Choosing the Best Online Course Platform for Your Business

This blog post  provides a detailed comparison of popular course creation platforms including Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, and Thrivecart. It is designed to help you choose the platform that best suits your financial constraints, technical comfort, and business needs.

Table of Contents:

1. Kajabi

2. Teachable

3. Thinkific

4. Podia

5. Thrivecart

6. Summary and Recommendations

1. Kajabi

Overview:  

Top Recommendation for established business owners with consistent income and no financial constraints.

Pros:

- Exceptional chat support and customer service.

- Comprehensive help center.

- All-in-one software, includes all necessary features.

- Visually appealing landing pages.

- Numerous testimonials from successful businesses.

- Beneficial affiliate program that requires active subscription.

Cons:

- Higher cost makes it less suitable for beginners.

- Complexity due to robust customization options may challenge those uncomfortable with technology.

- Despite having native community features, the creator community is hosted on Facebook.

 2. Teachable

Pros:

- Highly popular among course creators, well-established reputation.

- Unified Teachable login allows access to multiple courses easily.

- Extensive integration options due to its popularity.

Cons:

- Significant price increase effective January 2023, frustrating many existing users.

- Payouts delayed by 30 days on the free plan.

- Reserves 10% of transactions for the first 45 days to cover potential chargebacks and refunds.

- Higher plans required to avoid added transaction fees, yet priced similarly to Kajabi without comparable features.

 3. Thinkific

Pros:

- Specialized focus on course selling.

- Well-known within the course creation industry.

- Integration with Shopify and various other platforms.

Cons:

- Account creation required prior to checkout, potentially reducing conversion rates.

- Frequent prompts to upgrade.

- Interface and course design are considered less attractive.

 4. Podia

Overview:  

Top Recommendation for beginners on a budget.

Pros:

- User-friendly for beginners.

- All-in-one software capability, though email marketing comes at an additional cost.

- Includes comprehensive website and blogging functionality.

- Active creator community not based on Facebook.

Cons:

- Limited feature depth and customization.

- Difficult to scale.

- Transaction fees on basic plans; higher plans required to avoid these fees.

 5. Thrivecart

Pros:

- Lifetime access through a one-time payment.

- No transaction fees aside from standard credit card processing.

- Attractive affiliate program offering 50% commissions.

Cons:

- No free trial available.

- Limited customer support options; lacks live chat.

- Sustainability concerns due to the one-time fee model.

- Occasional technical glitches

-Absence of an "undo" button in checkout processes.

Summary

If you’re an established business owner with consistent revenue and want to streamline your online business, go with Kajabi.

If you’re a new business owner or just delving into the creating your first online course, go with Podia.

If you already have an email marketing provider and website builder, and just need a platform to sell and deliver your courses, then go with Thrivecart.

This blog post includes affiliate links. See the full affiliate disclosure here.

Toddlers Can Read Review (& Discount Code!)

TLDR: Although I haven’t fully completed the course, I have seen so much progress in my son’s reading since we started it. He is much more confident and excited about reading. If you’re looking for a discount code, you can save 10% here!*

I want to share my personal experience with the Toddlers Can Read program* and how it has impacted my journey in teaching my son to read before kindergarten. When it comes to teaching reading, it hasn't always been in my comfort zone. I used to believe that children naturally pick up on reading, but when it didn't happen that way for my son, I knew I needed to be more intentional about his reading education.

I stumbled upon Spencer's program and was initially drawn to it because it felt achievable. The bundle came with flashcards and books, which immediately caught my attention. The flashcards were of great quality and featured both letter names and everyday items, making learning engaging and fun. The books, featuring diverse characters, were also a big plus for me as I prioritize representation in my kids' books.

My son had already picked up some letter sounds and blending skills from Spencer's free YouTube content, so we decided to test out the reading and were pleasantly surprised by his progress. Watching him gain confidence as he read through the books made it all worth it. The program's step-by-step approach and letter sounds assessment were especially helpful in gauging my son's progress and areas for improvement.

