Your website’s gotta look good, be easy to use, and sell the heck out of that online course to make you money and help potential students find you.
You put your heart and soul into creating your online course: but the work isn’t quite over. Creating a platform that not only showcases your expertise but also entices visitors to enroll in your online course requires careful planning and execution.
In this guide, we’ll delve into five essential tips to help you create a sales page, funnel or website that captivates your audience and maximizes your course sales.
Your Course Sales Page Has to Look Good
Page design is incredibly important to maximize sales for your online course. Your website’s design is the first impression potential students will have of you and your brand, so it needs to be polished. A well-designed page not only attracts attention but also instills trust and confidence.
Use a Clean and Intuitive Layout
When it comes to website design, simplicity is key. A cluttered layout can overwhelm visitors and detract from the essential elements of your course. Opt for a clean, intuitive design that guides users seamlessly through the information they need.
As for colors, use your brand colors to create consistency and color psychology to set the mood: red is fiery and passionate, green is natural and down-to-earth, and blue speaks of cutting edge tech and modernism.
Key Elements:
- Clear navigation menu
- Consistent color scheme
- Ample white space for readability
- Engaging images and video
Write a Compelling Course Overview
Your course overview should be prominently featured on the homepage, providing a snapshot of what students can expect. Use concise, persuasive language to highlight the key benefits and unique selling points of your course.
What will they learn? How will it change their life? Don’t undersell your expertise!
Tips:
- Use compelling headlines and subheadings
- Include high-quality infographics and testimonials
- Clearly outline the value proposition and learning outcomes
Make it Work for Mobile
More sales than ever are made on tablets and smartphones, so it’s crucial that your website is mobile-responsive. Ensure that your design adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, providing an optimal viewing experience for users across all devices.
ThriveCart does this automatically for you, so there’s no need to worry – although it’s a good idea to test out your site on as many devices as you have to make sure you make all the changes you need.
Takeaways:
- Test the website on various devices
- Prioritize mobile-friendly navigation
- Optimize images and content for mobile loading speed
Pricing – Balancing Value and Affordability
Setting the right price for your online course is a delicate balance. It should reflect the value you’re providing while remaining competitive and accessible to your target audience.
We have a whole article on pricing your course here, but read on for some basic hints and tips. This is one of the hardest parts of releasing an online course, but don’t forget you can always change the price later.
Communicate Value
You need to clearly state the value of your course to justify the price. Break down the unique features, resources, and benefits that set your course apart from others in the market. Even better if you can come up with a price for each of those components to show students what they’d have to pay for everything if they bought it separately, rather than bundled into an online course.
Highlight any bonuses, exclusive content, or ongoing support that accompanies enrollment – especially things like Facebook groups, workbooks, checklists, recordings and other bonuses.
Strategies:
- Create tiered pricing options with varying levels of access
- Offer limited-time promotions or discounts for early enrollees
- Provide a detailed breakdown of what’s included at each price point
Always Have Transparent Pricing
Avoid hidden fees or ambiguous pricing structures that can lead to customer mistrust, and tank your business before it gets off the ground.
It’s good practice to always be transparent about the costs associated with your course, including any additional materials, certifications, or ongoing subscriptions. Clearly display any guarantees or money-back offers you give, and the conditions they need to meet to get a refund if they need one.
With ThriveCart Learn, you can easily collect payments and subscriptions, and offer hassle-free refunds whenever needed.
Recommendations:
- Clearly display pricing on your homepage
- Outline any optional add-ons or extras
- Provide a hassle-free checkout process with transparent billing information
Offer Flexible Payment Options
To cater to a broader audience, consider offering flexible payment options. This could include one-time payments, monthly subscriptions, or installment plans, allowing potential students to choose a payment method that suits their budget.
With ThriveCart, you have a multitude of flexible payment options to offer students on any budget to suit their needs. You can also collect payments in different currencies worldwide via PayPal and Stripe.
Options to Explore:
- Monthly subscription plans
- One-time payment with lifetime access
- Installment plans with automated payments
Lead Magnets – Capturing and Nurturing Leads
Lead magnets are the magnets that attract potential students to your course. Offering valuable incentives can encourage visitors to share their contact information, creating an opportunity for you to nurture these leads and convert them into paying customers.
What could you give away to potential students to turn them into paying customers down the road?
Compelling Freebies
Entice visitors with valuable free content related to your course topic. This could be in the form of a downloadable eBook, a mini-course, or exclusive access to a webinar. These freebies not only showcase your expertise but also build trust with your audience.
