How Long Does It Really Take to Create an Online Course?

The timeframe for creating an online course typically ranges from 1 to 5 months. If you’re aiming to develop a mini course, you can expect the process to take no longer than 2 months. Keep in mind that the video style you choose can influence the editing time; some styles require more intricate editing than others. You can explore the top 5 video styles for your online course here.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to create a more in-depth course with additional content and complexity, you’ll likely need more than 2 months to finalize everything.

In this article, we’ll use a mini course with 3 modules as well as a lengthy course with 11 modules as examples to illustrate the varying time commitments involved.

Get Your Free Complete Resources Guide to Creating Engaging Course Videos

In the process of creating your online course, you’ll want to ensure that your video content is engaging and effective. To help you with this, be sure to download your free Complete Resources Guide to Creating Engaging Course Videos.

Don’t miss out on these essential tips and insights!

Your information could not be saved. Please try again.

Your guide is on its way!

How Long Does It Take to Create a 3-Module Mini Course?

It Takes 1-3 weeks to Prepare Your Course Materials

The first step is to estimate how much time it will take to prepare your course materials. Since this is a mini course with only three modules, the time commitment will be much shorter.

Research & Outline Creation (3-7 days)

Research the Market: Take 2-3 days to explore existing courses, identify gaps, and gather insights on what could make your course unique.
Create the Outline: Map out each module’s main objectives, breaking down the topics to cover in each lesson. Aim for an organized flow that makes it easy for students to follow along.

Content Creation (1-2 weeks)

Draft Slides, Guides, and Interactive Elements: Design slides, worksheets, quizzes, or any interactive pieces your course may include. This phase often takes the longest, with each resource needing time to draft, refine, and finalize.

This phase can also vary depending on whether you’re handling it alone or getting help. If you’d prefer to focus on other areas, I offer content creation support to help you streamline this step while you take care of the rest.

You can also take a look at Create Custom Course Workbooks with Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide and How to Create Stunning Custom Overlays in Canva For Free! to learn more!

Speeding Up with AI: AI tools can help streamline the creation process, especially for initial drafts or generating checklists and quizzes, which may cut the timeframe down significantly if used effectively.

Recording & Design (2-5 days)

Decide on Video Types: Understanding which types of video work best for your course (e.g., talking head, screen recording, slide based) is essential. You can download my free guide on creating engaging course videos to explore the different types and their benefits.
Record Videos or Voiceovers: Batch-record videos for each module, if possible. For a mini course, this might only take a few days, but time varies depending on the video length and complexity.

It Takes 5-10 Days to Edit & Finalize Your Online Course

The editing and finalization stage can vary based on your approach, skill level, and resources. If you’re handling editing on your own, the time required will depend on your familiarity with video and design tools. Alternatively, working with a professional editor can speed things up and often enhances the quality of your final course.

If you’re doing this yourself, my post on 12 Must-Know Tips for Editing Your Online Course Videos Easily offers some helpful pointers. And if you’re looking for support, I specialize in course video editing to make your content visually engaging and polished, feel free to check out my services.

Here’s a breakdown of this step:

Video Editing: This often takes 3-7 days to edit each module’s videos, adding transitions, captions, and engaging visual elements.
Design Polish: Set aside 1-2 days to refine slides and downloadable resources for a cohesive and professional look.
Testing: Use 1 day to review and test your course to make sure everything flows seamlessly and links function properly.

It Takes 1-2 weeks to Launch Your Online Course

For a mini course with three modules, the launch phase is usually straightforward. Setting up the tech side takes minimal time. However, effective marketing and a well-crafted landing page are key to a successful launch. Using a launch calendar is a huge help here, and you can check out my post on How to Create a Launch Calendar for Your Online Course for guidance.

Here’s a breakdown of the main tasks:

Tech Setup: Uploading your course videos, materials, and setting up the course platform generally takes about 1-2 days.
Landing Page Setup: Creating a compelling landing page that attracts your target audience usually takes up to 3 days, depending on the design and copy.
Marketing & Promotion: Repurpose your course content for teasers, social posts, and emails to build excitement. Give yourself 1-2 weeks to prepare these materials and roll out a consistent campaign across platforms.

How Long Does It Take to Create an 11 Module Course?

It Takes 3-6 Weeks to Prepare Your Course Materials

The first step is to estimate how much time it will take to prepare your course materials. Since this is a lengthy course with eleven modules, the time commitment will be significantly longer.

Research & Outline Creation (5-10 days)

Research the Market: Spend 3-5 days exploring existing courses, identifying gaps, and gathering insights to make your course unique.
Create the Outline: Dedicate 2-5 days to map out each module’s objectives, breaking down the topics to ensure a structured flow for students.

Content Creation (2-4 weeks)

Draft Slides, Guides, and Interactive Elements: This phase often takes the longest. Design slides, worksheets, quizzes, and interactive pieces. The timeframe can vary based on whether you’re working alone or have assistance.
Speeding Up with AI: Using AI tools can significantly reduce time spent on drafts, checklists, and quizzes.

Recording & Design (5-10 days)

Decide on Video Types: Determine which video types (e.g., talking head, screen recording) are suitable for your course. Download my free guide on creating engaging course videos for insights.
Record Videos or Voiceovers: Batch-record videos for each module, which might take about 5-10 days, depending on video length and complexity.

It Takes 10-20 Days to Edit & Finalize Your Online Course

The editing and finalization stage varies based on your approach and experience. If you’re editing on your own, time will depend on your familiarity with video and design tools. Alternatively, collaborating with a professional editor can enhance quality and speed.

Video Editing: Expect this to take 7-14 days to edit each module’s videos, adding transitions, captions, and engaging visuals.
Design Polish: Set aside 2-3 days to refine slides and downloadable resources for a cohesive look.
Testing: Allocate 1-2 days to review and ensure everything flows seamlessly and links function properly.

It Takes 2-4 Weeks to Launch Your Online Course

For a lengthy course with eleven modules, the launch phase requires thorough preparation. Setting up the tech side and creating a marketing strategy will be crucial for a successful launch.

Tech Setup: Uploading course videos and setting up the platform typically takes 1-3 days.
Landing Page Setup: Creating an attractive landing page can take up to 5 days, depending on design and copy.
Marketing & Promotion: Allocate 2-4 weeks to prepare marketing materials, including teasers, social posts, and emails to generate excitement before launch.