Introduction

Getting started isn’t hard—but it’s easy to make mistakes

Creating an online course today is no longer difficult.

Online learning platforms are ready, support tools are widely available, and learners are already familiar with studying online.

However, many instructors still experience the following when they first begin:

• Working very hard but feeling unsure if they are heading in the right direction
• Preparing for a long time but hesitating to publish
• Selling the course, but students drop out or fail to complete it

The cause is not a lack of expertise, but rather common mistakes made in the early stages.

Below are the 5 most common mistakes—and how you can avoid them to ensure a smoother start.

1. Not clearly defining your target learners

The first—and most important—mistake is not clearly identifying who your learners are.

Many instructors think:

“This course is for everyone.”

When that happens, the content often becomes:

• Too difficult for beginners
• Too basic for learners with prior knowledge
• Not directly addressing anyone’s real problems

Signs of this issue include:

• Students drop off after the first few lessons
• Feedback is vague and non-specific
• Low lesson completion rates

👉 How to avoid this:

Before creating content, clearly answer these questions:

1. Are your learners beginners or do they have prior knowledge?
2. What problems are they currently facing?
3. What do they want to achieve after completing the course?

For example, if you teach Excel for beginners, don’t start with Pivot Tables or advanced formulas. Instead, focus on basic, practical skills so learners feel confident from the beginning.

Benefit:

When your target learners are clearly defined, it becomes much easier to:

• Design appropriate content
• Choose relevant real-life examples
• Keep students engaged throughout the course

2. Creating too much content at the beginning

Another common mistake is trying to create too much content from the start.

Many instructors believe:

“A course needs lots of lessons to be valuable.”

The result is often:

• Long preparation time
• Loss of motivation before launch
• An overly long course that overwhelms learners

In reality, online learners usually want concise content that gets straight to the point. They don’t need long courses—they need solutions to their problems.

👉 How to avoid this:

• Start with a core version: Select 3–5 essential lessons that help learners reach their initial goal.
• Focus on solving one main problem, instead of covering too many topics.
• Leave room for expansion: You can add new lessons, case studies, or resources later based on feedback.

For example, if you’re creating a course on writing a CV, start with CV structure, writing experience sections, and interview tips—don’t overload it with too many industries or templates.

💡 If you’re just starting and unsure about course structure, you can refer to

[Blog] Using AI to Build a Course Framework for Your Course

3. Thinking you need strong technical skills

A very common psychological barrier is:

“I’m not good with technology, so I probably can’t create an online course.”

Many instructors worry about:

• Video recording and editing
• Creating professional slides
• Building websites or handling code

The reality:

You don’t need coding skills, complex websites, or complicated systems.

Platforms like Ourdemy are designed so instructors can easily:

• Upload videos
• Add slides and learning materials
• Organize lessons intuitively

👉 How to avoid this:

• Focus on what you’re good at: clear explanations and learner experience.
• Technical tools are support tools, not the main barrier.
• Start with simple equipment: a webcam or smartphone, basic microphone, and free editing software.

For example, a 10–15 minute video with clear audio and readable slides is far more effective than a 1-hour video with poor sound or visuals.

💡 If you’re concerned about equipment or recording techniques, you can refer to:

[Blog]Create PowerPoint Slides & Online Lectures Super Fast with AI

or

[Blog] How to Use AI to Create and Add Voice-Over Narration to Lectures

4. Lacking a clear course structure and learning path

The fourth mistake is not having a clear lesson structure or learning path.

Some instructors create content based on inspiration:

• Teaching one topic today
• Adding another topic tomorrow because it feels interesting

This often leads to:

• Lessons that lack logical order
• Students unsure which lesson to take next
• A course that doesn’t feel like a journey from A to B

👉 How to avoid this:

• Before recording, create a lesson list from start to finish.
• Define a clear goal for each lesson: “What can learners do after this?”
• You don’t need extreme detail—but the path must be clear.

Example for a personal planning course:

1. Course overview
2. Goal setting
3. Weekly/monthly planning
4. Progress tracking and evaluation

Learners will feel guided step by step, making it easier to follow and complete the course.

5. Ignoring the learner experience after purchase

The final mistake is thinking the job is done once the course is sold.

The post-purchase experience determines:

• Whether learners continue studying
• Whether they recommend the course
• Whether they return for future courses

If lessons are:

• Hard to follow
• Materials are difficult to download
• Instructions are unclear

Even great content can lead to dropouts.

👉 How to avoid this:

• Experience the course yourself as a learner after publishing.
• Test on multiple devices (mobile and desktop).
• Ensure materials are easy to open and slides are easy to read.
• Review the lesson flow to ensure learners understand the path.

For example, you can add a checklist like “What to do after this lesson” inside each lesson. This helps learners feel guided and supported, not lost.

Conclusion:

Recognizing mistakes leads to better courses

Creating an online course is not about making something huge or perfect from the very first attempt. What matters more is starting the right way, with a manageable scope and a suitable approach.

When these core points are recognized early, creating an online course becomes much less overwhelming. You can focus on what truly matters: your expertise, clear explanations, and the learner’s experience.

Your first course doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to:

• Be fully completed
• Have real learners
• Be good enough to form the foundation for future courses

If you’re preparing or have just started creating an online course on Ourdemy, avoiding these common mistakes will help you move a bit slower at the start—but go much further in the long run.