Online education has exploded in recent years, providing people with unprecedented opportunities to share their expertise, experience, passion projects and skills. Here’s how to create an online course of your own. 

You don’t need to be an expert in your field to succeed – you just need to be one step ahead of your audience for them to gain a great deal of insight from you. Any area that you are passionate about can become a profitable online course. 

To build a modern and easy to use course online you need to use a Learning Management System (LMS). While platforms like Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable offer ease of use and pre-built solutions, they come with limitations, such as high fees and lack of control over the platform and your content. 

For those looking to truly own their course platform and maximize profits, using WordPress with LMS tools like Digital Access Pass (DAP) and Smart Pay Cart (SPC) is the best choice. 

These tools give you full control over your course, sales process, and branding while being cost-effective in the long run.

In this article, I’ll take you through a step-by-step process to create your own online course. From defining your course idea to launching it successfully, you’ll learn how to build a sustainable business that works for you. Keep an eye out for the blueprint and tutorial links at the end.

The first step in creating your course is defining your idea and ensuring it resonates with your target audience. 

Online courses succeed the most when they solve a specific problem or meet a clear demand, and addressing these two factors is your starting point. 

For example you might be interested in how to tell if a demodex is a male or female, but there might not be one other person in the world who wants to know! (A demodex is a microscopic parasite that lives on the hair follicles of mammals). 

You need to validate your idea before you spend a lot of time or money on creating a full blown course!

Think about your expertise, passions, or unique skills you can teach others. Narrowing your focus makes it easier to create a course that appeals to a specific group of people.

Once you’ve identified a niche, research the problems people need to solve. Look at online communities, forums, or social media to see what questions people are asking. 

Tools like Google Trends or keyword research platforms can help you determine whether there’s interest in your chosen topic.

Validate the problem/solutions in your ideas. Create a simple survey or ask your audience directly what they need help with. If you don’t yet have an audience, join groups where your target market gathers and engage in conversations to identify their pain points.

With a solid course idea that solves a real problem, you’ll lay the foundation for creating a course that sells.

With your course idea validated, the next step is to organize your knowledge into a structured, easy-to-follow format. A clear outline ensures your students can progress logically through the material and achieve their goals.

Start by breaking your course into modules. 

Each module should represent a major topic or milestone within your course. For example, if you’re teaching a photography course, your modules might include basics like camera settings, composition techniques, and post-processing.

Within each module, create individual lessons that focus on specific subtopics. 

Keep lessons concise and actionable, focusing on delivering one key takeaway per lesson. For example, within a “Camera Settings” module, you could include lessons on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Decide on the formats you’ll use to deliver your content. 

Videos are highly engaging and effective for most courses, but you can also include PDFs, slideshows, quizzes, and interactive elements to enhance learning. Mix formats to cater to different learning styles.

Create a learning path that helps students build skills step by step. 

Start with foundational concepts and gradually introduce advanced material. A well-structured course not only increases student satisfaction but also boosts your reputation as a credible educator.

Choosing the right platform is one of the most critical decisions when creating an online course. 

Your platform will determine how your course is delivered, marketed, and sold, as well as how much control you have over your content and revenue.

Popular platforms like Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable offer convenience with their all-in-one solutions. They include built-in tools for course creation, hosting, and marketing. 

However, they come with limitations such as high monthly fees, transaction costs, and restricted ownership of your content. These platforms can work for some creators, but they often lack the flexibility needed to fully customize your course business.

For a more robust, cost-effective, and customizable solution, consider using WordPress with Digital Access Pass (DAP) and Smart Pay Cart (SPC) by Wicked Cool Plugins. This combination gives you:

• Full Ownership: Unlike third-party platforms, you own your website, content, and customer data.
• Customization: WordPress allows you to design your course exactly how you want, from branding to user experience.
• Cost Efficiency: While Kajabi or Thinkific may charge upwards of $150/month, WordPress with DAP/SPC offers a more affordable, monthly or annual investment.
• Scalability: Whether you’re creating one course or a library of content, this setup grows with your needs.

