Why I Left Teachable for ThriveCart to Host My Courses

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, choosing the right platform for online course creation is a crucial decision. As someone deeply invested in online education, I initially opted for Teachable—drawn by its promising features. However, my journey took a turn, leading me to ThriveCart. This shift was not impulsive but rather a strategic move grounded in my growing needs as an educator and entrepreneur.

Both Teachable and ThriveCart cater to digital content creators, yet they stand on different pedestals.

Teachable is well-regarded for its comprehensive course creation abilities, targeting educators seeking a straightforward start.

ThriveCart, on the other hand, excels in providing robust cart features and marketing tools, appealing to those looking to optimize sales and conversion rates.

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My favorite tools in my business:

TubeBuddy: YouTube channel management tool for keyword research, video optimization, analytics, and competitor analysis. It helps me save time and grow my audience by optimizing content and gain insights into my channel’s performance.
ThriveCart: This is what I use to host my online courses and membership. One-time fee of roughly $495 for a lifetime license.
Flodesk: My email provider, get 50% off your first year, unlimited email subscribers at no increased price. It comes with email templates, lead, popup, & opt-in forms for collecting email and is very intuitive.
Honeybook: Platform for Virtual Assistants and Freelancing; templates for contracts, create and send invoices, scheduling, automations, and manage your clients all in one place!
Create an LLC for $39: Super easy to use service to create an LLC for your online business, walks you through the whole process, step-by-step.

Reasons for Switching from Teachable to ThriveCart

The transition from Teachable to ThriveCart was catalyzed by several key factors, each underscoring the importance of adapting to better serve both my business goals and my audience.

Which Course Platform Has Better Cost Efficiency?

As my business grew, I began to feel the financial weight of using platforms with recurring fees and transaction cuts. Teachable, while initially appealing, started to feel like more of a financial burden than an investment. With Teachable’s subscription costs, which amounted to $1,100 a year, combined with the percentage they took from each sale, I was losing a significant portion of my revenue. Over time, these recurring expenses began to eat into my profit margins, making it harder to scale my business without worrying about how much I was giving away.

ThriveCart’s one-time payment model offered a refreshing alternative. By paying a single fee upfront, I could eliminate the constant worry about monthly or annual subscriptions. This model instantly provided me with long-term savings that would accumulate over the years, allowing me to reinvest that money back into my business, whether through marketing, course improvements, or growing my team.

The one-time upfront fee was less than I was paying per year with Teachable.

What also made ThriveCart a practical choice is the absence of transaction fees. Unlike Teachable, which takes a cut of each sale, ThriveCart allows me to keep 100% of my earnings. This directly translates to higher profitability on every sale I make, which is especially valuable as my course offerings and audience expand. The financial freedom that comes with this model empowers creators like me to focus on scaling without the stress of ongoing platform costs nibbling away at the bottom line.

For any business owner aiming to maximize their returns, ThriveCart’s cost-efficient pricing structure makes it a no-brainer. It’s not just a purchase—it’s an investment that pays off in the long run, giving me both peace of mind and financial control over my business. By reducing overhead, ThriveCart has allowed me to focus more on growth, profitability, and delivering value to my audience without constantly worrying about platform fees.

Enhanced Customization and Control

When creating a digital course, personalization is everything. Being able to create a seamless experience that mirrors your brand’s identity is essential to standing out. With ThriveCart, I was able to gain a level of customization that Teachable couldn’t match. This extensive flexibility allows me to tailor everything—from the design of the checkout pages to the way my courses are structured—to create an experience that truly reflects my brand’s uniqueness.

ThriveCart’s customizable templates, for instance, allowed me to fully align the checkout process with my branding, using specific color schemes, fonts, and layouts. The ability to modify these elements without relying on restrictive templates or needing coding skills meant I could deliver a polished, professional aesthetic that made my courses and offerings feel truly premium.

Additionally, beyond aesthetics, the functional customization was a game-changer. I could control key aspects of the user experience, such as offering one-click upsells, customizing sales funnels, and designing customer journeys that convert better. This higher level of control meant that I wasn’t just selling a course—I was creating a fully branded, cohesive experience that aligns with my vision for an exceptional online business.

