How to Sell Online Courses with Payment Plans
- June 4 2025
- Akash Patil
Price sensitivity is one of the major challenges that educators face in the online education world. Most students do really want to be more skilled – it’s just that they can’t afford expensive courses. If you are a teacher, instructor, tutor, who wants to sell courses over Learnyst these are the steps you must make to discover still more sales: Payment plans.
This easy to follow guide on payment plans is going to tell you everything you need to know, from what they are, why they’re potent, and of course how to set them up on your Learnyst platform in order to grow your.
What Are Payment Plans?
A payment plan is a type of pricing model that lets your students break up the cost of the course into smaller, more manageable payments over a period of time instead of paying the full amount upfront.
Example:
- Course Price: ₹6,000
- EMI: ₹2,000 for 3 months
This makes the course affordable so that more people can buy it but still gives you the full value over time.
Types of Payment Plans You Can Offer:
Monthly Installments: This is the most popular choice, making it easier for learners to manage their budgets each month.
- Bi-weekly Payments: Perfect for those taking shorter courses.
- Custom Intervals: Enjoy flexible payment plans tailored to the length of your course or your personal preferences.
Why Use Payment Plans? (Benefits for Educators)
1. Increase Conversions
Many potential students leave their cart because they can’t afford to drop a big chunk of money right now. Payment plans smoothen this barrier and increase your conversion rates.
2. Reach a Wider Audience
Now students who wouldn’t have been able to pay the premium price will enroll in your class.
3. Build Predictable Revenue
Predictable monthly income from recurring payments can help in financial planning and scaling business operations.
4. Foster Commitment
When students have a financial stake in their education, they tend to stay more engaged over time.
5. Make Yourself Student-Focused
By providing flexible payment options, you not only show understanding but also build trust with your learners.
How to Set Up Payment Plans on Learnyst (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Log in to Your Learnyst Dashboard
First things first, access your educator account and head over to the "Courses" tab.
Step 2: Create or Select Your Course
You have the choice to either create a brand new course or pick an existing one where you’d like to add those installment options.
Step 3: Navigate to the Pricing Section
In the pricing settings, look for "Installment Plan" among the pricing models available.
Step 4: Set Up the Installment Terms
Now, it’s time to define the details:
- Total number of payments (for example, 3)
- Amount per installment (like ₹2,000)
- Interval between payments (say, every 30 days)
Feel free to include discounts or bonuses for those who choose to pay in full upfront, giving your learners some great options!
Step 5: Preview and Publish
Once you’re satisfied with everything, go ahead and publish your course. Your learners will now see the payment plan option right on the checkout page!
Protect Your Content with CourseGuard
A common worry among educators regarding installment payments is: "What happens if someone pays the first installment and then stops?" Learnyst addresses this concern with its CourseGuard feature, which limits course access based on payment status. If a learner misses a payment, their access to the course is automatically paused. This way, your content remains secure, and only those who have fully paid can continue their learning journey.
How to Market Your Course with Payment Plans
Establishing payment plans is only half the job. You also have to market it well in order to get results.
1. Make it Loud
Utilize your email list, WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, and social media to let learners know that installment plans are on offer now.
2. Utilize Clear CTAs
Instead of "Buy Now for ₹6,000", say "Start Learning for Just ₹1,999 Today".
3. Emphasize Affordability in Ads
Make flexibility of pricing a headline offering on Facebook or Google ads.
4. Create Urgency
Provide limited-time installment options or early bird access to promote instant signups.
5. Provide Payment FAQs on Course Page
Describe how payment plans work, what happens in case of a missed payment, and what learners have access to upon each payment.
Best Practices for Offering Payment Plans
1. Be Transparent
Be transparent about overall course price, payment terms, and access regulations.
2. Select Reasonable Intervals
Most students are comfortable with monthly payments. Don't make payment intervals too short or too long.
3. Employ Reminder Emails
Automatically send reminder emails for upcoming payments to students.
4. Integrate with Engagement Features
Keep students engaged through Learnyst's streak system, leaderboards, and community features.
5. Who Should Use Payment Plans?
Excellent Fit If You:
- Sell high-ticket courses (over ₹2,000)
- Have certification or long-term programs
- Target early-career professionals or college students
Not Suitable If You:
- Provide free or short courses
- Already have very low one-time fees
Why Choose Learnyst for Payment Plans?
Sell with payment plans frictionless on Learnyst. Here's how:
✔ Safe UPI/Card/NetBanking payments
✔ Auto installments tracking
✔ DRM protection with CourseGuard
✔ Push notifications through Learnyfy
✔ Streak & XP system for student active engagement
✔ Custom branding and domain support
You don't have to use 3rd party payment systems. Everything within Learnyst.
Final Thoughts
Providing payment plans is a good idea to open up your courses, drive sales, and acquire repeat students. And with Learnyst, it's a breeze to get started, safe, and done automatically.
So what are you waiting for?
Sign in to your Learnyst dashboard for 14 days free trail and create your first payment plan today.
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