How to Create an Online Course: Steps and Platform Costs
We summarize what each platform publishes about its plans. We do not score or rate these tools, and we have not used them hands-on.
Two course platforms publish step-by-step guides to making a course: Teachable lists nine steps and Kajabi lists eight. Their steps line up into six stages.
1. Pick a topic and check demand
Both guides start here. Teachable says to choose your strongest idea and define your audience and the outcome they want; Kajabi says to choose the topic and validate it before you build.
2. Plan the curriculum
Both list designing the curriculum as its own step. Kajabi adds choosing a format before recording.
3. Record and edit
Teachable has a step for gathering video tools; Kajabi has one for recording and editing content.
4. Choose where to host it
Teachable names three routes: an online course platform, self-hosting, or a marketplace. Platforms charge differently:
| Platform | Entry plan, monthly | Entry plan, billed annually (per month) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teachable Starter | $39 | $29 | 7.5% transaction fee |
| Kajabi Basic | $179 | $143 | card rates from 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Podia Mover | $49 | $42 | 5% transaction fee |
| LearnWorlds Starter | $49 | $44 | $5 per enrollment |
| Thinkific Start | $109 | $82 | |
| HighLevel Starter | $97 | Billed monthly; no yearly plan listed (checked Nov 4, 2026). | courses plus CRM tools |
LearnWorlds prices as of Nov 2026.
See LearnWorlds plans (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
See HighLevel plans (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
5. Set your price
Teachable places pricing early, alongside your goals; Kajabi lists it just before launch. Either way, price the course before you build the sales page.
6. Build the audience and launch
Teachable lists growing your email list and building a sales page before launch. Both guides end with the launch itself.
Next: compare course platforms, then Teachable vs Thinkific and Teachable pricing.
Sources for the steps: Teachable's guide and Kajabi's guide, read 2026-11-04.
Last checked 2026-11-04: prices taken from each vendor's public pricing page, in USD before tax (prices as of Nov 2026). Plans change, so confirm on the vendor's site before you pay.
Sources
- Teachable pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)
- Kajabi pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)
- Podia pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)
- LearnWorlds pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)
- Thinkific pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)
- HighLevel pricing page (last checked 2026-11-04)