Traversing the Digital Classroom: A Guide to Choosing the Right Online Course Platform
For those looking to host an online course for selected content and audiences worldwide, here is a quick guide to some popular platforms!
In the ever-expanding world of digital learning, choosing the right platform for your online course can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it's crucial to understand the pros and cons of popular platforms like Podia, Kajabi, and Teachable. This guide will delve into what each platform offers and provide essential tips for selecting the best one for your educational needs.
“Online learning is not the next big thing, it is the NOW big thing”
A Quick Guide To A Few Popular Platform Overviews-one’s that you’re sure to recognize!
Podia: Known for its user-friendly interface, Podia is a versatile platform catering to a wide range of digital products including courses, memberships, and digital downloads.
Pros: Integrated email marketing tools, no transaction fees, and excellent customer support. Podia also integrates well with other website platforms like Squarespace and Wix.
Cons: Limited customization options for course design and lack of advanced quiz features.
Kajabi: A comprehensive solution, Kajabi is not just a course platform but a full-fledged business tool. It’s ideal for those looking to build a robust online business around their courses.
Pros: Powerful marketing tools, automated funnels (known as pipelines), and advanced course creation features.
Cons: Higher cost, which might not be suitable for beginners or those with a limited budget.
Teachable: Tried and true, this platform is popular for its focus on course creation and sales, Teachable is a favorite among educators for its straightforward design and efficient functionality. It also integrates well with online website platforms like Squarespace and Wix.
Pros: Customizable sales pages, comprehensive analytics, and ability to handle EU VAT.
Cons: Transaction fees on lower plans and limited marketing tools.
But have you seen who the new kid on the block is is?
New on the course hosting scene is Squarespace! Squarespace, while primarily known for its website building capabilities, has also ventured into the realm of online courses, offering a platform for creators to share their knowledge. Here's an overview of the pros and cons of using Squarespace as an online course platform:
Pros:
High-Quality Design and Aesthetics: Squarespace is renowned for its visually appealing and professional templates. This can be a significant advantage for creating an attractive and engaging course website. For those that already have a Squarespace account, this can be a dream come true. My advice? Start small. Squarespace’s course hosting is built for smaller courses and may not be the ideal hosting solution for large courses.
Ease of Use: Squarespace's user-friendly interface makes it simple for instructors to set up their courses without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Integrated Marketing Tools: The platform provides various built-in marketing tools, including email campaigns, social media integration, and SEO features, which can be beneficial for promoting your course.
All-in-One Platform: Squarespace allows you to manage your website, blog, e-commerce, and online course from a single platform, offering a streamlined experience.
Reliable Customer Support: Squarespace is known for its strong customer support, providing assistance through live chat, email, and a comprehensive help center.
Cons:
Limited Course Management Features: Unlike dedicated course platforms, Squarespace has limited features specifically for course management, such as progress tracking, quizzes, and forums. It has also has limits to the course sizes it can host, so larger $1,000+ courses might need to find a home on a different platform.
No Native Membership or Subscription Support: For courses that require a membership or subscription model, you may need to integrate third-party applications, as Squarespace does not offer these features natively.
No In-built LMS (Learning Management System): Squarespace lacks a dedicated LMS, which can be a drawback for those looking to offer more complex courses with various educational tools and student engagement features.
Transaction Fees: If you're using Squarespace's commerce features to sell your course, you might incur transaction fees, which can reduce your revenue.
Limited Integration with External Tools: While Squarespace offers some integrations, it might not be as extensive as other platforms, potentially limiting your ability to add specific functionalities needed for your course.
In summary, Squarespace can be a great option for those who prioritize website design and ease of use and are looking for an integrated solution for their website and course. However, if your primary need is a robust educational experience with advanced course management features, you might want to consider other platforms specialized in online learning.
So, what is the bottom line? Here are 5 Key Features to Look for in an Online Course Platform
Ease of Use: The platform should have an intuitive interface, making it easy for both course creators and students to navigate. Learners should be able to locate course assets and resources easily-the quickest way to drop course completions is to make the course hard to navigate in the first place.
Customization: Look for platforms that allow you to personalize your course's appearance and user experience. You want to make sure the customization features align with your brand voice and brand style guide-you want it to look and feel like your online course is an extension of your branding already in place.
Integration Capabilities: The ability to integrate with other tools (like email marketing software, payment gateways, etc.) is vital for a seamless experience. Building an online course is a journey full of tech and software integrations-sometimes the technology side of online course hosting can be a major deterrent for many thinking they can just “set it and forget it”. Make sure your desired platform can integrate or host important features like a community space, newsletter capabilities, blog integrations, affiliate links etc.
Analytics and Reporting: Understanding student engagement and course effectiveness is crucial, so choose a platform that offers detailed analytics. Are you looking to increase the amount of course completions in this year? It may be that you want to integrate quiz features and/or completion certificates that can help your learners move through the course successfully (and quickly).
Pricing and Transaction Fees: Consider the cost of using the platform, including any transaction fees that may impact your revenue. Some platforms charge extra depending on the size of the course you wish to host.
Selecting the right online course platform is a critical decision that can significantly impact the success of your digital teaching endeavor. By considering the specific features of platforms like Podia, Kajabi, Teachable, and Squarespace, and focusing on key features that align with your needs and your learners’ needs, you can create an engaging and effective online learning environment for your students.
Remember, the best platform is one that not only meets your current needs but also has the potential to grow with your educational aspirations!
