We’ve all been there — excited to join a new course, only to log in and instantly feel... off. 😬 Something’s clunky. Something’s pushy. Something’s just not right. That, my friend, is the ick — and once your students feel it, it’s game over.

In this post, we’re diving into the Top 3 Course Icks that make students ghost your program (even if your content is 🔥)… and how to clean them up so your student experience builds trust, retention, and referrals.

This post is based on an episode from The Course Flow to Cash Flow Show — if you prefer to watch, scroll up and hit play 🎬

💡 What Is a Course “Ick”?

Think of it like a red flag in a situationship — the kind that sends you running, even if everything should be fine on paper. If you’ve seen Nobody Wants This on Netflix, you know what I mean: Joanne gets the ick and suddenly, Noah (who’s actually perfect for her) doesn't stand a chance.

Online courses are no different.

Your students are building a relationship with you — but unlike real life, they can’t read your tone, energy, or intentions. They’re reacting to the materials you’ve already built. If something’s confusing, misaligned, or a little bit gross? They disengage. Quickly.

Let’s break down the top 3 icks and what to do instead. 👇

🚩 Ick #1: The Up-Front Upsell

“Congrats on buying — now give me more money!”

Picture this: You just bought a course. You’re feeling good. Proud. Excited.

And the very first thing you see is… another pitch.
Maybe it’s in the welcome video, or the “thanks for joining” email, or even the thank you page. 🫠

If you just celebrated me for joining, and now you're trying to upsell me? That’s not celebration. That’s manipulation.

✅ What to Do Instead

Actually celebrate your students. Help them feel like they made a great choice.

THEN, once they’ve had a win or two, earn the right to tell them about your other offers.

🎯 A 3-step way to do this well:

1. List the upsells or next-step offers you could promote
   
2. Choose the right moment in the program to introduce them
   
3. Frame them as support, not sales
   

💡 Example: In my Course Complete program, we have a VIP Tech Upsell — but I don’t mention it again until we reach the tech phase. At that point, it’s relevant and helpful, not intrusive.

🚩 Ick #2: The Confused Clickathon

“Where’s the thing I paid for???”

You log into a course portal and... chaos. 🤯

• Modules out of order
  
• Random bonus links with no explanation
  
• No welcome or orientation
  
• Drip content without context
  

That excitement? Gone. Now your student is overwhelmed and irritated.

✅ What to Do Instead

Make your onboarding slick AF. Your goal is to eliminate confusion and give students confidence.

🔑 Answer these 3 questions up front:

1. Where does everything live?
   (Content, calls, bonuses — be specific.)
   
2. What’s not available yet? Why? When will it be?
   
3. How do I navigate the platform?
   

💡 Use a welcome video, a clickable checklist, or even a PDF roadmap. Just don’t assume they’ll “figure it out.”

🚩 Ick #3: The Bait-and-Switch Bonus

“Wait… wasn’t this the main thing?”

Your sales page says one thing… but the course portal says another.
Suddenly the feature that sold them is labeled as a “bonus,” delivered last, or worse — upsold.

💀 That’s not just annoying. That’s a trust break.

✅ What to Do Instead

Your sales page should match your portal. Period.

• Core promises = core content
  
• Bonuses = enhancements
  
• Delivery = as expected (or better!)
  

🧠 Pro Tip: If you build up a specific process or feature on your sales page with testimonials, before/afters, and big claims — it better not show up as an afterthought in your course. That’s how you trigger a full-blown group chat mutiny (true story).

🎯 Final Thoughts: These Icks Are Preventable

None of these issues are hard to fix. But they have a massive impact on your program’s success.

✨ When you remove the ick, you make your program:

• Easier to complete
  
• Easier to recommend
  
• Easier to sell again and again
  

This is the exact work we do in our Course Audits and Done-For-You Builds — creating a seamless experience that aligns with your offer and leads to real results.

✅ Call to Action

💬 What’s YOUR biggest course ick? Drop it in the comments of the video — I’d love to hear what made you check out of a program (and maybe feature it in a future post 👀).

👉 Want help fixing these in your course? Book a Course Audit with me here: www.cre8tion.co/discover
🔔 And subscribe on YouTube for more real-talk tips to grow your course-based business.

❓ FAQ

What is a course ick?

A course “ick” is a moment where a student feels turned off, confused, or disrespected inside your program — enough to disengage or leave.

Why do students quit courses early?

Often it’s not the content — it’s the experience. Things like poor onboarding, misaligned promises, or confusing navigation create friction that leads to dropoff.

Can upsells work in a course?

Yes! But timing and delivery matter. Upsells should feel supportive, not salesy — introduced at the right moment in the journey.

How can I make my portal easier to navigate?

Create a clear welcome module with a walkthrough video, roadmap PDF, or checklist that answers key questions. Bonus points if you add due dates or suggested pacing.

What’s a Course Audit?

It’s a done-for-you review of your existing program. We identify friction points, missed opportunities, and ways to improve your student experience so you increase completion and referrals. Learn more by booking a call here.