How to set up enrollment and payment for courses and trainers?
Education has three different sales, each requiring different setup: semester courses (8 weeks, fixed days), single-event workshops (one date, limited seats) and private lessons (student's chosen time). Squeezing all three into one "booking" causes capacity overruns and payment confusion.
Three models, three setups
Semester courses — sold like products (semester fee), lessons processed on calendar. Registration closes when full.
Workshop/event — single date, limited people. Closes when full; advance payment is nearly mandatory here.
Private lessons — classic booking: student's chosen time, instructor's availability.
Details: Add a product · Add a service · Set up appointments
Capacity and waitlists
Keep capacity realistic — "let's take one more" harms experience and class. When full, enrollment closes; if someone drops, a spot opens.
Payment: upfront, installments, or per-lesson
| Model | Typical payment |
|---|---|
| Semester course | Upfront or 2-3 installments |
| Workshop | Upfront (locks capacity) |
| Private lesson | Per lesson or package |
For installment payments, send separate payment links for each; all post to the student record.
Details: Create a payment link · Get paid by card · Create an invoice
Attendance and communication
Student records show past lessons and payments. Attendance, missed topics, and make-up conversations become record-based. In-semester announcements (holidays, room changes) go out as one message to all.
Details: Add a customer · Email your customers
New cohort announcement: easiest sales
When you open a new cohort, the first list to email is last semester's students and people who considered signing up but didn't. Before paid ads, reach this list.
What your site needs
- Course schedule: day, time, duration, level
- Price — "message for info" kills signup rates
- Trainer bio (people buy the instructor)
- FAQ: age limits, materials, make-ups, refunds
- Location and map; for online, platform info
Details: Manage your pages · Show your location on a map
Common mistakes
Not showing remaining capacity. "3 spots left" speeds signups.
Skipping refund/makeup policy. Mid-semester is when this gets argued most.
Making signup forms too long. Name, contact, course choice is enough; collect details later.
Forgetting past students. They're the cheapest source for new cohorts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set capacity limits? Define workshops/group lessons with their own duration and participant limit.
Can I do installment payments? Send separate payment links for each installment; all post to student record.
Can I also manage online courses? Yes; put the link in the confirmation and reminder messages.
Can I see student history? Yes, one card shows lessons and payments.