Teachable Complete Tutorial 2026: Create and Sell Online Courses

The online education industry continues to grow as creators, educators, coaches, and businesses look for ways to share knowledge and generate revenue through digital learning. Whether you want to teach digital marketing, programming, photography, fitness, business management, or professional skills, creating an online course can be an effective way to monetize your expertise.

However, launching an online course requires more than recording videos and uploading them to a website. You need a platform that helps you organize lessons, manage students, accept payments, deliver learning materials, and market your educational products.

Teachable is one of the popular platforms designed to simplify this process. It allows creators to build online courses, offer coaching, sell digital downloads, and manage student experiences without developing a learning management system from scratch.

In this comprehensive Teachable tutorial, we’ll explain how to use the platform step by step, create your first online course, configure pricing, customize your school, and start selling your educational products in 2026.

What Is Teachable?

Teachable is a hosted online course creation and selling platform that enables creators to build digital learning businesses.

It provides tools for creating courses, uploading educational content, managing students, accepting payments, and promoting digital products.

Unlike traditional website development, where you need to configure hosting, install plugins, and integrate several services, Teachable offers a centralized environment for managing your online education business.

What Can You Create With Teachable?

You can use Teachable to sell:

• Video-based online courses
• Self-paced learning programs
• Educational workshops
• Professional training courses
• Coaching sessions
• Digital downloads
• Membership-based learning experiences, depending on available features

For example, a digital marketing professional could create courses on SEO, Google Ads, content marketing, social media strategy, and marketing automation.

Similarly, a fitness coach could offer workout programs, nutrition education, and personalized coaching sessions.

Key Features of Teachable

Before learning how to create your first course, let’s understand the major features available on the platform.

Feature	Description
Course Builder	Create structured courses with lessons and learning modules
Video Hosting	Upload and deliver video-based educational content
Website Builder	Create a branded online school and sales pages
Student Management	Manage student enrollment and learning access
Assessments	Create quizzes and evaluate student progress
Digital Products	Sell downloadable educational resources
Coaching	Offer individual or group coaching experiences
Payment Processing	Accept payments through supported payment options
Marketing Tools	Create promotions, coupons, and sales campaigns
Analytics	Monitor sales and business performance
Integrations	Connect supported third-party tools
AI Capabilities	Access eligible AI-powered creation and productivity features

Feature availability, limits, and integrations vary depending on your Teachable plan.

Step 1: Create Your Teachable Account

The first step is to create an account and set up your online school.

1. Visit the Teachable Website

Go to the official Teachable website:

https://teachable.com/

Select the option to get started or create an account.

2. Sign Up

Enter the required information, such as:

• Name
• Email address
• Password

You may also have the option to register using a supported third-party account.

Complete the registration process and verify your account if required.

3. Set Up Your School

After signing in, Teachable will guide you through the initial setup process.

You may need to provide information such as:

Setting	Purpose
School Name	Identifies your online learning business
Business Type	Helps define your creator or educational business
Course Category	Identifies your subject area
Business Goals	Helps customize your onboarding experience
Website Details	Establishes your online school identity

Choose a school name that reflects your brand and the educational products you plan to offer.

For example, if you teach marketing and business skills, you could use a brand name such as Digital Growth Academy.

Step 2: Set Up Your Teachable School

Once your account is ready, configure your school before creating and publishing courses.

1. Customize Your School Name

Your school name appears in relevant areas of your online learning experience.

Choose a name that is:

• Easy to remember
• Relevant to your subject
• Professional
• Suitable for future expansion

Avoid using a name that limits you to a single course if you plan to build a larger educational business.

2. Configure Your Branding

Teachable allows you to customize the visual identity of your school within the available design options.

Consider adding:

• Brand logo
• School name
• Brand colors
• Typography
• Homepage content
• Course thumbnails
• Instructor information

A consistent visual identity helps create a professional learning experience and builds trust with prospective students.

3. Configure Your Domain

Teachable provides a school URL, and eligible configurations support connecting a custom domain.

For example:

youracademy.teachable.com

Or you can use a branded domain:

www.youracademy.com

To connect a custom domain:

1. Open your school settings.
2. Locate the domain configuration section.
3. Enter your custom domain.
4. Review the DNS instructions provided by Teachable.
5. Update the required DNS records with your domain registrar.
6. Verify the connection.
7. Wait for the domain and SSL configuration to complete.

A custom domain can make your educational business look more professional and help establish a recognizable brand.

