Building a Website Like Udemy or Coursera Laravel: Step-by-Step Guide

According to recent studies, the E-Learning Market size is projected to grow at 20% CAGR from 2022 to 2028. That’s over 100% growth! People are always going to learn. And we don’t judge their desire to do it from the comfort of their home, right?

So, we say starting an online learning platform is worth it in 2025, too!

So, here, we at ProCoders will show you:

• the features of a winning Laravel application
• how to make money with it
• what tech stack to choose
• how to build an e-learning platform

Additionally, we’ll show you how to approach building modern web applications like Coursera Plus, a subscription service that provides unlimited access to a vast array of courses, hands-on projects, and career certificate programs.

Let’s go!

Recommended: How to Create an Online Education Platform?

Defining the Project Scope for Secure Web Applications

Defining the project scope is a crucial step in any web development project. It involves identifying the project’s objectives, deliverables, and timelines before other project-related functionality.

In the context of the powerful Laravel framework and PHP, defining the project scope involves understanding the client’s requirements, identifying the necessary features and functionalities, and determining the best approach to implement them in a modern Laravel application.

By incorporating external PHP libraries to create a task management system and implementing essential security measures, developers can ensure that their projects are well-organized and secure. This process lays a solid foundation for building modern web applications, allowing for an efficient project management system and the seamless integration of various project-related functionalities.

Udemy and Coursera: A Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coursera	Udemy
Pricing model	Subscription-based and individual course pricing	Individual course pricing
Number of courses	Over 4,000 courses	Over 130,000 courses
Average course price	Over 4,000 courses $49-$99	$9.99-$199.99
Revenue model	Monthly subscription fee, course certification fee	Course sales, promotions
Key features for students	Interactive learning experiences, project-based learning, peer feedback	Wide range of courses, lifetime access to course content, flexible learning options
Key features for teachers	Ability to create and sell courses, access to a large student community, earn revenue	Ability to create and sell courses, course analytics, flexible course creation options

How Does a Website Like Coursera and Udemy Make Money?

Donation

Offering free training materials and asking users to make donations at their discretion comprise this monetization strategy. Even though it’s not the most reliable source of income, non-profit organizations and commercial companies might still make investments in enhancing your open-source platform. As an example, Google and AT&T donated over $10 million to Khan Academy.

Premium Services

In this approach, consumers must pay for extra materials or services, but access to lessons is free. These premium services could consist of distance learning, longer courses, additional audio and video content, etc. This strategy can produce a steady income and offers value to consumers who are prepared to pay for additional services.

Corporate Partnerships

You can form partnerships with companies and provide them with great deals. Thus, you raise funding for your platform and increase its popularity. This model is particularly useful for business-related courses and training.

Verified Certificates

Users can have free access to courses and training materials. However, if they want a certificate after they pass a course, they have to buy it. People are going to do it because certifications improve their credentials.

Paid Subscription

This is a straightforward way of monetizing an e-learning platform. A fee is charged regularly, and it is recommended to offer different payment plans to meet the needs of different users.

An annual subscription is a great example. Your users save 10-20% compared to monthly payments. However, this eliminates the possibility they will leave during this year, so you’re still profiting.

Tech Stack for Web Development: How PHP Backend Capabilities Help

To build feature-rich applications like Udemy or Coursera, you need a solid tech stack. Setting up a proper development environment is crucial for effective web application building and deployment. But what does it consist of? Let us clear things up:

Component	Options
Programming Languages	PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, Node.js
Front-end Framework	React, Angular, Vue.js
Database Management System	MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
Video Hosting and Streaming	Amazon S3, Vimeo, YouTube
Payment Gateway Integration	PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net
Analytics Tools	Google Analytics, Mixpanel
Content Delivery Network	Cloudflare, Akamai, MaxCDN

How to Make an E-learning Platform Like Udemy or Coursera: Steps and Advice

Step 1. Preparation and Project Formation

Here are some of the fundamental basics at this stage:

• conduct market research
• assess the needs of your target audience
• determine what features and services they need

This data helps you create a unique value proposition. It also shows what your solution will do and who will use it.

Step 2. Tech Stack Leveraging PHP

The tech stack you choose has a major impact on the performance and scalability of your platform. PHP backend capabilities help you build feature-rich web applications with ease.

We’ve seen many people try to choose the most complex tech with the illusion that it will work best. Learning how PHP can help you build feature-rich web applications is important. And we can help you get to know the dynamic PHP language better, discover advanced Laravel concepts, and find out if it’s the one for your project portfolio.

