280+ Best Profitable Online Course Ideas Based on Research

Looking for the most profitable online course ideas? Weโve got a great list of such!
To create this list of online course ideas, we thoroughly analyzed hundreds of courses, enrollment rates, and popularity on popular online learning platforms as well as smaller private course websites.
As for the online course topic ideas, we are proposing suggestions that align with those offered by well-known research centers, course platforms, and instructors.
Jump to these categories and ideas to create online courses and be sure to find highly profitable topics!
But first, why trust this list of digital course ideas and implement them?
- Top popular categories curated from highly rated course platforms.
- Online course ideas categories aligned with market demands.
- Topics similar to ones offered by international and local research centers, education platforms, and instructors.ย
So it should stand to reason that weโre well-versed in the industry and are ready to share our results of online degrees or online classes with you!
Whatโs Important for Students in Online Courses?
Before we introduce you to the list of online course ideas, letโs highlight whatโs really important for your students in the course information. This is the first section that a student scans, thus very crucial for you to consider.ย
- Key Subjectย
- What You Will Learn
- Hands-on Practice Provided in this Course
- Expertise and Skill Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
- Main Course Language or Foreign Language Requirements
- Specific App or Software Knowledge Requirements
- Duration of the Course or self paced online college (In Hours, Weeks, or Live Training)
- Instructors and Guest Experts Involved
And now itโs finally time to help you choose your category where you can thrive and earn profit!
Digital Online Course Ideas to Sell and Earn Profit
Technology & Software
We wonโt exaggerate by saying that this is one of the top popular categories on every online learning platform weโve researched.
The range of spheres and topics is so diverse that any instructor more or less involved can find a niche to join and get attention from prospective students in the technology and software courses.
Finally,ย itโs time to define categories that can serve you the most traffic and profit.ย
Software & Development
It was not hard to find out that in this category the following topics are super hot and trending:
- Amazon AWS
- Ethical Hacking
- Cyber Security course
- Python
- Web Development
Design
Designing definitely goes hand-in-hand with development. Thus, design courses are in equal demand in the market.ย
- Photoshop
- Graphic Design
- Drawing
- UX Designingย
- UI Developmentย
- Figmaย
- Illustratorย
Development & Design Coursesย
- JavaScript for Beginnersย
- AJAX Developmentย
- Full Stack Developmentย
- How to Create Responsive HTML Emailsย
- Website Localization for Translatorsย
- Laravel from Scratch
- Building Responsive Websites with HTML & CSS
- Understand NodeJS
- Python for Beginnersย
- Become a WordPress Developer
- Crash Course on Angularย
- Creating an Online Website Businessย
- Become an App Developerย
- Complete Guide on Flutter & Dart
- Complete the Android Developer Course
AI and ML Courses
Itโs the age of AI. Thus, online AI courses and machine learning courses are hottest topics on various international learning platforms.
