You’re looking for a learning platform for your signature program, but you don’t know where to start. Here are 6 factors you need to consider when making a choice.

1. Affordability. As a startup business owner, your coins are tight. So you have to be mindful of the investments you make. It’s not wise to go for expensive options until you have consistent revenue and cash flow to support them. Look at platforms that have free trials or free to start so you may test them out. Also, look at platforms that have learning platforms included in your fees.

– Thinkific has a free plan that allows you to have 1 course. The upgrade is affordable and robust.
– Google Workspace has a learning platform included in its $18 a month membership.

2. Integrations. Choose a platform that allows you to integrate with other apps and payment gateways, including Zapier, seamlessly. You’ll need to attach your newsletter, payment gateways, and more to your learning platform. You need the platforms to have good relationships and be compatible for ease of use for both the client and you.

3. Support and customer service. Customer service and support are key. Many platforms have better customer service for paid members. However, many also have support groups. The support groups can be more helpful than the help desk. At the end of the day, you need to be able to reach out for help and get a response in a reasonable amount of time, as well as offer suggestions for updates.

4. Ease of use. The platform you use needs to be easy to set up, manage, and utilize from both the client and admin standpoint. Good platforms allow you to offer content in various ways, such as video, text, multimedia, quizzes, and so much more.

5. Reviews. Check out client reviews. If you see anything below a 4.0, look for better options. 5.0 is nearly impossible to find, but anywhere between 4.0 and 5.0 is good. The company works hard to offer competitive pricing, stays up with market trends, and cares about the client’s experience and needs.

6. Longevity. Choose a company you feel comfortable staying with for a while. Unless you are a proven sales ninja in the specific industry you are creating a course in; chances are it will take you some time to outgrow the platform you choose. So pick one that you can grow with. Moving platforms is necessary from time to time, and it is also a giant pain in the butt.

Let’s recap.

Look for affordability, integration capability, support and customer service, ease of use, client reviews, and longevity when considering your learning platform for your signature program.