Online courses: How to Tell If an Online Course Is Legit vs Scam

Let’s talk about the legitimacy of online courses we see in our reels, posts, and stories on social media. Did you purchase an online course, it looked amazing when we bought it, but we never even opened it. Or maybe we started strong… and fizzled out somewhere along the way.

It’s not that we’re lazy. It’s not that we lack discipline.

The truth? There are real reasons we hesitate to start or finish our online course purchase. Some are personal. Some are psychological. And some? Well, some are based on the reality that not all online courses are created with your success in mind.

Let’s digest this.

Why Do We Hesitate to Start Online Courses

Fear of Fraud, Procrastination, and Overwhelm

1. We’re afraid of being scammed. Unfortunately, this one is real. There’s noise and nonsense in the online course world: flashy ads, fake testimonials, and course creators who don’t deliver. Frankly, it makes people hesitant to trust any online course.

2. We’re overwhelmed. There are so many courses out there promising to change your life. It's hard to know which one to choose or what’s going to help you where you are at, right now.

3. We don’t know where to start. Without a clear road map or guidance, even clicking "buy" can feel like a risk. What if we choose the wrong thing? What if we waste our time or money?

Let’s talk about that.

How do You Tell If an Online Course Is Legit or Not?

Before you enroll, ask yourself:

• Does it sound too good to be true? If the promises sound outrageous; like making six figures overnight with no experience… take a step back. Legit courses set realistic expectations and take your effort.

• Is it clear what you will walk away with? (Real outcomes, not just hype)

• Does the online creator share their background or real experience?

• Does the online creator have a legitimate website backing their claims?

• Are there testimonials or case studies from real people?

• Do they offer support, Q&A, or access to the instructor?

• Is there a money-back guarantee?

• Do they promise effort-based results — not overnight success?

If you can’t confidently answer “yes” to most of these, it’s worth pausing before you hit purchase.

Why We Don’t Finish the Courses We Start

Life Happens: But You Still Need a Plan!

1. No structure. Without a built-in schedule or accountability, it’s easy to let a course slide down your to-do list.

2. No quick wins. A good course should give you momentum. If you're stuck in the theory by week 2 or lesson 2, motivation can tank.

3. Life gets busy. Enough said. If a course doesn’t align with your life right now, it’s going to get sidelined, even if it's a great course.

4. The course doesn’t feel relevant anymore. Sometimes we buy courses in a moment of inspiration... but when real life hits, we realize it wasn’t the right fit after all.

Choosing the Right Course for You

• Pick a course that matches where you are at in life.

• Set a time on your calendar, treat it like an appointment.

• Focus on progress, not perfection. Even 20 minutes a week adds up.

Most importantly: Choose an online course from people who care about your success.

How do you know they care about your success:

1. Check the Course Creator's Background: Read their bio. What are the instructor's experience and qualifications? If they have real-world expertise and success in the subject they teach, it's a positive sign. They should be transparent about their journey, not just offering vague credentials.

   
   

2. Read Testimonials and Reviews: Look for reviews that focus on the creator’s support and engagement, not just the content. A legitimate course often includes feedback about the instructor's availability for questions, the quality of their responses, and how invested they are in students' progress.

   
   

3. Evaluate the Community: If the course offers community support (like a private information session, Facebook group, forum, or Q&A session), see how active and engaged the creator is. A hands-off approach often signals they aren't interested in long-term student success.

   
   

4. Look for Ongoing Support: A course creator who truly cares will often provide more than just the course content. Look for features like office hours, check-ins, or updates to the material that reflect current industry trends.

   
   

5. Assess Their Marketing and Messaging: If their marketing is all about a quick fix or grand promises, it could be a red flag. A creator who genuinely cares will focus on helping you develop skills over time and be transparent about what it takes to succeed.

This checklist should help you get a good sense of whether the course creator is genuinely interested in your long-term success or if they’re just trying to make a quick buck.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about starting a course, or guilty about not finishing one, you’re not alone. At Clever Marketers, we believe in helping people learn to build real businesses with purpose. That starts with trusting yourself… and trusting the process.

Would you like a little help choosing the right course for you or are you unsure of how to get started? If you'd like to discuss further, please schedule a complimentary information session with Jen and Tiffany: https://www.clevermarketers.com/booking-calendar/free-30-minute-info-session. We will help you where you are at, and help guide you moving forward.