Back to blog

How to use landing pages to promote your online course

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

If you're an online educator or course creator, you know how important it is to have an effective marketing strategy in place. One of the most crucial elements of that strategy is your landing page. A landing page is essentially a single web page that appears in response to clicking on a search engine optimized result or an online advertisement. The purpose of a landing page is to convert website visitors into customers. And when it comes to promoting your online course, a well-designed landing page can make all the difference. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of landing pages and show you how to create one that will help you promote your course effectively. Whether you're just starting out or looking to revamp your existing landing page, this guide has everything you need to know. So, let's dive in!

What is a landing page and why is it important for online course promotion?

A landing page is a standalone web page that is designed specifically with the goal of converting visitors into customers. It's called a landing page because it's the first page that visitors "land on" after clicking on a link, usually from an online advertisement or search engine result.

When it comes to promoting your online course, a landing page is crucial because it gives you the opportunity to make a strong first impression and persuade visitors to take action. A well-designed landing page can help you build trust, communicate the benefits of your course, and ultimately, convince visitors to enroll.

Think of a landing page as a digital sales pitch for your course. It's your chance to make a compelling case for why someone should invest their time and money in your course, and to provide all the information they need to make an informed decision. So, if you're serious about promoting your online course, having a high-converting landing page is essential.

Personalize every website interaction
Try for free

Best practices for designing a landing page that converts

When it comes to designing a landing page that converts, there are a few key best practices that you should keep in mind. These best practices have been proven to increase conversions, and by following them, you'll be well on your way to creating a landing page that's both effective and engaging.

  1. Keep it simple: Your landing page should be clean, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. Stick to a single, clear call to action and don't include any unnecessary information or distractions.

  2. Make it visually appealing: Use high-quality images and videos to help bring your course to life. Make sure your design is modern and professional, and choose colors that are consistent with your brand.

  3. Focus on the benefits: Instead of just listing features, focus on the benefits that your course will provide to the learner. Use language that's simple and easy to understand, and make sure that the benefits are clear and compelling.

  4. Provide social proof: Including testimonials from past students, or statistics that demonstrate the effectiveness of your course, can help build trust and increase conversions.

  5. Make it mobile-friendly: More and more people are using their mobile devices to browse the web, so it's essential that your landing page is optimized for mobile. Make sure that it looks great and works well on all devices.

  6. Test, test, test: Finally, don't be afraid to test different versions of your landing page to see what works best. Try different headlines, images, and calls to action, and track your results to see what's most effective.

By following these best practices, you'll be well on your way to creating a landing page that converts visitors into customers and helps you promote your online course effectively.

Elements of a high-converting landing page

A high-converting landing page is made up of several key elements that work together to persuade visitors to take action. Understanding these elements is crucial if you want to create a landing page that's effective and engaging. Here are some of the most important elements to include on your landing page:

  1. A clear and compelling headline: Your headline is the first thing that visitors will see when they arrive on your landing page, so it's important that it's attention-grabbing and relevant to your course. Make sure it clearly communicates the benefits of your course and entices visitors to keep reading.

  2. Engaging images or videos: Using images and videos can help bring your course to life and make it more appealing to visitors. Make sure that the visual elements you choose are high-quality and relevant to your course.

  3. A strong value proposition: Your value proposition is a brief statement that explains why your course is worth taking. Make sure it's clear, concise, and compelling, and that it clearly communicates the benefits of your course.

  4. Social proof: Including testimonials from past students, or statistics that demonstrate the effectiveness of your course, can help build trust and increase conversions.

  5. A clear call to action: Your call to action is the button or link that you want visitors to click on to enroll in your course. Make sure it's prominent and actionable, and that it's clear what visitors will get if they take the next step.

  6. Concise and relevant information: Provide just enough information about your course to answer any questions that visitors might have, but don't include so much information that it becomes overwhelming. Focus on the key features and benefits of your course, and keep the information concise and easy to digest.

  7. Simple and intuitive navigation: Make sure that your landing page is easy to navigate, with a clear and simple layout. Avoid using too many different links or buttons, as this can be confusing and detract from the main goal of the page, which is to convert visitors into customers.

By including these elements on your landing page, you'll be well on your way to creating a high-converting landing page that helps you promote your online course effectively.

Creating a clear and compelling value proposition

Your value proposition is a brief statement that explains why your online course is worth taking. It should be clear, concise, and compelling, and it should clearly communicate the benefits of your course. A strong value proposition is crucial if you want to create a landing page that converts visitors into customers. Here's how to create a clear and compelling value proposition:

  1. Identify the unique selling point of your course: What sets your course apart from others? What are the key benefits that your course provides that others don't? Start by answering these questions and use the answers to craft your value proposition.

  2. Focus on the benefits: Instead of just listing features, focus on the benefits that your course will provide to the learner. Use language that's simple and easy to understand, and make sure that the benefits are clear and compelling.

