Introduction
When two or more creators come together to co-produce a digital course, the platform you choose to host it on becomes a critical part of your success. The right platform simplifies collaboration, streamlines course delivery, and makes marketing and sales more effective. The wrong one can create technical headaches, limit your growth, and frustrate your students.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to evaluate and choose the best course hosting platform for co-producing digital courses—so you and your partner(s) can work efficiently and deliver an exceptional learning experience.
1. Identify Your Collaboration Needs
Before you start comparing features, think about how you and your co-producer will collaborate:
- Will both of you upload content?
- Do you need to assign different roles (e.g., one creates content, the other handles customer service)?
- Will multiple instructors be shown to students?
- Do you need access to analytics or earnings reports separately?
Choose a platform that allows multi-user access and clearly defined permissions to avoid confusion or unauthorized changes.
2. Prioritize Ease of Use
A course hosting platform should make your lives easier—not harder. Especially in a co-production setup, where both partners may have different levels of tech expertise, simplicity matters.
Look for:
- Drag-and-drop editors
- Pre-built templates for course layouts
- Built-in video hosting (no need for YouTube/Vimeo)
- Simple quiz and assignment tools
Platforms like Teachable and Podia are particularly beginner-friendly, while Thinkific balances ease with flexibility.
3. Review Co-Instructor Support and User Permissions
Some platforms are designed with solo creators in mind. You’ll want to choose one that accommodates co-instructorsand provides role-specific access.
Consider:
- Can you set up separate logins for each co-producer?
- Are there permission levels (e.g., content editor vs. admin)?
- Is it easy to manage tasks collaboratively within the platform?
Thinkific and Kajabi offer flexible role assignments. Teachable also supports multiple instructors and integrates revenue splits directly.
4. Evaluate Revenue Sharing Capabilities
In co-production, revenue sharing is essential. The best platforms either have this built in or allow you to integrate third-party tools.
Ask:
- Does the platform allow automated revenue split between instructors?
- Can you set fixed or percentage-based splits?
- Are payouts automated, or do you have to manage them manually?
Teachable has a built-in feature for automated revenue sharing, including tax handling and payout scheduling. Other platforms may require setting up systems through PayPal, Stripe, or external accounting tools.
5. Consider Your Marketing Tools
Hosting your course is just the start—you also need to sell it. The ideal platform will support both your content and your marketing needs.
Look for:
- Email marketing automation
- Affiliate program support
- Integration with Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics
- Landing page and sales funnel creation
If marketing is a priority and you want everything in one place, Kajabi is a powerful choice with integrated tools. For flexibility and third-party integrations, Thinkific and Teachable also perform well.
6. Think About the Student Experience
Your learners are your customers. A platform that’s easy for them to navigate will increase course completion rates and satisfaction.
Student-focused features to consider:
- Mobile responsiveness
- Progress tracking and reminders
- Discussion forums or comment sections
- Certificate generation upon completion
- Ability to offer quizzes, assignments, and downloadable resources
Review course previews as a student before committing to a platform—make sure it’s intuitive and visually appealing.
7. Analyze Pricing and Fees
Not all platforms are created equal in terms of cost. Some charge a flat monthly fee, while others take a percentage of your sales.
Compare:
- Monthly subscription plans
- Transaction fees (some platforms charge per sale)
- Features available at each pricing tier
- Free trial or money-back guarantee
Podia offers simple pricing with no transaction fees. Teachable and Thinkific have multiple plans depending on your needs. Udemy, while free to use, takes a significant share of your revenue if they generate the sales.
8. Evaluate Scalability
If this is your first co-produced course, great—but what if you want to launch five more together?
Think long-term:
- Can you host multiple courses?
- Is there a course library feature?
- Will the platform scale as your audience and needs grow?
Choose a platform that doesn’t just meet your current needs but will support your growth without requiring a major migration later.
9. Consider Platform Reputation and Support
When things go wrong (and sometimes they will), having responsive customer support is essential.
Ask:
- Does the platform offer live chat, email, or phone support?
- Is the help center well-organized with tutorials?
- Is there a community or forum where creators help each other?
Also, read recent reviews on Trustpilot, Capterra, or Facebook groups to see what current users are saying.
10. Test Before You Commit
Most platforms offer a free trial or a basic plan. Use this time to:
- Upload a module
- Customize a landing page
- Invite your co-producer to test collaboration features
- Simulate a student’s journey
Testing helps you identify red flags early and avoid regrets after you’ve invested time in setup.
Conclusion
Choosing the right course hosting platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your co-production journey. The right choice will empower both partners to collaborate efficiently and deliver a seamless experience to students. The wrong one could lead to technical barriers, payment delays, and poor user feedback.
Evaluate your needs, test platforms thoroughly, and invest time in setting up your course on a platform that can grow with you. A smart foundation today will pay off in smoother launches, better sales, and happier learners tomorrow.