Is Creating a Udemy Course a Good Idea?

Creating a course on Udemy can be a great idea for many reasons, but whether it's the right fit depends on your goals and expectations. In this article, I’ll explore the pros and cons of Udemy, when it makes sense to use it, and some alternatives to consider.

Pros of Creating a Course on Udemy

Massive Audience Reach

Udemy is one of the largest online course marketplaces, with millions of global users. This means that you instantly have access to a large audience without needing to invest heavily in marketing.

Ease of Use

Udemy offers a straightforward course creation process with tools to upload videos, quizzes, and assignments. Even if you’re a beginner, you can have a course live and ready to go in no time.

Built-In Marketing

The platform frequently runs promotions and discounts to attract students. If your course performs well, Udemy’s algorithm will help boost its visibility.

Challenges to Consider

Pricing Control

Udemy sets strict pricing rules and often applies heavy discounts to courses. While this can drive volume, it limits your control over how much you earn per sale.

Revenue Share

You don’t keep 100% of your earnings. Udemy takes a significant cut, up to 50% or more if a sale comes through their promotions.

Branding Limitations

Since Udemy is a marketplace, you’re building your course within their ecosystem. This makes it harder to establish your personal brand or collect student data for future outreach.

When Udemy is a Good Idea

You’re Just Starting Out: If you’re new to course creation, Udemy is a great place to validate your ideas and get your feet wet. You Want to Build an Audience: Udemy is perfect for gaining visibility and establishing yourself as an expert in your field. You Don’t Want to Handle Marketing: If you’d rather focus on content creation and let the platform handle the marketing, Udemy is a solid choice.

Alternatives to Consider

If you want more control over pricing, branding, and student relationships, platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Taylora might be better options. They allow you to build your own course site, set your own prices, and market directly to your audience.

My Experience

I started on Udemy to test the waters and reach a broad audience. It worked well for visibility, but as I grew, I transitioned to platforms like Taylora to have more control over my content and revenue. If your goal is to scale your business long-term, it's worth considering a mix of platforms depending on your needs.

In short, Udemy can be a great launchpad, but it's important to understand its limitations and how it fits into your overall strategy.