By choosing WordPress with DAP/SPC, you’re building a long-term business that you fully control, avoiding the risks of relying on third-party platforms.

Setting up your WordPress website is the foundation of creating a professional online course platform that you own and control. 

Follow these steps to get started:

Purchase Hosting and a Domain Name
Choose a reliable hosting provider like SiteGround or Gold Phoenix Group and register a domain name that reflects your brand or course topic.

Start by purchasing a decent capacity hosting package and through the checkout experience you will be asked to assign a domain name – this is the step where you can add your desired domain name to purchase.

Install WordPress
Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation process. Once installed, you’ll have access to a user-friendly dashboard where you can build and customize your site. See the “Getting Started With WordPress and Divi” free tutorial to guide you through the basic setup of your website.

Install Digital Access Pass (DAP) and Smart Pay Cart (SPC)
DAP is a powerful membership plugin that allows you to host and manage your online courses. It includes features like content dripping, secure delivery, and student management.

SPC integrates seamlessly with DAP, enabling you to set up payment options, manage sales, and create upsell opportunities. Both plugins work together to give you complete control over your course business.

If you purchase the Platinum package ($30/mth or $300/year) you get a 3 site license and the SPC plugin included.

Customize Your Website Design
Choose a WordPress theme that suits your course and audience. I highly recommend investing in a professional theme such as Divi by Elegant Themes.

Divi is a highly versatile theme and I offer a Getting Started with WordPress and Divi free tutorial to help you get started very quickly! Add your branding, such as logos, colors, and fonts, to create a professional look.

Set Up Essential Pages
Create key pages such as:

Home Page: Introduce your course and its benefits.

Course Page: Provide detailed information about the course structure, modules, and outcomes.

Checkout Page: Use SPC to create a seamless purchasing experience.

About Page: Share your story and establish your credibility.

By setting up your WordPress website with DAP and SPC, you’ll have a fully functional and customizable platform that puts you in charge of your online course business.

Once your platform is ready, it’s time to create the core of your online course – the content. 

High-quality, engaging materials will ensure your students stay motivated and achieve their learning goals. 

Here’s how to get started:

Plan Your Content

Refer back to your course outline and decide on the specific materials you’ll need for each lesson. 

For example:

• Videos: Perfect for demonstrations, lectures, or tutorials.
• PDFs: Great for printable worksheets, summaries, or guides.
• Quizzes: Ideal for testing knowledge and reinforcing key points.
• Slideshows: Useful for visual learners and structured presentations.

Record High-Quality Videos

Video content is the most engaging format for online courses. Use tools like Zoom, Camtasia, or even your smartphone to record.

Ensure good lighting, clear audio, and a clutter-free background. Invest in a microphone and tripod for a professional touch.

Desktop recording is a perfect “over the shoulder” method as well. You can record a presentation made with PowerPoint or Canva while you speak to the bullet points on screen.

You can record your desktop as you do whatever your course is about online. You can either have yourself showing on part of the screen or be fully just displaying your desktop. Use tools like Zoom and Loom to achieve this method.

Edit and Organize Your Materials

Edit your videos to remove any errors and add captions if needed. DaVinci is a free desktop editing tool, however it has a steep learning curve.

I use Filmora Wondershare. It has a low annual fee but is very easy and intuitive to edit your videos. 

Platforms like Canva can help you create visually appealing PDFs and slideshows. Keep your content consistent in tone and design to maintain a cohesive learning experience.

Upload Your Content to Your Platform

Use Digital Access Pass (DAP) to organize and host your materials. Create modules and lessons, upload your videos and documents, and configure content dripping if you want to release lessons over time. 

Videos are best hosted externally to your WordPress site. I use YouTube to host and mark the videos as “unlisted”.

To share them to your DAP course simply click “share” on the YouTube video and select embed code.

Set Up Pricing with Smart Pay Cart (SPC)

When you build your course in DAP you choose the pricing in the build process. Offer flexible plans like one-time payments, subscriptions, or installment options.