  3. Make it relevant: Make sure that your value proposition is relevant to your target audience. Consider their needs, wants, and interests, and tailor your value proposition accordingly.

  4. Keep it concise: Your value proposition should be brief and to the point. Aim for no more than a few sentences, and make sure that the language you use is easy to understand.

  5. Test and refine: Finally, don't be afraid to test different versions of your value proposition to see what works best. Try different wording, different benefits, and different lengths, and track your results to see what's most effective.

By creating a clear and compelling value proposition, you'll be able to convince visitors that your course is worth taking and help them make an informed decision. A strong value proposition is one of the most important elements of a high-converting landing page, so make sure that you put in the time and effort to create one that's effective.

Optimizing your landing page for search engines

Optimizing your landing page for search engines, also known as SEO, is the process of making changes to your landing page to make it more visible and appealing to search engines like Google. This is important because the higher your landing page ranks in the search results, the more likely people are to find it and click on it. Here are some tips for optimizing your landing page for search engines:

  1. Use keywords strategically: Keywords are the terms and phrases that people use when searching for information online. By including relevant keywords in your landing page's content and meta tags, you can make it easier for search engines to understand what your page is about and improve its ranking in the search results.

  2. Make sure your website is fast and mobile-friendly: Search engines favor websites that load quickly and are optimized for mobile devices. Make sure your landing page is fast-loading and mobile-friendly to improve your chances of ranking well.

  3. Include high-quality, original content: Search engines favor websites that have high-quality, original content. Make sure that your landing page includes plenty of relevant and useful information about your course, and that it's written in a clear and engaging style.

  4. Use descriptive and compelling meta descriptions: A meta description is the brief summary that appears under the title of your landing page in the search results. Make sure your meta description is descriptive, compelling, and includes relevant keywords to entice people to click on your page.

  5. Build high-quality backlinks: Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your landing page. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your landing page is likely to rank in the search results.

By following these tips, you can improve your landing page's ranking in the search results and make it easier for people to find your course. Just keep in mind that SEO is an ongoing process, and that you'll need to continually monitor and refine your landing page to ensure that it stays optimized for search engines.

Using images and videos to enhance engagement

Images and videos are powerful tools for enhancing engagement and making your landing page more appealing to visitors. When used correctly, they can help bring your course to life, make it more memorable, and increase conversions. Here are some tips for using images and videos to enhance engagement:

  1. Choose high-quality visuals: Make sure that the images and videos you use are high-quality and relevant to your course. Poor quality visuals can detract from your landing page and reduce its effectiveness.

  2. Use images to communicate benefits: Instead of just listing features, use images to help communicate the benefits of your course. For example, you could use an image of a satisfied student to demonstrate the impact of your course.

  3. Use videos to provide a preview: Videos can be a great way to give visitors a sneak peek at your course and help them get a better understanding of what it's all about. Consider creating a short video that provides an overview of your course, or a series of videos that highlight different aspects of it.

  4. Make sure videos are engaging: Make sure that your videos are engaging, well-produced, and easy to understand. Consider using captions or voiceovers if necessary, and make sure that they're optimized for both sound and visuals.

  5. Keep visuals simple and uncluttered: When using images and videos, make sure that they're simple and uncluttered. Avoid using too many different visuals, or visuals that are too complex or busy, as this can be distracting and reduce their effectiveness.

By using images and videos effectively, you can enhance engagement and make your landing page more appealing and memorable. Just keep in mind that visuals should be used to support and enhance your course, not replace it, and that they should be used in moderation to avoid overwhelming visitors.

Incorporating social proof to build trust

Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to take action if they see that others have taken that same action before them. When it comes to promoting your online course, incorporating social proof can help build trust and increase conversions. Here are some ways to incorporate social proof into your landing page:

  1. Include testimonials from past students: Testimonials from past students can help build trust and demonstrate the effectiveness of your course. Make sure to include testimonials that are relevant, specific, and include details about the impact that your course had on the student.

  2. Use numbers and statistics: Including numbers and statistics that demonstrate the effectiveness of your course can help build trust and increase conversions. For example, you could include the number of students who have taken your course, or the average increase in income that students have experienced after completing it.

  3. Show social media followers: If you have a large following on social media, consider including that information on your landing page. This can help demonstrate that others trust and value your course, and make it more appealing to potential students.

  4. Display certifications and awards: If your course has been certified or recognized in any way, consider including that information on your landing page. This can help demonstrate the quality of your course and build trust with potential students.

By incorporating social proof into your landing page, you can help build trust and increase conversions. Just keep in mind that the social proof you use should be relevant, credible, and specific to your course. Using fake or misleading social proof can have the opposite effect, and reduce trust in your course.

