--- title: I'm Starting an Online Education Business - Where Do I Start?! description: "It's easy to get overwhelmed when starting a new business. \nWe've created a checklist of steps you can complete in under an hour, without spending a penny." image: https://media1-production-mightynetworks.imgix.net/asset/34198065/1643222432497.png?ixlib=rails-0.3.0&fm=jpg&q=75&auto=format&w=1400&h=1400&fit=max&impolicy=ResizeCrop&constraint=downsize&aspect=fit --- [![LearnCube logo wordmark -high res](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LearnCube%20logo%20wordmark%20-high%20res.png?width=4025&height=859&name=LearnCube%20logo%20wordmark%20-high%20res.png "LearnCube logo wordmark -high res")](https://www.learncube.com/) Open main menu Close main menu - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://7690351.hs-sites.com/blog) [Digital marketing](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/digital-marketing) [GMS Podcast](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/gms-podcast) [Starting from Scratch](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/starting-from-scratch) # I'm Starting an Online Education Business - Where Do I Start?! ![Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1599317682265-1.jpg?width=45&name=1599317682265-1.jpg) [Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/author/wilim-abrook) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/where-do-i-start) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/where-do-i-start) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/where-do-i-start) ![](https://media1-production-mightynetworks.imgix.net/asset/34198065/1643222432497.png?ixlib=rails-0.3.0&fm=jpg&q=75&auto=format&w=1400&h=1400&fit=max&impolicy=ResizeCrop&constraint=downsize&aspect=fit) It's easy to get stuck, bewildered by the volume of information out there, or to go down a rabbit hole, focusing on just one area of your business.  We've created a simple checklist for you, to help you start with confidence. Almost all of these steps can be completed in an hour or less, without spending a penny. [Getting Started Checklist.pdf](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PjQ_te8PuQoW-5AyArrUFg8_SlkhCIst/view?usp=sharing) While it's good to be calm and measured, it's also important to get moving! Many businesses have stalled and failed while their owners are cooped up behind a desk, planning for the day they'll finally launch. If you want to get some virtual bums on virtual seats, you need to take action. [![](https://media1-production-mightynetworks.imgix.net/asset/34198065/1643222432497.png?ixlib=rails-0.3.0&fm=jpg&q=75&auto=format&w=1400&h=1400&fit=max&impolicy=ResizeCrop&constraint=downsize&aspect=fit)](https://media1-production-mightynetworks.imgix.net/asset/34198065/1643222432497.png?ixlib=rails-4.2.0&fm=jpg&q=75&auto=format)Look at the checklist, and cross off anything you've done already. Then go back to the start and fill in the gaps. The steps are in order, so start at the top, and work your way down. Below, I'll include a list of useful links and articles to help you finish each step: #### **My school / business has a name** Check out our article [**What Should I Name My Business?**](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/blog/what-should-i-name-my-online-education-business) #### ** I have a logo** Check out our article [**Do I Need a Logo?**](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/blog/do-i-need-a-logo-for-my-online-teaching-business) #### ** I have a website** Set up a free site today. It just needs to be a basic brochure page For complete beginners, [**Jimdo**](http://www.jimdo.com/) and [**Wix**](https://www.wix.com/) are good options. They both have free plans, and you can set up a simple site within 30min. Remember, you just need something in place; you can always improve it later. Here is a free sample pages I created to give you some inspiration: - [https://wilims-school.jimdosite.com/](https://wilims-school.jimdosite.com/) #### ** I have a facebook page** Hubspot have [**this fantastic tutorial article**](https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/5492/how-to-create-a-facebook-business-page-in-5-simple-steps-with-video.aspx) that should help you #### ** I have a profile image** It's a really simple step, but so many people either miss this or get it wrong! We have [**this great article**](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/blog/how-to-take-a-great-profile-picture) on how to take a nice, professional headshot you can use as a profile picture. #### I've decided on my pricing structure This is a big one, and really depends on your market, your overheads, and most importantly, what people will pay! Some simple things to consider are: - Is it realistic? What do your competitors charge? - Can you offer some free or discounted classes as an incentive to sign up? - Do you have some easy-to-understand options for customers to choose from? - Is it sustainable? Will you be able to keep offering these prices or will you need to increase over time? #### I have a way to deliver my classes There are a variety of online teaching platforms you can use, depending on your needs. - **LearnCube**\* is great for 1:1 classes and small groups. It has been designed specifically for education, and you can brand it with your own logo and colours. The platform works in-browser so no downloads are required. You can sign up for a free 14-day trial of the Virtual Classroom Pro [**here**](https://app.learncube.com/app/pricing/?product=virtualclassroom-teaching). Plans start at $14 per month and there is a free option available too. The free version allows 1:1 classes only, but the classroom tools are the same. - **Zoom** is ideal for larger class sizes and lecture-style teaching. The screen share feature is easy to use, and most people are familiar with it. You'll need to download the app to use all the features. You can see the plans and sign up [**here**](https://zoom.us/pricing). Plans start