The Money Box Hub

A Beginner's Guide to Selling Online Courses in the EU

Jonathan Groethe
Jan 23, 2025By Jonathan Groethe
Online Course Concept with a Laptop with Headphones and Microphone at Home

What Is Selling An Online Course?

Quite simply, it's a rewarding opportunity to transform your knowledge or passion into a resource that helps others. Whether you’re an expert in a subject or simply enthusiastic about sharing your skills, creating an online course allows you to inspire, empower, and make an impact—all while earning income on your own terms.

Imagine the freedom of being your own boss and the fulfillment of seeing others succeed because of what you’ve shared.

Follow my simple, step-by-step beginner’s guide below to turn your idea into reality. Each resource is handpicked to ensure reliability and quality. Simply click on the links provided to explore each recommended platform and connect with companies that can help turn your business idea into a thriving reality. 











Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide, Key components:

  • Course Creator (you): The expert or educator who creates the course.
  • Platform: The medium where the course is hosted and sold.
  • Students: Your audience who purchases the course.










1. Choose Your Niche

Pick a subject you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in. Ensure there’s a market demand.

Examples:

  • Digital Marketing
  • Language Learning
  • Personal Development
  • Fitness & Wellness
  • Creative Skills (e.g., writing, art, design)

Use tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, or Udemy’s Marketplace Insights to research demand.











2. Define Your Target Audience

Understand your ideal student:

  • Who are they (age, location, profession)?
  • What problems do they need solved?
  • What format (video, text, interactive) suits them best?3.










3. Plan Your Course Content

Break your course into clear, actionable modules. Example structure:

  • Introduction (Overview of the course).
  • Module 1: Core Concept 1 (e.g., Basics of Photography).
  • Module 2: Core Concept 2 (e.g., Advanced Techniques).
  • Module 3: Practical Application (e.g., Assignments).
  • Bonus Content (e.g., PDF guides, templates).
  • Conclusion and Next Steps.










4. Choose a Platform to Host Your Course

There are two main options:

All-in-One Platforms (Best for Beginners):

  • Teachable: Intuitive and beginner-friendly.
  • Thinkific: Affordable and easy to use.
  • Podia: Great for digital downloads and courses.

Marketplace Platforms (Less control but built-in traffic):

  • Udemy: Large audience but lower pricing control.
  • Skillshare: Subscription-based, great for exposure.

Self-Hosting Options (More control but technical):

  • WordPress with LearnDash: High flexibility.
  • Kajabi: Premium all-in-one solution.










5. Create Your Course

Content Types:

  • Video Lectures: Record high-quality videos (HD camera or smartphone + microphone).
  • PDF Downloads: Cheat sheets, eBooks, and guides.
  • Quizzes & Assignments: Add interactive elements.

Recording Tools

  • Camtasia (Paid): All-in-one video recording and editing.
  • OBS Studio (Free): Screen recording.
  • Canva (Free & Paid): Presentation slides.










6. Price Your Course

  • Low-cost courses (€10–€50): Great for beginners on platforms like Udemy.
  • Mid-range courses (€100–€500): For comprehensive courses.
  • High-ticket courses (€500+): For niche, advanced, or mentorship-based content.










7. Market Your Course

Organic Marketing

  • Social Media: Share valuable tips and snippets on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
  • Content Marketing: Write blogs, guides, and articles.
  • Email Marketing: Build an email list using tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit.

Paid Marketing

  • Facebook/Instagram Ads: Run targeted ads.
  • Google Ads: Capture search traffic.










8. Manage and Optimize

  • Use tools like Google Analytics and Hotjar to track performance.
  • Gather feedback from students and update the course regularly.










Platforms & Tools for Beginners

1. Course Hosting

  • Teachable: Starts at €29/month.
  • Thinkific: Free for basic features, paid plans from €39/month.
  • Udemy: Free to join but takes a revenue share.

2. Content Creation Tools

  • Camtasia: €300 (one-time fee).
  • OBS Studio: Free.
  • Canva Pro: €12/month.

3. Email Marketing Tools

  • Mailchimp: Free for up to 500 subscribers.
  • ConvertKit: Starts at €9/month.

4. Payment Gateways

  • Stripe: 1.4% + €0.25 per transaction.
  • PayPal: 2.9% + €0.35 per transaction.










Full Cost Breakdown

Initial Costs:

Item: Domain Name | Cost: €10–€20/year
Item: Website Hosting | Cost: €50–€120/year
Item: Course Platform | Cost: Free–€39+/month
Item: Content Creation Tools | Cost: Free–€300 (one-time)
Item: Microphone & Camera | Cost: €50–€200 (one-time)
Item: Email Marketing Tools | Cost: Free–€9+/month

Optional Costs (For Scaling):
Item: Paid Ads | Cost: €50–€500/month
Item: Freelancers (Editing, Design) | Cost: €20–€50 per task
Item: Advanced Platforms (Kajabi) | Cost: €149+/month

Estimated Total Start-Up Cost for Beginners:
Low-budget setup: €70–€150 | Full-feature setup: €300–€500











Rememer, you've got this!

Starting your journey to create and sell an online course is an exciting step toward sharing your knowledge and building something meaningful. Every expert was once a beginner, and with focus and persistence, you can make a real impact. Embrace the process, take it one step at a time, and believe in your vision—the world is waiting for what you have to offer!











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