eLearning Challenges: Keep Ignoring These Content Planning Errors and Watch Your Revenue Disappear

Introduction: Why Your Course Isn’t Selling (And You Don’t Even Know It Yet)

Imagine this: You’ve just launched your digital photography course after months of preparation. The platform looks professional, your videos are shot in 4K, and you’ve covered every technique from basic exposure to advanced composition. Three months later, you’re staring at disheartening metrics: only a 12% completion rate and a trickle of sales despite heavy promotion.

This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; many educators invest heavily in platforms and tools but forget the foundation: well-structured educational content and purposeful eLearning solutions that truly serve the learner’s journey.

Welcome to the most overlooked eLearning challenge: strategic content planning. This isn’t just about what you teach—it’s about crafting a learning experience that genuinely serves your audience’s needs, learning styles, and goals.

In this guide, we’ll break down the critical content planning mistakes that silently sabotage your course success—and provide practical, example-rich solutions you can implement immediately to transform your completion rates and, ultimately, your revenue.

1. eLearning Challenges That Start With Misunderstanding Your Learners:

Before you map your learning paths or pick your video style, you must know who you’re creating the course for.

Think of it like planning a wedding…

You wouldn’t book a heavy metal band for a couple who loves acoustic jazz. So why build a technical course when your audience needs beginner-level guidance?

This is where developing a learner persona becomes essential. Creating a learner persona may require some initial time investment for research to understand your target market. 

However, once you have completed it, it can help you design personalized course content that caters to each student’s needs. A thoughtful curriculum designer can use this insight to align content more closely with learner expectations during eLearning content development. Your course should feel like it was made just for them. Because it was.

To effectively understand your audience, it’s crucial to know who “everyone” is. 

You might be wondering what data a learner persona should include. Here are some key takeaways: 

1. Demographics: Age, family, and location. 

2. Behavior: What their usual day looks like, including preferences and hobbies. 

3. Goals: Short-term and long-term objectives; what type of course they are seeking. 

4. Needs: Requirements or challenges they face while learning. 

5. Skills: Areas of expertise and skill levels. 

6. Barriers: Obstacles such as time constraints, resources, or platform issues. 

7. Preferred Method: Learning preferences, such as visual content or theoretical approaches. 

Example of a Learner Persona: – 

Name: Jane 

Age: 28 

Occupation: Digital Marketing Specialist 

Goals: Improve data analytics and social media marketing skills; advance to a managerial role. 

Needs: Self-paced, practical courses with real-world examples. 

Barriers: Limited time due to work commitments. 

Preferred Learning Methods: Video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and bite-sized content. 

A learner persona like this offers greater clarity on the specific pain points that need to be addressed and the most appropriate teaching methods for them. 

Developing multiple personas will help you understand the various segments of your audience, enabling you to deliver a customized learning experience. To begin with, you can utilize these personas and deeper content insights to effectively target the right audience with the appropriate topics.

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all learners are the same.
  
• Creating content based on what you find exciting.
  
• Ignoring the “why” behind your learners’ goals.

What To Do Instead:

• Conduct meaningful audience research: Instead of just asking “What topics interest you?” in a survey, ask specific questions like “What’s the biggest challenge you face when trying to [subject matter]?” or “What would success look like after completing this course?” Example: If you’re teaching a course on sustainable gardening, you might discover through targeted questions that your audience isn’t just interested in plant selection, but specifically struggles with adapting sustainable practices to small urban spaces with limited sunlight.
• Build detailed learner personas with real challenges: Create 2-3 detailed personas that represent different segments of your audience. Give them names and backstories. “Sarah,” the marketer learning SEO. “David,” the fresh grad learning Python. Align every module with learner outcomes. For example, if Sarah wants SEO strategies she can use today, don’t waste time on outdated tactics.
  
• Test your content assumptions with a pilot group: Before fully developing your course, create a mini-module and get feedback from your target audience. Example: For a personal finance course, you might create a sample module on budgeting and share it with 10-15 potential students. Their feedback reveals they need more practical tools and less theory, prompting you to integrate interactive budget templates into every module.

