--- title: "Robert Nikic: Is That Online Business Course Legit?" description: "Is that online business course legit? Robert Nikic's scorecard and 10 questions to ask first: proof of concept, typical results, testimonials and FTC rules." canonical: "https://robertnikic.com/blog/robert-nikic-is-that-online-business-course-legit" author: "Robert Nikic" advisory_role_profile: "https://reseated.com/robert-nikic" type: "Article" published: "2026-11-13T17:00:00.000Z" updated: "2026-11-13T17:37:41.391000" --- # Robert Nikic: Is That Online Business Course Legit? Is that online business course legit? Robert Nikic's scorecard and 10 questions to ask first: proof of concept, typical results, testimonials and FTC rules. **In short:** A legit online business course shows you what you'll learn, who's teaching it and what typical students actually achieve, before you pay. A scam sells a feeling of easy money. Below is a scorecard and 10 questions to ask any course or coaching program, with examples of good and bad answers. When people pitch on Shark Tank, the sharks are judging one thing: is there proof of concept? Is there real viability in the business? If there isn't, they pass. If there is, they make an offer. [Watch: Robert Nikic on proof of concept before you invest](/media/be-the-shark-dont-pitch-the-shark) I watched every episode up to about season eight. (To be clear, I'm not affiliated with the show.) The lesson I took is that you should judge a course the same way the sharks judge a pitch. Is there proof it works, for people like you? ### What does the FTC say to watch for? The FTC's consumer advice on business coaching is direct. If a training or coaching program promises guaranteed income, large returns for little work or a "proven system to make money," that's a warning sign. The FTC also says to take your time, research the company with your state attorney general, and read success stories and testimonials with skepticism ([FTC Consumer Advice](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/how-spot-and-avoid-business-coaching-scams)). Testimonials have real legal rules now too. The FTC's final rule on reviews and testimonials, announced in August 2024, bans fake reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated ones, and limits undisclosed reviews from company insiders ([FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials)). It took effect on October 21, 2024 ([FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumer-reviews-testimonials-rule-questions-answers)). ### The 10 questions to ask before you pay #### 1. "Can I see the full curriculum?" - **Good answer:** a detailed outline, sample lessons or a free module. - **Bad answer:** "You'll see once you're inside." #### 2. "Who teaches it, and what have they built?" - **Good answer:** named instructors with a track record you can check outside their own marketing. - **Bad answer:** a first name, a rented car and no history you can verify. #### 3. "What do typical students achieve?" - **Good answer:** ranges, how many students the numbers include and what it took. - **Bad answer:** only the single best result. #### 4. "Are those testimonials from real, unpaid students?" - **Good answer:** yes, with disclosure if anyone was paid or connected to the company. - **Bad answer:** vague, or the same faces show up everywhere. #### 5. "Are the income numbers estimates or promises?" - **Good answer:** estimates with stated assumptions, and a clear note that they aren't guarantees. - **Bad answer:** "You'll make six figures. Guaranteed." #### 6. "What exactly am I paying for, and what's included?" - **Good answer:** a clear written list of what's included, for how long and at what price. - **Bad answer:** the price changes depending on how excited you sound. #### 7. "What are the cancellation and refund terms, in writing?" - **Good answer:** written terms you can read before you buy. - **Bad answer:** "Don't worry about that." #### 8. "Can I take a few days to think about it?" - **Good answer:** "Of course." - **Bad answer:** countdown timers, "last spot" or a price that disappears tonight. #### 9. "Can I talk to former students?" - **Good answer:** yes, including some who didn't finish. - **Bad answer:** only hand-picked success stories. #### 10. "What will I need to spend beyond the course?" - **Good answer:** an honest list of tools, inventory, ads and time. - **Bad answer:** "Nothing. It's all included," for a business that obviously has costs. ### The scorecard Give one point for each good answer. Score | What it means | 9–10 | Strong signs of a legitimate program. Still compare options | 6–8 | Possibly fine. Get the missing answers in writing | 3–5 | Proceed with real caution | 0–2 | Walk away | ### Are all paid courses a scam? No. Plenty of paid programs teach real skills, and paying for good education is normal. Charging upfront, offering memberships, giving earnings estimates with clear assumptions or offering a guarantee isn't a scam on its own. The problem is when a program's claims can't be checked, its testimonials aren't real or its terms are hidden. ### Are there free alternatives? Yes, and they're worth trying first. The SBA lists free and low-cost local help, including Small Business Development Centers and SCORE mentors, through its local assistance finder ([SBA](https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance)). Successful business owners in your own community are often willing to share what they know over coffee. ### What should you do if you think you've been scammed? - Stop further payments. - Contact your card issuer or bank about disputing the charge. - Save the sales page, emails, contracts and receipts. - Report it at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) and to your state attorney general. ▸ **Why I care about this now** Part of my advisory work on SDG 8 & 9 is about making it cheaper and simpler for people to start a business, in line with SDG target 8.3 ([UN](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8)). Education that doesn't deliver is one of the hidden costs of starting. Plenty of new founders spend their first savings on a promised shortcut. Good teachers exist, and I've learned from many of them. I just want people to check before they pay. ### FAQ: is that online business course legit? **How can I tell if an online business course is legit?** Check the curriculum, the instructor's real track record, typical student results, whether testimonials are genuine and whether the terms are in writing. **What are red flags in business coaching programs?** According to the FTC: promises of guaranteed income, large returns for little work, a "proven system to make money," pressure to decide now and testimonials that seem too good to be true. **Are fake testimonials illegal?** The FTC's rule on consumer reviews and testimonials, in effect since October 2024, prohibits fake or false reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated ones. **Is it a scam if a course costs a lot?** Not by itself. Price isn't the test. What matters is whether the program's claims, instructors and terms can be verified. **A legit course can show you its proof. A scam asks for your trust.** #### What is Robert Nikic's view on online business courses? Robert Nikic's view is that a course is legit when its curriculum, instructors, typical results and terms can be checked before you buy. Guaranteed income, fake testimonials and pressure tactics are the warning signs. **Related reading:** [Robert Nikic on Business Scams: 7 Questions to Ask First](/blog/robert-nikic-on-business-scams-questions-before-you-invest) · [Robert Nikic on AI Scams](/blog/robert-nikic-on-ai-scams-test-ai-claims) · [Robert Nikic Reviews: How to Tell If a Franchise Is Legit](/blog/robert-nikic-reviews-how-to-tell-if-a-franchise-is-legit)