You don’t need an LMS to get started
Most course creators’ first instinct: sign up for Teachable or Kajabi. Two weeks and $150/month later, they still haven’t created their first course.
The problem isn’t technical. It’s tool overload. A full LMS makes sense when you have 20+ courses, structured learning paths, and quizzes with certificates. For your first course, it’s overkill.
What you actually need:
- Content — videos, PDFs, or both
- Hosting — Vimeo, unlisted YouTube, Google Drive
- A payment page — that presents your course and collects payment
- An automated email — that delivers access after payment
That’s it. No 47-step sales funnel. No $149/month LMS. Just content, a payment page, and an email.
Step 1: Structure your content
A good online course follows a logical progression: problem → understanding → solution → application.
The minimum viable format
- 3 to 5 modules, 20–45 minutes each
- 1 summary PDF per module (key takeaways)
- 1 practical exercise per module (what the participant should do)
For technical or educational content, screencast (screen recording + voiceover) is the most effective format. Free tools: OBS Studio, Loom (free version). For more personal content (coaching, personal development), film yourself on camera.
Don’t aim for perfection. Useful content filmed with a smartphone beats mediocre content shot with professional equipment.
Step 2: Host and protect your content
Three video hosting options, from simplest to most secure:
Unlisted YouTube
Free. Upload videos as "unlisted" (accessible only via link). Advantage: zero cost, reliable player. Disadvantage: no real protection — anyone with the link can watch and share it.
Vimeo
From €12/month. You can restrict playback to your domain (videos only play on your site/page). This is the standard for serious online course creators. The domain-lock alone eliminates 90% of casual piracy.
Google Drive / Notion
Free. Share a folder link after payment. Simple for PDFs, templates and documents. Not ideal for video (no streaming, clunky player).
For digital files (PDFs, templates, source files), use automatic file delivery: the buyer gets a secure download link immediately after payment. With PayFacile, digital product delivery is built-in — the file is sent automatically on purchase confirmation.
Step 3: Create your sales page and set up payment
Your sales page must answer three questions in 30 seconds:
- Who is this for? — identify your target clearly
- What will I learn? — the programme in a few bullet points
- How much does it cost? — price, payment options
Technically, you need:
- A payment page with course description — create a payment link
- Card payment (Stripe) and/or SEPA (GoCardless) for lower failure rates
- Instalment payment option for courses over €200 — splits the barrier
- Automatic invoicing on each payment
For subscription-based access (catalogue model), set up a recurring product. Students pay monthly and access all courses as long as they’re subscribed.
With PayFacile, you create the product, set the price and options, and share a single link. No website needed — share it on LinkedIn, in emails, or embed it on your existing site.
Step 4: Launch and convert your first customers
Launching doesn’t require 100,000 followers. Here’s the minimum viable launch strategy:
Pre-launch (D−14 to D−7)
- Announce the course on your social media and newsletter
- Share a free extract (first module, summary PDF) to build anticipation
- Offer early-bird pricing for the first 20 buyers — creates urgency and rewards your most engaged audience
Launch day
- Email your list with the payment link — this will be your highest-converting channel
- Post on LinkedIn / Instagram / Twitter with a testimonial or concrete result from a beta tester
- Direct message the 10 people most likely to buy — personal outreach converts 5–10× better than broadcast posts
Post-launch (D+7 to D+30)
- Follow up with non-buyers: "The launch offer ends Friday"
- Ask first buyers for a testimonial — social proof accelerates the next wave
- Repurpose course content as free posts to keep attracting new prospects
Realistic target: 10–30 sales in the first 30 days. If it’s less, that’s still valuable — those are your first real-world feedback sources. Iterate the content based on their questions, then relaunch.
See how PayFacile can help
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to create an online course?
For a minimum viable course (3–5 modules), expect 2–4 weeks spending a few hours per day. Don’t aim for perfection: create, sell, improve based on feedback.
- Do I need to be on camera?
No. Screencast (screen recording + voiceover) works well for technical or educational content. Face-to-camera adds personal connection, useful for coaching. Many creators combine both formats.
- How should I price my first course?
For a 2–5 hour course, €47–€97 is reasonable. If you include support (email, group), €147–€297 is justified. Don’t undervalue your expertise — a course priced too low is perceived as lower quality.
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