Thinking about making your own online course? It's a pretty smart move these days. Lots of people are looking to learn new things from home, and if you've got something to teach, there's a good chance folks will pay for it. But figuring out where to build and sell your course can be a bit much. There are so many course creation websites out there, all promising to be the best. Don't worry, I've looked into a bunch of them to help you pick the right one.
Key Takeaways
- Course marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare are good for beginners because they have built-in audiences, but you'll share revenue.
- Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific give you more control over your brand and pricing, but you'll need to do your own marketing.
- Kajabi and Kartra are all-in-one solutions, offering marketing tools alongside course creation, which is great for serious course creators.
- Consider your tech comfort level; some platforms are super easy, while others, like LifterLMS, need more technical know-how.
- Always check the pricing models – some have monthly fees, some take a percentage of sales, and some have both.
1. Arlo
Arlo is a platform that's designed to help you plan events and classes with ease. It's pretty intuitive, responsive, and, honestly, just easy to use. One of the coolest things about Arlo is its automated email reminders for attendees. It's a real time-saver!
I remember when I first started using Arlo, I was surprised at how quickly I got the hang of it. The interface is clean, and everything is laid out in a way that makes sense. Plus, those automated emails? They're a lifesaver. No more manually reminding everyone about upcoming sessions!
Here's a quick rundown of what makes Arlo stand out:
- Easy course scheduling
- Automated communication features
- Integrated payment processing
Arlo is an all-in-one training management platform with features to create online courses, deliver them and sell them. If you're looking for a platform that can handle pretty much everything related to online learning, Arlo is definitely worth checking out.
2. Udemy
Udemy is a huge online learning marketplace. It's a great place to start if you're new to creating and selling courses online. Think of it as a giant online school where anyone can create an online course and share their knowledge.
One of the best things about Udemy is its built-in audience. You don't have to start from scratch trying to find students; Udemy already has millions of users actively looking for courses. Plus, they offer marketing programs to help promote your course, like featuring it in email blasts or including it in site-wide discounts. Of course, Udemy takes a share of the sales generated through these promotions.
Udemy also provides marketplace insights to help you choose the right course topic. You can see how popular a topic is, its search volume, related keywords, and even check out top-earning courses in that category. It's like having a crystal ball for course creation!
However, there are a few downsides. Udemy has a steep revenue share structure, especially for sales they generate. Also, you need to apply and be accepted to offer paid courses. But overall, Udemy is a solid option for launching your first course and reaching a large audience.
Udemy makes it super easy to get started. They have a guided course creation flow, so you don't need a ton of design or editing skills. It's all about getting your knowledge out there!
3. Skillshare
Skillshare is pretty cool, especially if you're into creative stuff. Think of it as a big online classroom where you can learn everything from drawing to photography. It's got a real community vibe, which is awesome for getting feedback and seeing what others are up to.
Skillshare is great for teaching creative skills.
Instead of focusing only on the final product, Skillshare encourages students to share their work in progress, get feedback, and make changes. This is perfect for creative topics. It's all about learning and growing together, which I think is pretty neat. Plus, setting up a course is quick and easy, which is always a win.
Skillshare classes usually have video lessons, a project, and community discussion. Each class includes 20-60 minutes of video, broken down into 2-5 minute lessons. The practical project then ensures hands-on experience. Finally, the community portion of a class allows students to post their work.
Here's a quick rundown:
- Great for creatives
- Easy course setup
- Community-focused learning
On the flip side, you gotta do video, and there aren't many options for assessments. Customization is also pretty limited. But hey, if you're all about sharing your creative skills, it's definitely worth checking out. It's a great platform to teach your craft online.
4. Teachable
Teachable is a pretty popular platform, and for good reason! It's designed to let anyone create and sell online courses, which is awesome if you're looking to share your knowledge and make some money. It's especially great for solopreneurs who want to build a business around online education.
Teachable lets you sell courses, coaching sessions, digital downloads, and even memberships. You can customize the look and feel of your course pages, which is a nice touch. They've got some AI features in beta that can help you generate course outlines and content, which is a cool starting point. Plus, you can price your courses in different ways – one-time fees, payment plans, or subscriptions. There's a lot of flexibility there.
One thing to keep in mind is that Teachable's customization options are a bit limited. They only have three design templates, so if you're looking for something super unique, you might need to get your hands dirty with some code. Also, while they have a lot of built-in marketing features, their pricing structure might not be as scalable as some other platforms. But overall, it's a solid choice for getting your online courses FreshLearn offers up and running.