Businesses are looking for a new level of automation with deep learning and machine learning techniques. Eventually, individuals are looking to deepen their knowledge in this field to become more useful to businesses and stay relevant in any sphere. The demand for AI trainers is increasing day-by-day and thus, professionals are in the market to sharpen their skills.ย
From basic theory to more hands-on approaches, offering structured AI ML Courses is one of the best ways to secure your spot in the e-learning market.ย
AI and ML Online Course Ideas
- Generative IT – Fundamentals & Practical Tips
- Machine Learning & Deep Learning Software for E-Commerce Business
- Machine Learning Functionality in Business to Predict Customer Choices
- How to Build & Train a Neural Network with TensorFlow
- The Basics of Data Mining & Modeling
- Multilingual Speech & Language Models
- Photo Editing with Machine Learning
- Leveraging ChatGPT for your Websiteย
- Using AI for Quick PPT and Excel Generationย
You can also offer courses on โHow to Use AI Modelsโ. Here are some online school or courses ideas.ย
- Use AI for Content Creation
- Create PPTs with AIย
- Building Chatbots with No-code AI
- AI for Small Businesses: Practical Toolsย
- AI in Educationย
- Build Voice Assistants with AIย
- Create a Social Media Strategy with AI
- AI for Financial Analysisย
- Use AI for Language Learning and Translationย
- Build Custom AI Models Easilyย
- Leveraging AI in E-commerceย
- Using AI for Graphic and Visual Designingย
- How to be Safe from AIย
- Skills to Beat the Wave of AI
- Getting the Full out of ChatGPT Free Planย
Marketing Courses with Presentation and Writingย
The world of business is highly dependent on marketing skills. On top of that, marketing tactics for each field differ heavily and depend on the industry. Along with marketing, you must understand the aspects of presentation and writing. These skills would complement marketing knowledge for a complete package.ย
You can create separate courses for each category of marketing, presentation, and writing. Or you can merge them all in one with a course like โEssentials of Marketing: From Planning to Presentation.โย
Marketing, Presentation, and Writing Course Ideasย
- Market Research and Analysis – Tools You Need to Have
- Excel Skills for Business Specialization
- Content Marketing and Storytelling for Building Powerful Brand Image
- Developing a Go-To-Market Strategy for Enterprise Product Management
- How to Use Amazon Marketing Tricks on Your Own Store
- Social Media Marketing Course for Beginners that Works Today
- How to Leverage SEO
- Evolving Times of Email Marketing and How to Leverage Itย
- How to Write a Book
- Grammar Bootcampย
- Leverage ChatGPT for Writing
- Writing Business Emailsย
- Sell More with Great Copywritingย
- Be a Technical Content Writerย
- Jumpstart your Presentation Skills
- Hack Public Speakingย
- Learn Advanced Networkingย
- Writing for Kidsย
- Start a Personal Blogย
- Earn with Lifestyle Bloggingย
- Be a Pro Travel Bloggerย
- Learn to Write Fictional Content
- Leveraging the Art of Storytellingย
Health and Fitness Online Course Ideas
No success story is complete without health efforts; many influencers and businesses start with the right routine, sports, and nutrition to stay healthy and productive.
Broad categories that deal with health include fitness, mental health, meditation, dance, yoga, nutrition, and general health. Letโs list the topics that are hot and popular these days with the profitable health course ideas below.
Health, Fitness, & Wellness Coursesย
- Basics of Nutritionย
- Be a Certified PTย
- Sports Nutrition and Trainingย
- Learn to Create Balanced Mealย
- Science of Exercise: Aerobic and Anaerobicย
- Yoga for Lifeย
- Techniques for Meditationย
- Introduction to Doshas and Ayurvedaย
- Designing a Home Workout for Busy Individualsย
- Meal Prepping Sundays: How to Planย
- Be a Marathon Runner
- Avoiding Allopathy with Natural Remediesย
- Work-out Guide After 40sย
- Mental Health and Self-care Practicesย
- Pilates for Core Strengthย
Courses on Arts, Crafts, and Other Similar Arenas
