Online Academy Launch Missteps Regularly Encountered by Course Developers and Businesses
Are you about to launch your online academy? Hold on just a minute! As a savvy entrepreneur or course creator, you've spent countless hours perfecting your content. Here's a guide to help you avoid common mistakes that could potentially hinder your success.
Taking a cue from my experience as a Customer Success Manager working with numerous clients and some of the most prosperous course creators, I am sharing my insights on what to watch out for when launching an online academy:
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1. Neglecting Cross-Promotion
Ensure your online academy won't just pop up like a hidden gem, but shine bright! Many individuals forget to link their academy to their primary website or social media platforms, making it difficult for prospective students to locate it. Boost discoverability and attract more students by seamlessly integrating links across your digital channels.
2. Skipping an FAQ Section
A plethora of questions might arise once your course is live. Head off those support tickets and reduce confusion for both new and familiar students by crafting a dedicated FAQ section on your site. You can quickly establish one using the Custom Page feature within our Site Builder. This empowers you to tailor your site, offering students a detailed understanding of your courses, business, and more, fostering success by providing them with the information they need. Pro Tip: Custom pages are perfect for building an About Us page, Contact page, or anything else you may desire.
Once the page is created on your site, leverage this knowledge base article as a stepping stone to answer commonly asked questions: "Troubleshooting Guide for Student Issues".
3. Failing to Leverage Payments
Selecting the right payment provider is crucial. Fret not! Our platform offers seamless integrations with renowned payment providers like Stripe and PayPal. Plus, our platform recently unveiled our website Payments, a tool designed to take your business to new heights. Benefit from Performance Checkout, a faster, streamlined process that reduces customer drop-offs. Savor the perk of Order Bumps, a tool that effortlessly suggests complementary products to your customers before checkout, contributing to a 33% surge in average order value.
4. Launching Without Preparedness
A well-prepared launch is key to smooth sailing. As a Customer Success Manager, my role includes conducting a Launch Preparedness Review to ensure your online academy is fully operational before going live. This thorough examination reviews site design, course setup, integrations, and more, helping you and your students embark on a fantastic learning experience.
For those on our self-serve plans, you can utilize this free Launch Preparedness Review Checklist to conquer your launch like a pro!
5. Overlooking the App Store
Revamp your online academy with advanced features from our App Store! By integrating apps like Bulk Sell, Poptin, Appointo, and Thinglink, you can significantly improve student experience with just a few clicks.
Remember to review launch best practices, engage learners through interactive content, structure your course logically, and always prioritize accessibility for all users to guarantee ultimate success in your online academy!
Working with a Customer Success team member grants access to dedicated 1-on-1 support, expert advice, and ongoing accountability throughout your online learning journey. Discover "what good looks like" — ascertain actionable insights on monetization, pricing strategies, and expediting time-to-market by downloading the 2025 Benchmarks Report for Maximizing Revenue With Online Learning. Unite with 1,040 businesses leveraging online education to amplify revenue and growth. Seize the opportunity now!
This piece was first published in May 2022 and updated in October 2023 with additional insights.
To ensure your online academy gets maximum visibility, integrate links to your academy on your primary website and social media platforms (education-and-self-development, online-education, learning).
To reduce support tickets and increase student understanding, create a dedicated FAQ section on your site (education-and-self-development, learning).