5. Thinkific
Thinkific is a solid choice for anyone serious about building and selling online courses. It's like that reliable friend who's always there to help you get things done. Thinkific is known for its user-friendliness and robust features, making it a great option whether you're just starting out or already have a bunch of courses under your belt.
One of the things I appreciate about Thinkific is its focus on course creation. It's not trying to be a million different things; it's really good at helping you build and sell courses. They've got a drag-and-drop builder that makes structuring your content super easy, and they support all sorts of multimedia formats, so you can really make your courses engaging.
Thinkific operates on a subscription model, with several plans available to suit different needs and budgets. They also use TCommerce to manage bookkeeping, reporting, and taxation, which can save you a ton of time and hassle. Plus, they offer features for sales and marketing, like creating sales pages and managing coupons, to help you boost your enrollments and revenue.
Thinkific is a great platform for training providers, individual educators, and businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that balances ease of use with a solid set of core LMS features. It's a good option if you want a straightforward setup process and don't need extensive customization or advanced marketing capabilities.
Here's a quick look at their pricing:
- Basics: $49/month
- Start: $99/month
- Grow: $199/month
- For Business: Available upon request
Thinkific also integrates with other tools like HubSpot, which can be a big plus if you're already using those platforms. Overall, Thinkific is a solid, dependable platform that can help you create and sell amazing online courses.
6. Kajabi
Kajabi is often seen as the all-in-one platform for course creators who are serious about building a brand. It's not just about hosting courses; it's about creating an entire ecosystem for your online business. Think of it as your website, marketing tools, and course platform all rolled into one.
Kajabi is a great option if you want a streamlined, integrated solution and are willing to pay a premium for the convenience and marketing focus.
With Kajabi, you can create courses with all sorts of content, like audio, video, and even live sessions. Plus, it has features for quizzes, polls, and progress tracking, which can make your courses feel more like a real academy. It's got built-in email marketing, too, which is super handy.
Kajabi is used by many successful course creators because it offers more than just course hosting. It's a suite of tools designed to help you grow and scale your business, from website templates to advanced email automation.
However, it's worth noting that Kajabi can be on the pricier side, and it might not be the best fit if you need extreme customization. For those just starting out, a Udemy alternative might be a better fit.
7. Kartra
Okay, so Kartra is like that all-in-one Swiss Army knife for your online course business. I remember when I was piecing together different tools – an email service here, a landing page builder there. It was a mess! Kartra puts everything under one roof, which is a huge time-saver.
Think about it:
- Email marketing
- Landing pages
- Video hosting
- Membership sites
- Helpdesks
It's all there. Plus, they have this cool marketplace where you can buy templates and resources from other course creators. Why reinvent the wheel, right? It's got a bit of a learning curve, sure, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty powerful. If you're looking to streamline business operations, Kartra might be your answer.
I used to spend hours switching between different platforms, trying to get everything to work together. Now, with Kartra, it's all integrated. It's like going from a chaotic construction site to a well-organized workshop.
8. Podia
Podia is like that friendly neighbor who's always ready to lend a hand. It's designed to be super easy to use, so you can quickly create and launch your online courses without getting bogged down in tech stuff. Think of it as an all-in-one shop where you can manage and sell digital products without needing a million different tools.
It's not just for courses, either. You can sell digital downloads, coaching sessions, and even set up membership sites. Everything is in one place, which is pretty neat. Podia's storefronts all use similar templates, which can be a plus if you find too many choices overwhelming. Each store's landing page includes an overview, a "What's included" section, a content section, and testimonials.
Podia is great if you want something straightforward and easy to manage. It might not have all the bells and whistles of some other platforms, but it gets the job done without a headache.
Here's a quick rundown of what makes Podia stand out:
- Easy to use interface
- All-in-one platform for various digital products
- Simple and clean storefront templates
- Good customer support
9. LearnWorlds
LearnWorlds is a pretty cool platform if you're serious about creating and selling online courses. It's not just about slapping some videos together; it's about building a branded learning experience. I mean, who doesn't want their own online school, right? It's got all the features you'd expect, plus some extras that make it stand out.
LearnWorlds is great for those who want a lot of control over how their platform looks and feels, without getting bogged down in the techy stuff of managing a WordPress site. It's like having a custom-built solution without needing to code everything from scratch.
One of the things that makes LearnWorlds interesting is its focus on interactive video. You can embed quizzes and calls to action right into your videos, which is a neat way to keep learners engaged. Plus, it has a website builder, so you can host your courses and create landing pages all in one place. It supports subscriptions, memberships, and one-time purchases, giving you flexibility in how you sell online courses.
