and marketing prep.

Action Items

Based on your Step 5 beta test results, focus on these priorities:

• Platform Infrastructure
  Set up essential tools like:
  • Payment processing systems
  • Email marketing automation (ConvertKit is a solid option)
  • A course analytics dashboard
• Content Development
  Use storyboard templates to organize your material. For instance, Canada Safety Training increased course completion rates by 30% by optimizing their content flow.
• Marketing Foundation
  Build the core assets for your promotional efforts:
  • A webinar presentation deck
  • An email nurture sequence
  • A 30-day social media content calendar

FAQs

How do I create an online course step by step?

Creating your first online course involves a clear, organized approach that ensures both quality and validation. Here’s a streamlined plan based on the 5-step process mentioned earlier:

Phase	Key Actions	Timeline
Market Research	Conduct pre-sales surveys (aim for 40% conversion)	2-3 weeks
Content Structure	Plan and create course content	3-4 weeks
Technical Setup	Set up your platform and recording tools	1-2 weeks
Launch Preparation	Beta test and refine the course	2-3 weeks

"Top-performing courses maintain a student completion rate of 30% within the first month through strategic gamification and engagement tactics"

When selecting a platform, refer to the criteria outlined in Step 3’s comparison. Use the VERB framework highlighted in Step 2 to create engaging and well-organized content.

Accessibility Tips: Make sure your course is accessible to all users by including:

• Closed captions with near-perfect accuracy
• PDFs compatible with screen readers
• High-contrast text for better readability

To meet professional standards, invest in quality equipment and structure lessons effectively. Keep individual lessons under 12 minutes to maintain attention. Data also shows that offering a limited-time 25% discount for the first 100 seats can encourage early sign-ups and boost sales.

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