Recently, there has been growing interest in online lessons that allow learners to acquire knowledge and skills from home. Potential online learners might have the desire to learn something new but struggle to make time or travel to a classroom. Online lessons allow them to incorporate classes into their daily lives relatively easily, without being constrained by location or time.

As a result, many businesses are starting to launch online lessons. To begin, businesses decide on the format and content of the lessons and then make other preparations, such as setting up their filming and payment systems.

In this article, we explain why online lessons are gaining attention, and we outline the preparations needed to offer them, payment methods to implement, and tips for success.

Key takeaways

• Online lessons eliminate the need to travel to a classroom and can save time. They gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained popular.
  
• To provide online lessons, decide whether to use live streaming or on-demand streaming and then obtain the necessary equipment, such as streaming tools, booking systems, cameras, and microphones.
  
• Credit card payments, mobile payments, and bank transfers are the preferred payment methods for online lessons.
  
• To ensure the success of online lessons, it is important to prepare by testing equipment, rehearsing, sharing instructional videos with learners, and establishing a smooth and user-friendly payment system.
  
• Stripe Payment Links provides an easy, no-code solution that lets you create a highly secure payment system.
  

Why have online lessons gained attention in Japan?

In the past, face-to-face lessons were the standard for learning. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Japanese government to issue emergency stay-at-home orders. As a result, many businesses that ran classrooms—such as language schools—began to offer lessons online.

Since then, online lessons have become increasingly widespread and continue to attract attention as a highly flexible form of learning. Below, we discuss some of the reasons online lessons have remained popular in Japan.

Use time effectively

With online lessons, learners don’t have to travel to classrooms or studios, as they would for in-person lessons. Therefore, they save time on commuting. In addition, many lessons are available on demand and are not limited to scheduled times. This can help learners make the most of their spare time by fitting lessons into their schedules.

Everything from signing up and making reservations to paying and canceling can be handled online, without having to make a phone call. Learners can complete the process without taking the other party’s schedule into account. In this way, online lessons are a learning method that busy people can easily incorporate into their lives.

Learn anywhere

Online lessons make it possible to learn in Japan—and anywhere in the world—with an internet connection. As long as a learner has an internet connection, they can continue to acquire knowledge and skills, even if they live abroad or are traveling away from home. Learners can also participate in overseas online lessons while still in Japan.

Rewatch lessons

With most online lessons, learners can watch the content as many times as they like. Therefore, they can study the way that works best for them and when they have free time. This includes participating in real time, reviewing important points, or revisiting more complex topics.

Preparations for providing online lessons

What preparations are needed to start an online lesson business? There are three specific features to establish before creating your lessons.

Decide on the lesson format

Decide whether the course will be live streamed or provided on demand. With live streaming lessons, you can answer questions immediately and facilitate discussions among learners. However, depending on the time of the session, some learners might be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. You might not get as many participants as you expect.

On the other hand, on-demand streaming allows learners to learn anytime, regardless of their schedules. Therefore, this format is more accessible for those who are busy with work, childcare, and household chores. However, real-time engagement with learners—such as Q&A sessions and discussion—aren’t possible, as they are with live streams.

Choose lesson content and target audience

Consider the topics you want to teach. Think about what expertise, experience, or skills you can provide to help your learners.

Once you’ve decided on the content you want to teach, determine your target audience, including their age group and skill level. Since the pace and content of lessons vary based on experience level, consider preparing lessons customized to each level.

Determine pricing

Determine pricing after deciding on the format and content of the lessons and considering market rates and time involved. You might offer the first lesson free of charge for beginners. Prices generally rise as the level of expertise increases.

It is important to remember that running an online lesson business involves costs for content creation and marketing. Therefore, it is important to analyze your expenses and target sales figures when setting prices.

Tools and materials required for online lessons

To conduct online lessons, you will need various tools and equipment.

Streaming tools and systems

Useful tools and systems for streaming include web conferencing tools—such as Zoom and Google Meet—as well as e-learning systems designed specifically for education.

