Online courses are everywhere these days. Whether it’s someone teaching how to edit videos, build a business, cook healthy meals, or learn a new language, the e-learning industry keeps growing. That’s good news because it means there’s a market for digital learning, but it also means the bar is high. Students have choices, and they are quick to leave negative reviews if the course doesn’t deliver.

If you’re thinking about creating an online course, you want it to stand out, provide real value, and be something you’re proud of. Below, I’ll walk you through ten essential steps to creating an online course that has impact. Think of this as your roadmap—from picking a topic all the way to updating your course over time.

Along the way, I’ll share insights from what works and what doesn’t, based on feedback from students and course creators.

10 Steps for Creating Online Courses

Creating an online course starts with choosing a clear, focused topic that matches your expertise. Check if there’s real demand by researching the market and competition. Establish your credibility so learners trust you as their guide.

Build a structured outline that flows logically, then create and edit engaging course materials in short, clear lessons. Pick a platform that fits your goals and offers smooth learning experiences. Market your course with content, previews, and student testimonials. Gather feedback, improve over time, and build a supportive community. Finally, update regularly to keep the course fresh, relevant, and valuable.

1. Determine the topic of your course

The first step sounds obvious, but it’s actually the most important decision: what are you going to teach?

A good course topic lives at the intersection of three things:

1. What you know really well.
2. What you enjoy talking about or doing.
3. What other people want to learn.

If you only focus on what you like, it might not attract students. If you only chase what’s popular, you might not bring anything unique to the table. The sweet spot is where your skills and passions meet a real need.

For example, if you’re a graphic designer with years of experience, you could create a course on design basics. But that’s broad and already crowded. Narrowing it to something like “Creating compelling social media graphics for small businesses” would be much more specific and easier to market.

Ask yourself: What transformation do I want my students to have by the end of the course? If you can’t answer that clearly, the topic needs refining.

2. See if there’s a market for your course

After picking a topic, you need to check if people actually want to buy it. This is where research comes in.

Start by looking at what’s already out there. Browse popular learning platforms, search on YouTube, or check communities like Reddit, LinkedIn groups, or Facebook groups. If you see people asking questions that your course could answer, that’s a good sign.

You can also run keyword searches using free tools to see how many people are searching for terms related to your topic. For example, if you want to teach “beginner Python programming,” check how many people are searching for “learn Python basics” every month.

Don’t worry if there are already courses on the same subject. Competition means there’s demand. The key is finding your angle. Maybe you can make your course shorter, more practical, or targeted at a specific group like freelancers, students, or business owners.

Before investing months in building your course, test the waters. Run a small workshop, offer a free webinar, or create a mini-guide. If people sign up or show interest, you know you’re onto something.

3. Establish your credibility as an expert on the course subject

Students want to learn from people they trust. If they’re going to spend money or commit time to your course, they need to believe you know your stuff.

That doesn’t mean you need a PhD or decades of experience. What matters is showing your knowledge, your results, and your ability to teach.

Think about how you can demonstrate your expertise:

• Share case studies or results from your own work.
• Mention your years of experience in the field.
• Collect testimonials or feedback from people you’ve already helped.
• Publish free content like blog posts, YouTube videos, or social posts to show your voice and style.

Credibility also comes from how you present yourself. If your course materials look professional, your profile is clear, and you communicate with confidence, students will feel reassured.

4. Create an online course outline

Before recording a single video or writing a single lesson, create an outline. This will save you countless hours later.

An outline is simply the structure of your course. Break down your topic into modules, and each module into lessons. Start broad and then get detailed.

For example:

Course title: Mastering Freelance Writing

• Module 1: Setting up as a freelancer
  • Lesson 1: Picking a niche
  • Lesson 2: Building a portfolio
• Module 2: Finding clients
  • Lesson 1: Where to look
  • Lesson 2: How to pitch
• Module 3: Managing projects
  • Lesson 1: Communication skills
  • Lesson 2: Invoicing and payments

By writing an outline, you’ll see the gaps, avoid repetition, and ensure the course flows logically. Students appreciate courses that feel structured and easy to follow, not random or scattered.

5. Create and edit your course materials

Now comes the heavy lifting: producing your course content. Depending on your style, this could be recorded video lectures, written guides, slides, audio lessons, or even interactive projects.

Some tips to create better course materials:

• Keep lessons short. People prefer videos that are 5–15 minutes instead of hour-long lectures.
• Focus on clarity. Good audio quality is more important than fancy graphics. Invest in a decent microphone.
• Mix it up. Use visuals, text, quizzes, and assignments to keep learners engaged.
• Show, don’t just tell. Use screen recordings, real examples, or live demonstrations.

Once you’ve created the content, take time to edit. Cut unnecessary parts, improve flow, and polish the final product. Remember: quality beats quantity.

6. Choose the right platform

Your course needs a home. Picking the right platform is a big decision because it affects how your students experience your content and how you earn money.

There are two main routes:

1. Online course marketplaces like Udemy or Skillshare. They already have built-in audiences, but they take a cut of your revenue and you have less control over pricing.
2. Self-hosted platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi. You get more control, branding, and pricing freedom, but you need to handle your own marketing.

When choosing, think about:

• Ease of use for both you and your students.
• Features like quizzes, certificates, communities, or integrations with email tools.
• Costs and revenue share.
• Flexibility in design and branding.

There’s no single best option—it depends on your goals and resources.

7. Market your course

Here’s a hard truth: a great course without marketing will go unnoticed. You need to promote your work if you want students to find it.

Start building an audience even before the course launches. Share tips, write blogs, record short videos, or post on LinkedIn or Instagram to attract the right people. Collect email addresses from those interested, so you can notify them when the course is ready.

When launching, consider:

• Offering early-bird discounts.
• Sharing behind-the-scenes updates.
• Partnering with influencers or affiliates.
• Running ads if you have a budget.

Marketing is not a one-time thing. Keep promoting your course after launch with testimonials, success stories, and new content that links back to your course.

8. Get feedback from students

Once students start enrolling, gather feedback right away. Their opinions will help you make the course better and also show others that your course is worth taking.

Ways to collect feedback:

• End-of-module surveys.
• Direct messages or emails asking about their experience.
• Reviews and testimonials.
• Course analytics—look at where students drop off or stop engaging.

Don’t take criticism personally. If students are confused, bored, or overwhelmed, it means there’s a chance to improve. Some of the best courses evolve over time based on student input.

9. Build a community of loyal students

One thing that separates average courses from great ones is community. When students feel connected, they stay engaged and motivated.

You can build community by:

• Creating a private group (on Slack, Discord, or Facebook).
• Hosting live Q&A sessions or office hours.
• Encouraging students to share their work and progress.
• Offering alumni bonuses like extra resources or future discounts.

Students who feel part of a community are more likely to recommend your course, leave good reviews, and buy from you again.

10. Update your course over time to keep it fresh and current

The world changes fast. Software updates, industries evolve, and new trends appear. If your course feels outdated, students will notice—and they won’t hesitate to say so in reviews.

Plan to update your course regularly. That might mean re-recording a video, adding a new lesson, or replacing old examples. Let your students know when updates happen—this shows you care about giving them value.

Updating your course also gives you a reason to promote it again. “Now updated for 2025!” sounds a lot better than “Made in 2020.”

FAQs

How long should my course be?

There’s no single answer. Some courses are an hour long and do really well, while others span weeks. What matters is delivering results. Break your content into modules and keep lessons short. Aim for depth, not just length.

Do I need fancy equipment?

No. Start with what you have. A clear microphone is more important than a professional studio. As your course grows, you can invest in better gear.

How much should I charge?

It depends on your audience and the value of your course. High-ticket courses ($500+) work well for in-depth training with lots of support. Shorter or beginner courses often do better in the $20–$100 range.

What if no one buys my course?

That’s why validation is important. Test demand before you spend too much time creating. If your first version doesn’t sell well, adjust your topic, marketing, or positioning.

How do I stand out from all the competition?

By being specific, authentic, and results-driven. Don’t try to teach everything. Pick a niche, show your personality, and prove that your course gets results.