The 6 Must-Have Features of a High-Performing Platform for Your Course or Membership

Getting your content online is easier than ever. But choosing the right platform to deliver that content? That can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s easy to get stuck in decision mode. To help you move forward with clarity, here are six essential features your online course or membership platform should have in order to deliver a great experience for your people and run your business with ease.

A Flexible, Organized Course Builder

The core of your digital program is the course builder. It’s where your content lives—videos, PDFs, audio files, downloads, checklists, and more. A great course builder lets you structure your material clearly so your students never feel lost or confused.

Look for a platform that allows you to organize your lessons and modules with drag-and-drop functionality. Need to move Module 4 up to Module 2? You should be able to do that without rebuilding everything. Bonus points if you can add quizzes or assessments to gauge your students’ progress.

Custom branding is another key piece. You want to reflect your personality and business through your platform. That means brand colors, logos, and thumbnails should be customizable so your students feel at home.

Multimedia Support

People learn in different ways. Your platform should support a variety of content formats: video, audio, text, and downloadable resources. Whether someone wants to watch, listen, or read, your platform should allow them to engage in the way that suits them best. Every lesson should offer multiple ways to interact with the material.

Built-In Marketing and Sales Tools

You’re building your program to make an impact—and an income. Your platform should ***help*** you sell, not make it harder. That means seamless checkout options like Apple Pay, Stripe, and PayPal, plus the ability to add order bumps and upsells to increase your revenue per transaction.

Want to offer a \$17 add-on during checkout? Or upsell a premium coaching package? Your platform should give you the option. And if you ever want to offer discount coupons or run an affiliate program, make sure that’s included too.

Email Communication Capabilities

You need a way to stay connected with your people. Whether it’s announcing new content, sending reminders, or onboarding a new member, email is essential. A strong platform will allow you to automate emails, tag users based on their actions, and make your onboarding process feel seamless and welcoming.

The goal is to keep people engaged, informed, and connected—without having to piece together multiple tools that may or may not integrate well.

Smart Automations

You already have enough on your plate. Let your platform handle the repetitive tasks to make things easier and save you time!

Automations can tag users based on purchases, trigger welcome sequences, deliver login credentials, and move people through your funnel without you lifting a finger. It’s about creating a smooth, consistent experience that frees you up to focus on what matters most: serving your people!

Seamless Integrations and Customization

Your sales pages, blog, and even community spaces should feel like an extension of your brand—not a disconnected add-on. The best platforms allow you to keep your entire customer journey in one place, making everything feel cohesive for your audience.

When all the pieces talk to each other, you create a professional, stress-free experience for your members—and a much more efficient system for you.

The Platform That Brings It All Together

Choosing a platform is a personal decision AND no platform is perfect. But if you’re looking for one that has the essentials, Kajabi is a great all-in-one solution for you to consider. It includes every single feature above: course builder, sales tools, email, automations, integrations, and more. It allows you to create beautiful, branded experiences that help your students take the next step with you—whether that’s buying a course, joining a membership, or working with you one-on-one. 

If you want to try Kajabi for yourself, I’m a Kajabi partner which means I am able to offer a 30-day free trial and small commission from Kajabi. To make sure you know how to get started, I also offer a free 60-minute strategy session with me. This way you can explore the platform, ask your questions, and see if it’s the right fit for your business.

You have people who need what you offer. Don’t let technology hold you back. Choose a platform that supports your vision, then go make it happen.

Start your free trial here: jenhowat.com/kajabi