Digital course creator? Online education guru? Just a cool person wanting to improve the lives of others?
If you’re doing all that and more with an online course – or, if you’re considering adding online courses to your product list in the near future – choosing the right platform to host and sell your courses is crucial to your success. With a plethora of options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not, because we’re here to simplify the process for you!
Key takeaways:
- The online course platform you use directly impacts how easily you can create, sell, and scale your online courses.
- Online learning platforms that combine course creation, hosting, payments, and marketing in one place (like ThriveCart Learn+) allow you to focus more on impact and less on tech.
- Mobile responsiveness, third-party integrations, and strong customer support ensure your course platform can grow with you and adapt to your evolving needs.
At ThriveCart, we understand the unique needs of course creators, which is why we’ve curated a checklist of nine must-have features of online course platforms you should use. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your course business, this checklist will serve as your roadmap to success.
ThriveCart has all these features – and many more.
1) Course creation and hosting
Gone are the days of complex course creation processes. You need a platform that offers intuitive course creation tools, allowing you to effortlessly upload content, organize modules, and customize the learning experience for your students.
Even better if your online course software can build, host, and sell online courses all in one platform. ThriveCart’s LMS (Learn and Learn+) is where you can keep all your essential knowledge, marketing power, and students in one place. It allows you to create courses using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for lessons and modules, making it easy to organize content.
2) Seamless payment processing
A reliable payment processing system is essential for monetizing your courses. Choose a platform that supports multiple payment gateways, offers flexible pricing options, and ensures secure transactions for you and your students.
With global payment options, subscriptions and free trials, ThriveCart gives you the power and flexibility to let your students pay exactly how they want, when they want (and lets you charge what you want).
👀➡️ RELATED READING | ‘The Best Payment Methods for Selling Online (Updated for 2025)‘
3) Customizable sales pages
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to selling your courses online. Opt for a platform that enables you to create visually stunning and conversion-optimized sales pages with ease, allowing you to showcase the value of your courses and entice potential students to enroll.
Our templates don’t just look good; they’re easy to customize for the highest possible conversions, plus you can A/B test to see what’s working. With embeddable carts, you can leverage the power of external platforms like Convertri (a sibling company to ThriveCart) to host even more complex checkout pages.
4) Built-in email marketing integration
Building and nurturing relationships with your audience is key to long-term success. Look for a platform that integrates seamlessly with email marketing tools, allowing you to automate email sequences, segment your audience, and deliver targeted messaging that drives engagement and sales.
With Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Drip, and more, ThriveCart’s got you covered.
👀➡️ MORE FROM THE BLOG | ‘16 Tips to Streamline Your E-commerce Checkout Experience‘
5) Comprehensive analytics dashboard
Data-driven insights are essential for optimizing your online course business. Choose a platform that provides a comprehensive analytics dashboard, allowing you to track key metrics such as enrollment rates, student engagement, and revenue growth, and make informed decisions to drive your business forward.
We love data here at ThriveCart. That’s why our analytics dashboard is such an important piece of the platform.
6) Mobile responsiveness
In today’s mobile-centric world, ensuring that your courses are accessible on all devices is non-negotiable. Select a platform that prioritizes mobile responsiveness, providing your students with a seamless learning experience whether they’re on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Our checkouts all look great on mobile, and your learners can easily use popular payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
7) Flexible course pricing options
Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. Offer flexibility in your pricing options by providing one-time payments, subscription plans, or installment options, allowing you to cater to a diverse audience and maximize your revenue potential.
We’ve mentioned subscriptions before, but they really are so powerful when it comes to securing that all-important recurring revenue model.
👀➡️ YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE | ‘The 10 Best Sales Funnel Software Tools‘
8) Robust customer support
When technical issues arise or questions need answering, having access to reliable customer support can make all the difference. Choose a platform that offers responsive customer support via multiple channels, ensuring that you receive timely assistance whenever you need it.
We also have a Facebook group filled with other enthusiastic ThriveCart users ready to support your adventures!
9) Integrations with third-party tools
No platform is an island, which is why integrations with third-party tools are essential for expanding the functionality of your course platform. Look for a platform that offers seamless integrations with tools such as webinar platforms, CRM systems, and marketing automation software, allowing you to streamline your workflows and enhance the overall student experience.
If yours isn’t listed with us, that’s no problem, as we also connect with Zapier for even more functionality.
FAQs
What core features should I look for in an online course platform?
A successful online course platform should feature intuitive course creation and hosting, secure and flexible payment processing, customizable sales pages, email marketing integrations, analytics, mobile responsiveness, flexible pricing options, reliable customer support, and third-party integrations.
Do I need a separate tool for hosting course content?
Not necessarily. Many online education platforms, including ThriveCart, combine course creation, hosting, payments, and marketing in one place. You can keep everything together and avoid tech juggling.
What is ThriveCart and what does it do?
ThriveCart is a checkout, membership, and payment platform designed for selling digital and physical products, subscriptions, and online courses, featuring tools to build high-converting checkouts, funnels, and course delivery systems.
Can I create and host online courses inside ThriveCart?
Yes. ThriveCart includes an integrated Learning Management System (LMS) so you can build modules, host course content, and deliver courses to students without a separate LMS.
Does ThriveCart support one-click upsells, order bumps, and other conversion tools?
Yes. You can add one-click post-purchase upsells and order bumps directly in the checkout flow to increase average order value.
Will ThriveCart handle subscriptions, payment plans, and dunning (failed-payment recovery)?
Yes. ThriveCart supports subscriptions and payment plans. It also includes subscription management tools such as automated billing behavior and tools to help recover failing payments.
Can I use a custom domain for my checkout pages and course portals?
Yes. ThriveCart supports custom domains so your checkout and course pages can match your brand.
👀➡️ JUST FOR YOU | ‘Building Customer Loyalty with ThriveCart: Retention Strategies That Work‘
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right online course platform is a critical decision that can impact the success of your course business. By following this checklist of nine must-have features when you partner with ThriveCart, you can create, market, and sell courses with confidence, knowing that you have the tools and support you need to thrive in the competitive world of online education. Happy course creating!