Step 3: Create Your First Online Course

Now it’s time to create your first course.

1. Open the Course Builder

From your Teachable dashboard:

1. Navigate to the products or courses section.
2. Select the option to create a new course.
3. Enter your course title.
4. Add the required details.
5. Continue to the course editor.

Your course title should clearly communicate what students will learn.

For example:

SEO Masterclass: Complete Search Engine Optimization Training

This title communicates both the subject and the educational value of the course.

2. Add Your Course Description

Your course description should explain the learning experience and outcomes.

A good course description includes:

• What the course teaches
• Who should enroll
• Skills students will learn
• Topics covered
• Course format
• Expected learning outcomes
• Why the course is valuable

Example Course Description

SEO Masterclass: Complete Search Engine Optimization Training

Learn how to improve website visibility, conduct keyword research, optimize website content, build backlinks, and measure SEO performance through practical lessons.

This course is designed for beginners, marketing professionals, website owners, and business entrepreneurs who want to develop effective SEO skills.

By the end of the course, students will understand how to build an SEO strategy, optimize website pages, and monitor search performance.

3. Upload Your Course Thumbnail

Your course thumbnail is one of the first things potential students see.

Create a professional thumbnail that includes:

• Course title or shortened headline
• Relevant visual elements
• Instructor or brand identity
• Clear typography
• Consistent colors

Avoid overcrowding the thumbnail with too much text.

4. Organize Your Course Curriculum

Teachable allows you to structure courses using sections and lessons.

A well-organized curriculum makes it easier for students to follow the learning process.

For example:

Section	Lesson
Introduction	Welcome to the Course
Introduction	Course Overview
SEO Fundamentals	What Is SEO?
SEO Fundamentals	How Search Engines Work
Keyword Research	Understanding Search Intent
Keyword Research	Finding Relevant Keywords
On-Page SEO	Optimizing Website Content
Technical SEO	Understanding Technical SEO
Link Building	Building Quality Backlinks
SEO Analytics	Measuring SEO Performance
Final Section	Practical Project and Conclusion

Organize lessons in a logical sequence, starting with foundational concepts and gradually introducing more advanced topics.

Step 4: Add Lessons and Upload Content

Once your curriculum is ready, start adding content to individual lessons.

1. Add Video Lessons

Video is one of the most popular formats for online learning.

To add a video lesson:

1. Open the relevant course section.
2. Create or select a lesson.
3. Upload your video or use a supported video source.
4. Add the lesson title.
5. Include a description or supporting text.
6. Save your changes.

Depending on your account configuration, Teachable provides video hosting and delivery capabilities for course content.

2. Add Supporting Learning Materials

Videos are useful, but supporting resources can improve the learning experience.

You can include relevant materials such as:

• PDF guides
• Worksheets
• Templates
• Downloadable resources
• Presentation slides
• Reading materials
• Reference documents

For example, an SEO course could include a keyword research spreadsheet, website audit checklist, and content optimization template.

3. Create Text-Based Lessons

Not every lesson needs to be a video.

Text-based lessons can be useful for:

• Definitions
• Step-by-step instructions
• Reference materials
• Reading assignments
• Short explanations
• Resource lists

Combining different lesson formats can make your course more accessible and engaging.

4. Add Quizzes and Assessments

Assessments help students evaluate their understanding.

Depending on your plan and available features, Teachable supports quizzes and assessment functionality.

You can create questions about:

• Course concepts
• Practical applications
• Terminology
• Problem-solving
• Lesson comprehension

For example, after teaching keyword research, you could ask students to identify the search intent behind a particular keyword.

5. Configure Lesson Accessibility

Review how students will access your lessons.

Consider:

• Whether lessons are available immediately
• Whether students need to complete earlier lessons
• Whether content is released gradually
• Whether downloadable materials are accessible
• Whether video playback works properly on mobile devices

Some content delivery and course progression options may depend on your plan.

Step 5: Set Your Course Pricing

After building your course, you need to decide how much students will pay.

Teachable supports different pricing models, depending on product type and plan availability.

Common Course Pricing Models

Pricing Model	Description	Best For
Free	Students enroll without payment	Lead generation and introductory education
One-Time Payment	Students pay once for access	Self-paced courses
Payment Plan	Students pay in installments	Higher-priced courses
Subscription	Students pay recurring fees	Ongoing educational content
Bundles	Multiple products sold together	Comprehensive learning programs

1. Set a One-Time Course Price

A one-time payment is suitable for courses that provide a complete educational experience.