at $14.99 per month and there is a free option. The free option has a time limit on meetings of 40min for groups and 30min for 1:1 classes. - **Google Meet** is more basic, but easy to use. Like LearnCube, it doesn't require any downloads to use. If you have a Google account, you already have the free version of Meet. You can see the pricing plans and sign up [**here**](https://apps.google.com/intl/en/meet/pricing/). Plans start at $9.99 per month. The free version has fewer features and a 60min time limit on group classes. #### I have a way to book my classes There are a variety of booking and scheduling services out there. At first, I strongly recommend using a free option. There's no need to increase your overheads until you have some volume and the admin work starts to get a bit too much. - **Google Calendar** is a good option if you already have a google account. You can add meetings with links to your classroom, and it's easy to add new bookings. The bookings will have to be managed by you, not by your students. If you have a Google account, you already have the free version of the calendar. You can sign up [**here**](https://calendar.google.com/). There is a paid version, but you're unlikely to need those features, particularly when starting out. - **Calendly** is a fantastic booking app. Your students can choose a time from your calendar to book classes, and you can customise reminders, confirmation emails, and more. Calendly integrates with most online calendars and is easy to use with platforms like Zoom and LearnCube You can sign up [**here**](https://calendly.com/). Plans start at $8 per month, but the free option has everything you need to get started. - When your business is a little more established, you may consider an all-in-one platform such as **LearnCube**'s Online School Lite\*, which has student accounts, bookings, payments, reporting, and more, all in one platform. You can sign up [**here**](https://start.learncube.com/learncube-oslite/). There is a setup fee of $250 and plans start at $25 per month after that. #### **I have a way to get paid** Of course, if you're starting a teaching business, you'll want to get paid! There are a variety of different ways to accept payments, from cash in the post to bank transfers, but the most common and reliable ways to receive online payments are [**Stripe**](http://www.stripe.com/) and [**PayPal**](http://www.paypal.com/). Both of these services charge transaction fees, but they are free to sign up to. I recommend having both options so that you can offer students alternative payment methods if one option doesn't work for them. It's important to check that Stripe and/or PayPal are available in your location, as though they are the two main contenders, they aren't available worldwide yet. #### I've identified some places to look for students It's really important to narrow down your search so that you can spend your time effectively. We've created a niche finder brainstorming exercise, which you can find in this article - [**What's My Niche?**](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/blog/whats-my-niche) It's in the "first five students" section, but can be a useful exercise at any stage in your business. #### I've advertised my classes There are a lot of ways to do this, depending on what stage you're at. Advertising and marketing never really stops, but what's important here is that you start! You could try: - Posting about your classes on social media - Spreading the word amongst friends and family - Paying for some facebook or google ads - Creating some physical flyers or posters (lots of people overlook this, but it can really help!) ####  I got my first student! Congratulations - you're on your way! ####  I got my first five students! Great work - another milestone hit! #### I got my first ten students! Now we're really cooking! ![Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1599317682265-1.jpg?width=150&name=1599317682265-1.jpg) #### Wilim Abrook Head of Education at LearnCube & Expert Online English Teacher ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hubfs/GMS%20logo%20square%20(1).png)](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/gms-weekly-challenge20) [Digital marketing](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/digital-marketing) [GMS Podcast](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/gms-podcast) [Starting from Scratch](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/starting-from-scratch) ### [GMS Weekly Challenge #20 - Get Started with Email Marketing](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/gms-weekly-challenge20) Email marketing is a really really useful tool, but getting results takes some careful preparation. ![Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1599317682265-1.jpg?width=45&name=1599317682265-1.jpg) [Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/author/wilim-abrook) [Read More](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/gms-weekly-challenge20) [![](https://media1-production-mightynetworks.imgix.net/asset/39407178/souvik-banerjee-JLj_NbvlDDo-unsplash.jpg?ixlib=rails-0.3.0&fm=jpg&q=75&auto=format&w=1400&h=1400&fit=max&impolicy=ResizeCrop&constraint=downsize&aspect=fit)](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/get-started-on-linkedin) [Digital marketing](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/digital-marketing) [GMS Podcast](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/tag/gms-podcast) ### [Get Started on LinkedIn (for teachers)](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/get-started-on-linkedin) I already have Facebook and Instagram; why do I need LinkedIn? ![Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1599317682265-1.jpg?width=45&name=1599317682265-1.jpg) [Wilim Abrook](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/author/wilim-abrook) [Read More](https://getmorestudents.learncube.com/get-started-on-linkedin) #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram