How to price your online course to Maximal Profits (7 Steps) |

Jan 4, 2024

Reader Disclosure

Are you an self-employed content creator, or an owner of a small-sized business seeking to make money from your coaching blog using the use of a WordPress LMS You may be noticing that creating an online course is no easy task.

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It's a maze of choices:

  • Gathering all the equipment you'll need

You have a lot of work to do!

Woman spinning plates

And all that can make the pricing of your online course look like a daunting task.

You want a price which is fair for the work and knowledge you're offering, and at the same time, something your audience can comfortably afford.

a bowl filled with small folded paper notes

This extensive guide is provided to alleviate your anxieties.

This article aims at providing the reader with insights into the major factors influencing online course pricing and how to strategically take care of them.

We'll also discuss ways to leverage the amazing features to optimize your pricing strategies and increase your profits.

Let's unpack this together and determine a cost which feels the right amount.

Pricing your Online Course

a hammer crushing a walnut

What is it that makes the pricing of your online course a difficult piece of cake to crack?

Let's explore the complex market of pricing to discover the challenges that make it appear tough.

Lack of an Standard Pricing Model

Two road signs pointing towards two opposite directions. The one on the right says "Best Price" while the other on the left says "Better Price".

For the most part physical products have a clear cost of production. The cost for creating an online course can be quite different.

It is difficult to establish a cost which covers the costs and makes profits.

Value Can Be in the Eye of the Beholder

A golden egg in the middle of regular eggs.

You want customers to believe the course's worth of the money they pay for it. You also need to price it within their reach. It can be difficult to find the right balance to achieve.

Pick a strategy for pricing that is compatible with the budget as well as expectations of your audience.

 Would they be willing to fork out more money for content of high quality? Do they want a monthly subscription or a one-time installment?

The knowledge of their preferences can give an idea of how to price your products.

A highly competitive environment

Chalk drawings of stick people trying to climb up ladders.

The online learning market is large and extensive.

To determine a price that is competitive, you must study of what other businesses charge for comparable information. And this is lot easier than you think.

Take a look at what your competitors are charging for similar programs.

It is not necessary to undercut them, but you will must price them within the same range.

a flatlay of a target board and two darts.

Your unique audience adds to the difficulty. Different audiences are different in their price sensitivity.

In other words, a class aimed at corporate professionals may have a more costly price compared to ones geared toward students.

Understanding your audience's willingness to pay for your services will require a bit of research. But it's no biggie.

4 Key Factors that Influence the Pricing of Your Online Course

a series of emotive faces leading up to a lightbulb

But understanding how to price your courses is one of the essential things you need to master. It could be the decisive factor in your success!

and the most important question, "How much should you be charging per meal?" doesn't have one straightforward answer.

Keep reading! This article will guide you through the steps that can aid you to calculate your cost for the course without stressing.

1. The Course Development and Delivery Costs

post-its in a shape of an arrow with dollar signs drawn on them. one of the post-its has a question mark drawn on it instead

Think about the expenses you've paid for in the process of creating your online class. It's a valuable effort that is worthy of compensation.

These costs include everything from scriptwriting to video creation editing, hosting and even advertising.

Furthermore, as your program gains success and your brand expands in recognition You should think about scaling up.

Incorporate these expenses into your price tag to ensure you don't operate in a losing manner.

2. Perception of value

the words "value" and "price" on an adhesive note

The cost you pay for the online course is also a an indication of its high quality.

A low price may lead prospective students to view the course as unimportant or of poor quality.

In contrast an expensive price could signal that your program is top-quality or even advanced.

So, your pricing strategy must be in line to your branding and the benefits you provide.

3. Consumer Behavior

a portrait of a disappointed man holding his phone while looking at his credit card

The pricing strategies you use can influence the behavior that your pupils exhibit.

In other words students who have to pay for a course are likely to be more committed and engaged than students that get the course for the price of a free course or for a small price.

They could also be more likely to finish the program and write positive reviews, which can boost your course's reputation and attract more students.

4. Segmentation and Reach

customer segmentation model concept using blocks grouped by color.

