One of the most important decisions a digital course co-producer will make is selecting the right platform to host the course. This isn’t just a technical choice — it impacts the student experience, the course’s scalability, and the success of your marketing strategy.
Whether you’re working with a small workshop or a full-scale signature course, the platform needs to support your launch plan, your audience, and your budget.
In this article, we’ll explore the key factors you need to consider, compare popular platforms, and help you make an informed decision as a co-producer.
Why the Platform Matters
A course platform is where your product lives. It’s where students:
- Access the course content
- Make payments
- Watch videos or download materials
- Engage with your expert (if applicable)
A bad experience here can lead to refund requests, low engagement, or bad reviews — even if your content is excellent.
Step 1: Define Your Course Format
Before choosing a platform, clarify how your course will be structured.
Ask yourself:
- Will it be pre-recorded or live?
- Will it be self-paced or cohort-based?
- Will you offer quizzes, certificates, or community interaction?
- Do you need drip content (released over time)?
- Will there be upsells or cross-selling?
✅ Your course structure will directly impact your platform needs.
Step 2: Determine Must-Have Features
Here are the most common features co-producers and experts look for:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Video hosting | Smooth playback, good quality |
| Mobile-friendly | Learners use smartphones more than ever |
| Payment integration | For global or regional currency handling |
| Student progress tracking | Know who completes what |
| Email automation | For onboarding and marketing |
| Affiliate management | For growth and visibility |
| Multilingual support | If your audience is international |
| Custom branding | Keep the course aligned with the expert’s image |
✅ Make a list of your non-negotiables before reviewing any tool.
Step 3: Consider the Budget
Co-produced courses often start with limited investment. Some platforms offer free tiers or charge a percentage of each sale, which might be more accessible at the beginning.
Budget Models:
- Percentage-based (e.g., Hotmart, Gumroad)
- Flat monthly fee (e.g., Teachable, Thinkific)
- All-in-one premium (e.g., Kajabi, Kartra)
✅ Choose based on launch size and revenue projection.
Top Platforms for Hosting Online Courses
Let’s look at some of the most used platforms for co-producers and creators:
1. Hotmart
- Very popular in Latin America and Europe
- Good for launches and affiliate programs
- Handles payments, hosting, email integration
- Supports upsells, split payments, and student area
✅ Great for beginners who want an all-in-one launch-friendly system.
2. Teachable
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in payment processing
- Custom domains and branding
- Sales and coupon tools
- Affiliate system included
✅ Ideal for creators with small to mid-sized audiences.
3. Thinkific
- Clean, flexible course layout
- Strong community tools
- Excellent student tracking
- Works well with Stripe and PayPal
- Offers quizzes, surveys, and certificates
✅ Best for co-producers who want control over course structure.
4. Kajabi
- All-in-one: course + website + email + CRM
- Excellent design and automation tools
- High monthly cost, but professional feel
- Mobile app available
- Pipelines to guide customer journey
✅ Best for co-producers managing high-ticket courses or large audiences.
5. Gumroad
- Super simple interface
- One-time products or subscriptions
- Supports digital products and memberships
- Lower fees for beginners
- Lightweight student experience
✅ Perfect for mini courses, eBooks, or first launches with small audiences.
6. Podia
- Great balance between simplicity and features
- Includes webinars and digital downloads
- Community and email features built-in
- Live chat support
- Affordable pricing tiers
✅ Great for co-producers who want flexibility and great UI/UX.
Step 4: Test Before You Commit
Most platforms offer free trials or demos. Use this time to:
- Upload sample lessons
- Customize branding
- Set up a payment test
- Explore the student dashboard
- Review support documentation
✅ Make sure the expert you’re working with feels comfortable too.
Step 5: Plan for Growth
Think long term. Even if you’re starting with a simple setup, your platform should support:
- More courses in the future
- Additional features as needed
- Payment in other currencies or regions
- Marketing automation as your strategy evolves
✅ Switching platforms later is possible, but time-consuming — choose with scalability in mind.
Final Thoughts: The Best Platform Is the One That Works for You
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. As a co-producer, your job is to choose the tool that matches your expert’s needs, your marketing plan, and your budget.
If you’re launching your first course: go simple.
If you’re building a brand: go scalable.
If you’re managing multiple products: go all-in-one.
Let your platform support your strategy — not define it.