10 Essential FAQ to Add to Your Online Course Website

Online courses are becoming a popular choice for people looking to learn a little something, and if you’ve got a website, you probably have a lot of different marketing plans out there to drum up new students. However, you could be missing one very critical resource that’s staring you right in the face: your FAQ page. Not only is this the most-used self-service tool online today, but it’s a great way to give your potential clients the chance to learn more about what you offer. 

It helps you with marketing because it gives you a place to explain what you do, why your courses are useful, and what people stand to gain. It also allows you to answer other questions related to online courses and virtual learning that people may have. This can help boost your brand presence, and more. 

Of course, the most important factor here is that you’re helping people by providing them with the self-service resources that they demand. As many as 89% of consumers expect companies to have a self-service portal available. Your FAQ page can be a big part of that if you do it correctly. 

We’ll provide you with some insight and tips below to help you create a solid page, including the best practices for setting it up and creating an organized structure, and more. Then, we’ll talk about the 10 most valuable questions that you should have on your page if you offer online learning courses of any kind. 

Bear in mind, of course, that these questions are just to get you started—feel free to add anything to the list or modify the ones that don’t quite fit your needs. Think about common questions that you get and what you would want to know if you were the consumer. Then, use that to create your page. Let’s talk about that further. 

How to set up your FAQ page

As we mentioned, you want to think like your customer when you set up your FAQ page. Think about what people would want to see, how they’d want the navigation to flow, and how easy you can make it for them to find the answers they seek. You should focus on organization and structure first and foremost. After all, it doesn’t matter how many great FAQs you offer if they’re difficult to find. 

When you’re creating your page, think about things like:

• Using hyperlinks or dropdowns to navigate between questions and answers. This will keep clutter to a minimum and prevent people from endless scrolling to find the information that they need. 
• Consider creating separate pages for separate topics if you have a lot of information to cover. Again, that will create more organization and help keep people from scrolling for days.
• Start small and have a growth strategy in place. That way, you’re not taking on a huge task when you are just starting out. Get the basics set up and create a structure that’s easy to add to. Then, you can continue to evolve and develop your FAQ database as your business grows and your audience’s queries change. 
• Don’t ask “yes” and “no” questions, if you can help it. When it comes to things like whether people need online tutoring, you’ll want to phrase it as a “why”, eliminating the idea that they don’t need your services. That’s just one example but try to avoid giving people the chance to say “no”. 
• Asking questions as your audience would. This can help with SEO rankings and also give you a chance to connect with people because you are speaking their language. Keep things simple and provide Q&A like you’d want if you were the consumer. 

There’s a lot that goes into creating an effective FAQ page for your website, but it isn’t really difficult. It just takes some time and effort on your part, and the right knowledge to do things correctly. Now, let’s look at the top questions and answers that your online course website needs. 

The top 10 FAQs for online course websites

1. What is online learning like?

For those who have never encountered online learning, the biggest question is often what it is actually like. The caveat, as you know, is that online learning comes in several forms. Therefore, this is your chance to explain that to people. Point out that there are different types of online courses and programs, and that they’ll have to decide which is best for them. Then, explain the types of courses you offer and how your online programs work to give them all the information they need. This not only gives them information, but it increases their trust because you’re being transparent and giving them straightforward answers. 

2. Can I learn at my own pace?

This is another common question that people have about online courses. There are usually self-paced programs and traditional classroom or meeting-style programs available. Today’s world is full of busy people that want to better themselves, so the self-paced programs are popular. Whether or not you provide this option, be sure to answer this question for people and explain the pros and cons of each type of learning. As a bonus, you can even invite them to contact you for more information or to discuss what their options are. 

3. Are you accredited or licensed by educational organizations?

There isn’t always a need for licensing or accreditation for online courses. However, some programs do require it. Either way, people will usually ask what type of training or background you have, as well as any licensing that’s available if that’s relevant. Make sure that you answer this question by telling them if you do hold any licenses or accreditation, as well as by explaining whether or not those are needed, and why. It gives them the confidence that you have the right experience and boosts your credibility because you’re offering additional information for the sake of education alone. 