Companies frequently add new features to existing tools and systems and consistently create new tools. Instead of always using the same tool, you can try out a variety of options. This can help you find the one that best suits the format of your lessons, needs, and preferences.

Please note that if you plan to live stream your online lessons, it is important to use a tool that includes a recording feature. This can help attract potential customers who can’t attend live streams but want to watch later.

Filming equipment

To film your lessons, you need to obtain the following equipment:

• Camera (e.g., a computer or smartphone with a camera)
  
• Camera stand (e.g., laptop stand or smartphone tripod)
  
• Microphone
  
• Lighting
  
• Network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi)
  

Booking and contact systems

It’s also important to set up a booking system that accepts lesson reservations and cancellations at any time. Consider choosing a model that includes the following features, in addition to the reservation and booking functions:

• Tracking function for learners with unpaid lesson fees
  
• Automatic email reminders for overdue payments
  
• Batch email function for mass notifications, such as schedule changes
  

If the functions involved in running an online lesson business are consolidated into one system, tasks are easier to manage, including scheduling, payments, and communication.

The link-based approach is the most common method for building a reservation system. We explain this approach in detail below.

Recommended payment methods for online lessons

With online lessons, learners cannot pay in cash, as they can with in-person lessons. Therefore, learners pay fees primarily using online payment methods. Below, we discuss the three payment methods that are the most common options for online lessons.

Credit card payments

Credit card payments are the most widely used payment method in Japan. Many customers use credit cards online and in-store to earn rewards points.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, credit cards account for approximately 80% of all payments made on ecommerce sites in Japan. This shows the high demand for this payment method. Therefore, it is important for online lesson businesses to prioritize credit card payments.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments are transactions made using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. They are sometimes called “smartphone payments.” The number of customers using this payment method has grown rapidly in recent years because of its convenience. When a customer makes a mobile payment, the amount is charged to the bank account or credit card linked to the payment service.

Examples of mobile payment services include PayPay and Rakuten Pay. These services are characterized by their wide range of applications, both online and offline.

Bank transfers

Bank transfers can help accommodate customers who don’t have credit cards or are unfamiliar with mobile payments. This can help the online lesson business reach a wider audience.

The biggest advantage of bank transfers is that lesson fees deposit directly into the business owner’s account, resulting in a shorter payout cycle. However, if the learner doesn’t use online banking, the transfer can take time. There is also a risk that the payment might not arrive.

Basic process for running an online lesson business　　

After you’ve set up lessons and made preparations—such as the reservation system—it is important to establish a process for promoting the lessons and attracting participants. Below, we explain the basic process for running an online lesson business.

Advertise and attract learners

First, make sure that potential customers are aware of your online lessons. Use a variety of methods to promote your class and attract learners. This can include posting on social media, hosting free webinars, and sending email marketing campaigns to webinar participants.

Using paid advertising—such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads—can help you reach potential learners who are interested in your lessons. However, remember that advertising costs can accumulate. Advertising in free newspapers and pamphlets is another effective approach.

When advertising and attracting learners, provide clear and easy-to-understand information on the following points:

• Lesson content
  
• Dates and times
  
• Fees
  
• Application and payment methods
  
• Application deadlines
  
• Streaming tools
  
• Contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address, social media account)
  

Send course information and participant links

Send a confirmation email to the lesson participants. Include lesson details in the email, such as links to the lessons, passwords, and important notes. In addition, sending a reminder email the day before the lesson can help prevent learners from missing it.

Test equipment

If the lighting is too dim or the audio cuts out, learners might find it difficult to watch the video and stay focused. Test your camera, lighting, and microphone before going live. Since you can’t reshoot a live stream, it is important to conduct a test run beforehand.

Check the connection on all equipment, and check the angles and positioning of cameras and lights. Ask friends, family, or learners to help you test cameras and audio. They can tell you how everything looks from the audience’s perspective.

Sometimes, your internet connection might slow down or disconnect while you’re giving a lesson. Having a system and the facilities to handle this type of problem is important. This will allow you to respond calmly, even if unexpected problems arise.

Follow up after lessons

After the lesson ends, it is important to respond to questions from your learners. Use any feedback you receive to improve your teaching materials and future content. Proper follow-up can help improve learner satisfaction and motivation, and it can also encourage learners to continue taking the course.

In addition, gathering information on specific outcomes—such as how the skills and knowledge gained through the lessons help improve quality of life or increase income—can also serve as an evaluation metric.

Keys to success for online lesson businesses

With a few simple adjustments, the quality of your online lessons can improve. Here are some steps you can take to help make your online lesson business a success.

Rehearse lessons

Rehearsing the presentation of your online lessons is a key factor for success. Approach the rehearsal as if you are actually delivering the lesson. Review the lesson’s contents and ensure you clearly state all important points. Pay particular attention to the quality and speed of your speech. Multiple rehearsals can help the real lesson go smoothly.

Keep content simple

When taking online lessons and watching them through a screen, learners tend to lose focus more easily than they do in face-to-face lessons. For this reason, make your online lessons shorter and more concise than in-person lessons. Speak in a calm, clear voice that’s easy to hear.

It’s important to help learners deepen their understanding and not bombard them with information. To ensure that the class flows smoothly, focus the lesson on the day’s key points and schedule follow-up lessons for the remaining material.

In addition, live streamed lessons need to incorporate short breaks and Q&A sessions. This allows learners to reset, refresh their minds, and regain their focus.

Share how-to videos

Some learners might not be tech-savvy, and others might be taking their first online class. To ensure that all learners can comfortably participate, share a manual in advance to help prevent issues from arising on the day of the session.

The instructions can include easy-to-understand video explanations about connecting, logging in, and operating the system, microphone, and camera settings. It can also include important points to note during the lesson.

There might be issues that cannot be resolved simply by reading the manual. Therefore, it is important to establish a support channel where participants can reach out at any time.

Build a simplified payment environment with link-based payments

Booking and payment processes need to be simple. If they are difficult, potential customers might go to competitors, even if they were originally interested in your lessons.

When adopting online payments on your company’s official website, incorporate an intuitive booking system to ensure an easy payment experience. When sole proprietors implement online payments, payment agents—such as Stripe—can simplify payment-related tasks.

One method for implementing payment services provided by payment agents is through link-based payments (page-redirect type). Specifically, this involves embedding a booking or purchase button on your official website. When a prospective learner clicks this button, they are redirected to a payment screen managed by the payment agent. This is where they complete the transaction.

In other words, prospective learners can select payment methods—such as credit cards, bank transfers, or Konbini payments—on the payment screen and pay the lesson fee by following the on-screen instructions.

One advantage of a link-based payment system is that you don’t need to build a payment page in-house. This can save both time and money. In addition, the payment agent stores and manages customer information. This can help mitigate the risk of data breaches on your website. Link-based payment systems offer significant value in terms of both safety and cost.

Additionally, link-based platforms support one-time lessons and subscription-based courses. Available services will vary depending on the payment agent you use. Make sure to check the service details of each payment agent in advance.

How Stripe Payment Links can help

Stripe Payment Links is a no-code solution that allows you to quickly create and share secure payment pages online.

Payment Links can help you:

• Get paid faster: Share custom payment links with customers and accept one-time or recurring payments instantly, without invoicing or complex integrations.

• Improve conversion: Boost payment conversion rates with a mobile-optimized design and streamlined checkout experience.

• Save time: Easily create, customize, and share payment pages through the Stripe Dashboard—with minimal coding.

• Expand globally: Accept payments from customers worldwide, with Adaptive Pricing localizing prices for 135+ currencies and offering local payment methods that are ready to use.

• Access other Stripe products: Integrate Payment Links with other Stripe products—such as Stripe Billing, Stripe Radar, and Stripe Tax—to add more payment capabilities.

• Maintain control: Customize the look and feel of your payment pages to match your brand, and track all your payment activities in one place.

Learn more about how Payment Links makes it easy to accept online payments, or get started today.