Easy creative tips

Free Online Course Launch Checklist

Dec 12, 2024

Reader Disclosure

If you're planning to develop and sell an online course - I'm stoked for you. Sharing your knowledge online can help you increase your income and also has huge potential to earn far more than what you can make teaching in-person classes.

WHAT'S INSIDE          Toggle

There are loads of things to be covered, and you're probably feeling somewhat overwhelmed. I've got you covered.

At the conclusion of this article, you'll be on an outline of your next steps and will be ready for a successful launch. You'll also feel certain of the course's success.

This checklist of course launch online provides the procedures and tools you need to get your course off the ground and on track to earn you a profit. $$$!

Let's begin.

and Planning and Planning

 Skip to the Research and Planning Course Checklist

Before you start filming tutorials or constructing courses, you must start laying the foundations to plan your lesson. Achieving success in the planning and research phase will make everything that follows easier and more effective. Here's how to do it:

1. Conduct Evaluation of Competition

First, scope out the competitors. Spend some time researching similar courses in your niche. What's already out there? What's successful? And equally important - what's lacking?

Seek out gaps in the market. For example, if you find that most classes on social media marketing cover basic strategies, but not TikTok Growth hacks, it's an the perfect opportunity to make your mark.

By filling those holes, you'll be able to attract pupils and make yourself an expert within your area of expertise.

Pro TIP: Read reviews of competitor programs. Negative feedback is important because it tells you exactly what the people are looking for but not finding. Use that insight to shape the direction of your business.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

After you've mastered the market, zoom in to whom you're creating this course to cater.

Who are these people? What do they struggle with? What's driving them to pursue the course?

If, for instance, you're building a course on affiliate marketing, your students could range from total newbies who aren't sure what a referral link is or experienced marketing professionals looking to scale.

Each person has their own set of demands, which is why you'll need to decide who you're catering to.

 Do you know:

  • What is the problem my program will help solve? And who's more likely to purchase that solution?
  • What level of knowledge do my ideal student possess?
  • What are their favorite places to hang on the internet (forums, social media, etc. )?

The more specific you are, the easier it will be to create content that resonates.

3. Define Crystal-Clear Learning Objectives

Your aim is to guide pupils to a specific outcome. Define what success looks like for your students. At the conclusion of your class, what do they know, be able to do and feel confident in?

Bonus:
Clare objectives can aid in staying focused while making content. If a lesson doesn't contribute to the goal, cut it out. Be a bit sloppy!

4. Design Your Course Structure, and Delivery Methods

After you've got your "what" as well as after you've figured out the "who," it's time to figure out the "how." An organized program makes learning easier and helps keep students interested.

Each course should concentrate on one skill or concept in order to keep your audience from being overwhelmed. Examples:

  • Module 1: Intro to Affiliate Marketing
  • Module 2: Choosing Profitable Niches
  • Module 3: Setting up Your First Campaign

In terms of delivery methods Mix it with a variety of delivery methods. People learn differently, so incorporate video lessons, printable guidebooks, quizzes and interactive elements. The more variety, the more enjoyable your lesson.

5. Choose Your Course Tools

Before you begin creating content, make sure to research the tools that you'll be using to create and teach your course.

The platforms you choose can influence how you design your course, the features you include (like quizzes or multimedia) and the ease with which students interact with your course.

For the majority of creators, WordPress coupled with courses is the perfect option.

WordPress provides unbeatable freedom and control. It also simplifying the creation of courses and subscriptions using powerful tools such as quizzes, certificates, as well as progress tracking.

Learn >>> Watch Feature OVERVIEW

If you know what tools can do upfront it will save you time later through creating content that fits precisely with your tool's capabilities.

Plus, with tools like  that, you'll have the ability to deliver a professional experience without needing to employ developers.

Checklist for Launching a Course Online Free: Research and Planning

Conduct Competitive Analysis

Research similar courses in your niche.
Identify what's already out there and what's selling well.
Spot gaps in the market that you can fill.
Read competitor reviews, especially negative ones, to identify unmet needs.
Use these insights to shape your path and stand out.

