Is it really possible to create a course for free? Yes, it absolutely is! And there are no tricks to it.
For years, I invested nothing in my courses and they still made sales.
I can tell you first-hand that creating a profitable course and making consistent course sales IS possible even without any investment and if you’re here trying to find the answer to the question – how to create a course for free? – you’re in the right place!
As your business grows (and you’re actually making money already) of course, you might find the upgrades valuable. However, it’s not a must to get started with all the most expensive options (or invest anything…)
It’s common to hear that without the investment there won’t be a real return and to create a REAL business, you will have to invest.
Well. I call that BS.
Invest when you feel ready, when you need to or want to.
It’s not a must to invest if your business is rolling without that as well…
Here will be some platforms and tools that will help you to create a course for free.
Disclaimer: This blog post includes affiliate links! If you make a purchase using one of the provided links, I’ll receive a commission from the purchase. If you do – THANK YOU. Your support keeps this blog going!
Keep in mind before using free tools to create a course
Many platforms often offer to start for free but there are many additional requirements or rules coming along with that.
For example, limited students that can be enrolled or any other trick that might surprise you once you’re already all setup and ready to roll.
The platforms covered below can be used for free for an unlimited amount of time and they give you most of the necessary options fully available – without any hidden secrets.
It makes sense and it’s a common practice. However, make sure to review these rules and the small print to know what exactly you’re signing up for.
How to create a course for free (no investment at all!)
Free Canva account for your course graphics
These days everyone seems to already know Canva.
It’s a free online designing platform where you can easily design pretty much any graphic you need.
Besides that, they also have plenty of free templates available on the platform.
How to use Canva for your course?
- Design your course materials: slides, worksheets
- Design promo materials
- Create sales page graphics
Until this day, I still use free Canva to design most of my graphics (although I do have experience with Adobe Suite, I actually opted in to use Canva as it seemed easier to manage).
I have tried the upgrade but it didn’t give me any real benefits so downgraded back to the free plan.
Canva is widely used by online coaches, business owners and well beyond.
And if you’re just getting started it can definitely be a bit challenging but it’s all just a small learning curve and you’ll get around to it! I’ve worked with many clients who are not tech-savvy or don’t have one designer bone in them and they’ve found their way around it.
Related read: Explore the most beautiful paid template options here
Canva for video recording
While there are many different – and often low-budget – ways how to record your course content, for the free option, I’d suggest using Canva. Especially, if you’re creating slide-based materials and are already building them using Canva.
These days, Canva have developed the way they give you a chance to record your content and you can choose to do it as slide + voiceover recording only or add in the “talking head”.
Other great options for recording:
- OBS (free but a bit more complex!)
- Screencast-o-matic $48/year
- Loom $96/year
Free Payhip account for hosting your online school, course and community
Payhip has become one of my top choices when it comes to starting your online business.
- You can create a free account (5% transaction fee)
- You can build a website, have a community space and start selling courses ALL. FOR. FREE.
- Plus it’s very simple and straightforward.
On Podia you can start building your website and selling your course without any payments. Plus, this platform also gives you a chance to manage your e-mail marketing.
Free Thinkific account for hosting your online school & enrolling students
As an alternative to Payhip, a FREE option to start a course without upload limitations and with unlimited students included.
Thinkific definitely is one of the easiest platforms for starters, however, they also have many amazing features that will keep you going.
The option to get started for free definitely comes in handy if you’re just trying to figure out the best fit for you.
The only payment you’d need to make would be after someone has purchased your offers – Teachable automatically deducts a fee out of each payment. Which actually is a common practice even for most upgraded platforms.
Explore more about Thinkific here!
Other tools and platforms to create a course for free
- Systeme.io – fully functional all-in-one business platform FOR FREE
- Crello – online designing platform (similar like Canva)
- StockSnap and Pexels – free stock photos
- MailerLite – free email marketing (for up to 1000 subs)
When to invest in your course business?
Many people feel like without investment there will be no return, therefore, there is this pressure to invest even though you might not feel ready or, quite possibly, your business doesn’t really request it.
I’d definitely suggest upgrading your subscriptions and possibly choosing higher-end platforms or tools when it really becomes a necessity.
The truth is, you can earn just as much by using free options as you could by upgrading or using paid options!
It’s never about the platform itself but about the content you put in your course.
Once you’re ready to scale, serve more people and your courses are starting to take off – or, at least, they’ve proven to be profitable – you can take the leap into upgrades.
Often upgrades are all about having better systems and integrations. So if that plays a major role, you might also be looking at the need to upgrade.
What are the first course investments I’d consider?
Before you start paying for tools and platforms, I’d invest in the elements you need to improve the quality of your content like a ring light, microphone or a good quality camera to add on your laptop. The first one I’d go for (potentially also the only one…) is the microphone! Ensuring great sound quality is really important.
Can you create a course for free? YES.
Will it make your course any less worthy than other offers? Absolutely NOT.
In most cases, your audience won’t have the smallest clue how much you have invested in making your course happen!
Follow me on Instagram @coursecreationlab for more tips!
