Online Course Platform an All-in-One Solution (Which One)

Team Zenler Author

May 09, 2024 |

So what is an Online Course Platform and how will it make my life simpler when I sell online courses?

This article will take you through not just what it is but more importantly why you should choose an All-in-One Online Course Platform. 

Online course platforms, often referred to as LMS (Learning Management Systems), take the trouble out of setting everything up yourself, which can be overwhelming. 

Remember, the goal is to teach and make sales; why get involved in all the trouble of adding plugins and backend other subscription services into a site that you will have to keep updating until the end of time!

Benefits of Choosing an Online Course Platform:

Show me the value of choosing an All-in-One platform

1. Everything is in one place, as the name suggests, it's an All-in-One Solution.
2. No extra subscriptions or additional tools (at least not with Zenler).
3. No development costs or you having to add new features.
4. No additional costs outside of the yearly or monthly fees.
5. No hosting fees, even with huge amounts of media.

Definition of an Online Course Platform 

All-in-One is the way to go, saving you time and money long term

The All-in-One solution means it's all self-contained; each platform works slightly differently, and some may contain different features from others. 

But one thing they all have in common is a central place to run your Online School or Online Membership site. 

Usually, this means they contain email list building, marketing funnel, and of course, membership and course tools. 

Some platforms contain some of these features, and others contain all; these all come at a monthly or yearly cost.

Key Features of an Online Course or Membership Platform 

Make sure the platform is fit for purpose

Here is a breakdown of some features you should definitely look for in an Online Course Platform, as the name All-in-One suggests, it should be just that!

1. Ability to sell online courses through multiple payment gateways.
2. Take multiple payment types like "Payment Plan," "One-off," "Subscription," and "Free."
3. Be able to send emails out and authenticate your email for better deliverability.
4. Be able to run both Courses and a Membership site or both.
5. Many lesson/media types should be able to be added easily.
6. Dripping of content.
7. Surveys, Quizzes, and assignments.
8. Marketing Funnels.
9. Be able to add pages.
10. Freedom to design the way you want via templates or a page builder.
11. Be able to run Lives and charge for lives.
12. Create Coupons.
13. Create automations that fire emails on trigger actions.
14. A solid education system with easy-to-access support.

Pretty big ask, right? (Most platforms do not include all these points) Zenler has got you covered; we cover every point and more, just so you know :)

How to Choose Your Perfect All-in-One Platform? 

Make a choice based on your needs

Now let's look at making a decision; you will have to have a clear plan of what you want to do, so having a flexible platform from the onset is vital as your learning model may change once you start to create your course. 

The last thing you want is to realize you cannot do what you need because that vital feature is missing!

What are your requirements and what to look for with an All-in-One platform?

Analysing your short and long-term goals as a course creator

• What features do you need now?
• How easy is the platform to learn the basics? (with Zenler, 2-4 hours)
• Jot down your ideal student's journey.
• Think of the future and what you might do.
• Set up a session with the support team at the chosen platform so you can ask questions.
• Does the platform have a free trial?
• Do they have a good education area?
• Do they charge extra for addons?
• What are the costs?
• What are the reviews like?

All of these points should be considered and analyzed; don't rush in, think about it, see reviews, or ask in any connected groups.

Online Course Platforms Worth Exploring:

Here are some platforms worth investigating

1. Zenler: Yes, that's us :) This is an all-in-one platform built from the ground up around Marketing (the biggest pain point for course creators), designed with cutting-edge features. Zenler's mantra is you need nothing else, no external subscription; we even have a Zoom built-in, yes, you do not need a Zoom account!
2. Kajabi: Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that allows users to create, market, and sell their online courses, coaching programs, and membership sites. It offers extensive marketing tools and automation capabilities to help creators effectively manage and grow their digital businesses.
3. Thinkific: Thinkific is a user-friendly online course platform that enables entrepreneurs and businesses to create, market, and sell their own custom courses. It provides robust tools for course creation, including video hosting, quizzes, and certification, and offers extensive customization options to match the course creator’s brand.
4. Teachable: Teachable is a popular online learning platform that allows individuals and businesses to create and sell courses and coaching services. It offers powerful tools for building engaging learning experiences, seamless payment integrations, and features for enhancing student engagement and retention.
5. Podia: Podia is a versatile digital marketplace that lets creators sell online courses, memberships, and digital products. It stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, allowing creators to launch without the need for technical skills. Podia also supports direct messaging with customers and includes marketing tools to aid in sales growth

...and many more that you should definitely look around for.

Platform Price: A Big Factor for New Course Creators! 

One of the biggest reasons people like to take the DIY approach is they think it saves money. 

I understand this; you have no money to spare and want to do it cheaply. I get it, really, but trust me, the time and energy and the extra subscriptions you will have to buy anyway usually add up to more than the platform cost itself, at least with Zenler (shameless plug, but true!). 

As a new course creator, you want to be up and running quickly and also for a low cost. Most platforms give you a 30-day free trial, but that's nowhere near the amount of time you need!

At Zenler, we have a fully functional Free Plan. No 30-day nonsense; yes, it's limited in features, but it all works and means you can build your site and bring money in. 

We know you will upgrade; we just like to give you time, and even with our paid plans, you still get 30 days to try it out, without losing your site if you decide not to upgrade—a WIN/WIN in our books!

A Platform's Support is so Important to Your Success!

We believe online education and training should be free to all 

When looking at the ideal platform, support we feel is one of the most important criteria. Having a base of users and official support by the platform is of the utmost importance.

Being able to attend workshops, have access to live support, and do on-demand training to get you where you need to be but not just platform related but also how to be better and how to market yourself, you need a thorough education system and somewhere you can go if there is a technical problem.

Make sure the platform offers all of this; at Zenler, we have, without doubt, the best community spirit and education system on the planet. 

We believe in too much, not too little, and guess what? It's all free even to our Free Plan users. Find out more about us here.

As you can see, selecting a good Online Course Platform is not that hard

Do your research and find the platform suited to your needs

Just follow our tips, and your decision will be easier and less frustrating long term. 

Check out all our amazing blogs while you're here; we have a treasure trove of great articles all waiting for you. 

And like all things Zenler, we give it to you FREE. 

Visit the blog and open your eyes to the massive opportunities your skills could bring you!

The Bottom Line from us at Zenler 

Discover Zenler: The Trusted Online Course Platform

We understand the importance of making an informed decision when choosing an online course platform. That's why we encourage you to thoroughly research your options. 

At Zenler, we believe our platform speaks for itself through the experiences of our users.

Rather than relying on hard-sell tactics, we let our satisfied users and positive reviews do the talking. Their testimonials and feedback are a testament to the quality and value we provide.

At Zenler, we foster a sense of community among our users. We view them as an extension of our family, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported.

Join the growing number of individuals who have embraced the Zenler experience. Explore our platform, read the reviews, and see for yourself why Zenler is the preferred choice for online learning

Categories: : MARKETING HELP