Implementation Tip: Create a simple Google Form with questions about your learners’ goals, challenges, and preferred learning styles. Share it on social media and in relevant communities. Then use the responses to create a “Learner Profile Document” that guides all your content decisions.

2. eLearning Challenges in Content Structure That Disrupt the Learning Journey:

Imagine a wedding where the reception happens before the vows. Confusing, right?

Many online courses fall into the trap of having great content but a disorganized structure. To keep learners engaged and focused, the content of an eLearning course should be organized in a logical sequence. This helps prevent learners from becoming bored or dropping out before completing the course. 

A well-structured layout with modules and subtopics that address each concept in order can facilitate seamless and continuous learning. It is essential to present the material in a way that is not overwhelming. Breaking down useful information into small, manageable chunks and using an interactive format is crucial. 

Developers should adopt a concise and modular approach to make the course more accessible. Many creators also benefit from consulting eLearning resources to structure lessons more effectively while building courses with a learner-first mindset. 

To enable faster and more effective course creation, this AI tool can assist in developing a learner-focused course structure that considers individual learner needs. Here’s a glimpse into AI-powered keyword generation.

Microlearning can be particularly effective for retaining learners’ attention. Additionally, incorporating interactive elements such as visuals, animations, and games can enhance the learning experience and make the content more engaging and easier to digest.

Mistakes You Might Be Making:

• Jumping into complex topics before laying the groundwork.
  
• Dumping content without guiding the learner through it.
  
• Ignoring how overwhelmed your learners might feel.

How To Fix It:

• Map your course based on skill building, not topics: Each module should build on previously mastered skills. Example: In a photography course, instead of separate modules on “Aperture,” “Shutter Speed,” and “ISO,” structure it as “Taking Your First Great Photo” (introducing basic concepts together), followed by “Controlling Light in Different Situations” (applying those concepts).
• Create scaffolded learning experiences: Provide support early on and gradually reduce it as learners gain confidence. Example: In a course teaching data analysis, your first Excel exercise might include detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots. By module three, you provide just the objective and a few hints, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned independently.
• Implement knowledge checkpoints before progression: Ensure learners have mastered prerequisites before moving forward. Example: Before allowing access to your module on advanced watercolor techniques, include a quick “readiness quiz” that tests basic brush control and color mixing concepts from previous modules.

Implementation Tip: Create a visual learning path diagram for your course. Use a tool like Miro or even PowerPoint to map out how each concept builds on previous knowledge. Identify any leaps that are too large and add “bridge content” to smooth the journey.

🎯 A well-structured course not only feels easier but also improves completion rates. Moreover, a solid course structure can help integrate SEO best practices when marketing your course.

3. eLearning Challenges That Quietly Kill Engagement:

Let’s be real—no one wants to sit through a 2-hour monotone lecture with 40 slides of text.

If your course is boring, it won’t matter how valuable the content is; learners will disengage. Course content that consists of lengthy videos can quickly become dull and distracting after just a few lectures. 

It’s essential to structure the course into well-defined modules with clear subheadings or chapters. Additionally, ensure that navigation through the chapters and subtopics is smooth, so learners can easily find what they are looking for.

Research indicates that 65% of learners in the US are visual learners; therefore, instead of relying solely on lengthy theoretical explanations, it is beneficial to incorporate visual elements. For example, when explaining Newton’s second law, using visuals that depict force, mass, and acceleration can help students grasp the concept more quickly and create a more lasting impact than heavy text alone. 

To illustrate this point, a study was conducted with 19 Thai university students who participated in an online communications course over 15 sessions. Before and after the course, these students took memory tests. The results showed a significant improvement in their performance, with average scores rising from 15.05 to 19.47. 

Additionally, students reported that the course was more engaging and easier to understand due to the use of visuals. They felt that these visual aids enhanced their memory of the content, making the learning experience more enjoyable. The findings of this study highlight that incorporating visuals into teaching is an effective method for improving student learning and memory retention.

Where Courses Go Wrong:

• Walls of text, zero interactivity.
  
