How to Choose the Best Online Course: A Step-by-Step Guide

Online courses have numerous advantages: studying in comfortable conditions, saving time, various forms of learning, a balance between theory and practice, and affordable prices. Personally, I prefer online learning, especially since it allows me to work with instructors from other countries. However, modern educational platforms offer many interesting programs, making it difficult to choose the best online course. I’ve often faced the challenge of deciding and ended up not starting at all because I thought, “There are so many options that it’s better not to choose anything.”

That’s why I’ve decided to share my personally tested tips on how to choose the best online course. You may have heard most of these tips before, but I want to complement them with my own examples. In this article, you’ll receive a truly step-by-step guide: from analyzing your desires and choosing a specific program topic to a thorough evaluation of the course content.

Why do you need an online course: identify your goals 

Choosing the best online course begins with understanding your personal and professional objectives. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you filter through the myriad of options and select a course that aligns with your aspirations. For example, you can start a career in a new area from scratch, then you need to look for comprehensive training programs, or you want to improve specific skills in your area.

Here are some key areas to consider:

• Career Advancement. If your primary goal is to advance in your career, look for courses that provide skills and knowledge relevant to your industry. Consider certifications that are recognized by employers or professional organizations. Reflect on your current job role and identify areas where you need improvement or additional expertise. Courses that offer practical skills, such as project management, data analysis, or digital marketing, can be particularly valuable.
• Skill Development. Online courses are an excellent way to develop new skills or enhance existing ones. Whether you want to learn a new language, master a software tool, or delve into creative writing, there are courses available to suit your needs. Think about the skills that could benefit you both personally and professionally, and look for courses that offer comprehensive training in those areas.
• Personal Interest. Sometimes, the best reason to take an online course is simply to pursue a personal interest or hobby. Learning for the sake of enjoyment and personal fulfillment can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re interested in photography, cooking, history, or music, online courses can provide a structured way to explore these passions.
• Setting Clear Objectives. Once you’ve identified the general area you’re interested in, it’s important to set clear, specific objectives for what you want to achieve. This could be completing a certain number of courses within a year, obtaining a certification, or gaining proficiency in a particular skill. Setting these goals will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your learning journey.

As I promised, let’s go through my example. I want to learn how to create electronic music. I’ve already watched many YouTube videos, read articles, and even tried making tracks in FL Studio. However, my main problem was the lack of structure: I could easily find theory, but I didn’t know what specifically to look for, where to start, or how to continue writing a track.

My solution was to search for comprehensive online courses on music production. I had already chosen my DAW (not without reason, given all those YouTube videos I watched), so I went to Udemy, found the Music Production section, and began looking for the right course based on my workstation. In other words, I already had a specific goal; I just needed to choose the right online course.

How to choose the right online course: research content

When I navigated to the FL Studio subcategory, I saw 101 results. I didn’t want to go through each offer, as it would have taken hours. Instead, I began analyzing the titles and brief descriptions of the online courses. For example, I wasn’t interested in beat-making, learning the DAW separately, or creating individual tracks (i.e., attending workshops). I needed to find a comprehensive course that would teach me everything step by step, guiding me from the very basics (how music production works) to the end (creating one or more tracks from scratch).

When I found such courses, I opened them in new tabs and continued searching. I didn’t have to search too long in my field — three full offers were sufficient. However, you might have more options, so you’ll need to spend more time evaluating each one.

When you start analyzing an offer, consider the following criteria for choosing an online course:

1. Course Curriculum. Immediately dive into the curriculum. Check what will be covered and whether it meets your needs. In my case, the key components were an overview of FL Studio, track structure, music theory, arrangement, composition, sound design, and mastering.
2. Reviews. Thoroughly review student feedback: the number of students, overall rating, and specific comments. Consider both positive and negative reviews.
3. Description. Honestly, the description often doesn’t provide much useful information since instructors usually repeat curriculum details and add information about themselves (which is another point).
4. Instructors. On many platforms, including Udemy and Skillshare, there’s a brief bio of the instructor with a link to a separate page. I recommend checking the instructor’s page to review their biography, achievements, and other courses they’ve created.
5. Price. This depends on your budget. However, considering ongoing promotions, you can often purchase a course for $10-20. For example, Udemy frequently has such promotions, and Skillshare offers an annual subscription for about $30.

An additional important factor for me was the instructor’s clarity. Since English is not my native language and my proficiency isn’t perfect, I paid close attention to this aspect. How? I watched the introductory video. Additionally, many courses offer 5-10 free lessons, so I recommend reviewing these before purchasing the course.

Is the platform important for online courses: compare different platforms

You might be thinking, “What a strange question — of course the platform matters.” Indeed, it’s the place where you will be learning. However, modern educational websites offer comfortable learning conditions: high-quality videos, subtitles, speed control, convenient personal dashboards, and more. These features are now a must-have, so making the platform a primary criterion for choice doesn’t make much sense to me.

Moreover, if an online course is available on Udemy, it doesn’t mean it will be available on Skillshare or another platform. Therefore, first, evaluate the course itself, and only if it’s available on multiple platforms, choose the platform.

However, the platform is important in terms of pricing. For example, Udemy offers a one-time purchase for an online course: you pay a certain amount and get access to the course. Skillshare operates on a subscription model: you pay a certain amount each month or year to access all the courses. There are also subscription-based platforms that grant access to the next topic only after completing the previous one. So, this depends on your preferences.

It’s worth noting that Udemy recently introduced a subscription model as well. You pay $12 a month and gain access to all courses. There’s also a trial period available!

How to Choose the Best Online Course: Step-by-Step Instructions

As you can see, the main points are quite clear and straightforward. The only time-consuming part is analyzing the online course itself — the curriculum, reviews, and instructors.

However, to better solidify what you’ve learned, let’s review all the steps for choosing the best online course comprehensively.

1. Identify Your Goals. Understand what you aim to achieve, whether it’s career advancement, skill development, or pursuing a personal interest.
2. Research Course Content. Review the curriculum, learning outcomes, and sample materials to ensure the course meets your needs.
3. Evaluate the Instructor’s Credibility. Check the instructor’s qualifications, experience, and student reviews.
4. Compare Different Platforms. Look at various online learning platforms for reputation, user interface, and support services.
5. Assess Course Flexibility and Format. Consider the course schedule, format (synchronous or asynchronous), and accessibility.
6. Check the Cost and Value. Evaluate the price, availability of free trials or discounts, and the overall value for money.
7. Look for Certification and Accreditation. Ensure the course offers valid certification and is accredited if required for your goals.
8. Read Student Reviews and Ratings. Gain insights from the experiences of previous students.
9. Try Out Short Courses or Modules. Use trial periods or shorter courses to gauge the course quality and fit.

Embarking on an online learning journey is an empowering step towards personal and professional growth. Remember that every course you take brings you closer to your goals, enhances your skill set, and opens up new opportunities. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself and explore the vast world of online education. Whether you’re aiming to climb the career ladder, learn a new hobby, or acquire a new skill, there’s an online course out there for you.

That’s all for now! Share your stories and tips on how to choose the best online course. Alternatively, visit the page with online courses, select the one that’s best for you, then go to the learning platform, make your purchase, and enjoy your learning experience!