11 Simple Steps to Create an Online Training Course Like a Pro

Create an online training course efficiently by following these 11 essential steps. From planning and content creation to selecting the best tools, this guide covers every process stage. You’ll also learn about the Top 10 best platforms for creating online training courses, with comparisons of features, pricing, and unique advantages. Read now!

The online learning market has grown exponentially, driven by the increasing demand for flexible and accessible education solutions. In 2022, the global eLearning market was valued at approximately USD 194.25 billion and is projected to reach around USD 545.38 billion by 2030, online training courses have become a key component for both businesses and educational institutions alike. 

This surge in interest is partly due to the rise of eLearning courses, which have become essential for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in a rapidly evolving job market. As more people turn to online education for professional development and personal growth, the potential for creating an online training course has never been greater.

Step	What To Do
1	Do some prep work
2	Make a Course Outline
3	Select the format of your course
4	Develop Engaging Content
5	Add assessments and knowledge checks
6	Select a Learning Management System
7	Test and Revise Your Course
8	Ensure your content accessibility and mobile readiness
9	Publish your course
10	Market Your Online Training Course
11	Collect feedback and testimonials

1. Do some prep work 

Analyze Training Goals and Objectives

Start by defining the training goals and objectives. Clearly outlining what you want learners to achieve by the end of the course ensures that the content stays focused and relevant. This step sets the foundation for developing structured, outcome-driven eLearning courses.

Understand Your Targeted Audience

Knowing your targeted audience is crucial for creating a course that resonates with them. Identify their prior knowledge, learning styles, and learning gaps. This will help you design a course that is not only informative but also engaging and tailored to their specific needs.

Choose the Right Authoring Tools

Selecting the appropriate online training course authoring tools can significantly ease the course creation process. These tools offer templates, multimedia integration, and customization options to help you design a course that aligns with your goals. Many also support interactive training features, allowing you to create engaging activities like quizzes, simulations, and scenario-based learning.

Below is a comparison of the 8 best online training course authoring tools that we gathered for your reference.

No.	Tool	Key Features	Pricing	User-Friendliness
1	Articulate 360	All-in-one tool, responsive courses, interactive templates, LMS integration	Starts at $1,099/year	Beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop features
2	Adobe Captivate	Advanced multimedia integration, VR support, mobile compatibility	$33.99/month	Ideal for experienced users, steep learning curve
3	iSpring Suite	PowerPoint-based authoring, quizzes, video lectures, LMS support	Starts at $770/year	Easy to use, especially for PowerPoint users
4	Camtasia	Video-based content creation, screen recording, simple editing	$299.99 one-time fee	Highly user-friendly for creating video content
5	Elucidat	Cloud-based, large content libraries, team collaboration, responsive design	Custom pricing based on requirements	Simple interface, suited for teams and large organizations
6	Lectora	Powerful, SCORM-compliant, ADA-compliant, customizable templates	Starts at $899/year	Moderate learning curve, more suited for larger projects
7	Gomo Learning	Cloud-based, collaborative, multi-language support, analytics	Custom pricing based on requirements	Easy to use for both individual users and teams
8	Easygenerator	Drag-and-drop builder, SCORM-compliant, cloud-based, mobile-friendly	Starts at $99/month	Simple for beginners with minimal technical skills

2. Make a Course Outline 

Creating a clear and structured course outline is the next critical step. Begin by organizing the content into logical sections or modules, ensuring the flow supports the training goals and objectives. This outline acts as a roadmap for the entire course, making it easier to follow and keep on track.

Each section should include key topics, learning materials, learning goals and any activities that promote interactive training. Incorporating interactive elements, such as quizzes or discussions, within the outline helps reinforce key concepts and keeps learners engaged throughout the course.

3. Select Format for Each Content of Your Course

Choosing the right format for your course is key to effectively delivering the content. Depending on your eLearning course objectives and audience, different formats can cater to various learning styles and preferences. Here are some common formats and when to use them:

4. Develop Engaging Content 

Creating engaging content is vital to keep learners motivated and enhance their understanding. Here are key elements to consider when developing your course:

Record or Add Audio and Video

Incorporating audio and video into your learning modules can significantly boost engagement. Use video to visually demonstrate concepts, showcase real-life examples, or provide expert interviews. Audio can also enhance the learning experience by offering narration or background explanations, making content more accessible and relatable.

Create Role-Play Scenarios

Role-play scenarios are an excellent way to encourage active participation and practical application of knowledge. By simulating real-world situations, learners can practice their skills in a safe environment. This interactive method helps reinforce concepts and allows learners to develop problem-solving skills and confidence.