Providing clear and concise information about the course

When promoting your online course, it's essential that you provide clear and concise information about what the course covers, what the student will learn, and how it will benefit them. This information is crucial for helping potential students make an informed decision and ensuring that they know what they're signing up for. Here are some tips for providing clear and concise information about your course:

  1. Be specific: When describing your course, be as specific as possible. Include details about what topics will be covered, what the student will learn, and what they'll be able to do after completing the course.

  2. Use bullet points: Bullet points are a great way to provide clear and concise information about your course. They make it easy for visitors to see what's included, and they help break up long blocks of text, making your landing page more visually appealing.

  3. Include a course outline: Consider including a course outline that provides a detailed overview of what the student will learn in each module or lesson. This can help visitors get a better understanding of the course structure and what they'll be able to do after completing it.

  4. Use clear and concise language: Make sure that the language you use to describe your course is clear and concise. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might be confusing, and instead, use language that's easy to understand and straightforward.

  5. Provide a preview: If possible, consider providing a preview of your course, such as a sample lesson or video. This can help visitors get a better understanding of what the course is like and what they can expect if they enroll.

By providing clear and concise information about your course, you can help potential students make an informed decision and ensure that they know what they're signing up for. Just remember to keep the information relevant, concise, and easy to understand, and to include all the information that visitors need to make a decision.

Making the call to action prominent and actionable

The call to action, or CTA, is the button or link that you want visitors to click on to enroll in your online course. Making the CTA prominent and actionable is crucial if you want to increase conversions and promote your course effectively. Here are some tips for making your CTA prominent and actionable:

  1. Make it stand out: Make sure that your CTA stands out visually, by using contrasting colors or a larger font size. This will help it grab visitors' attention and encourage them to take action.

  2. Keep it simple: Your CTA should be simple and easy to understand. Avoid using complex language or multiple calls to action, as this can be confusing and reduce the effectiveness of your landing page.

  3. Make it actionable: Use action-oriented language that encourages visitors to take action. For example, instead of saying "Learn more," try "Enroll now."

  4. Place it prominently: Make sure that your CTA is placed prominently on the page, above the fold if possible. This will make it easy for visitors to find and take action.

  5. Test different wording and placement: Finally, don't be afraid to test different wording and placement for your CTA to see what works best. Try different colors, sizes, and positions, and track your results to see what's most effective.

By making your CTA prominent and actionable, you can increase conversions and promote your online course effectively. Just remember to keep it simple, use action-oriented language, and place it prominently on the page to ensure that it's effective.

Testing and optimizing your landing page for maximum effectiveness

Testing and optimizing your landing page is an important part of promoting your online course effectively. By continuously making small changes and improvements, you can increase conversions and ensure that your landing page is as effective as possible. Here are some tips for testing and optimizing your landing page:

  1. Set clear goals: Before you start testing, make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. For example, do you want to increase conversions, reduce bounce rates, or improve the time that visitors spend on your page?

  2. Use analytics: Use analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to track key metrics such as visitors, conversions, bounce rates, and time on page. This will help you see what's working and what's not, and make informed decisions about what changes to make.

  3. Test one change at a time: When making changes to your landing page, make sure that you test one change at a time. This will help you see the impact of each change and make sure that you're not making too many changes at once.

  4. Be patient: Testing and optimizing your landing page is an ongoing process, and it can take time to see results. Be patient, and don't be afraid to try different changes and see what works best.

  5. Use A/B testing: Consider using A/B testing, which is a technique for comparing two versions of your landing page to see which one is more effective. This can help you make informed decisions about what changes to make, and ensure that you're always making improvements that are based on data.

By testing and optimizing your landing page, you can increase conversions, reduce bounce rates, and improve the overall effectiveness of your page. Just remember to set clear goals, use analytics, test one change at a time, be patient, and use A/B testing to make informed decisions about what changes to make.

Final thoughts

Landing pages are an essential tool for promoting your online course effectively. By creating a dedicated landing page for your course, you can provide visitors with all the information they need to make an informed decision and increase conversions. To create an effective landing page, you should focus on providing clear and concise information about your course, incorporating social proof, making the call to action prominent and actionable, using images and videos to enhance engagement, optimizing for search engines, and creating a clear and compelling value proposition.

Additionally, you should continually test and optimize your landing page to ensure that it's as effective as possible. By following these tips, you can create a landing page that promotes your course effectively and helps you reach your target audience.

Want to personalize your landing pages for better conversions? Try Markettailor for free.


Related posts

A/B testing your landing page for optimal results

Welcome to the world of conversion optimization! As an entrepreneur or marketer, you're always on the lookout for ways to improve your website's performance and increase conversions. One powerful tool in your arsenal is A/B testing.

A/B testing is a simple, yet effective method for comparing two...

Read more

The role of trust symbols on your landing page

Have you ever stumbled upon a website, only to feel uncertain about the credibility of the brand? Maybe it was the lack of security badges, or the absence of customer reviews that made you hesitate to make a purchase. In today's digital world, trust is crucial for businesses looking to establish a...

Read more