For example:

• Beginner SEO Course: $49
• Advanced SEO Training: $199
• Complete Digital Marketing Program: $499

These are illustrative examples, not recommended fixed prices. Your pricing should reflect the value, audience, course depth, and competitive landscape.

2. Offer Payment Plans

Payment plans allow students to pay for a course in installments rather than paying the entire amount upfront.

For example:

Payment Option	Total Price
One-Time Payment	$300
Three Monthly Payments	$110 × 3

Payment plans can make higher-priced educational products more accessible.

However, consider how installment payments affect your revenue, payment processing, and access policies.

3. Create Subscription-Based Products

Subscriptions work well for educational businesses that provide continuous learning opportunities.

Examples include:

• Monthly marketing training
• Weekly workshops
• Ongoing coaching
• New educational content
• Professional development communities

Before using subscriptions, make sure your business can consistently deliver enough value to justify recurring payments.

Step 6: Configure Payments and Taxes

Teachable provides payment functionality for collecting course fees and managing transactions.

The available payment options depend on your country, plan, and business eligibility.

1. Configure Teachable Payments

Navigate to the payment settings in your dashboard.

Review the available payment options and complete the required setup.

Depending on your eligibility, Teachable may provide its own payment solution or support integrations with other payment processors.

2. Connect Supported Payment Providers

Depending on your location and configuration, available payment options may include:

• Teachable Payments
• PayPal
• Supported card payment processing
• Other eligible payment methods

Complete any required account verification before accepting real transactions.

3. Review Transaction Fees

Your total selling cost may include:

• Teachable subscription charges
• Platform transaction fees
• Payment processing fees
• Currency conversion fees
• Taxes
• Additional third-party service costs

The applicable fees depend on your selected plan, payment method, and business location.

Always review the official pricing page before launching a paid course.

4. Configure Taxes

Online course taxation can vary depending on the location of your business and customers.

Teachable provides tax-related functionality for eligible configurations, but you should review:

• Applicable sales taxes
• VAT requirements
• GST obligations
• Digital product taxation
• Business registration requirements
• Tax reporting responsibilities

For businesses operating in India, consult a qualified tax professional regarding GST applicability, invoicing, and international sales requirements.

Step 7: Build Your Course Sales Page

Your sales page is where prospective students decide whether to enroll.

A well-designed sales page communicates the value of your course and encourages visitors to take action.

Essential Sales Page Elements

Element	Purpose
Headline	Communicate the main course benefit
Introduction	Explain what the course offers
Learning Outcomes	Show what students will achieve
Curriculum	Outline the lessons and topics
Instructor Profile	Establish credibility
Testimonials	Provide social proof when available
Pricing	Explain the available payment options
FAQ	Address common objections
CTA	Encourage enrollment

Example Sales Page Headline

Master SEO From Beginner to Professional

Learn keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, link building, and analytics through practical lessons designed to help you improve website visibility.

Add a Clear Call to Action

Use action-oriented buttons such as:

• Enroll Now
• Start Learning
• Get Course Access
• Join the Program

Avoid using vague CTAs that do not communicate what happens after the user clicks.

Step 8: Customize Your Teachable Website

Teachable provides website-building tools that allow creators to customize the appearance and structure of their online school.

Important Pages to Create

Page	Purpose
Homepage	Introduce your educational brand
Courses Page	Display available courses
Course Sales Page	Promote individual courses
About Page	Explain your background and expertise
Contact Page	Provide communication options
FAQ Page	Answer common questions
Privacy Policy	Explain data practices
Terms and Conditions	Establish terms of use
Refund Policy	Explain refund conditions

Website Customization Tips

• Use a consistent brand identity.
• Make navigation simple.
• Display courses clearly.
• Use professional images.
• Ensure mobile responsiveness.
• Highlight learning outcomes.
• Include clear enrollment buttons.
• Avoid unnecessary design elements.

A well-structured website makes it easier for visitors to understand your educational offerings.

Step 9: Market and Sell Your Online Courses

Creating a course is only the beginning. You also need a strategy to attract students.

Teachable provides tools and integrations that support course promotion, but a successful marketing strategy usually requires additional planning.

1. Build an Email List

Email marketing is useful for nurturing potential students.

You can collect email addresses through:

• Free educational resources
• Webinar registrations
• Newsletter subscriptions
• Free mini-courses
• Downloadable templates
• Lead magnets

Use an email marketing platform to nurture subscribers and promote relevant courses.