Identify Your Target Audience

Decide who you want to be to be used for
Recognize their areas of pain or challenges and their motivations.
Determine their knowledge level for you to create content that is tailored to them.
 Ask:
What is the issue my course address?
- Who's most likely to be willing to spend money on this service?
My audience - Where do they hang out on the internet?

Define Crystal-Clear Learning Objectives

Make clear, measurable goals for what students will achieve.
Ensure objectives align with the skills or knowledge they want to gain.
Don't cut content that doesn't aid in achieving these goals directly.

Create Your Course Structure, Delivery Methods and Format

Outline your course into logical modules.
Ensure each module builds on the previous one for seamless progression.
The plan should include a mixture of delivery techniques.

Select the Tools for Your Course

Find out what tools you need and select the best to create and present your program.
Examine platforms in light of:
• Compatibility with your content structure.
Support for features such as videos, quizzes and tracking.
It is easy to use for both you and your students.
Make sure your equipment is in line with your objectives to help you save time while delivering a flawless training experience.

Establishing an online presence

 Skip to Building an Online Presence Checklist

With WordPress and a few years of experience, it's only two steps to building an online platform for your course!

6. Create a Strong Brand

Your brand's your identity and it needs to be designed to convey confidence and an ongoing commitment between you and your audience. Additionally, your brand must be unique, allowing you to stand out from other competitors.

You're looking to achieve consistency across your website and other marketing materials for customers. Your aim is to leave an indelible impression to your customers that conveys what you stand for, and resonates with them.

How do you go about it? It's simple. You define your brand identity by explaining what your company stands for What makes you distinctive and what emotional bond that you wish to create with your customers.

All your target audience research will come in handy here details regarding their needs and interests will help inform your design and messaging as well as your overall strategy for branding.

Creating a strong image is the best and most immediate method to create a brand that is immediately recognizable. That involves choosing a logo and color scheme.

7. Build Your Website (In 15 minutes!)

ReadyLaunch(tm) is an integrated, flexible page maker which you can personalize your site for courses by incorporating your logo as well as colours.

The course pages are mobile-responsive and designed to increase sales along with a well-designed and attractive design.

Even more exciting - it is possible to do this without any coding!

Free Online Course Launch Checklist: Building an Online Presence

Build a Brand that is Strong

Define the goal of your brand
What exactly does your company's brand mean?
- What makes you unique?
- What kind of emotional bond do you want to build for your viewers?
Use audience research to inform your messaging, tone, and your strategy.
 Choose a memorable logo.
Choose an appropriate color scheme.

Create Your Website

Make use of ReadyLaunch(tm) by to build your personalized course web site. In just a few just a few minutes.
If not making use of ReadyLaunch(tm) you can manually build the following pages, and make sure they're mobile-responsive
- - Account Page
 - Pricing Page
- Registration Page
 - Thank You Page
- Login Page
Add your logo, brand colors and your own fonts for a unique website.
Ensure your course site is designed to maximize sales and simple navigation.

Course Content Development

 Skip to Course Content Development Checklist

You've found a place to your class with a clear vision of the things you'd like it to be like and accomplish It's now time to dive deeper and start making!

8. The Content Outline for Your Course

Now is the time to finish the course structure you've created in step 4. Break each of your modules down into small, easily digestible classes.

If your teaching is in video content The research suggests that you should aim to make your lessons not more than 15 minutes in length, ideally under 10 minutes.

One study conducted by MIT(pdf) found the average engagement of students in recorded lectures was about 6 minutes.

Keep these statistics in mind Consider ways that you can break your lessons into smaller videos.

9. Design and create high-quality educational resources (Videos and slides and PDFs)

Once you've got the foundation of your curriculum It's time to begin making it complete with course materials!

Video is the most sought-after method to present the content of your courses, and due to one major reason - it's engaging. However, ultimately, it's up to you to decide what is the best method to communicate your course contents.

Slides and PDFs can be great references and revision aids to students, and provide a second method for students to learn course materials, catering to the different styles of learning.