Step 3. Design and Build Similar Sites Like Udemy

Design

• Create a user-friendly interface (UI) that’s visually appealing and easy to navigate.
• Focus on intuitive user experience (UX) to make the platform practical and enjoyable for users.
• Prioritize responsiveness so the platform works well across devices, from desktops to smartphones.

Development

• Implement all the planned features and services, ensuring they align with your goals.
• Use scalable technologies for fundamental database structures and functionality to allow for future updates and growth.
• Implement features and services using the powerful Laravel framework to build robust applications.
• Test accessibility to make the platform usable for all audiences.

Step 4. Testing

Testing is a critical step to identify and fix potential issues before your platform goes live. This stage ensures that your product is reliable, functional, and delivers the experience you intended. It includes several key areas:

Functional Testing

• Verify that every feature and service works as planned.
• Check workflows and processes to confirm they align with user expectations.

Performance Testing

• Assess how the platform handles different levels of traffic and load.
• Optimize speed and responsiveness for all devices.

Usability Testing

• Gather feedback from real users to identify areas for improvement.
• Test navigation, design elements, and overall user experience.

Implementing Essential Security Measures and Security Testing

• Identify potential vulnerabilities to protect user data.
• Test compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Ensure robust session security to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access.

At ProCoders, we can guide you through this process, using our expertise to help test and refine your platform for maximum reliability and user satisfaction.

Step 5. Launch

The launch is the moment your platform goes live and becomes available to users. This stage includes:

• Deploying the platform to production.
• Monitoring performance to address any immediate issues.
• Gathering early user feedback for future improvements.

With ProCoders, your launch will be smooth and well-coordinated, ensuring your platform is ready to impress from day one.

Step 6. Continuously Improve Your Platform with an Efficient Project Management System

Collect feedback from your users, monitor your metrics, and make continuous improvements to your platform to meet the changing needs of your users.

ProCoders’ Impact in Building a Website Like Coursera, Udemy, or EDX

As a team of skilled developers at ProCoders, we understand how to create an educational website successfully. We focus on proper planning, which makes design, development, launch, and maintenance easier. We mitigate risks and always have a solution for a problem.

We have a proven track record of delivering solutions on time and within budget. Our developers have helped more than 150 teams complete their projects.

They can join at any stage. But, of course, ProCoders recommends approaching a product responsibly from day 1. This means going for a Discovery Phase, where our team:

• Collaborate to clarify your vision and goals.
• Identify key features, target audience, and technical needs.
• Assess potential challenges and validate ideas with technical insights.
• Develop a clear plan with timelines, priorities, and deliverables.
• Provide detailed estimates for time, costs, and team composition.

Here are some of our cases in the industry.

Quartz Network

We were approached by Quartz Network to help bring their innovative idea of a B2B platform to life. The platform is a one-stop online destination for professionals. They can network and learn there. Features include

• deep library of courses
• online conference spaces
• matching based on interests

We at ProCoders thoroughly researched and implemented a complex full-stack solution for Quartz Network, including an administrative panel, a deep library of coursework, a matching system for profiles and vendors, a payment system, and an individual system for meetings and discussions.

Our team worked directly with Quartz Network, and the whole process was seamless. As a result, hundreds of courses are now available, and successful conferences have been conducted. Quartz Network is now well-prepared for exciting opportunities ahead, thanks to the stable platform built by ProCoders.

Membean

Membean is a learning platform with interactive tools to help students memorize things easily. The company faced a common challenge that many education technology companies face. That is, how to make an eLearning platform that is scalable and user-friendly.

Our team of experienced developers was able to step in and offer a solution. We used React.js, Node.js, and AWS to build a scalable platform for Membean. We improved the platform’s performance, making it faster and more efficient for users.

The results? The platform is now:

• more user-friendly
• more scalable
• faster than ever before

We are proud to have helped Membean reach their goals. Besides, we’re continuing to provide ongoing support and maintenance for the platform.

Your PHP project can become the next successful story! Whether you’re interested in launching a cryptocurrency token or have another innovative idea, contact us at ProCoders and let’s discuss your product! Learn more about creating a cryptocurrency token.

Conclusion

ProCoders has the comprehensive understanding and experience in working with various technology stacks that include the Laravel database and other elements that can help you build learning platforms like Udemy or Coursera.

We can build feature-rich applications by integrating PHP and the powerful Laravel framework that gets so much attention now. It’s essential to have a strong team of developers who can handle any development and technical issues that may arise during the Laravel project. By following the steps we provided for your practical video lessons app, a solution for managing projects effectively, or a website for comprehensive exploration of any topic, you can build a user-friendly, seamlessly integrating, and engaging product!