Any course you create needs to have solid content. In fact, content is the critical component to the success of any course.

This is especially true if you are selling your courses.

But in addition to content you also need to pay close attention to the experience you provide. Slapping some videos and text together and protecting access to those materials won’t make the course too enjoyable. It will be boring and students won’t value the content.

You have to focus also on the experience.

There are many sites out there that offer online courses who have a unique experience for the learner. By way of example, simply go to offerings like Lynda.com, Udemy, Coursera, and DuoLingo. Each one presents a unique “feel” that is conducive to the content being offered.

One of the biggest aspects in creating this experience are the design elements. Fortunately, if you are using LearnDash then WordPress has a variety of very attractive themes you can use, such as Social Learner by BuddyBoss or the Genesis child themes by Web Savvy Marketing (contact us for a full list).

Using tools like the LearnDash Visual Customizer also can go along way in providing a unique identity to your offerings. Here are some examples of site’s with positive course experiences:

• DIY SEO Course by Rebecca Gill
• Javascript for WP by Zac Gordon
• WPinOneMonth by Joe Casabona
• WPElevation by Troy Dean

The visual components are just one aspect though.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to make your course content driven or to also foster a community around the content.

Ideally you are able to create a community of raving fans, but this takes time. You can always expand into this direction once you get customers taking your courses and providing feedback.

No matter the direction you take for your course experience one thing should remain constant: learners should never feel like they are on their own. Strive to always provide guidance and support in a variety of ways. You can use forums (helps with the community aspect), a knowledgeable, FAQs, and/or a help desk.

This along can go a long way in creating a positive course experience for your learners – and if you are selling courses then your customers will be more likely to tell others.