2. Use Content Marketing

Create educational content related to your course topics.

Examples include:

• Blog articles
• YouTube tutorials
• Social media posts
• LinkedIn content
• Case studies
• Educational newsletters

Content marketing helps establish expertise and attracts people who are already interested in your subject.

3. Offer Free Mini-Courses

A free mini-course can introduce potential students to your teaching style.

For example, if you’re selling an advanced SEO course, you could offer a free introductory course on keyword research.

This allows potential students to experience your content before making a purchase.

4. Use Webinars and Live Workshops

Webinars provide opportunities to demonstrate your expertise and interact with potential students.

You can use them to:

• Teach a useful topic
• Explain a common challenge
• Demonstrate a practical solution
• Introduce your course
• Answer questions
• Offer enrollment incentives

5. Create Discounts and Promotions

Promotional campaigns can encourage students to enroll.

Examples include:

• Early-bird discounts
• Seasonal promotions
• Limited-time offers
• Bundle discounts
• Student discounts
• Referral incentives

Avoid relying exclusively on discounts. Your course should communicate sufficient value to justify its regular price.

Step 10: Manage Students and Monitor Performance

After launching your course, you need to manage student activity and monitor business performance.

Student Management

Teachable provides student management capabilities that help you:

• View enrolled students
• Manage enrollment
• Review student activity
• Monitor learning progress where supported
• Communicate with students
• Manage access to course products

Depending on your plan, additional student engagement and reporting capabilities may be available.

Monitor Important Metrics

Metric	What It Tells You
Total Enrollments	Number of students joining your course
Revenue	Total sales generated
Conversion Rate	Percentage of visitors who enroll
Average Order Value	Average revenue per transaction
Refund Rate	Percentage of purchases refunded
Course Completion	How many students finish the course
Student Engagement	How learners interact with course content
Traffic Sources	Where prospective students come from

Use these insights to identify opportunities for improvement.

For example, if many visitors view your sales page but few enroll, you may need to improve your messaging, pricing, testimonials, or course presentation.

Teachable Pricing 2026

Teachable offers different subscription plans designed for creators at different stages of business development.

Plan names, pricing, transaction fees, and included features may change. Always check the official pricing page before subscribing.

Teachable Pricing Plans

Plan	Best For	General Capabilities
Starter	New creators	Launching an online course business
Builder	Growing creators	Additional business and customization features
Growth	Established creators	More advanced marketing and operational tools
Advanced / Custom Options	Larger businesses	Expanded capabilities and support, where available

Teachable’s pricing structure can include differences in:

• Number of published products
• Transaction fees
• Payment processing
• Customization options
• Integrations
• Student management
• Marketing features
• Support availability
• Administrative capabilities

Important: Do not compare Teachable plans using subscription price alone. Calculate the total cost based on expected enrollments, revenue, transaction fees, payment processing, and required features.

For the latest plan details, visit the official Teachable website:

https://teachable.com/pricing

Teachable Pros and Cons

Before choosing Teachable, consider its advantages and limitations.

Advantages of Teachable

1. Beginner-Friendly Course Creation

Teachable provides a structured course builder that allows creators to organize lessons without developing a custom learning platform.

2. Hosted Infrastructure

You don’t need to manage your own servers, hosting environment, or core course delivery infrastructure.

3. Multiple Digital Product Types

You can create courses, coaching products, and digital downloads within a centralized platform.

4. Integrated Payment Functionality

Teachable provides supported payment solutions that simplify selling educational products.

5. Student Management Tools

The platform includes functionality for managing enrollments and student access.

6. Website and Sales Page Creation

Creators can build pages to showcase and promote their educational products.

7. Suitable for Different Creators

Teachable can support educators, coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs, and professional trainers.

Disadvantages of Teachable

1. Limited Customization Compared With Self-Hosted Solutions

Creators may have less control over certain technical and design elements than they would with a fully customized website.

2. Platform Costs

Subscription fees and transaction costs can affect profitability, particularly for smaller creators.

3. Feature Availability Depends on the Plan

Some advanced features may require upgrading to a higher subscription tier.

4. Limited Control Over Platform Infrastructure

Teachable manages the underlying platform, which means creators depend on its available features and policies.

5. Marketing May Require External Tools

Businesses that need advanced automation, CRM functionality, or complex email campaigns may require third-party integrations.

Teachable vs Other Online Course Platforms

Teachable competes with several platforms that help creators build and sell online courses.

