So, you’re ready to share your knowledge with the world. You’ve got skills, ideas, maybe a unique twist — and now, you’re thinking, “How do I teach this online?”
You’ll need the perfect website builder made just for online course creators. One where you can upload your video lessons, take payments, and track your students.
TL;DR
If you’re teaching online, choose a platform that handles video hosting, payments, and student dashboards in one place. Top picks include Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific, and Podia. These platforms are easy to use and packed with tools made just for course creators. Pick one based on your budget and what matters most to you.
Why You Need a Special Website Builder
You could just upload your videos to YouTube and throw up a PayPal button… but that’s a mess. It’s like trying to run a school in a food truck.
You need a site that looks professional, is easy to use, and gives your students a great learning experience.
Here’s what’s a must-have when picking a website builder for your online course:
- Video hosting — so your lessons play smoothly and don’t get pirated.
- Built-in payments — so you get paid while you sleep.
- Student dashboards — so learners can track progress and come back for more.
- Drip content — release lessons slowly, not all at once.
- Quizzes and certificates — because students love rewards!
Top Website Builders for Course Creators
Let’s look at the best platforms that help you do it all — without needing to code or hire a tech wizard.
1. Teachable
Great for: First-timers and solo creators
Teachable is one of the most popular tools for online courses. It’s simple, clean, and gets the job done.
Highlights:
- Upload videos with no fuss
- Customize your course landing page
- Accept payments in different currencies
- Students get sleek course dashboards
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to start here. It’s plug-and-play. The free plan lets you test the waters, though they do take a small cut from sales.
2. Kajabi
Great for: All-in-one business builders
Kajabi does way more than just house your courses. It’s a website builder, email tool, and marketing powerhouse.
What makes it awesome:
- Host unlimited video lessons
- Create full websites — not just course pages
- Automate emails & marketing funnels
- Student areas feel super polished
It’s more expensive, but you get tools to build a whole business, not just a course. If you’re aiming to scale big, start here.
3. Thinkific
Great for: Structured learning experiences
Thinkific is clean, professional, and packed with features to make learning smooth.
Why instructors love it:
- Supports quizzes, surveys, and certificates
- Drip content and prerequisite lessons
- No transaction fees on paid plans
- A free plan to test it out
Thinkific is great if you want more control over your student journey without complicating everything.
4. Podia
Great for: Creators selling more than just courses
Podia is a combo of course site and digital store. Sell courses, webinars, ebooks, and memberships — all in one place.
Top features:
- One dashboard for all products
- Support for live video sessions and webinars
- Email marketing built in
- Simple design with quick setup
It’s a good mix of simplicity and power. If you ever want to sell extra goodies (like templates or PDFs), Podia’s ready.
5. LearnWorlds
Great for: Interactive courses and schools
LearnWorlds focuses on student interaction. It’s not just about video — it’s about what happens after the video too.
Cool capabilities:
- Interactive video (yes, with clickable choices!)
- Built-in social learning tools
- Full website and blog builder
- Detailed analytics
This one’s fantastic if you want to build a real online academy. Just know it takes a bit more setup time up front.
Bonus Mention: Notion + Gumroad (DIY Option)
Feeling crafty? You could piece together your platform using Notion for content and Gumroad for payments.
This DIY route is:
- Free or cheap
- Super customizable
- Good for tiny test courses
But — no automation, no real dashboard. You’ll outgrow this fast.
What to Look For Before You Choose
Let’s make sure you pick a site builder that fits your needs. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Do you want to drip content?
- Need to host high-quality videos without lag?
- Want to handle all tools (emails, payments, websites) in one place?
- Planning to sell other products too?
- Do you want a mobile-friendly dashboard for students?
If you answer yes to most of these, go with Kajabi, Thinkific, or Podia. If you just want to get started cheap and simple — Teachable or Podia’s your jam.
Pricing Snapshot (2024)
Here’s a rough idea of what these platforms cost:
| Platform | Free Plan | Starting Price (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Teachable | Yes | $39 |
| Kajabi | No | $149 |
| Thinkific | Yes | $49 |
| Podia | No | $39 |
| LearnWorlds | No | $29 |
Prices may vary, so check their official websites before making a decision.
Final Words
Teaching online should feel exciting — not overwhelming. The right platform makes all the difference.
Whether you’re building your first course or scaling an education empire, choose a builder that grows with you. Test a few, play with the tools, and pick the one that feels fun to use. Because if you enjoy it, your students will too.
Happy teaching, internet rockstar!