• Overly serious tone, no human connection.
  
• Lack of variety in content formats.

How To Spark Engagement:

• Break content into micro-learning segments: Present information in digestible chunks that fit into busy schedules. Example: Instead of a 30-minute lecture on email marketing principles, create six 5-minute videos, each focusing on a specific concept like subject line psychology or segmentation basics. Each segment ends with a quick action item the learner can implement immediately.
• Incorporate varied assessment methods: Move beyond quizzes to include projects, peer reviews, and self-reflection activities. Example: In a leadership course, include traditional knowledge checks, but also assign scenario-based exercises where learners record video responses to challenging management situations, which are then peer-reviewed using a guided rubric.
• Use storytelling and case studies to demonstrate application: Show concepts in action through relatable scenarios. Example: When teaching about investment diversification in a financial course, present a narrative about two fictional neighbors with different investment strategies and track their outcomes through various market conditions. Ask learners which neighbor they relate to and why.
• Implement gamification elements aligned with learning objectives: Use points, badges, and leaderboards purposefully. Example: In a coding course, create a “Bug Hunter” achievement system where learners earn digital badges for successfully identifying and fixing increasingly complex errors in sample code. Display a leaderboard showing top problem-solvers in the course community.

Implementation Tip: Audit one module of your course and count how many different ways learners interact with the material. Aim for at least 5 different engagement methods per module (e.g., video, text, quiz, discussion, practical application, peer feedback, etc.).

You can also go beyond content formats and build community by embedding discussion boards, reactions, or progress badges into your LMS. Small interactive elements like peer shoutouts or “achievement unlocked” notifications can go a long way. If your platform allows, encourage learners to complete “missions” tied to real-world skills and reward them—this could be as simple as recognition or as tangible as bonus points or gift cards.

💡 People don’t remember lessons—they remember experiences.

4. eLearning Challenges Due to Missing Feedback Loops:

Would you plan another big event without asking guests how the first one went? Probably not.

But many course creators never stop to ask: “How’s this working for you?”

Creating the perfect eLearning course is a challenge, and it’s important to recognize that one can never know everything about the process. Many course creators mistakenly assume that if they are passionate about a particular topic, others will share that enthusiasm, or that their teaching style will be universally understood by students. 

However, experienced eLearning content creators prioritize input from their target audience. They actively seek feedback on what topics students would like covered after completing a course. Additionally, they often use interactive polls or feedback forms to gauge student interests and identify aspects of the course that may not resonate with learners.

Embracing constructive criticism is vital for understanding the target audience. Reviewing comments and evaluations of the course can provide valuable insights into the audience’s expectations and preferences.

Costly Mistakes:

• Never gathering feedback mid-course.
  
• Only checking metrics at the end—when it’s too late.
  
• Treating your course like a finished product.

What to Do:

• Implement strategic feedback collection points: Gather input at key moments in the learning journey. Example: In a web development course, add quick pulse surveys after particularly challenging concepts like JavaScript closures or responsive layouts. Use a simple 1-5 difficulty rating and an optional comment field asking “What would have made this concept clearer for you?”
• Use multiple feedback formats for different insights: Combine quantitative and qualitative methods. Example: For a public speaking course, use analytics to track which practice exercises learners actually complete, polls to gauge confidence levels before and after key modules, and open-ended questions about which speaking scenarios still cause anxiety.
• Create a transparent improvement cycle: Show learners how their feedback shapes course evolution. Example: Maintain a “Course Improvements” page that highlights changes made based on student feedback. “You said the Excel formulas section moved too quickly, so we’ve added downloadable formula sheets and optional practice exercises for each formula type.”
• Leverage A/B testing for content effectiveness: Test different approaches to teaching challenging concepts. Example: For a particularly difficult section on accounting principles, create two different explanation approaches—one using a detailed real-world case study, another using animated visuals explaining the abstract concepts. Track which version leads to higher quiz scores and lower support questions.

Implementation Tip: Create a simple feedback dashboard using Google Data Studio or a similar tool. Track key metrics like module completion rates, time spent per section, and satisfaction scores. Review this dashboard monthly to identify content areas needing improvement.