Lastly, your pricing strategy could be a tool for differentiating and segmenting.

  • Segmentation is the process of dividing large groups into small groups according to similar characteristics or requirements.
     
     Consider it as organizing a closet where you put shirts in one section and pants in another.
  • Differentiation, on the other hand, is about creating something that stands out.
     
     This is like when you paint your bicycle with awesome designs and vivid colors so that it looks different and more special than the others.

For instance, you can provide a simple version of your course for an affordable price, and then a premium version with additional amenities at a greater cost.

This way, you can provide for students who are budget conscious as well as those who are willing to spend more money for additional value.

How to Price Your Online Course in just 7 steps

So far we've identified the importance of a strategic pricing approach in your online courses.

Let's begin by making sure you've got a good understanding of the basics of online course pricing.

Flay lay of office implements and a notebook with a checklist written on its open page.

If you are aware of these fundamentals and making smarter decision-making for yourself. It's not solely based on the competition, but by acknowledging the unique benefit you can offer.

1. Find out the value of your course

Find out what value your class can bring to participants. Is it solving a significant problem or teaching valuable abilities?

Identifying the unique value of your online course will allow you to set it apart from the other courses of similar value on the market.

2. Know Your Audience (and the willingness of them to pay)

a magnifying glass laid on top of an icon of a customer

Understand their financial capability to ensure that they can comfortably afford your course.

Make sure to consider that the cost you decide to set must make your plan appealing to the eye..

To gain deep insights into your audience's spending habits Consider administering surveys and conducting one-on-one conversations.

This approach to interactive learning will not only reveal their ability to pay but also their perception of the worthiness of online classes.

Whether you're looking into the demographics of your customers or conducting market research the pre-designed survey forms from SurveyMonkey can be a great time saver. It is possible to create your own survey in a matter of seconds.

3. Estimate Production Costs

pacman shape trying to devour illustration of coins with dollar signs on them.

Take into account all the expenses involved in creating and maintaining your online course.

This insight is crucial in knowing how to estimate the cost of your course in order to pay for these expenses and generate profits.

Let's break down some of the common expenses:

  • Resources for your research: You may need purchase books, take part in other similar courses, or even hire consultants for your class. All of these costs add up, and should be included in your budget.
  • Production cost: Tailoring your course to the needs of your customers could require you to film videos or set up a home studio, all with associated expenses.
  • Designs Costs Visual appeal for your school's curriculum shouldn't be overlooked. It is possible to employ an artist or graphic designer, or purchase designs software that produces high-quality images.
     
     Or even it's a simple thing to take advantage of the fact that it's included (tm) already built-in.
     
     This page styling tool allows you to incorporate branded designs to each page on your website - no coding required.

Learn the steps to style your pages within a minute

Marketing expenses: Paid advertisements, social media advertising, and other forms of promoting your course will all have the cost of their own.

PRO-TIP: Set an amount that is sufficient to cover your costs and offers a decent profit margin. This not only makes your online course sustainable but also provides the resources that you'll require for courses and growth in your business.

4. Do Market Research

a woman  in a meeting with other co-workers discussing charts and graphs, representing market research.

Compare the cost of similar courses on the market. This will help you set price points that are competitive.

Researching your competition isn't only concerned with understanding the competition you're with, but it's also about accurately pricing your online course.

 Where should you begin?

Your first step should be to identify your main competition.

Check out courses that have similarities to yours in regards to content, difficulty, and target audience.

Then, look into their pricing structure.

 Are they charging a similar rate to what you are charging? Do they offer any discounts or bundled deals? Do they have any extra materials available for purchase?

Be attentive to these specifics.

It's crucial to understand what your competitors are up to, you shouldn't just duplicate their prices. The pricing you offer must reflect the worth of your business and its unique selling points.

5. Pick a suitable pricing model

bag with money, measuring tape, and gold coins

Let's check out the pros and cons for each.

 One-Time Payment

This pricing model is ideal for self-paced learning courses which offer the possibility of lifetime access.