One of the challenges I faced was incorporating the program into our daily routine. With a bustling household and preschool to manage, finding consistency was tough. Despite not completing the entire course, the progress we made in the initial phase was remarkable. To those hesitant about teaching their child to read, I recommend exploring Spencer's free content as a starting point to gauge potential progress.

In the second half of this video, I provide a real-time demonstration with my son. It wasn't rehearsed, showing the authentic ups and downs of our learning journey. (Update : This clip has since been removed to protect my kids’ privacy).

Through this experience, I have come to realize the value of small actions in our everyday lives. Just like Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule, which encourages taking action within 5 seconds to break through procrastination, the small actions within the Toddlers Can Read program* have brought significant positive changes. 

If you are looking for a discount code for the Toddlers Can Read program, you can use my code “SONIA10” or click here to save 10%*. 

*This review is not sponsored, I bought this course with my own money. I am an affiliate for the program which means I may make a commission for purchases made through my link. Thank you for your support!

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5 Signs It's Time To Start a YouTube Channel For Your Business

Are you feeling exhausted from the endless grind of creating daily posts and reels on Instagram? Are you looking for a more sustainable and efficient way to generate income for your business? If so, you might want to consider starting a YouTube channel. In this article, we'll discuss five signs that indicate it's time to start a YouTube channel for your business this year. From leveraging SEO to repurposing podcast content, we'll explore the key indicators that suggest YouTube could be the next best step for your business.

Sign 1: You’re feeling social media burnout

If you're experiencing burnout and frustration with the daily demands of Instagram, it's a clear indicator that it might be time to explore other platforms like YouTube. While Instagram is undoubtedly valuable, the pressure to constantly create and curate content can be overwhelming. By transitioning to YouTube, you can plan and schedule your content strategically, posting less frequently while still maximizing your reach and impact.

Sign 2: Already Have a Podcast

If you're already producing podcast content, consider repurposing it for YouTube. Recording yourself during your podcast sessions and posting the videos on YouTube can open up a new avenue for reaching and engaging with your audience. This approach not only streamlines your content creation process but also enhances your visibility through search engine optimization (SEO), giving you an edge in organic discoverability.

Sign 3: You want to leverage SEO and Organic Marketing

YouTube offers a powerful platform for enhancing your discoverability through SEO. Unlike other marketing channels that might require significant financial investments, YouTube allows you to establish yourself as an authority and connect with your audience organically. By leveraging the search capabilities and recommendation features of YouTube, you can accelerate your growth and reach a wider audience in a more cost-effective manner.

Sign 4: You are willing to Play the Long Game

Starting a YouTube channel requires a commitment to the long game. It's not about instant success, but rather about building a library of valuable content over time. By consistently creating and sharing videos, you can establish your expertise, build trust with your audience, and create a lasting impact. While the process may require dedicated effort over an extended period, the potential rewards in terms of reach and engagement make it a worthwhile investment.

Embracing the YouTube Journey

YouTube success doesn't happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to grow and evolve over time. By embracing the journey and committing to creating regular content for your channel, you can tap into the vast potential of YouTube as a platform for storytelling, education, and engagement. As you build a library of videos, you'll increase your visibility and credibility, setting the stage for long-term success.

Conclusion

When it comes to expanding your business's online presence and impact, starting a YouTube channel can be a game-changer. By recognizing the signs that indicate the right time to start, you can position yourself for success in the dynamic world of digital content creation. From diversifying your content repurposing strategies to leveraging the power of SEO, YouTube offers a multitude of opportunities for growth and visibility. So, if you're ready to take your business to the next level, consider the signs and embark on your YouTube journey today.

Whether or not to start a YouTube channel hinges on a few crucial factors. First, review the state of your online presence and examine the level of burnout and frustration you're experiencing, particularly related to the need for constant engagement on other social media platforms. Next, consider your existing forms of content creation. Perhaps you're already producing podcast content, but the next step is to repurpose it for YouTube and benefit from new search engine optimization opportunities. The channels of organic marketing are also explored, as well as the value of embracing the long-term commitment to building your library of diverse content. Make sure to carefully assess these points to determine if it's truly the right time to take the leap into creating a YouTube channel for your business.