Also, think inclusively. Ask learners how they want to be represented—this could be as simple as allowing them to choose pronouns or preferred names. You could also offer options for audio name pronunciation, screen reader compatibility, and adjustable text sizes. Accessibility isn’t a checkbox—it’s a mindset.

🛠️ Think of your course as a living product, not a one-time project.

5. Overlooked eLearning Challenges That Still Hurt Your Enrollments:

Some content mistakes seem small but snowball fast. Keep an eye out for:

• Creating generic content that doesn’t solve specific learner problems.
  
• Overloading slides with too much text and bland colours.
  
• Making videos too short to be useful or too long to hold attention.
  
• Skipping pre-launch testing (yes, your course needs a test run too).
  
• Only allowing one way to demonstrate learning, like just quizzes.
  

And here’s a sneaky one: Only allowing one method to demonstrate mastery can be restrictive. Not everyone shows what they know in the same way. It’s important to provide various means of expression—some learners excel at writing, while others may prefer projects or voice recordings. Course creators should take different learning styles into account while designing a course. Inclusivity = flexibility.

Turn These eLearning Challenges Into Strategic Wins:

Avoiding these content planning pitfalls isn’t just about survival—it’s about growth. With a few smart shifts, your course can go from “meh” to “must-have.”

Here’s your action plan to get started:

1. Conduct a learner-needs audit: Use surveys, interviews, and analytics to develop detailed learner personas that capture not just demographics but motivations, pain points, and success measures. Example: For your graphic design course, interview 5-10 potential students about what specific skills they want to develop and why. You might discover that many aren’t looking to become professional designers but want to create better marketing materials for their small businesses, shifting your focus from theory to practical templates and rapid results.
2. Restructure content around learning journeys, not topics: Map the progression of skills and confidence, not just information transfer. Example: Instead of organizing your history course chronologically, structure it around developing historical thinking skills: each module combines different time periods but focuses on skills like analyzing primary sources, identifying bias, or tracing cause and effect across events.
3. Diversify engagement methods within each module: Aim for a mix of passive and active learning experiences. Example: In your nutrition certification course, include video explanations, interactive case studies where learners create meal plans for clients with different health conditions, peer discussion prompts about challenging counseling scenarios, and practical assignments to apply concepts to their eating habits.
4. Build a systematic feedback and improvement process: Schedule regular content reviews based on learner data and feedback. Example: Create a quarterly “content improvement sprint” for your cybersecurity course. Analyze the previous quarter’s learner feedback, support tickets, and assessment results to identify the most impactful updates needed, then implement and announce these improvements to current and past students.

Final Implementation Tip: Start small. Select your course’s most problematic module based on completion data or feedback, and apply these principles to transform it. Use this “showcase module” to demonstrate the impact of improved content planning before tackling your entire curriculum.

👉 As a beginner in online course creation, the process can feel overwhelming, and it may be tempting to skip certain steps while developing your content plan. Consider using this tool to effectively plan your content strategy and swiftly advance to the next stages of eLearning course creation with our detailed guides.

Summing It All Up…

Your course may contain valuable information, but if it isn’t structured around a strategic content plan or doesn’t incorporate modern eLearning techniques, you risk losing revenue and impact. As times change, so do the mindsets and needs of learners. Course content creators must stay updated with contemporary learning methodologies to understand how today’s learners prefer to absorb information. 

The delivery method is equally important. Infuse your personality into your lectures and use storytelling techniques to engage your audience effectively. In this article, we have explored significant changes that you can make to your course content creation strategy to attract more learners. Neglecting these eLearning challenges can result in poor learner engagement, low course completion rates, and weak word-of-mouth referrals, causing your efforts to go unnoticed. 

We will discuss additional tactics and delve deeper into concepts, providing a comprehensive guide to becoming an expert online trainer in our upcoming articles. In the meantime, plan your course content using the eLearning Content Opportunity Finder. This tool will help you discover untapped content ideas and align your course with what your audience truly seeks. This is your first step toward creating a course that learners will love and complete.