If you’re a coach, having courses would be a valuable addition to your business. However, it is important to determine the best way to deliver them such as a third-party platform. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right platform for your coaching courses.

Your platform will impact everything from the quality of your user experience to the ease with which you can manage your content and track your progress. Since there are so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know how to get started. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of choosing the right platform for you.

Step 1: Determine Your Needs

The first step in choosing the right platform for your coaching courses is to determine what you need from it.

What features are most important to you? Here are some features to consider:

  • Course creation tools: Do you need a platform that offers tools for creating your courses, such as course builders and content management systems?
  • Marketing and promotion tools: Do you need a platform that can help you promote your courses, such as email marketing, social media integration, and affiliate programs?
  • Analytics and reporting: Do you need a platform that provides detailed analytics and reporting on student engagement and course performance?
  • Payment processing: Do you need a platform that offers built-in payment processing, or will you be using a third-party payment processor?
  • Support: Do you need a platform that offers customer support. If so, what level of support do you require?

After you’ve identified your needs, you can start looking for platforms that meet those needs.

Step 2: Research Your Options

Each platform has its own set of features and pricing options. Some popular options include:

  • Teachable: This platform offers course creation tools, marketing and promotion tools, analytics and reporting, and built-in payment processing. Pricing starts at $39/month.
  • Thinkific: Thinkific offers similar features to Teachable, with pricing starting at $49/month.
  • Kajabi: Kajabi is a more advanced platform that offers course creation tools, marketing and promotion tools, analytics and reporting, and built-in payment processing, as well as features like website hosting and email marketing. Pricing starts at $149/month.
  • MemberVault: For $99/month, you could have unlimited products and students. They also offer a 14-day trial.
  • Podia: Podia offers course creation tools, marketing and promotion tools, analytics and reporting, and built-in payment processing, with pricing starting at $39/month.

There are also a variety of smaller, more specialized platforms available, such as Udemy and Skillshare, that may be a good fit for certain coaching niches.

Step 3: Compare Features and Pricing

Once you’ve identified a few potential platforms, it’s time to compare their features and pricing. Consider factors like:

  • Course creation tools: Does the platform offer the tools you need to create high-quality courses?
  • Marketing and promotion tools: Will the platform help you reach your target audience and promote your courses effectively?
  • Analytics and reporting: Does the platform provide the insights you need to track your progress and optimize your courses?
  • Payment processing: How does the platform handle payments, and what are the fees?
  • Support: What level of customer support does the platform offer, and how responsive is it?

Be sure to also consider pricing. Some platforms offer a flat monthly fee, while others charge based on the number of students you have or the amount of revenue you generate. Make sure you understand each platform’s pricing model and calculate the potential costs before making a decision.

Step 4: Test Each Platform

Now that you have a few options, go ahead and test each platform. Most platforms offer a free trial period or a demo that you can use to get a feel for the platform and its features. The demo are usually pre-recorded videos that are accessible from their website. Some of them also have the option to do a live demo with one of their reps.

Take advantage of these opportunities to test your shortlisted platforms. Pay attention to their ease of use, course creation tools, marketing and promotion features, and customer support. By seeing them in action, you will have a better understanding of how they could work for you.

Step 5: Make Your Decision

After testing each platform, it’s time to make your decision. Choose the platform that best meets your needs, fits your budget, and provides the best user experience for your students.

Some additional factors to consider when making your final decision include:

  • User experience: Is the platform easy to use for both you and your students? Is it visually appealing and well-designed?
  • Customization: Does the platform allow you to customize your courses and branding?
  • Scalability: Will the platform be able to grow with your coaching business as it expands?
  • Integrations: Does the platform integrate with other tools and software you use, such as email marketing tools or your website?

Remember that no platform is perfect, and it’s important to choose one that aligns with your specific coaching business needs and goals.

Step 6: Set Up Your Courses

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to set up your courses. Take advantage of the platform’s course creation tools and customization features to create engaging, high-quality courses that will provide value to your students.

Be sure to also take advantage of the platform’s marketing and promotion features to reach your target audience and promote your courses effectively.

Step 7: Monitor and Optimize

After your courses are up and running, it’s important to monitor their performance and optimize them as needed. Use the platform’s analytics and reporting features to track student engagement and identify areas for improvement. Make adjustments to your courses and marketing strategies based on the insights you gather, and continue to monitor and optimize as your coaching business grows and evolves.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right platform for your coaching courses is a critical decision that requires careful consideration of your needs and goals. By following the steps outlined, you can choose a platform that provides a high-quality user experience for both you and your students. Your platform of choice will also help you achieve your coaching business goals.