Tips for Producing Engaging Videos
  • Make Videos Shorter: Aim for video lengths under six minutes to ensure maximum participation. Video lengths that are shorter will require more preparation but will hold students' interest for longer.
  • Adopt an Informal Style: Casual, relatable settings can make videos seem more personal and likable, and thus more enjoyable! If you wish for the video's quality to be excellent, avoid using an impersonal studio setting.
  • Engage in conversation and speak naturally: Speak with energy and confidence. Fast-paced, enthusiastic speaking makes you more enthused.
  • Enhance Tutorials to Rewatch: For how-to videos add visual signsposts or bookmarks that make it easy to skim and watching and rewatching.
  • Editing Effectively: Remove the words that are used as filler, stoppages and any other distractions in post-production to keep the content sharp and interesting.
  • Employ a range of Teaching Methodologies Utilize animations, visuals, and demonstrations to complement the spoken explanations that cater to the different styles of learning.
  • make videos accessible: Add captions and transcripts to make videos accessible to people with hearing impairments or parents who do not want to wake the baby!

Since Courses is a user of WordPress Gutenberg blocks, it's simple to incorporate videos, images, text and PDF files into every lesson.

10. Make Engaging Assignments and Quizzes

It's easy to think that quizzes and assignments are just about making your students test their knowledge, but they're also great engagement-boosting tools that help to reinforce learning and provide students the sense of accomplishment.

If they're done properly If done correctly, they'll to keep students engaged and will make your class enjoyable and engaging. Here's how to create assessments that stand out:

 Create It Fun and Interactive

Explore more than simple multiple choice questions. Utilize a variety of different formats such as matching or fill-in-the-blank, to keep your students engaged.

Courses quiz questions
Courses quiz questions

Courses includes 9 different quiz question types to help you to mix it up.

Send immediate feedback

Through these test questions, it is possible to provide automated evaluation and feedback, giving students immediate results as well as explanations. This helps reinforce learning as well as ensuring that the experience is seamless.

Create a custom assessment for your content

Make quizzes and assignments that reflect your course's objectives. For example, if you're teaching a photography class, create an assignment where students create edited images based on a technique they've recently learnt.

Through the Courses Assignments option, your students will be able to upload all sorts of assignments for you to grade from photos, portfolios, videos and essays in long form. It is possible to be creative with your assignments that you wish for your students.

This type of assignment implies that you'll need the task of grading them by hand and this is possible by the Courses Gradebook feature.

Keep the Bite-Sized

Don't overwhelm students with lengthy assessments. Quizzes that are short, frequently repeated or projects are more enjoyable and give students frequent chances to check comprehension.

Mix It Up Between Modules

Vary the types of quizzes and assignments throughout your course. For instance, use the knowledge check quiz early in your course as well as more hands-on, practical assignments later in the course.

Enable Retakes and Flexibility

Allow students to retake quizzes or submit assignments again to promote learning and improvement in the content.

11. Rewards with certificates

Recognizing your students' achievements is an excellent approach to keep them interested and engaged. The awarding of certificates not only adds value to your course but also provides the students with a tangible award that they can showcase in their professional and private lives. This is how you can make the certificates an integral part of the course you teach:

Why Certificates Matter
  • Motivation: Certificates give students something to work toward and help them remain active and focused throughout the course.
  • Recognition: It is an official acknowledgement of the effort made by the student and academic achievement.
  • Shareable Achievements: Students are able to post their certificate on LinkedIn and resumes or personal websites to highlight their abilities and skills.
What is the best way to award certificates for Courses

Courses allows you to instantly issue certificates to students upon successful completion of the course.

Choose from a variety of designs and customize certificates to reflect your branding and contain all pertinent information, such as:

  • Name of student
  • Course name
  • Completion date
  • Your logo and signature

The certificate function is integrated into Courses, there's no need to install additional plugins or manual processes. It's seamless and fully automated.

Add Expiry Dates for ongoing certifications

For courses that require regular renewal, like certification for compliance or specific skills to industry, you can set expiry dates for certificates.

This encourages students to stay current with their education by retaking your course after the specified time frame, to ensure that their knowledge is relevant.

Encourage Sharing for a Wider Reach

Students who share their certificates they can become powerful marketing tools. Instruct your students to:

  • Print and share certificates on social media.
  • Add certificates to their professional portfolios.
  • In their LinkedIn profiles.

Through Courses, you are able to make shareable links available for your students to share their knowledge far and wide, sharing their accomplishments and highlight your program as a trusted source of expertise!