Incorporate Interactive Quizzes

Adding interactive quizzes throughout your learning modules can help assess understanding and reinforce key concepts. These quizzes can be formatted as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, or true/false questions, providing immediate feedback and making learning more dynamic.

Use Case Studies

Integrating case studies into your course allows learners to analyze real-world situations and apply their knowledge. This method fosters critical thinking and helps learners connect theoretical concepts with practical applications, enhancing their overall understanding.

Pay Attention to Collaboration 

Collaboration is essential in the course content creation process, as it brings together diverse perspectives that enrich the material. Involving team members – such as subject matter experts, instructional designers, and learners – enhances content quality by ensuring alignment with learning objectives and minimizing errors. 

This engagement fosters a sense of ownership among contributors, making them more invested in promoting the course. Additionally, collaboration encourages innovation and creative thinking, leading to more interactive materials.

5. Add Assessments and Knowledge Checks 

Incorporating assessments and knowledge checks into your course is essential for measuring learner understanding and progress. Below is how you can effectively implement these elements:

Purpose of Assessments

Assessments serve as a way to evaluate whether learners have grasped the material presented in your training modules. They provide feedback to both learners and instructors about areas of strength and aspects that may require additional focus.

Types of Assessments

Different types of assessments can be utilized to assess learner comprehension:

• Quizzes: Short, informal quizzes can be placed throughout the course to check understanding and retention of key concepts.
• Final Exams: A comprehensive exam at the end of the course can evaluate overall knowledge and mastery of the subject matter.
• Assignments: Assignments can encourage deeper exploration of topics and promote critical thinking. These can be individual or group tasks, depending on the course structure.

Knowledge Checks

Implementing knowledge checks at the end of each section or training module helps reinforce learning. These can include:

• Multiple-choice questions: Easy to administer and can cover a range of topics.
• True/False Questions: Quick checks that assess basic understanding of concepts.
• Scenario-Based Questions: These encourage learners to apply their knowledge to practical situations, enhancing critical thinking skills.

Provide Feedback

Offering immediate feedback on assessments helps learners understand their mistakes and learn from them. Detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers can guide them toward a better understanding of the material.

6. Select a Learning Management System 

Selecting the right Learning Management System (LMS) is vital for the effective delivery and management of your online training course. A robust LMS helps you organize your training modules, monitor learner progress, and create a seamless learning experience. When evaluating different LMS options, consider important factors such as user-friendliness, available features, scalability, and integration capabilities with other tools. 

7. Test and Revise Your Course 

Before launching your course, thorough testing is essential to ensure everything functions as intended. Run through the course as a learner would, checking for any technical issues, broken links, or content errors. Solicit feedback from beta testers – individuals who represent your target audience – to identify areas for improvement. 

Revise the course based on their feedback, focusing on enhancing the user experience and addressing any concerns they may have. This iterative process helps ensure your course is polished and effective before it reaches a wider audience.

8. Ensure Your Content Accessibility and Mobile Readiness 

Making your course accessible and mobile-ready is vital for reaching a broader audience. Ensure that your content is compliant with accessibility standards, such as providing alternative text for images and ensuring that videos have captions. 

Additionally, optimize your course for mobile devices, as many learners prefer to access content on their smartphones or tablets. A responsive design enhances the user experience, allowing learners to engage with the course anytime and anywhere.

9. Publish Your Course

Once your course is tested and revised, it’s time to publish it on your chosen LMS. This step involves uploading all course materials, configuring settings such as enrollment options, and setting a launch date. Make sure to provide clear instructions for users on how to navigate the course. Once published, monitor the platform for any issues and be ready to provide support to learners as they begin their journey. 

10. Market Your Online Training Course

Marketing is key to attracting learners to your online training course. Here are some effective tactics:

• Social Media: Utilize platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to promote your course. Share engaging content, such as testimonials, previews, or informative posts that highlight the benefits of your training.
• Email Marketing: Create an email campaign targeting your existing audience or potential learners. Provide them with valuable information about the course and exclusive offers to encourage enrollment.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your course landing page with relevant keywords to improve visibility in search engines. This includes using the keyword “create an online training course” in your content, headings, and meta descriptions.
• Webinars and Free Previews: Hosting webinars or offering free course previews can attract interest and showcase the value of your course. This approach allows potential learners to experience your teaching style and course content firsthand.

11. Collect Feedback and Testimonials

After your course is live, gathering feedback and testimonials from learners is essential for continuous improvement. Encourage participants to provide their thoughts on the course content, structure, and overall experience. 

Use surveys or feedback forms to collect this information systematically. Positive testimonials can be powerful marketing tools, helping to build credibility and attract new learners. Display these testimonials prominently on your course landing page and in promotional materials to enhance your course’s appeal.

