Creating an Online Course

We all have skills, knowledge and expertise that may benefit others. Why not monetize it?! By creating an online course you help others and create income.

Especially now, in 2020, with almost all countries around the globe stuck in a lockdown level, online courses have become very important. From kids needing to complete their schooling to adults wanting to learn a new skill, it has become the ‘new normal’!

eBooks, tutorial videos, webinars, online courses … It’s here to stay!

Plan. What industry are you in? Check out your competitors. Research the options available to create your online education portal. Map out the key components of the course. How will you break it down into modules? Creating the course content is only part of it! You will also need technical components before you are ready to offer your expertise online.

Designing an online course requires several different components. Are you offering an opportunity for students to attend online classes? Or do they download eBooks and study at their own pace? Making it available online will also require many different hardware and software components.

What tech related components do you need to create an online course?

Domain
Website
Learning Management System/LMS
Course Booking System
LMS Marketing Tools – Infographics

Domain

If you are starting from scratch and don’t already have a website, you need to register a domain first. Without a domain, no one will be able to find your courses online! Do your research and consider your business/course name before registering a domain. We have some tips for you to get your creative thinking going in a previous article – How Do You Choose Your Unique Domain Name?

Now, choose a professional web hosting company that can register your domain. The costs are minimal! Check out these rates!

Website

Next you will need a website and a webhost. Read our article, What is Web Hosting to understand why you need it. In a nutshell, Internet users need to be able to find your course content on the Internet in order to subscribe. Have a look at what WordPress can offer you in terms of websites. There are thousands of options available to suit just about any imaginable type of website and add-ons you may require!

LMS / Learning Management System

So what is an LMS? It is a digital/online learning platform. An LMS allows you to:

create a course curriculum
store courses
give learners access to courses
assist with evaluations

It should automate the different aspects of the process to save you time. There are different types of LMS’s such as corporate and academic. Make sure you choose an LMS that supports all or most of the above requirements for your specific industry. LifterLMS is an example of a WordPress plugin you can use with a WordPress website.

Course Booking System

Scheduling training sessions online can be a nightmare if you don’t use a booking system. Also, you want your course content to be available 24/7 365 around the globe! A professional course booking system does just that! Ensure the system you choose is mobile friendly and incorporates payment facility as well. This will greatly reduce administrative work for you and your employees. Consider ComMotion from WordPress.

LMS Marketing Tools

Once you have everything in place, you need to start marketing your courses. As with most online resources, there are many different ways in which you can engage with potential clients. Using your existing social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter is a good place to start. A blog is also a great marketing channel. You can create a video about your courses or an Infographic. From highlighting different packages and rates, to client testimonials and elearning industry content, Infographics are versatile and user friendly. Take a look at this Infographic WordPress Plugin!

Follow your dreams! Share your knowledge! You will need help along the way … so don’t forget to ask the professionals!