Why create an online course in 2026?
The online training market in France is worth over 5 billion euros. Whether you are an independent trainer, consultant, or certified organization, creating an online course has become an essential lever for growing your business.
This guide walks you through every step from A to Z.
Step 1: Define your expertise and target audience
Identify your area of expertise
Ask yourself these questions:
- What unique skill can you teach?
- What concrete problem do you solve for your learners?
- What transformation will your learners experience after the course?
Define your ideal learner
- Who are they? (profession, level, context)
- What is their main challenge?
- What outcome do they expect?
- What budget can they allocate to training?
Step 2: Structure your course
The pedagogical plan
A good course follows a logical progression:
- Introduction: context, objectives, prerequisites
- Core modules: one module per key skill
- Practical exercises: hands-on application after each module
- Assessment: quiz, exam, or final project
- Conclusion: summary and next steps
Learning objectives
Each module should have clear objectives written with action verbs:
- ❌ "Understand digital marketing"
- ✅ "Create a Google Ads advertising campaign with a €500 budget"
Ideal duration
- Micro-course: 1–2 hours (a specific topic)
- Short course: 5–10 hours (a single skill)
- Full course: 20–40 hours (an entire subject area)
Step 3: Create the content
Effective content types
| Type | Use case | Engagement |
|---|---|---|
| Video | Demonstrations, visual explanations | Very high |
| Rich text | Theory, reference documentation | Medium |
| Interactive quiz | Assessment, memorization | High |
| Practical exercise | Hands-on application | Very high |
| Downloadable document | Supplementary resources | Medium |
Video best practices
- Ideal length: 5 to 15 minutes per video
- Use an external microphone (audio quality matters more than video)
- Prepare a script or bullet points
- Record in 1080p minimum
The content editor
With OpenFormations, you get a Notion-style editor:
- Drag-and-drop blocks (text, video, image, code)
- Inline quizzes directly within the content
- Callouts and highlighted sections
- Import from Word, PDF, Google Docs
Step 4: Choose your platform
This is the crucial step. Your platform must:
- Be easy to use (no developer required)
- Handle payments automatically
- Be Qualiopi compliant if you are certified
- Host your data in France (GDPR)
See our comparison of the best platforms
Step 5: Set the right price
Pricing models
| Model | Average price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-course | €29 – €99 | Specific topics, first customers |
| Standard course | €199 – €499 | A complete skill |
| Premium course | €500 – €2,000 | Certification, coaching |
| Subscription | €19 – €49/month | Content catalog |
The golden rule
The price should reflect the value of the transformation, not the time spent creating the content. A 2-hour course that helps the learner earn €10,000 can be worth €500.
Step 6: Ensure Qualiopi compliance
If you are a certified training organization (or plan to become one), your LMS must generate:
- Training agreements
- Digital attendance sheets
- Assessments (immediate and follow-up)
- Training completion certificates
- Pedagogical and Financial Reports (BPF)
OpenFormations handles all of these documents automatically.
Learn more about Qualiopi compliance
Step 7: Launch and promote
Before launch
- Test the entire learner journey
- Verify all quizzes and assessments
- Configure your Stripe payments
- Prepare your sales page
- Write an announcement email
Promotion channels
- LinkedIn: post regularly about your expertise
- Email: build a list and send newsletters
- SEO: create blog content around your topic
- Word of mouth: ask your first learners for testimonials
- OPCO: get your course listed for funded training programs
Complete guide to promoting your course
Conclusion
Creating an online course is an ambitious but achievable project. With the right tools and a structured methodology, you can go from idea to first sale in just a few weeks.
Ready to get started? Create your first course for free on OpenFormations.
Questions? Contact us at ${CONTACT_EMAIL_EN}.
