Ready to share your expertise and make money online? Creating an online class that sells is a fantastic way to turn your knowledge into a profitable side hustle. Whether you’re a teacher, hobbyist, or professional, this step-by-step guide for beginners will walk you through crafting a course that attracts students and generates income. Let’s dive into the essentials of how to create an online class that sells, build a course from scratch, and launch a successful online course with ease.

Why Create an Online Class?

Online learning is booming. People are eager to learn new skills, from coding to cake decorating, and they’re willing to pay for quality content. Creating an online class lets you reach a global audience, work from anywhere, and build a passive income stream. Plus, it’s a rewarding way to share your passion!

Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Audience

The first step to creating an online class that sells is choosing a topic you’re knowledgeable about and that has demand. Your niche should align with your expertise and market needs.

• Research your audience: Use Google Trends, forums like Reddit, or X posts to find what people want to learn.
• Validate your idea: Survey potential students or check platforms like Udemy to see what’s trending.
• Pick a specific niche: Instead of “Photography,” try “iPhone Photography for Beginners.”

Step 2: Plan Your Course Content

Once you’ve got your niche, outline your course. A well-structured course keeps students engaged and ensures they get value.

1. Set clear learning objectives: What will students achieve by the end?
2. Break it into modules: Divide your content into 5-10 lessons for easy digestion.
3. Mix formats: Use videos, quizzes, PDFs, and assignments to cater to different learning styles.

Pro Tip: Keep lessons short (5-15 minutes) to maintain attention.

Step 3: Create High-Quality Content

Your course’s production quality matters. You don’t need fancy equipment, but clear audio and visuals are key.

• Equipment: A decent microphone, smartphone or webcam, and free editing software like DaVinci Resolve.
• Script your videos: Write a script to stay concise and engaging.
• Add visuals: Use slides, screen recordings, or infographics to enhance learning.

Step 4: Choose a Platform

Selecting the right platform to host and sell your online course is critical to its success. The platform you choose impacts your course’s accessibility, branding, marketing capabilities, and revenue potential. Below, I’ll dive deeper into popular platforms, their pros and cons, and additional considerations to help you make an informed decision. I’ll also include lesser-known options and tips for maximizing your choice.

Teachable

Teachable is a beginner-friendly platform designed for creators who want a straightforward way to build, host, and sell courses. It offers customizable course pages and robust marketing tools.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop course builder.
• Customizable landing pages to match your brand (e.g., logos, colors).
• Built-in payment processing (supports PayPal, Stripe, and international currencies).
• Features like quizzes, certificates, and student discussion areas enhance engagement.
• Affiliate marketing tools to let others promote your course for a commission.
• No coding skills required; great for non-tech-savvy creators.

Cons:

• Transaction fees on the free plan (10% + $1 per sale) and basic plan (5%).
• Monthly fees for paid plans start at $39 (Basic) and go up to $499 (Business).
• Limited advanced integrations compared to competitors like Kajabi.

Pricing: Free plan available (with transaction fees); paid plans range from $39-$499/month.

Best For: Beginners or solo creators who want a balance of ease, customization, and marketing tools without a steep learning curve.

Thinkific

Thinkific is another user-friendly platform with a focus on branding and scalability. It’s ideal for creators who want to build a professional-looking course site.

• Pros:
  • Free plan includes unlimited students and core features (no transaction fees).
  • Strong branding options, including custom domains and white-labeling on higher tiers.
  • Advanced marketing tools like upsells, memberships, and course bundles.
  • Integrates with email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp, ConvertKit) and Zapier for automation.
  • Supports live lessons via Zoom integration and community features.
• Cons:
  • Limited design flexibility compared to Teachable or Kajabi.
  • Paid plans (starting at $49/month) required for advanced features like custom domains.
  • Customer support can be slower on lower-tier plans.
• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans range from $49-$499/month.
• Best For: Creators who prioritize branding and want to scale with memberships or multiple courses.

Udemy

Udemy is a marketplace with a massive global audience, hosting thousands of courses across countless topics. It’s ideal for reaching students without building your own audience from scratch.

• Pros:
  • Access to millions of potential students worldwide.
  • No upfront costs; Udemy takes a revenue share (50% if they drive the sale, 3-25% if you do).
  • Simple course creation process with built-in tools for videos and quizzes.
  • Handles marketing for you through their platform promotions and ads.
• Cons:
  • Less control over pricing (Udemy often discounts courses, sometimes to $10-$20).
  • Limited branding; your course is part of Udemy’s ecosystem.
  • Revenue share can eat into profits, especially for low-priced courses.
  • Competition is high due to the sheer volume of courses.
• Pricing: Free to publish, but revenue share applies (50% for Udemy-driven sales, 3-25% for your referrals).
• Best For: Instructors who want quick exposure and don’t mind sacrificing control for a larger audience.

Kajabi

Kajabi is a premium all-in-one platform for course creators, offering tools for courses, websites, email marketing, and funnels. It’s pricier but powerful.

Pros:

• Comprehensive features: courses, memberships, websites, and email marketing in one place.
• Advanced automation for sales funnels and student nurturing.
• Highly customizable templates for professional branding.
• No transaction fees on any plan.
• Analytics dashboard to track student progress and revenue.

Cons:

• Expensive, with plans starting at $149/month (Basic) up to $399/month.
• Steeper learning curve due to extensive features.
• Overkill for beginners or those with simple course needs.

Pricing: $149-$399/month; no free plan.

Best For: Established creators or businesses aiming for a polished, scalable online presence.

Step 5: Price Your Course

Pricing can make or break your sales. Research similar courses to find a sweet spot.

• Low-cost ($10-$50): Attracts more students but requires high volume.
• Mid-tier ($50-$200): Balances affordability and profit.
• Premium ($200+): Targets niche audiences willing to pay for expertise.

Offer discounts or bundles to boost initial sales and gather reviews.

Step 6: Market and Launch Your Course

A great course won’t sell itself. Use these strategies to get the word out:

• Build a landing page: Use Canva or Teachable to create a professional sales page.
• Leverage social media: Share tips related to your niche on X, Instagram, or TikTok.
• Email marketing: Collect emails with a free lead magnet (e.g., a checklist or mini-lesson) and nurture your list.
• Collaborate: Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche for shoutouts.

Step 7: Gather Feedback and Improve

After launching, collect student feedback to refine your course.

• Send surveys: Use Google Forms to ask what worked and what didn’t.
• Monitor reviews: Respond to comments on your platform to build trust.
• Update content: Add new lessons or fix issues to keep your course relevant.

Your Path to Passive Income

Creating an online class that sells is a journey, but with the right niche, content, and marketing, you can build a course that students love and that boosts your income. Start small, test your ideas, and keep improving. Imagine the thrill of seeing students worldwide benefit from your expertise—and the extra cash in your bank account! What skill are you ready to share with the world?