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Institute playbook · 7-day launch

How to start an online coaching institute

From legal structure to first enrolled student — the 7-day checklist for starting an online coaching institute in India.

Launch your institute See what it costs

The 7-day checklist

Week 1 — from idea to first student

  • Day 1 — Legal. Register as proprietorship / LLP / Pvt Ltd. Get GSTN if you expect >₹20L turnover. Open a current account.
  • Day 2 — Brand. Pick a name, buy the domain, design a logo (or use an AI generator).
  • Day 3 — Tech. Sign up on Igniter, upload logo, generate branded APK. Set up custom domain.
  • Day 4 — Content. Add your first course module, upload video/PDFs, create 1 mock test.
  • Day 5 — Payments. Connect Razorpay. Set fee structure and GST settings.
  • Day 6 — Launch. Submit APK to Play Store. Publish website. Run a soft-launch discount.
  • Day 7 — Enrol. Share Play Store link via WhatsApp/Instagram to existing students.

What it costs

Realistic first-year budget

  • Legal + GST registration: ₹3,000–₹15,000 (one-time)
  • Domain + email: ₹1,000–₹3,000/year
  • Logo / branding: ₹0 (DIY) – ₹10,000 (designer)
  • Platform (Igniter): ₹0 upfront, 5% of actual sales
  • Marketing (Insta ads, YouTube): start with ₹5,000–₹25,000
  • Total first-year cost if you do ₹5L revenue: ~₹50,000 all-in.

Platform cost

₹0 to set up. 5% only when a student pays.

Branded mobile app

₹0

Native Android app with your name, logo, and colors. Published to Play Store.

Custom website

₹0

academy.com–style site with course catalog, checkout, blog. SSL & hosting included.

Per sale only

5%

Charged only when a student pays for a course. Excludes payment gateway. No sale = no fee. Ever.

Real example · ₹1,000 course sold

You keep

₹930

Igniter fee

₹50

Razorpay / UPI

₹20

Start free — no credit card

Week 1 is all you need to go from zero to enrolled.

Your institute's own branded app, website, and payments — in 7 days.

Start this week

Free · No credit card · Live in minutes · Or book a 20-min guided demo

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need GST registration to start?

Only if you expect annual turnover above ₹20 lakh. Under that, you can operate without GST, though voluntary GST helps with B2B clients.

Do I need to be incorporated as a company?

Not mandatory. A sole proprietorship is fine for starting out. Upgrade to LLP or Pvt Ltd if you plan to raise capital or hire.

What about content — do I need pre-recorded lectures first?

Not mandatory. Many new institutes start with live classes only, then build a recorded library over time.

How much should I spend on marketing in month 1?

Start with ₹5K–15K split across Instagram + YouTube ads targeting your existing followers. Organic (sharing with current students) converts best in the first month.

Can I run my institute part-time while keeping a day job?

Yes. Many coaches run evening/weekend classes while employed. Igniter's admin works on mobile so you can manage between meetings.

What's the fastest way to get my first 100 students?

If you have existing students/followers, move them to your app with a 30–50% launch discount. If starting cold, pair a free seminar series (Instagram Live + YouTube) with a paid-course CTA.

Explore more

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