4 Key Differences Between a Training Course and a Training Module

When it comes to designing effective educational programs, it’s essential to understand the distinctions between a training course and a training module. Each plays a unique role in the learning process, and recognizing their differences can help you structure your content more effectively.

Top 10 Best Platforms for Creating Online Training Courses

Creating an online training course has never been easier, thanks to a variety of platforms designed to cater to different needs and preferences. In this section, we will explore the top 10 best platforms that empower educators and trainers to create, market, and sell their online courses efficiently.

No	Platform	Best For	Standout Feature	Pricing
1	Udemy	Launching your first course	Guided, prescriptive course creation flow	Free; 3% to 63% revenue share on course sales
2	Skillshare	Teaching creative skills	Quick, easy course setup	Free; royalties for premium class minutes watched
3	Teachable	Creating an online school with marketing	Wide-ranging AI features in beta	Free for 1 published course and 10 students; from $39/month
4	Podia	Selling digital products and memberships	Simple course outline builder	From $33/month plus 5% transaction fee
5	Kajabi	Marketing a course on autopilot	Loads of built-in marketing features	From $55/month
6	Mighty Networks	Building a paid community	Strong community-building focus	From $99/month for plans that include online courses
7	Simplero	Managing your business	All-in-one CRM, marketing automation, and courses	From $59/month
8	LearnWorlds	Granular customizability	Extensive visual customization options	From $29/month plus $5 per sale
9	Pathwright	Action-oriented courses	Actionable lessons and curriculum design	From $89/month
10	Thinkific	Customizable add-ons	Course templates, pre-populated with sample content	From $36/month

While creating an online training course on your own might seem cost-effective, there are significant drawbacks to consider. DIY courses can often lack the professional polish and quality that learners expect, leading to decreased engagement and effectiveness. Additionally, without expertise in instructional design, you may struggle to create a structured and coherent learning experience. 

Hiring a professional studio ensures that your course benefits from industry knowledge, advanced tools, and effective teaching strategies, ultimately resulting in a high-quality product that meets the needs of your audience and enhances learning outcomes. Investing in professional assistance can save you time and lead to a more successful and impactful training course.

F.Learning Studio – Best of the Best for Creating an Online Training Course

F.Learning Studio stands out as a premier choice for creating an online training course, offering services designed to elevate the learning experience. Here’s how we excel in delivering exceptional online training solutions:

We Prioritize Customized Learning Experiences

At F.Learning Studio, we understand that every learner wants to choose the best option. Hence, we prioritize creating customized learning experiences that cater to the specific needs of your audience. Our team works closely with you to design courses that align with your training objectives, ensuring maximum engagement and effectiveness.

We Deliver High-Quality Animation and Interactivity

Our commitment to high-quality content is evident in our animation and interactive design services. F.Learning Studio offers various types of services, including:

• Free Animation Demo: Experience the quality of our animation before committing to a project.
• Video Production: Create engaging video content that brings your training materials to life.
• Interactive Design: Develop interactive elements that encourage learner participation and enhance engagement.
• Graphic Design: Utilize visually appealing graphics that support the learning objectives and improve content retention.

We Ensure a Seamless Content Development Process

We believe that a smooth content development process is key to create successful online training courses. F.Learning Studio provides comprehensive services such as:

• Learning Design: Collaborate with our experts to structure your course effectively and achieve desired learning outcomes.
• Free Consultation: Discuss your project goals with our team to identify the best strategies for your online training course.
• Free Content Preparation Samples: Receive samples of prepared content to evaluate our approach and quality before full development.

We Focus on Long-Term Learning Success

At F.Learning Studio, we don’t just aim to deliver a one-time course; we prioritize creating online training programs that drive long-term learning success. This means ensuring your learners can apply new skills in real-world scenarios and retain knowledge over time. Through our expertise in instructional design and interactive content development, we build courses that encourage engagement, repetition, and practical application, fostering continuous learning and skill reinforcement even after the course has ended.

To Sum Up

Creating an online training course involves several crucial steps, from conducting thorough preparation to selecting the right learning management system and ensuring content accessibility. By following a structured approach, you can develop an engaging and effective training program that meets the needs of your audience.

If you’re looking to streamline this process and enhance the quality of your course, F. Learning Studio is here to help. With our expertise in customized learning experiences, high-quality animation, interactive design, and seamless content development, we can turn your vision into a successful online training course. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation and discover how we can elevate your training programs!

• Email: [email protected]
• Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/f.learningstudio
• Website: https://flearningstudio.com/ 
• LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/company/f-learning-studio/​