People enroll in art and humanities courses for various reasons beyond just practical or immediate career benefits, with some of the motivations including:
- Personal fulfillment and passion
- Critical thinking and analytics skills
- Cultural understanding, innovation, and creativity
- To spend some leisure time outside daily lifeย
Art & Craft Course Ideasย
- Learning Various Watercolor Techniques
- Sketching in Real Lifeย
- Digital Sketching and Illustrationsย
- Establish a Doodle Sticker Businessย
- Learn Calligraphy and Letteringย
- Embroidery for Modern Outfitsย
- Craft and Sell Personalized Jewelryย
- Recycling and Upcycling at Homeย
- Resin Art and Selling Themย
- Eco-dyeing with Natural Materialsย
- Furniture Restoration Techniquesย
- Create Art with Tiles and Glassย
- Learn Advanced Oil Paintingย
- Create Art with Threadingย
- Modern Art: Types and Business Buildingย
Personal Development Courses & Business Analytics
Growing as a person goes hand in hand with growing in business. Thus, we have clubbed the categories of personal development with business analytics. Based on the progress of business, you need to take up upskilling courses to move ahead.ย
Course ideas for you:
- Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel
- Data Engineering Essentials: Python, Bash, and SQL for Beginners
- Data-Driven Project Management and Why It Works
- Power BI for Project Managers
- Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL
- Practical Leadership Skills
- Team Management & Team Buildingย
- Personal Productivity Course
- Managing Time Effectivelyย
- Boosting Confidence & Wealthย
- Basic Computing Skillsย
- Emotional Intelligence for Software Developersย
- Learn Conflict Management with EQ
- Communication Skills for Strong Personalityย
- Project Management and Planningย
- Business Strategy Planning and Executionย
- Navigating Office Politicsย
- Effective Salary Negotiationย
- Dressing Etiquettes at Workย
- Job Interview Skills
Parenting Courses with Upbringing Skills
In the ever-changing landscape of the world with a digital boom, parents want to understand their children more. If you are an expert in parenting, child psychology, upbringing, and behavioral therapy, you must create parenting classes around that. These are in high demand as parents want their children to learn the best.ย
Course ideas for you:
- Mindful Parentingย
- Treat Autism Earlyย
- Caring for a Child with Special Needs
- Parenting Teens with Confidenceย
- How to Prepare for Laborย
- Early Nutrition for Newborn Babiesย
- How to Develop Healthy Habits from the Startย
- The Choice of Toys: Effect on Child Growthย
- Best Parenting Advice for Growing Childrenย
- Dealing with Relationships and Parenting togetherย
- Being Adoptive Parentsย
- Deal with Child Lossย
- Creating an Optimum Home Environment for Kids
- Donโt Feel Guilty as a Parentย
- Investing for Your Childrenย
Online Course Ideas for Mass Media and Journalism
The field of journalism is booming and so are journalism courses. With multiple independent methods of news-making and mass media creation, people need the right direction. If you are a veteran of the field or have practical expertise, look at these amazing online course ideas.ย
- Digital Journalism Essentialsย
- Social Media News Productionย
- What is Photojournalismย
- Learning Media Ethics and Responsibilitiesย
- Important Media Lawsย
- What is Public Relations Managementย
- Creating Content for Mass Media
- Documentary Creationย
- Being a Short-film Makerย
- Crisis Communication Strategiesย
- Radio in the Digital Ageย
- Reporting Techniquesย
- Being an Independent Reporterย
- Importance of Research in Mediaย
- Storytelling in Visual Mediaย
- Digital Marketing Course
Online History Courses for Awareness of Ancient Culture
The importance of preserving our history and culture is crucial. With the fast life of social media and the online world, many people are not aware of the richness of history and how it shapes the modern world. If you are an avid researcher or passionate about ancient times, these course ideas are for you.