Feature	Teachable	Thinkific	Kajabi
Course Creation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video Lessons	Yes	Yes	Yes
Website Builder	Yes	Yes	Yes
Student Management	Yes	Yes	Yes
Digital Downloads	Yes	Yes	Yes
Coaching	Yes	Available features vary	Yes
Marketing Tools	Built-in and integrations	Built-in and integrations	Extensive
Email Marketing	Features and integrations	Features and integrations	Strong integrated functionality
Community Features	Availability varies	Available features vary	Available features vary
Best For	Course creators and educators	Educators and training businesses	All-in-one knowledge businesses

Teachable vs Thinkific

Thinkific is another platform focused on online course creation and educational experiences.

Both platforms offer course builders, student management, and tools for selling digital learning products.

Thinkific may be attractive to creators who prioritize educational delivery and learning management features.

Teachable is a strong option for creators who want to combine course creation with selling, coaching, and digital products.

Teachable vs Kajabi

Kajabi is positioned as an all-in-one platform for knowledge-based businesses.

It combines online courses with additional marketing and business management functionality.

Kajabi may be suitable for creators who want more integrated marketing automation, funnels, and business tools.

Teachable may appeal to creators who primarily need course delivery, digital product selling, and a relatively straightforward learning platform.

Best Practices for Creating a Successful Teachable Course

1. Identify a Specific Target Audience

Don’t create a course for everyone.

Identify a specific group of learners and understand their challenges, goals, and skill levels.

2. Focus on Learning Outcomes

Your course should solve a real problem or help students achieve a meaningful goal.

Define what learners should be able to do after completing the course.

3. Keep Lessons Organized

Break complex subjects into manageable sections.

Avoid excessively long lessons that make it difficult for students to maintain focus.

4. Prioritize Content Quality

Use clear audio, good video quality, organized presentations, and accurate information.

The quality of your educational content matters more than expensive production equipment.

5. Provide Practical Resources

Include worksheets, templates, checklists, exercises, and other materials that help students apply what they learn.

6. Encourage Student Engagement

Use quizzes, practical assignments, discussions, or coaching sessions where appropriate.

7. Collect Feedback

Ask students about their learning experience.

Use feedback to improve course structure, explanations, and supporting materials.

8. Update Your Course Regularly

Industries change, and educational content can become outdated.

Review your lessons periodically and update information, examples, and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Is Teachable free to use?

Teachable may offer trial or promotional access, but its full course-selling functionality is generally available through paid plans. Check the official pricing page for current offers and subscription details.

2. Can I create an online course without coding?

Yes. Teachable provides a course builder and website customization tools that allow you to create and sell courses without writing code.

3. Can I sell multiple courses on Teachable?

Yes. Teachable supports multiple educational products, although the number of published products and available features may depend on your subscription plan.

4. Does Teachable support video hosting?

Yes. Teachable provides video delivery functionality for online course lessons, subject to applicable plan limits and platform requirements.

5. Can I sell digital downloads using Teachable?

Yes. Teachable supports digital downloads, allowing creators to sell educational resources such as ebooks, templates, guides, and worksheets.

6. Can I offer payment plans for my courses?

Teachable supports different pricing models, including installment-based payment options for eligible products and plans. Availability depends on your configuration.

7. Does Teachable provide certificates of completion?

Certificate functionality is available in supported configurations. Check your current plan and course settings to confirm availability and customization options.

8. Can I connect my own domain to Teachable?

Yes. Eligible configurations support connecting a custom domain to your online school. You need to configure the required DNS records and verify the connection.

9. Is Teachable suitable for businesses and corporate training?

Teachable can be used to deliver professional training and educational content. However, businesses requiring advanced enterprise LMS functionality, employee reporting, or complex learning management workflows should evaluate the platform carefully.

10. Can I integrate email marketing tools with Teachable?

Yes. Teachable supports integrations and automation workflows with compatible third-party services. Available integrations and functionality depend on your plan and the tools you choose.

Conclusion

Teachable is a practical platform for creators who want to transform their knowledge into online courses, coaching programs, and digital products.

Its course builder, hosted infrastructure, payment functionality, student management, and website creation tools simplify many of the technical challenges involved in launching an online education business.

However, before choosing Teachable, consider your budget, course requirements, marketing strategy, customization needs, and expected revenue.

If your primary goal is to create and sell educational content without building a custom learning platform, Teachable is worth exploring.

Ready to create your first online course? Start with Teachable and explore its course-building tools, then develop a structured curriculum that delivers meaningful value to your students.