Ideas:
- Free downloadable resources (e.g., PDF guides, cheat sheets)
- Access to a limited portion of the course content as a teaser
- Webinars or live Q&A sessions with yourself or other industry experts
Opt-In Forms and Calls-to-Action
Strategically place opt-in forms and calls-to-action throughout your website to capture leads. Create compelling copy that clearly communicates the benefits of signing up, including your lead magnet, and ensure that the opt-in process is simple and user-friendly.
Best Practices:
- Place opt-in forms on high-traffic pages
- Use enticing language to convey the value of the lead magnet
- A/B test different calls-to-action to optimize conversion rates
Leverage Email Marketing Automation
Once you’ve captured leads, leverage email marketing automation to nurture these prospects. Create a series of automated emails that provide valuable content, showcase testimonials, and gently guide leads toward enrolling in your course.
This is best coming after the free lead magnet we suggested above, to keep delivering value ahead of the purchase they will hopefully make.
Email Strategies:
- Welcome emails with a personalized touch
- Drip campaigns that gradually introduce your course and its benefits
- Exclusive offers or discounts for leads who engage with your content
Build Trust with a Brand
Establishing a strong brand identity is crucial for gaining the trust of potential students. A cohesive and memorable brand not only sets you apart in a crowded market but also instills confidence in your course, and your ability to deliver world-class tutoring.
Make a Visual Identity
Create a consistent visual identity across your website, course materials, and promotional content. This includes using the same color palette, fonts, and images. Consistency builds brand recognition and fosters a professional image for yourself and your course.
Elements to Consider:
- Logo design and placement
- Color scheme that aligns with your course’s tone and subject
- High-quality, on-brand images and graphics
Tell Your Story
Craft a compelling narrative that communicates your journey, values, and the mission behind your online course. Humanize your brand by sharing personal anecdotes and success stories related to your course topic – people love knowing the background to how you got where you are today, so make sure to include this on your About page.
Storytelling Techniques:
- An About Us page with a personal touch
- Student testimonials and success stories
- Regularly share behind-the-scenes content and updates
Build Trust With Elements
Incorporate trust-building elements throughout your website to reassure potential students. This could include testimonials from previous students, industry certifications, or a satisfaction guarantee. Only use badges you have the clearance to put up on your site – never fake any credentials!
Trust Elements:
- Visible and genuine testimonials
- Showcase any relevant industry awards or certifications
- Clearly communicate refund and satisfaction policies
Make it Easy to Use
A user-friendly website is the cornerstone of a positive learning experience, and accessibility is key with modern website users. A site that is easy to navigate and understand not only attracts potential students but also ensures they have a seamless journey from exploration to enrollment.
Intuitive Navigation
Ensure that your website’s navigation is intuitive and user-friendly. Visitors should be able to easily find information about your course, pricing, and any additional resources. A well-organized menu structure enhances the overall user experience.
Navigation Tips:
- Clear and concise menu labels
- Dropdown menus for categorizing information
- Quick links to key pages on the homepage
A Simple Enrollment Process
The enrollment process should be straightforward and hassle-free. Implement a clear and concise checkout process, minimizing the number of steps required for potential students to sign up for your course.
With ThriveCart, enrolling and managing your students is super-easy from your Dashboard.
Enrollment Best Practices:
- One-click enrollment buttons
- Clearly labeled fields for user information
- Provide multiple payment options for convenience
Offer Quick Customer Support
Responsive customer support is one of the best benefits you can give when you address any queries or concerns potential students may have. This could include a live chat feature, email support, or a comprehensive FAQ section. A responsive support system instills confidence in your commitment to your students’ success.
Even if you haven’t got a customer success team behind you, by offering all you can you demonstrate a willingness to help out when needed.
Customer Support Strategies:
- Implement live chat for real-time assistance
- Set up an email ticketing system for inquiries
- Regularly update the FAQ section based on common queries
Create Your Course Sales Page with ThriveCart Learn
Creating an amazing website for selling your online course involves a delicate blend of design, strategy, and user-centric elements. Luckily, ThriveCart has all of these, and more.
When you create your course with ThriveCart Learn, you get access to the platform’s powerful page builder and template library, which lets you create impactful sales funnels for the highest conversions possible.
With a seamless user experience for both you and your students, integrated management dashboard and affiliate program options, there’s nothing standing in your way to course creation success with ThriveCart. Click to learn more.
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