BenefitsThis method offers instant ROI on investment, and an immediate and clear first profit.

Con:These are typically higher-priced due to the value included within the package.

Subscription

Advantages: This model provides a consistent income flow, that can make budgeting easier and making plans.

Pros:However, as a course designer, you need to constantly provide relevant content that will keep your viewers active and engaged.

Freemium

This freemium model allows users to access select content for free and also provides paid access to more advanced or additional content.

Pros: This model can draw a wide audience because it reduces the barriers of entry for potential students.

Cons: Course creators have the daunting task of trying to the right chord to get free users to the paid version.

6. Review and Reset your Pricing

Young man reading chart

It's essential to periodically review and refine your pricing strategy.

The online learning landscape evolves rapidly, so do trends in the market and preferences the pricing of your course may have be adjusted.

  • Monitor your pricing effectiveness over time, adjusting and refining as necessary.
  • Respond to changes in clientele changes, market trends and improve the course.
  • Always be alert and ready to adjust your course cost if necessary.

7. Use Flexible Pricing Tools

Tiny Mechanic Figures Next To Tools

Perhaps you're thinking by this point, "Is there a tool that can simplify this whole process?"

It's a comprehensive and feature-rich plug-in that can simplify the whole process of organizing, managing and selling online course.

takes the guesswork out of pricing, while providing benefits to a wider audience.

If you're hoping to get the performance to an 11 (who doesn't? ), has another element worth a try - the WordPress coach platform (tm).

You can unlock the potential of Courses WordPress LMS with a just a click.

This dynamic duo changes the method course creators handle and improve their operation.

By using CoachKit(tm) you can craft an effective coaching business inside WordPress - a place where simpleness meets endless possibilities.

WATCH >> HOW TO CONSTRUCT A COURSE

How To Price Your Online Course

Explore the features that will make your pricing journey a lot simpler and also more lucrative.

 Easy Pricing Options

Red Calculator With Floating Numbers

A significant feature of is its simplicity of making and altering pricing choices for your courses.

You can offer only one-time purchases, subscriptions or even free classes, you can do everything and more with .

 Unlimited Membership Levels

An effective strategy is to begin with a simple tier at a lower cost, and then offer packages that include greater features and more content at higher prices.

This makes your offerings accessible to more people with different budgets and also increases your chances of earning from customers who are willing to pay higher prices.

Coupons, and discounts

You can create your own custom coupon codes and discount coupons for the courses you take.

The process of setting up discount codes should not be an issue, and with it certainly isn't.

    Content Dripping

Watch >> HOW to offer FREE Page VIEWS by utilizing the Paywall setting

This could be especially beneficial for pricing, as it allows for the introduction of subscription-based models.

Instead of charging a large upfront cost, course designers can charge smaller, recurring charges for access to new courses.

You have the choice of connecting to a variety of payment gateways, including , , and .

Learn >> HOW to offer a STRIPE LINK ON YOUR SITE (TUTORIAL VIDEO)

Data and Analytics

These can provide valuable information about the behaviour of your members and preferences, such as what kind of is the most interesting content for them to be in and how much they're willing to spend.

Read >> the for reports

Final thoughts

Portrait of a woman analyzing a business report

We've walked through the following crucial steps to determine the cost of online courses:

  • Knowing the true value of your course
  • Being knowledgeable about your your target market
  • Exactly estimating manufacturing costs
  • Conducting thorough market analysis
  • Selecting an appropriate price model
  • Constantly reviewing and altering your pricing strategies continuously.
  • Finding the most appropriate instruments can make it easier for you

Navigating these phases by yourself can be overwhelming. But, it's not necessary to face these challenges by yourself.

It is an all-in-one software designed to aid you in improving the pricing plan and all other aspects of the running of your business online.

In its role as an WordPress LMS, membership and coaching plugin lets you adjust to market changes as well as adapt your course to the learners behavior, and finally charge your course in the most effective way.

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Get today!

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Are you looking for tips, or questions about pricing strategies for your online courses? Get involved in the comment section Let's get the discussion rolling!

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