- Egyptian Mythology and Beliefsย
- Lost Cities of Ancient Worldย
- Mysteries of Maya and Aztecย
- Indian Civilization and Ancient Practicesย
- Mythology in Varied Civilizationsย
- Learning the Vikings Wayย
- Rome: The Myths and Truthย
- Studying Ancient Architectureย
- Studying the Silk Roadย
- Exploring the Culture and Tradition of China
- Studying the History of Japan and Natural Calamities
- Exploring Astronomy in Ancient Culturesย
- African Kingdoms and Their Cultureย
- Byzantine Empire: Art, Religion, and Power
- The Indigenous Cultures of the Americas
Beauty, Fashion, and Styling Courses Online
One of the most evergreen topics is fashion. From self-care essentials to running a salon, beauty and fashion courses are always in demand. It can help someone change their daily routine or even start earning an income to be independent.ย
Styling and Fashion Course Ideasย
- Basics of Personal Stylingย
- Building a Salon Businessย
- Self-Makeup for Beginnersย
- Learning Skincare at Homeย
- Essentials for Menโs Groomingย
- Learn Hair Care for All Texturesย
- Daily Hairstyles for College and Officeย
- Start a Nail Art Business with A+ Skillsย
- Understanding Color Theory in Fashion and Makeupย
- Learn Styling for Different Body shapesย
- Build your Fashion Portfolioย
- Start with Modelling Careerย
- Understanding Fabrics and Textilesย
- How to Be a Personal Shopperย
- Creating Outfits from Scratchย
Personal Finance and Investment Course Ideas Online
The media brings awareness and with that, many individuals want to manage their finances. If you have learned and have knowledge of investments, this is the right niche for you. Here is a list of course ideas to inspire you.ย
Finance and Investment Course Ideasย
- Personal Finance Management 101
- Basics of Stock Marketย
- How to Build a Portfolioย
- Tax Strategies for Investorsย
- International Trading and Dealingย
- Introduction to Mutual Funds and ETFs
- Diversifying between High-risk and Low-risk Investmentsย
- Ethical Investing and Social Responsibilityย
- Planning for Retirementย
- Smart Will Planning and Asset Managementย
- Planning for Retirementย
- Navigating Economic Indicators for Investment Decisions
- Private Wealth Management for High-Net-Worth Individuals
- Crowdfunding and Alternative Funding Models
- Impact Investing and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Analysis
Online Performing Arts Courses
Have you gained some skills with instruments, dancing, or acting? If you are a related professional, create a course around your skill to start earning a side income. Trust me, itโs needed. Itโs not easy to live off as an artist.ย
Performing Arts Course Ideasย
- Introduction to Musical Theatreย
- A to Z of Starting a Career in Acting
- Body Language for Stageย
- How to Train your Vocals based on your Pitchย
- Basics of Contemporaryย
- Begin your Ballet Journeyย
- How to Prepare for Monologueย
- How to Direct a Theatre or Film
- The Art of Writing and Performing Stand-up Comedyย
- Importance of Costume and Makeup on Stageย
- The Aspects of Non-Verbal Acting with Body Languageย
- Mastering Expressions to Say Beyond Words
- Introduction to Indian Classical Dancesย
- Mastering a Dance Routine/Choreographyย
- Historical Dance Forms: Renaissance and Baroque
- Essentials of Stage and Prop Settingsย
- Learning the Strings of Guitar (Any other String Instruments)
- Basics of Percussion Instrumentsย
- How to Break Into the Film Industryย
- The Process from Auditions to Modelling to Ads to Filmsย
Food and Culinary Courses Online
Who doesnโt love experimenting with cooking and creating better dishes? These courses are loved by all ages and genders. So, itโs time for you to turn your cooking expertise into online course ideas with these topics.ย
- Exploring French Cuisine for Home Cooks
- How to Run a Cloud Kitchenย
- Exploring Traditional Italian Cooking Stylesย
- Plant-based Cooking Essentialsย
- Daily Vegan Meal Swaps for a Better Lifestyleย
- Baking a Variety of Breads at Homeย
- A-Z of Baking Goodnessย
- Knife Skills and Kitchen Basics: Hacks for Speed and Precisionย
- Easy Fermentation and Pickling at Home
- Varied Sauce Making: Styles and Typesย
- Pastry Techniques: Croissants, Danishes, and Eclairs
- Learn to Make Various Pastas at Homeย
- What is Flavor Profilingย
- Chocolate Making: From Bean to Bar
- Cooking for Special Diets: Keto, Paleo, and Gluten-Free
- Farm-to-Table Cooking Techniques
- Dim Sum and Dumpling Crafting
- The Art of Sushi Making
