The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Online Course Platform for Your Business Needs
In today’s digital age, businesses have a powerful tool – online courses.
These courses can help businesses expand their reach, establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry, and generate revenue.
However, creating and managing an online course can be challenging, especially if you don’t have the right platform to host it.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of online course platforms and help you choose the best one for your business needs.
Benefits of using an online course platform
Before diving into the different types of online course platforms, let’s look at why you should be using one.
Firstly, online course platforms offer a convenient way to host and manage your courses. Instead of having to create and manage your own website, you can use an online course platform that has all the necessary features and tools to create a successful course.
Secondly, online course platforms offer a range of features to enhance your course, such as quizzes, assessments, and discussion forums.
These features can help keep your students engaged and motivated throughout the course. Finally, online course platforms offer an easy way to monetize your courses.
You can set your pricing; some platforms even offer payment and subscription options.
Types of online course platforms
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of using an online course platform, let’s take a look at the different types of platforms available. There are three main types of online course platforms:
All-in-one platforms
All-in-one platforms offer a complete solution for hosting and managing your online courses. They typically include features such as course creation tools, hosting, payment processing, and marketing tools. Examples of all-in-one platforms include Kajabi, Thinkific, and Teachable.
Course marketplaces
Course marketplaces allow you to create and sell your courses alongside other instructors.
These platforms typically take a percentage of your sales in exchange for handling the hosting, marketing, and payment processing.
Examples of course marketplaces include Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare.
WordPress plugins
If you already have a WordPress website, you can use a plugin to turn it into an online course platform.
WordPress plugins offer a range of course creation and management features, but they require some technical knowledge to set up and customize.
Examples of WordPress plugins include LearnDash, LifterLMS, and WP Courseware.
Factors to consider when choosing the best online course platform
Choosing the right online course platform can be daunting, especially with so many available options. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Your budget
Online course platforms can vary in price, with some offering a free plan and others charging hundreds of dollars per month.
Consider your budget and choose a platform that offers the features you need at a price you can afford.
Your course goals
Think about the goals for your course and choose a platform that aligns with them.
For example, to create a course focusing on community engagement, look for a platform offering discussion forums and social features.
Your technical abilities
Consider your technical abilities when choosing an online course platform. If you’re uncomfortable with technology, look for a platform with a user-friendly interface and good customer support.
Your branding needs
If branding is essential to your business, look for a platform that offers customisation options. This will allow you to customize the look and feel of your course to match your brand.
Features to Look for in an online course platform
Now that you know what to consider when choosing an online course platform, let’s take a look at some of the features you should be looking for:
Course creation tools
Look for a platform that offers course creation tools that are easy to use and allow you to create engaging and interactive content.
Hosting and security
Ensure the platform offers reliable hosting and security features to ensure your course is always available and your student’s data is kept safe.
Marketing tools
Look for a platform that offers marketing tools, such as email marketing and social media integration, to help you promote your course and reach your target audience.
Analytics and Reporting
Analytics and reporting tools can help you track your course’s performance and make data-driven decisions to improve your course.
Popular online course platforms – Udemy, Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi
Now that you know what to look for in an online course platform, let’s take a look at some of the most popular platforms available:
Udemy
Udemy is a course marketplace that allows you to create and sell courses alongside other instructors.
They offer a range of features, including course creation tools, hosting, and payment processing.
Udemy takes a percentage of your sales in exchange for handling the marketing and payment processing.
Teachable
Teachable is an all-in-one platform that offers course creation tools, hosting, payment processing, and marketing features.
They provide a range of customization options and integrations with other tools.
Thinkific
Thinkific is an all-in-one platform that offers course creation tools, hosting, payment processing, and marketing features. They offer a range of customization options and integrations with other tools.
Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that offers course creation tools, hosting, payment processing, and marketing features. They offer a range of customization options and integrations with other tools.
Pricing and payment options
Pricing and payment options can vary between online course platforms.
Some platforms offer a free plan with limited features, while others charge a monthly fee for access to more advanced features.
Regarding payment options, look for a platform that offers a range of options, such as credit card payments, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
Integrations and customization options
Integrations and customization options are essential if you want to integrate your online course platform with other tools and customize the look and feel of your course.
Look for a platform that offers integrations with popular tools, such as email marketing services and payment gateways.
When it comes to customization options, look for a platform that allows you to customize the look and feel of your course to match your brand.
Customer support and user experience
Customer support and user experience are essential when it comes to choosing an online course platform.
Look for a platform that offers good customer support, such as email support or a knowledge base.
User experience is also important – look for a platform that offers a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use features.
Final considerations before choosing an online course platform
Before making your final decision, here are some final considerations to keep in mind:
Your course content
Consider the type of content you want to include in your course and choose a platform that offers the necessary tools and features to create that content.
Your target audience
Consider your target audience and choose a platform with features and tools that appeal to them.
Your business goals
Consider your business goals and choose a platform that aligns with them.
For example, to create a course that generates revenue, look for a platform that offers payment processing and monetization options.
Conclusion
Choosing the best online course platform for your business needs can be a challenging task. Still, with the right information and considerations, you can make an informed decision that will ultimately lead to the success of your online course business.
Consider your budget, course goals, technical abilities, and branding needs when choosing a platform, and look for features such as course creation tools, hosting, security, marketing tools, and analytics and reporting.
With the right platform, you can create a successful course that provides value to your audience and helps you achieve your business goals.
