Let’s talk about online course creation today!
As someone who’s spent a significant amount of time designing unique curriculums and crafting courses to meet diverse learning needs, I’ve come to appreciate how expansive—and sometimes confusing—this world of course creation can be. Earlier this year, I decided to take my skills a step further and became certified as a Learning Experience Designer. Since then, I’ve been navigating the ever-evolving landscape of learning and course development, and let me tell you—it’s both fascinating and overwhelming.
But don’t worry, this blog post will break it all down for you. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade your process, this guide will help you make sense of the options out there, so you don’t feel as confused as I was when I started this journey.
The Two Main Approaches to Online Course Creation
There are two primary approaches to creating and launching online courses:
- Using Course Authoring Tools with a Learning Management System (LMS)
- Using All-in-One Online Course Creation Platforms
Let’s explore these approaches in more detail.
1. Course Authoring Tools + Learning Management Systems (LMS)
This first approach involves designing your course using a course authoring tool like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or iSpring Suite. These tools allow you to create interactive, multimedia-rich e-learning content that can then be exported as a SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) file.
Once you’ve created your SCORM file, it can be uploaded to a Learning Management System (LMS). An LMS is essentially a platform that hosts your course, tracks learner progress, and provides analytics. Examples of popular LMS platforms include Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas. LMS platforms sync with SCORM files to ensure that your course is functional, interactive, and compatible across devices.
However, here’s the thing: LMS platforms can be pricey upfront. They’re typically designed for larger organizations like universities or corporations with substantial budgets. For smaller businesses or individual course creators, investing in an LMS might feel like overkill.
A Workaround for Small Course Creators
If you’re working on a smaller scale and still want to use SCORM files, you could upload your course to a platform like (Amazon Web Services) (AWS) . While this allows you to host your e-learning course and share a link with learners, it has a significant downside: you won’t be able to track key analytics, such as how far students have progressed or whether they’ve completed the course. For individual creators or small teams, knowing student progress is critical—especially if you want to improve your offerings over time.
That’s where the second approach comes in.
2. All-in-One Online Course Creation Platforms
Online Course Creation Platforms are a game-changer for smaller course creators or businesses. These platforms simplify the entire process by offering both course creation and hosting capabilities in one place. Many of them also come with built-in tools to track analytics, accept payments, and even market your courses.
Here’s the beauty of these platforms: you don’t need to be a tech wizard to use them. With user-friendly interfaces and pre-built templates, you can focus on your content instead of getting bogged down by technical details. Additionally, they provide analytics so you can monitor student progress, measure engagement, and refine your courses as needed.
To make things even better, I’ve compiled a comparison of some of the most popular online course creation platforms.
| Characteristics | Trainer Central | Teachable | Thinkific | Kajabi | Learn Worlds |
| Free Tier | Yes (Unlimited Learners, Up to 3 Courses) | Yes | No | No | No |
| First Paid Tier | $20/mo | $39/mo | $36/mo | $55/mo | $29/mon |
| Live virtual classroom | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Graded Test | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Payment Gateway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multicurrency support | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Discussion Forums | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Sales Page Builder | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transaction Fee | 0% | 5% transaction fee for first paid tier. 0% for the other paid tiers | Not Stated | 0% | $5 per course sale |
| Optimised for devices | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Number of Courses | Unlimited | 5 each of course, coaching and downloads | No | 1 product | Unlimited |
| Number of Users | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | 50 | No |
| Email Marketing | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Course Completion Certificate | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Why I’m Trying Trainer Central
After reviewing these platforms, I’ve decided to personally try out Trainer Central. One of the standout features for me is the free tier, which allows you to host up to three courses with unlimited learners. This makes it an incredibly quick and easy way to dip your toes into course creation without any upfront costs.
And when you’re ready to scale, Trainer Central offers paid plans that give you unlimited courses and unlimited learners with 0% transaction fees—perfect for a growing course creator. For what I need it for right now, this setup makes total sense. I’ll let you know how it goes as I explore its features further!
Key Takeaways
- Budget-Friendly Options Exist: Platforms like Trainer Central and Thinkific provide affordable starting points for small-scale creators, with free tiers or lower-cost paid tiers that include essential tools.
- No Need for Complex Setups: All-in-one platforms like these eliminate the need for SCORM files or external LMS systems, making them perfect for individual creators or smaller organizations.
- Diverse Features: From live virtual classrooms to multi-currency payment gateways, these platforms offer tools that cater to diverse needs. Choose the one that aligns with your goals.
Final Thoughts
The world of online course creation is vast and growing every day, but the good news is that there’s a solution for everyone—whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business owner, or part of a larger organization.
If you’re looking to launch your own courses, you can start small with platforms that offer free or low-cost tiers. Or, if you’re ready to scale, there are more robust options that provide advanced tools for marketing, engagement, and analytics.
Personally, I’ve found this space to be fascinating. It’s not just about creating courses; it’s about enabling learning, making an impact, and helping people grow. So, whether you’re creating courses to teach a skill, train employees, or share your passion, there’s never been a better time to dive in.
Would you like more content on online course creation? Let me know in the comments or send me a message!
Until next time,
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
T.M. Kayode 
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