Here's a quick rundown of what LearnWorlds offers:
- Customizable course player
- Interactive video features
- Website builder included
- Supports various payment models
LearnWorlds pricing starts at $24/month (plus $5 per course sale) for the Starter plan, which includes unlimited paid courses, drip content, and AI features. They also have higher-tier plans with more features and support for growing businesses. It's definitely worth checking out if you want a platform that can grow with you.
10. LifterLMS
LifterLMS is a WordPress plugin, which means you'll need a WordPress site to use it. It's designed to be super flexible, letting you create all sorts of courses, from simple ones to full-blown learning programs. If you're already familiar with WordPress, you'll probably find it pretty easy to get the hang of. If not, there might be a bit of a learning curve, but hey, that's part of the fun, right?
LifterLMS is great because it gives you a lot of control over your course platform. You can customize pretty much everything to fit your brand. Plus, it integrates with a bunch of other WordPress plugins, so you can add extra features like membership options or e-commerce tools. It's a solid choice if you want a platform that can grow with you and your course offerings.
One thing to keep in mind is that while the core LifterLMS plugin is free, you'll likely need to purchase some add-ons to get the most out of it. These add-ons can add up, so it's worth considering your budget and what features you really need before diving in.
Here's a quick rundown of what LifterLMS brings to the table:
- Course Creation: Easy-to-use tools for building and structuring your courses.
- Membership Functionality: Create membership sites alongside your courses.
- E-commerce Integration: Sell your courses directly through your site.
And here's a little table to give you a clearer picture:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Builder | Drag-and-drop interface for creating course content. |
| Memberships | Create and manage membership levels. |
| Payment Gateways | Integrates with popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe. |
| Integrations | Works with other WordPress plugins for added functionality. |
| Customer Support | Documentation and community forums for support. |
LifterLMS is a solid option if you're comfortable with WordPress and want a platform that offers a lot of flexibility and customization. Just remember to factor in the cost of add-ons when planning your budget. You can find LifterLMS subscriptions to fit your needs.
Wrapping Things Up
So, there you have it! We've looked at a bunch of great places to build and sell your online courses. It's pretty cool how many options are out there, right? No matter if you're just starting out or you've been doing this for a while, there's a platform that can help you share what you know with the world. It might seem like a lot to figure out, but picking the right spot for your courses can make a big difference. Just think about what you want to teach and who you want to reach. Then, go for it! You've got this, and it's going to be awesome to see what you create.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online course platform?
The best online course platform for most people who want to create courses is Kartra. It has everything you need to make and sell online courses, all in one place. This includes tools for making your course content, setting up a clear course plan, sending marketing emails, starting your own affiliate program, building a website with your own domain name, and ready-made templates for your course pages. It's one of the best systems I've used for an online school, and it costs less than $100 to get started with everything you need to create and sell courses.
How do I create an online course?
You create an online course by figuring out what you're really good at and what people are willing to pay to learn. Once you know that, you pick a platform to host your course and start putting your materials together. You should begin with the main idea and build everything up from there. For example, if your course is about cooking, you'd start with basic recipes and then add more complex ones.
Can I sell courses online?
Yes, you can absolutely sell courses online. Many people make a living by sharing their knowledge through online courses. Platforms like Kartra and Kajabi make it easy to set up your courses and sell them to students all over the world. It's a great way to turn what you know into money.
How do I choose the right online course platform for me?
When picking an online course platform, think about what you need. Do you want to build a community around your course? Do you need tools to market your course? How much control do you want over your course's look and feel? Some platforms are better for beginners, while others offer more advanced features for experienced course creators. Also, consider the cost and how much of a cut the platform takes from your sales.
Can I offer certificates for my online courses?
Yes, many online course platforms allow you to offer certificates of completion. This is a great feature because it lets your students show off what they've learned to potential employers. Platforms like Kartra and Kajabi are known for having this option. Make sure the platform you pick offers this, as it can be a big selling point for your courses.
Which online course platforms are actually legitimate?
Legitimate online course platforms include Kartra, Kajabi, Thinkific, and Mighty Networks. Other good choices are e-commerce shopping carts that also let you create courses, like SamCart and ThriveCart. I've never come across a course creation platform that was a scam. The only issue sometimes is that some course software might not have enough marketing tools or claim to be all-in-one when they're not. I personally don't recommend Teachable because its marketing tools are not great, its sales pages look old, and its system is very basic. It lets you make courses, but that's about it.