What Is the Best Platform to Sell Online Courses?
Online courses have become an incredible way to share expertise, reach a global audience, and build a profitable business. But with so many platforms available, it’s natural to wonder, "What is the best platform to sell online courses?" This article will break down the top platforms, there features, and the factors you should consider before making a choice.
Introduction to Selling Online Courses
Selling online courses opens the door to flexible income, creative freedom, and the chance to help others learn. But to create a smooth experience for both you and your students, it’s important to pick the right platform—one that offers user-friendly tools and powerful marketing support.
Key Features to Look for in an Online Course Platform
Before diving into specific platforms, let’s highlight what makes a good course-selling platform.
User-Friendly Interface
A straightforward platform will save time, allowing you to focus on creating content rather than struggling with complicated tools. Look for intuitive design, easy navigation, and clear course management features.
Customization Options
Your course is unique, so your platform should let you customize. Features like branding options, customizable layouts, and unique design choices help you create a distinct learning environment.
Payment Processing
Make sure the platform supports various payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and international payments. This ensures easy access for students globally.
Marketing and Sales Tools
A platform with built-in marketing tools—email marketing, landing pages, and sales funnels—can boost visibility and conversions, helping you reach your target audience more effectively.
Course Delivery Options
From video lessons to quizzes, interactive content, and downloadable resources, your platform should support multiple formats, enhancing the learning experience.
Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters
Choosing the right platform directly impacts your brand’s image, your ability to reach students, and ultimately, your course’s success. The platform you select will influence everything from user experience to how you promote your courses, so it's worth taking the time to pick the one that suits your needs.
Top Platforms for Selling Online Courses
Now, let’s explore some of the top platforms for selling online courses and see what each one offers.
Kajabi
Overview of Kajabi
Kajabi is a well-regarded all-in-one system designed to create, market and later sell online courses. Because Kajabi's tools deliver a full setup, it's useful for someone who wants to create a course, but also wants their marketing integrated into the same platform.
Kajabi Pros and Cons
Pros: All-in-one platform, advanced marketing tools, customizable.
Cons: Higher price, complicated to begin with.
Get Free 30 Days trial of Kajabi
Teachable
Overview of Teachable
Teachable is a simplified content platform. It's a user-friendly platform that is easy to set up and reasonably priced. It is equally useful for beginners or experienced instructors needing a no-fuss solution.
Teachable Pros and Cons
Pros: Easy to use, cheap, customizable payment plans.
Cons: Limited marketing tools, limited customization.
Thinkific
Overview of Thinkific
Thinkific provides flexibility and customizability when creating courses, centered on course creators who prefer the ease of use while still maintaining control over the layout of the courses they create.
Pros and Cons of Thinkific
Pros: Excellent customizability, scalable, and no transaction fees.
Cons: Limited email marketing tools, and some advanced features are only with higher plans.
Udemy
Udemy is a marketplace platform. It means it houses courses by creators around the world, and provides access to a huge audience. However, all the means also mean a lack of control over branding and pricing.
Pros and Cons about Udemy
Pros: Huge audience, free to list courses, marketing assistance.
Cons: Limited branding, highly competitive, commission based income.
Podia
Podia is a cost-effective platform that prioritizes simplicity and usability. It's suitable for people with smaller businesses or are individual creators who require a user-friendly platform.
Podia Pros and Cons
Pros: Easy to use, no transaction fees, you can sell digital products.
Cons: No customization, limited marketing features.
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Comparison of Features Across Platforms
Best Platforms Based on Different Needs
Best Course Creation Tools for Beginners
Teachable and Podia are great options if you are new to creating courses online because they are simple and intuitive.
Best Course Creation Tools for Marketing Tools
If marketing tools are a must-have for your online course, we recommend Kajabi because it has built-in email marketing, automation, and sales funnels.
Best Course Creation Tools for Customization
If you want maximum customization, then Thinkific is a great option that allows you to personalize course layouts and connect with third-party services.
Best Course Creation Tools for Cheap
If you are budget conscious, we recommend Podia as a lower-cost option with plenty of features to get started creating and selling your online course, without losing quality.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business
When you are figuring out the best platform, here are a few things to think about:
The Budget: What is your budget? Some platforms are more expensive than others, but pack more value in terms of functionality.
Audience Size: Are you trying to reach a large audience? Marketplaces like Udemy provide instant access to larger audiences.
The Marketing: How in-depth of a marketing suite are you looking for? Kajabi and Thinkific have more extensive marketing functionality.
Contents Type: If you have video and audio content, make sure your platform supports it seamlessly.
The Future: Look to the long term. Make sure you are selecting a platform capable of growing with your company.
In the booming space of online courses, the question, "What is the best platform to sell online courses?" is largely driven directly by your goals, budget, and audience. The marketplace offers countless options, from all-in-one solutions like Kajabi, marketplaces like Udemy, to more affordable platforms like Podia - and little things to consider with each - so take the time to weigh all of your options, take them for some test drives, if possible, and come to the decision that best aligns with the vision you have for your course.