4. Does online learning really work?

There’s always a skeptic, and when it comes to online learning, there are often several of them. Everyone wants to know if online courses “really work”—and that’s a hard question to answer because there are several factors to consider. On a general basis, yes, online learning can be effective. However, that depends on whether the courses are set up properly, the provider is educated and experienced, and if the person taking the courses does well in a virtual learning environment. You should be able to explain these things to people so that they know what they’re getting into. Then, you can invite them to contact you to discuss whether it would be right for them. 

5. What types of assignments do you give?

Like knowing the format of online learning, people often want to know the type of work they’ll be doing when they take online courses. Be sure to provide a glimpse of what you offer here and link to previous projects or assignments if you can. You can also link to course or program pages. As long as you explain to people how the courses are taught and what they can expect in terms of coursework, you’ll be helping them make a better decision about their educational needs. 

6. What are the requirements to take the courses or sign up with your website?

People will want to know how to get started. You can link them to the pages on your website that help them through that process, but you’ll also want to take the time to explain it to them here. If you have certain enrollment windows, for example, list those. If payment or deposits are required, explain that, as well. Make sure that people know exactly what they need to do to take online courses from you, no matter what those courses might be. 

7. What are the technology requirements?

In the same vein, people need to know whether their computers are up to snuff. You’ll want to explain all the software that you use and what kind of technology people need to take your online courses. If there are certain programs or applications used, put those here. If you have the option to provide technology or direct people to the appropriate purchase, you should do that here, as well. Reassure people that you can help them with the requirements and that they can contact you to discuss whether their system meets the demands of your online courses. 

8. How long does each course take?

Some online courses are just a few hours long, while others last a few months. Depending on the type of online learning that you offer, your courses may have their own variable lengths. Explain to people the types of courses that you have available and what the time frame is for each one. If you offer self-paced learning, this is another place to reiterate that and reassure people that you can help them learn on their own time. 

It could also be helpful to link to your course catalog or course pages here so that people can see the exact specifications of the course(s) they are considering taking from your website. 

9. Why should I use online learning?

Here’s an example of the use of “why” instead of offering a yes/no question. People will wonder what online learning can do for them and rather than telling them whether or not they can benefit, you’re explaining how everyone can benefit from online learning when they do it properly. Explain the benefits of learning online, from convenience and flexibility to the ability to learn at their own pace, and so forth. Make sure that you are very clear that it’s about what people can gain from online learning and that you don’t even suggest that they may not benefit here. 

Provide testimonials, perks, and other insight to help people decide that your online courses are right for their needs. Online learning benefits just about everyone. You can even go the extra mile and list some stats about the success rates and benefits of online courses to reaffirm your stance. 

10. How much do courses cost?

Even when it comes to education and training, people want to be careful with their money. Some people are on a tight budget. Others just want to be mindful of what they spend. Either way, everyone is going to want to know how much online courses are going to cost. If you have a set list of prices, provide those here. You can also advise whether there are payment plans or financial assistance, or if you work with any type of student loan funding. 

This is also a great place to link to your pricing page or to course pages where you list the course requirements and costs, allowing people to further their research without having to find the information on their own. 

While you’re educating people, let Smith.ai answer the calls, chats, and more

Running an online education website is a full-time job of its own. When you start adding things like an improved FAQ page, you’re going to see a lot more interest and potential learners coming your way. But if you’re working on the business, who’s there to field the calls? When you partner with Smith.ai, our receptionists will act as the face of your brand for chats, calls,SMS messages, and so much more. 

We can even assist with all those new leads, thanks to our lead intake and scheduling services, and we’ll help you craft the perfect strategy for all of it. You’re an educator, not an admin assistant or secretary. Our team of virtual receptionists is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to be that for you, and anything else that you need. 

To learn more, schedule a consultation to discuss what the 24/7 virtual receptionists at Smith.ai can do for your online course website, from live chats to after-hours calls and everything in between. You will also find us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 727-6484.