- Creative Salad Combinations and Dressings
- Cooking for Kids and Family-Friendly Meals
- Cheese-Making at Home
- Exploring Indian Curries and Spice Combinations
- Mastering the Art of Pizza and Flatbreads
- Exploring Festive Treats Around the World with Its Significanceย
- Basics of Tea and Coffee Brewingย
Content Creation Courses
The creator industry has been booming for a long time now. And with that, there is a demand for skills that are required for creators. If you are an expert with any specific skill that is in demand in the creative field, it’s time to create an online digital course to impart that.ย
Course Ideas to Target Content Creatorsย
- Creating a Personal Brand on Social Mediaย
- Video Editing for Beginnersย
- How to Write Scripts for Video Contentย
- Building Your Podcast: Ideating to Publishingย
- Monetizing Your Online Contentย
- Editing Photos for Social Media Consistencyย
- Create Multi-platform Content Smartlyย
- Vlogging Essentials: Conceptualizing to Creationsย
- Mastering Video Transitions and Visual Effects
- How to Get Collaborations and Paid Partnershipsย
Upskilling Courses for Medicos
The medical field keeps on having advancements. Because of that, the students or professionals in the field need to keep up with that to sustain their profession. Hereโs a list of online course ideas that can be targeted to Medicos to help them gain more skills.ย
- Advanced Patient Care Techniquesย
- Medical Coding and Billing Essentialsย
- Leadership and Management in Healthcareย
- Learning About Digital Health Solutionsย
- Ethics and Legal Issues in Medicineย
- Trends in Medical Technologiesย
- Cultural Competency in Healthcareย
- Surgical Innovations and Techniquesย
- Being Strong Amid Chaos: Emotional and Mental Aspectsย
- Dealing with Senior Pressure and Favoritismย
- Managing Personal Health with Hectic Hours
- Understanding Genomics in Clinical Practiceย
- Gender-Specific Medicine: Tailoring Treatment to Biology
- Rehabilitation Techniques for Chronic Pain Management
- Medical Writing and Clinical Documentation
- Online Medical Assistant Programsย
- Nursing School Onlineย
Out-of-the-Box Online Course Ideas
The possibilities for creating a digital course are endless. Multiple ideas can be thought of. Here is a list of ideas that are unique, innovative, and have a niche audience.ย
- Building Tiny Houses and Minimalist Living Spaces
- Dream Interpretation and Lucid Dreaming Techniques
- Time Travel in Fiction: Writing and Plot Design
- Urban Beekeeping and Sustainable Honey Production
- Intro to Fashion Tech: Wearable Technology Design
- Virtual Real Estate: Investing in Digital Land
- The Art of Balloon Twisting and Decorations
- Cosplay Design and Prop Making
- Street Magic and Sleight of Hand Tricks
- Upcycling Old Furniture into Art Pieces
- Introduction to Cryptozoology: Myths and Creatures
- Perfume Making: Crafting Your Signature Scent
- DJing and Music Mixing for Beginners
- DIY Escape Room Design
- Exploring Soundscapes: Creating Ambient Audio Experiences
- Guerilla Gardening and Urban Farming Techniques
- Creating ASMR Content: Techniques and Tips
- Voice Mimicry and Accent Development
- Foraging Wild Foods and Edible Plants
- Designing Interactive Fiction and Text Adventures
To Conclude: How to Pick Ideas for Online Courses for Maximum Profit
When selecting a course topic with a focus on profitability, we still recommend focusing first on the knowledge and skills you can deliver. Of course, tech-related fields like Python, SQL, and Data Engineering are consistently popular but look for niche areas where competition is lower. This will help you differentiate yourself and stand out.
More than that, research similar courses on popular platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Skillshare (as we did to create our list of top profitable course ideas). Pay attention to the number of reviews and students enrolled in these courses. Because what else gives such a clear indication of demand and student interest? Courses with high engagement typically signal profitable niches, which allow instructors to earn good money.
And lastly, think about whether you can provide a new angle or deeper insights compared to existing courses, with your own clear value proposition, such as teaching specialized applications or offering real-world projects. Think of some of the creative ideas for online courses to stand out. Differentiating your offering would drive higher traffic.ย
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