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How Do I Build an Online Course with Lessons on Sellzw?

Quick answer: Create a product with the type Online Course, then open it and go to the Curriculum tab. Add modules (sections) and lessons. Each lesson takes a YouTube or Vimeo video link, optional notes and downloadable resources. Tick Free preview on a lesson to show it before purchase, tap Save Curriculum, and optionally turn on a certificate of completion on the Delivery tab.

Key points

  • Videos live on YouTube or Vimeo. You paste the link into each lesson.
  • Organise lessons into modules, and reorder anything with the arrows.
  • Add resources (files and links) to lessons or to the whole course.
  • Free preview lessons let buyers try before they pay.
  • Optional certificates are issued automatically when a student finishes.

Step 1: Plan your course before you record

Start from the result, then work backwards. Write one sentence that completes: "By the end of this course, you will be able to…"

Then break it down:

  1. Modules are the big stages (3–6 is plenty for a first course).
  2. Lessons are the steps inside each module (2–5 per module).
  3. Keep lessons short, around 5–15 minutes, with one idea each.

Example: "Excel for Small Shop Owners"

  • Module 1: Getting started. Opening Excel; entering your stock list
  • Module 2: Formulas that save time. SUM and totals; calculating profit
  • Module 3: Tracking sales. A daily sales sheet; weekly summaries
  • Module 4: Your finished system. Putting it all together (plus a free template)

Step 2: Record your lessons, even on a phone

You don't need a studio. A phone, good light and clear sound are enough.

  • Light: face a window during the day.
  • Sound: record in a quiet room. A cheap clip-on microphone makes a big difference.
  • Screen lessons: use your phone's screen recorder or free tools like OBS on a laptop.
  • Don't chase perfection. Clear and helpful beats polished and never finished.

Step 3: Upload your videos to YouTube or Vimeo

Sellzw plays lesson videos from YouTube or Vimeo, so upload them there first.

  • YouTube: set each video to Unlisted. It won't appear in search or on your channel, but it plays inside your course. Anyone who has the direct link can still watch it.
  • Vimeo: Vimeo's paid plans let you restrict where your videos can be played, which gives you more control.

Copy each video's link, such as https://youtube.com/watch?v=… or https://vimeo.com/….

Step 4: Create the course product

Go to Products → Add product, choose Online Course, and complete the wizard: name, summary, description, price and cover image. See How do I upload and publish my first digital product?

You can save it as a draft while you build the lessons.

Step 5: Build your curriculum

Open the product and go to the Curriculum tab.

  1. Tap + Add Module and give it a title, for example "Getting started".
  2. Inside the module, tap + Add Lesson and fill in:
    • Lesson title
    • Video link (YouTube or Vimeo only)
    • Lesson notes (optional): key points, instructions or homework
    • Resources (optional): downloadable files or links for this lesson, up to 20
    • Free preview: tick it to make this lesson visible before purchase
  3. Use the up and down arrows to reorder modules and lessons.
  4. Add Course resources at the top, such as a workbook, templates or your community group link (up to 30). Students find them in the course sidebar.
  5. Tap Save Curriculum. If files are still uploading, it waits until they finish.

More on resources: How do I add downloadable files and links to my course?

Step 6: Add free preview lessons

Tick "Free preview" on one or two of your best lessons. Seeing you teach builds more trust than any description. Good choices are your introduction, or a lesson that delivers a quick win.

Step 7: Turn on certificates (optional)

On the Delivery tab, tick "Award a certificate of completion". Add the certificate title (usually the course name), pick a design, and every student who finishes every lesson automatically receives a personalised certificate PDF with a QR code anyone can scan to verify it. Details: How do I give students a certificate?

Step 8: Publish and test

Publish the course, then check it the way a student would:

  • Tap Preview in your Products list.
  • Watch a free preview lesson on your phone.
  • Ask a friend to buy it, or buy it yourself, to check access and progress tracking work end to end.

What do students see after they buy?

Students get instant access after paying. They open the course from the link on the payment success page, from their email, or from My Library at any time. They see your modules and lessons in order, download resources, and their progress is tracked as they go.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload video files directly to a Sellzw course?

No. Course lessons play videos from YouTube or Vimeo, so you upload your videos there and paste each link into a lesson. You can attach downloadable files such as PDFs and worksheets to lessons as resources.

Can people share my unlisted YouTube videos?

Unlisted videos don't appear in YouTube search, but anyone who has the video link can watch it. For tighter control, Vimeo's paid plans let you restrict where your videos can be played.

Can I update my course after people have bought it?

Yes. Edit your modules, lessons and resources on the Curriculum tab and tap Save Curriculum. Your students see the updated course the next time they open it.

Can I let people watch a lesson before they buy?

Yes. Tick "Free preview" on any lesson and it becomes visible before purchase. One or two strong preview lessons are a great way to convince buyers.

Do students get a certificate?

They can. Turn on "Award a certificate of completion" on the Delivery tab, and each student automatically receives a personalised, verifiable certificate PDF when they finish every lesson.

Your knowledge is worth teaching

Plan four modules, record short lessons on your phone, and publish. You can keep improving the course after your first students join.

Create your free Sellzw store →

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