Consider adding bonuses like free resources or a community forum to increase the value of your course.

Use SPC to create a sales funnel and checkout forms. SPC is a very powerful checkout module that can create order bumps, multi step upsells and downsells and simple checkout forms. It integrates with DAP seamlessly.

Test Your Course

Before launching, test every element of your course to ensure it works seamlessly. Check video playback, download links, and payment processing to avoid potential issues for your students.

Creating professional, well-structured content will not only boost student satisfaction but also enhance your reputation as an online educator.

Even the best online course won’t succeed without a well-designed sales funnel to attract and convert students. A sales funnel guides potential learners from discovering your course to becoming paying customers. 

Here’s how to create one:

Craft an Irresistible Lead Magnet

Offer a free resource, such as an eBook, checklist, or mini-course, to capture your audience’s attention and email addresses. Ensure your lead magnet aligns with your course topic to attract the right audience. For example, if your course is about digital marketing, a “Social Media Strategy Checklist” can work well. 

Another lead magnet is to offer the first module of your course for free. This works well where your first module outlines the entire course without giving the whole lot away!

I use Designrr to quickly create beautiful flipbooks and eBooks.

Set Up an Email Campaign

Use Digital Access Pass (DAP) to create an automated email sequence. Welcome new subscribers with engaging emails that build trust, provide value, and introduce your course. Gradually highlight how your course solves their problems or helps them achieve their goals. 

You can also integrate DAP with just about every major autoresponder platform. I use MailPoet for email marketing and in the course creation process I simply link the course to a new list in MailPoet and structure all of my follow up emails in one place.

Design a High-Converting Landing Page

Your landing page is where potential students learn about your course and decide to enroll. Use compelling headlines, clear benefits, and testimonials to showcase the value of your course. Include a strong call-to-action (CTA) that guides visitors to sign up or purchase. 

With DAP you can use shortcodes to bring your course outline into your landing pages, making it easy to simply display what the course entails. I often use the introduction to the course video on the landing page as well.

Leverage Social Media and Ads

Promote your course on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to reach your audience. Combine organic posts with paid ads to maximize your reach. Tease your course content with behind-the-scenes looks, success stories, or snippets of lessons.

Retarget Interested Users

Use retargeting ads to bring back visitors who didn’t purchase during their first visit. Highlight special offers, bonuses, or testimonials in these ads to nudge them toward enrolling.

Analyze and Optimize Your Funnel

Use tools like Google Analytics or DAP’s built-in tracking to monitor your funnel’s performance. Identify weak points, such as low click-through rates or high cart abandonment, and make adjustments to improve conversions.

A well-structured sales funnel ensures that the right people find your course and are motivated to enroll, setting the stage for a successful launch.

An alternative to building your course before launching it is to focus on growing your audience first. 

By getting to know your audience and their needs, you can create a course tailored to their specific challenges and goals. This approach not only minimizes risk but also ensures that your course resonates with potential students.

Engage with Your Audience

Build an email list, social media following, or community around your area of expertise. Share valuable content regularly, such as blog posts, videos, or live Q&A sessions.

Pay attention to the questions and feedback you receive to understand what your audience truly needs.

Validate Your Course Idea Through Pre-Sales

Once you’ve identified a course idea, offer a pre-sale to your audience. Create a simple landing page explaining the course concept and invite people to enroll at a discounted rate before the course is built.

This not only validates demand but also generates upfront income to fund course creation.

Build the Course Alongside Your Students

After pre-sales, start creating the course one module at a time. Release each module on a schedule, such as weekly or bi-weekly, allowing students to progress while you continue building.

This iterative process lets you incorporate student feedback and make real-time improvements.

Foster a Strong Connection with Students

Engaging with students during the course creation process builds trust and loyalty. Host live sessions, encourage feedback, and address questions promptly. This interaction creates a sense of community and enhances the learning experience.