Free Course Launch Checklist: Course Content Development

The Content Outline for Your Course

Break your modules into small, digestible lessons.
Plan to keep video lessons less than 15 minutes (ideally at least six minutes) to maintain student engagement.
Make use of Courses to easily set up your courses and modules.

Develop High-Quality Educational Materials

Create engaging videos to deliver your course content:
Use an informal, approachable manner.
Engage in conversation with passion and clarity.
Include captions and transcripts to ensure accessibility.
Include supplementary materials like pdfs or slides to provide additional learning support.
Utilize Courses to effortlessly upload videos, text as well as files to every class.

Create Engaging Quizzes and Assignments

Mix quizzes with interactive question formats (e.g., multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank).
Utilize the Assignments feature for students to upload pictures as videos, documents, or images directly.
Make assignments and quizzes brief and frequently to keep engagement.
Allow retakes or resubmissions to encourage mastery.

Recognized with Certificates

Motivate students with completion certificates as recognition of their effort.
Set expiry dates for certificates in order to promote recertification of ongoing skills.
 Provide shareable certificate links.

Pre-Launch Final Checks

 Skip to the Final Checks Checklist

Now that you've sorted out your plans and completed everything you need to do It appears that everything is set and all set to go. While this might be the case, you must make sure everything is in place for a successful and smooth launch.

12. Run Tests & Get Feedback

Do one quick test run to be sure that your program has been designed to be well-optimized. Ensure that all elements such as quizzes, forms, videos, and more work with no glitches.

Beta testers are an excellent idea. Have them run the course, and then provide suggestions on any problems or issues they've had to face.

Also, be sure your text has been proofread and polished. To ensure this that it is, consider hiring the services of a professional proofreader to review the content of your course and remove mistakes in spelling, grammar, and other non-relevant information that you may've included.

Once you've done all these steps, you're able to confidently start your Courses-based course confident that you've made an amazing piece of work that is ready for huge achievement!

Free Course Launch Checklist The Final Checks

Test Your Course Features
Run a test to ensure the course you choose to take is optimally designed.
Check that every component is working flawlessly, for example:

  • Quizzes
  • Forms
  • Videos
  • Downloads and links

Receive feedback from Beta Testers
Invite beta testers to test your course. through the course.
 Collect detailed feedback on:

  • User experience
  • Potential technical issues
  • Relevance and clarity of the content

Proofread and Polish your Content
Ensure your course content has no errors

  • Misspellings
  • Grammatical errors
  • Non-relevant information
     You might want to hire a professional proofreader to conduct a final proofreading.

Release with Peace of Mind
Use Courses to officially launch your course.
Celebrate knowing you've created a polished, tested piece that's ready to be a hit!

Conclusion

Planning for a course launch requires a thorough approach to ensure that it will be a massive success and achieve the set objectives.

Important steps include setting specific learning objectives, conducting competitive research, creating a solid curriculum in addition to implementing a strong marketing strategy.

When you carefully check off those items, you'll be well-positioned for a smooth and effective launch.

An extensive preparation process is vital to ensuring that your course launch succeeds and students enjoy a smooth learning experience from day one.

For a simpler and more efficient procedure, you should consider ReadyLaunch(tm) to simplify the process . It is a powerful program that simplifies the creation of courses by providing customizable templates, mobile-responsive design and an easy-to-use interface, without the requirement for coding knowledge.

Victoria Lloyd       Victoria is a pro at making small-scale beginnings into huge achievements, and has taken her jewelry business from the vibrant buzz of the London's market streets up to more prestigious locations such as that of the Royal Academy of Arts and the Topshop's Oxford Circus main store. Victoria's expertise extends beyond physical products. Victoria is a pro-active track record of boosting the online presence of a range of companies. From dynamic start-ups to household names like Nokia as well as Jack Daniels, Victoria has applied her potent blend of wordsmith skill as well as strategic insights and a digital savvy to ramp the engagement of brands as well as SEO. With her company , Victoria leverages her diverse experiences to help simplify and decode the online world of participation and growth for businesses. She's on hand to assist readers through her insightful tips, and help them effectively and imaginatively create their online communities and membership websites.