Squarespace Courses 101: Your Complete Guide to Monetising Knowledge
Squarespace has always been at the forefront of providing intuitive and innovative solutions for website owners, and their latest feature, the Course Page, is no exception. This groundbreaking addition to the Squarespace toolkit is a boon for educators, coaches, and content creators looking to package their knowledge into sellable courses directly from their Squarespace dashboard.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about leveraging the Course Page feature, from its inception to creating and selling your first course. Let's embark on this exciting journey to amplify your business revenue and deliver valuable learning experiences to your audience.
Introducing the Course Page
The Course Page is Squarespace's answer to the growing demand for online education platforms. It allows creators to develop a series of structured materials—be it videos, texts, or audio files—intended to educate or impart skills to learners. This feature democratizes the process of course creation, making it accessible to anyone with knowledge to share and a Squarespace site to host it.
Cost of Starting a Course Page
To access the Course Page feature, you'll need to be on a Business Plan or higher. The platform imposes a 9% transaction fee on each course sale, which can be reduced or eliminated by opting for one of Squarespace's digital add-on plans. These plans not only offer additional benefits like increased video storage and reduced transaction rates but also cater to different business sizes with tiered pricing options:
Starter ($9/Month): Ideal for new course creators, offering a 7% transaction fee, 10 hours of video storage, and unlimited courses.
Core ($34/Month): A mid-tier plan with a 3% transaction fee and 50 hours of video storage, perfect for growing course libraries.
Professional ($119/Month): The ultimate plan with no transaction fees, unlimited video storage, and unlimited courses, suited for established educators.
Creating Your First Course on Squarespace
Step One: Setting Up Your Course Page
Log into your Squarespace dashboard and navigate to the "Websites" section. From there, add a new page and select "Courses" from the collection options. Squarespace will offer layout choices, but remember, every aspect of these layouts can be customized to fit your course's theme and structure.
Step Two: Crafting Your Course Content
The essence of your Course Page lies in the content you create. Squarespace allows for a diverse range of lesson formats, ensuring you can tailor your teaching method to your content and audience's needs. Whether you prefer video lessons, written content, or a mix of both, the platform's user-friendly interface makes lesson creation a breeze.
Step Three: Organizing Your Curriculum
Efficient organization is key to a successful online course. Squarespace's Course Page facilitates this by allowing you to segment your content into chapters and lessons, providing a structured learning path for your students. This not only enhances the user experience but also helps in managing and updating your course content efficiently.
Step Four: Pricing and Selling Your Course
With your content ready and organized, the next step is to decide on a pricing strategy. Whether you opt for a one-time fee, a subscription model, or even offer your course for free, Squarespace provides the flexibility to choose the best approach for your content and audience. Additionally, consider leveraging tiered pricing to accommodate different learning needs and budgets.
Designing a Converting Course Page
The visual appeal and layout of your Course Page play a significant role in converting visitors into students. Ensure your course overview is compelling, with a clear description of what learners can expect. Incorporate elements like progress bars, instructor bios, and FAQs to build trust and provide clarity. Testimonials from past students can significantly boost your course's credibility and attractiveness.
Maximizing Your Course's Impact
To truly make your course stand out, focus on delivering exceptional value that addresses your target audience's specific needs and challenges. High-quality, engaging content that offers real solutions will not only attract students but also encourage them to recommend your course to others.
Conclusion
Squarespace's Course Page is more than just a feature; it's a gateway to expanding your business and impacting lives through education. By following this guide, you're well-equipped to create, launch, and sell courses that not only contribute to your revenue but also enrich your audience's knowledge and skills. Dive into the world of online course creation with Squarespace, and unlock the full potential of your expertise.