Benefits of the Audience-First Approach

• Real-Time Feedback: Tailor your course to meet the exact needs of your audience.
• Stronger Engagement: Build a loyal community of students who feel invested in your success.
• Reduced Risk: Validate demand before investing time and effort into course creation.

This method allows you to launch faster while ensuring your course is exactly what your audience wants, setting the stage for a successful and impactful offering.

Launching your online course is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the stage where effective promotion is crucial to its success. 

A well-planned launch strategy will help you generate buzz, attract students, and maximize enrollment.

Create a Launch Timeline

Plan your launch at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Break down tasks such as creating promotional content, scheduling email campaigns, and finalizing your course materials. A structured timeline ensures everything is ready on launch day.

Use Email Marketing to Build Anticipation

Leverage your email list to create excitement before the launch. Send teaser emails showcasing the course benefits, behind-the-scenes updates, and testimonials from beta testers or early users. Use urgency by offering early bird pricing or limited-time bonuses.

Offer Limited-Time Discounts and Bonuses

To incentivize enrollment, include special launch offers. This could be a discount for the first 50 students, exclusive bonus content, or access to a private Q&A session. These perks encourage quick action and reward early adopters.

Leverage Social Media for Visibility

Share engaging content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Use video snippets, infographics, and testimonials to highlight your course’s value. Host live sessions or webinars to answer questions and showcase your expertise.

Collaborate with Affiliates and Partners

Reach a wider audience by partnering with affiliates or influencers in your niche. Offer them a commission for every sale they generate. This strategy helps you tap into established networks of potential students.

Launch with a Live Event

Hosting a live webinar, workshop, or Q&A session on launch day can drive excitement and conversions. Use this opportunity to explain the course, address common questions, and provide a special discount code for attendees.

Track Your Launch Performance

Use analytics tools to monitor the success of your launch. Track metrics like page views, email open rates, and enrollment numbers. Use this data to refine your strategy for future launches.

A successful launch doesn’t end on day one—continue promoting your course through ongoing campaigns, testimonials, and updates to keep enrollment growing.

Creating an online course doesn’t end with the launch. To ensure long-term success, you must continuously monitor its performance and make improvements based on feedback and data. You may need to update your course based on trends and new technology as well.

Here’s how to keep your course relevant and valuable:

Track Analytics

Use tools like Google Analytics, Digital Access Pass (DAP), or Smart Pay Cart (SPC) to monitor key metrics. Track student engagement, course completion rates, and sales data to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.

Gather Student Feedback

Encourage students to provide feedback through surveys, reviews, or direct communication.

Ask about the clarity of your lessons, the usability of your platform, and whether the course met their expectations. Use this input to enhance the student experience.

Update and Refine Content

Regularly review your course materials to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Update outdated information, improve video quality, and add new resources as needed. This keeps your course fresh and appealing to new students.

Expand Your Course Offerings

Consider adding bonus lessons, advanced modules, or additional content based on student requests or emerging trends in your niche. This not only adds value for current students but also attracts repeat enrollments.

Incorporate New Tools and Features

Stay updated on new tools and technologies that can enhance your course. For example, you might add gamification features, interactive quizzes, or live Q&A sessions to boost engagement.

Scale Your Efforts

Once your course is optimized, scale your efforts by increasing your marketing reach. Use social media ads, collaborations, or affiliate marketing to drive more traffic and enrollments.

Plan Future Courses

Use your current course as a foundation for future offerings. Analyze what worked well and identify additional topics your audience is interested in. Expanding your course library positions you as a trusted authority in your niche.

Monitoring and improving your course is an ongoing process that ensures its continued relevance and success. By staying proactive and responsive, you’ll build a course that meets your students’ needs and supports your long-term business goals.

Creating and selling an online course is a rewarding way to share your expertise, generate income, and build a scalable business. By following these steps—choosing the right platform, structuring your content, and effectively marketing your course—you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.

Using WordPress with Digital Access Pass (DAP) and Smart Pay Cart (SPC) ensures you own every aspect of your platform while keeping costs low and flexibility high. Take control of your online course business today and start building a course that makes an impact.