How to create an online course: a step-by-step guide for coaches and experts
By Lukas Wiklund, Co-founder of Forento
You already teach people one-on-one, in workshops or on social media. An online course lets you teach the same thing to hundreds of people, without repeating yourself every week.
This guide walks you through how to create an online course in eight steps, from first idea to first sale.
1. Choose one clear transformation
A good course takes students from point A to point B. "Learn about nutrition" is a topic. "Plan a week of healthy meals in 30 minutes" is a transformation, and that's what people pay for.
Write one sentence: After this course, you'll be able to ___. If you can't fill in the blank, narrow your topic until you can.
2. Check that people want it
Before you record anything, make sure people will pay. Look at the questions your clients and followers ask most often, and ask a few of them directly if they'd buy a course on it. We cover this in detail in our guide to validating your course idea.
3. Outline your modules and lessons
Work backwards from the result. List every step a student needs to take, then group those steps into 3–7 modules.
| Part | What it does | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Module | One milestone on the way to the result | Name it after the outcome, not the topic |
| Lesson | One idea or action | Keep videos to 5–15 minutes |
| Resource | A worksheet, template or checklist | Gives students something to do, not just watch |
Shorter courses get finished more often. Cut anything that doesn't move students toward the result.
4. Pick your lesson formats
Video is the most common format, but it isn't the only one. Mix in:
- Text lessons for step-by-step instructions students will come back to.
- Audio lessons for content people can take on a walk.
- Downloads like workbooks and templates.
- Quizzes to check understanding before the next module.
Not comfortable on camera? Screen recordings and slides work well. See how to create a course without being on camera.
5. Record with simple gear
You don't need a studio. A smartphone or webcam, a $50 clip-on microphone and a window for natural light are enough. Audio quality matters more than video quality, so spend your budget on the microphone first.
Batch your recording: script or bullet-point one module, record all its lessons in one session, then move on.
6. Set your price
Price on the value of the result, not the number of video hours. Most expert-led courses sell between $97 and $497. If the result is tied to income or a career, you can charge more. Read our full guide on how to price your course.
7. Put it on a platform you own
Marketplaces like Udemy bring traffic, but they control your price and keep your customers' contact details. A course platform gives you your own branded academy, your own checkout and your own student list.
In Forento you can:
- Upload videos, audio, text and files to course pages.
- Add quizzes and exams.
- Let people try the first lessons for free.
- Sell with Stripe or PayPal, with discount codes and bundles.
- Release lessons over time with content dripping.
8. Launch to a small group first
Don't wait for a perfect course. Invite 10–20 people from your audience to a "founding student" launch at a lower price. Their questions show you what to improve, and their results become your first testimonials.
For more ways to find students, read how to market your online course.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to create an online course?
A focused mini course can be ready in 2–4 weeks. A full flagship course usually takes 1–3 months part-time. See how long it takes to make an online course.
How many lessons should an online course have?
There's no fixed number. Most successful courses have 15–40 short lessons. Include only what students need to reach the result.
Can I create an online course for free?
Yes. You can record with your phone and publish on a platform with a free plan. Forento's free plan lets you sell courses with no monthly fee and a 20% sales commission.
Create your first course today
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