Course Platform

Education Without the LMS Tax

Course platforms charge $99-299/month before you make a dollar. They lock your content behind their login screens. They take percentages of your revenue.

Ghost + Neutrino gives you the same features for $25/month. Your domain. Your content. Your rules.

Course Structure That Works

Curriculum as Content

Organize courses using Ghost's native features:

• Tags for modules: "Module 1: Foundations", "Module 2: Advanced"
• Featured posts for lessons: Control exact lesson order
• Table of contents: Automatic navigation for long lessons
• Progress tracking: Members see what they've accessed

The Layout System ensures lessons are readable:

• Optimal line length for learning
• Clear hierarchy for concepts
• Code blocks for technical courses
• Video embeds for demonstrations

Mixed Media Learning

Ghost 5.0 Compatibility supports every content type:

• Video lessons: Self-hosted or YouTube/Vimeo
• Audio content: Podcast-style lessons
• Downloads: PDFs, worksheets, templates
• Interactive: CodePen embeds, quizzes via Typeform
• Images: Diagrams, screenshots, infographics

Visual Learning

Full Screen Hero Cover for module introductions:

• Course hero sets expectations
• Module heroes provide waypoints
• Lesson heroes preview content
• Video heroes for engagement

Access Control

Tiered Learning Paths

Memberships & Monetization enables sophisticated models:

Free tier: Sample lessons, course previews
Basic tier: Core curriculum access
Premium tier: Bonus content, direct support
Cohort tier: Live sessions, community access

Ghost handles payment processing, access control, and member management automatically.

Drip Content

Use scheduled publishing to release lessons:

• Week 1: Foundation modules available
• Week 2: Intermediate unlocks
• Week 4: Advanced materials
• Week 6: Bonus content

Members can't rush ahead. Completion rates improve.

Student Engagement

Community Features

Built-in commenting for:

• Lesson discussions
• Assignment sharing
• Peer feedback
• Q&A threads

Engagement Tools drive participation:

• Newsletter updates for new lessons
• Author byline linking to instructor bio
• Pre-footer CTAs for next module
• Navigation CTA for enrollment

Progress Communication

Email automation via Ghost:

• Welcome sequence on signup
• New lesson notifications
• Completion encouragements
• Certificate delivery

Course Formats

Self-Paced Learning

All content available immediately or dripped weekly. Students progress independently. Comments provide async support. Perfect for evergreen topics.

Example setup: Photography basics, writing skills, programming fundamentals

Cohort-Based Courses

Registration windows. Synchronized start dates. Group progression. Live sessions via integrated tools.

Example setup: 8-week bootcamps, seasonal workshops, certification programs

Mini-Courses

Email course via newsletter. One lesson per day/week. Free for list building. Upsell to full program.

Example setup: 5-day challenges, introduction series, email workshops

Resource Libraries

Ongoing access model. New content monthly. Searchable archive. Professional development focus.

Example setup: Design resources, business templates, coding patterns

Instructor Experience

Content Creation

Write lessons in Markdown. Structure with headers. Embed videos directly. Upload resources. No complex authoring tools.

The Branding & Customization ensures courses match your teaching brand:

• Professional: Clean, academic styling
• Creative: Vibrant, inspirational design
• Technical: Code-focused, minimal theme
• Business: Corporate, trustworthy look

Student Management

Ghost admin shows:

• Member enrollment dates
• Last login activity
• Content accessed
• Email engagement
• Payment history

Export data for certificates, analysis, or migration.

Reading Experience

Modes & Contrast accommodates learning preferences:

• Light mode for daytime study
• Dark mode for code-heavy content
• System mode for consistency
• Print-friendly styling

Navigation Options help students navigate:

• Module navigation in header
• Lesson navigation in sidebar
• Resource links in footer
• Progress indicator (custom)

Why Not Course Platforms?

Teachable/Thinkific: $99+/month, transaction fees, platform lock-in, generic experience

Kajabi: $149+/month, overwhelming features, steep learning curve, overkill for most

Gumroad: Limited design options, poor student experience, basically a checkout page

WordPress + LMS: Plugin nightmare, slow performance, constant maintenance, security risks

Launch Timeline

Week 1: Outline curriculum, set up tiers
Week 2: Create first module, test access
Week 3: Build sales page, email sequence
Week 4: Beta launch to small group
Month 2: Full launch with testimonials

The Education Opportunity

Online courses are a $350B market. Most creators struggle with tech complexity and platform costs.

Neutrino removes the friction. Ghost handles the infrastructure. You focus on teaching.

Your knowledge deserves better than a locked platform. Give students an experience they'll actually complete.