{"id":17362,"date":"2022-04-04T10:43:47","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T07:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/?p=17362"},"modified":"2026-02-27T12:35:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T10:35:02","slug":"create-an-online-course-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.talentlms.com\/blog\/create-an-online-course-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create an online course in your LMS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trying to create an online course looks like trying to put up a shelf.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a well-stocked toolkit, the setup is quick and easy. You simply follow a few steps, and, job done, you can organize your books and enjoy your new shelf.<\/p>\n

Without a good toolkit, though, the process becomes daunting, complicated, and time-consuming. Or, worse, you\u2019ve got<\/em> a toolkit (you bought one just to put up your shelf.) But it\u2019s poorly organized. It doesn’t have the right tools. And with so many hidden compartments and unidentifiable gadgets, it\u2019s hard to find the ones you could use to do the job.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s DIY got to do with eLearning, though?<\/p>\n

The two scenarios may seem poles apart, but the same principle applies. Creating an online course can be daunting without the right resources in place<\/strong>. Here\u2019s where having a well-designed and well-equipped learning management system (LMS)<\/a> <\/strong>comes in.<\/p>\n

A good LMS simplifies what can be a complex task.<\/strong> Guiding you through the process, it’ll give you all the tools you need (without having to hunt to find them) to create a training portal that showcases your courses in the best possible light.<\/p>\n

How to create an online course: A 10-step guide<\/h2>\n

So, what exactly are those tools and how can you use them to create online courses<\/strong><\/a>? The good news is, if you\u2019ve chosen a well-designed LMS, learning to create an online course will be an intuitive, easy, and self-explanatory process.<\/p>\n

But to give you an idea of what to expect, we\u2019ve gathered everything you need to know into one handy 10-step guide. You can also use this as a checklist of LMS features<\/a> to look out for when choosing a training platform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Ready to breeze through the process? Good. Let\u2019s walk you through the different stages.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check access rights<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Adjust settings<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Apply rules and structure<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Create the content<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Choose your content types<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Add assessments<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Recognize and reward<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Invite learners and assign courses<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Promote your course<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Track and report on results<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Step 1. Check access rights<\/h3>\n

    Your LMS will assign different permissions<\/strong><\/a> to different user types. For example, you may have learners, instructors, and admins.<\/p>\n

    To create online courses, you\u2019ll most likely need to be logged in as an administrator.<\/p>\n

    Step 2. Adjust settings<\/h3>\n

    Customize your course by assigning a unique set of global attributes for the following:<\/p>\n

    Portal<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    What top-level content best defines your course? Decide what you want your users to see when they log into their learning portal. You will, of course, need a name and description. But you might also want to assign a category or level, upload an introducing video, or add an image.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Make sure the information you use here is clear, on-brand, and appealing. And, remember, most systems will have a fixed set of image requirements that you\u2019ll need to comply with. So, check the size and spec before you upload your graph.<\/p>\n

    Capacity<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Do you need to limit numbers or will you be keeping your registration open?<\/p>\n

    If your online course includes an instructor-led training session, chances are you\u2019ll need to set a maximum number of participants. In which case, your LMS will prompt you to assign a capacity figure. Once that number is reached, the course will be automatically removed from the course catalog.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Your instructors should still be able to enroll users manually if they want to. If the course is designed for a select group only, use a “Hide from catalog<\/em>” option to prevent others from seeing it.<\/p>\n

    Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Is the course mandatory<\/strong><\/a>? If so, you might want to add a start and end date. Or, assign a set number of days. As well as boosting course completion, doing this helps you with reporting and evaluation.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Make sure the duration is achievable and compelling. In other words, it needs to be long enough to be able to complete, but still, keep momentum and keep motivation and engagement levels high.<\/p>\n

    Display<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    How do you want your courses to appear in your catalog? Most LMSs will default to alphabetical order. But you should be able to control how they display.<\/p>\n

    This is helpful if you want to group courses together<\/strong><\/a>. Or, if you want to show first your new courses, mandatory, or popular ones.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Look for an “active” or “inactive” checkbox and use it to control the visibility of your course in the catalog. This will keep it hidden until you\u2019re ready to go live.<\/p>\n

    Price<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    If you\u2019re selling your course externally, here\u2019s your chance to add details of payment, including pricing, discounts, and payment methods.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/strong><\/em> Remember to check this regularly and update it as and when your pricing structure changes.<\/p>\n

    Step 3. Apply rules and structure<\/h3>\n

    You\u2019ve set up your portal. Now it\u2019s time to determine how your course will function<\/strong>. Key aspects to consider here are:<\/p>\n