Having this power to fine-tune both the look and function of my courses and sales funnels was a decisive factor in moving away from Teachable. With ThriveCart, I could finally showcase my courses with the professionalism and personal touch that my audience expects, creating a strong and distinct online presence.

Digital Course Platform Marketing and Sales Tools

A flexible and robust sales strategy is crucial to driving consistent growth. ThriveCart has proven to be an invaluable tool in this regard, offering an array of advanced marketing and sales features that have elevated my ability to optimize and scale my business.

One of ThriveCart’s standout features is its seamless ability to incorporate upsells and order bumps. With upsells, I can offer additional products or services right after a customer makes a purchase—without requiring them to re-enter their payment details. This one-click simplicity not only enhances the customer experience but significantly increases my average order value. Similarly, the order bump feature allows me to suggest relevant add-ons during the checkout process, which has been a game-changer for maximizing sales with minimal effort. Both of these tools have given me the flexibility to increase revenue with strategic, well-timed offers, directly within the sales funnel.

ThriveCart also comes equipped with comprehensive analytics that provide deep insights into customer behavior and the effectiveness of my marketing campaigns. With detailed reporting on conversion rates, sales performance, and abandoned carts, I can track every stage of the customer journey. This level of data gives me the power to fine-tune my sales funnels, pinpoint where customers drop off, and make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes. For example, understanding cart abandonment rates has enabled me to deploy targeted recovery emails, successfully recapturing lost sales.

In addition to these marketing tools, ThriveCart’s A/B testing functionality has allowed me to test different sales pages and checkout flows, ensuring that I am always using the most effective setup to drive conversions. By experimenting with different copy, layouts, and pricing strategies, I can continuously optimize my funnels for better performance, increasing sales without any extra marketing spend.

The platform’s powerful affiliate management system has also simplified my marketing efforts. ThriveCart’s built-in affiliate tools make it easy to recruit and manage affiliates who can promote my products to their audiences, further amplifying my reach and sales. With customizable commission structures and automated payouts, I can leverage affiliate marketing without the hassle of manually tracking or paying out commissions.

In short, ThriveCart equips me with the tools I need to execute sophisticated marketing strategies without the complexity. Whether I’m upselling, testing different campaigns, or leveraging affiliates, ThriveCart gives me full control over my sales process. This flexibility allows me to continuously improve and adjust my marketing efforts based on real data, which is essential for driving growth in today’s dynamic online business landscape.

How to Transition From Teachable to ThriveCart

Switching platforms isn’t without its hurdles. However, understanding the transition process helps smoothen the journey from Teachable to ThriveCart.

Data Migration

One of the most challenging aspects of switching platforms is managing the data migration process. Moving from Teachable to ThriveCart wasn’t just about shifting my business operations—it involved carefully transferring all of my course content, student data, and sales information in a way that ensured everything remained intact and functional. Initially, this felt like the most daunting part of the transition. The stakes were high, as losing valuable data could have disrupted both the student experience and my business flow.

The first step was migrating course content—including videos, PDFs, quizzes, and other assets—to ThriveCart’s course platform, ThriveCart Learn. I had to ensure that all modules were properly organized, presented in the correct sequence, and accessible to students without any disruptions. This required meticulous planning and a careful review of each element to ensure that the content retained its structure and quality in the new system. ThriveCart’s intuitive interface and step-by-step guides made this easier, but it still required attention to detail to ensure nothing was lost in translation.

Equally important was the migration of student data. This involved securely transferring student profiles, enrollment statuses, and progress information to ThriveCart without losing track of where each student was in their learning journey. I needed to ensure that students could pick up right where they left off, without being confused or having to re-register. Fortunately, ThriveCart’s support team was highly responsive throughout this process, providing me with resources and guidance on how to handle the data migration smoothly. In some cases, I also relied on third-party services to assist with more technical aspects of transferring large volumes of data, ensuring that it was done accurately and efficiently.

The final piece was moving over my sales and transaction history. It was essential to have access to my historical sales data to maintain accurate financial records and for future business analysis. ThriveCart’s ability to integrate with my existing payment gateways helped simplify this process, making it easier to track sales moving forward without losing visibility on past transactions.

While the migration process required careful planning and execution, leveraging ThriveCart’s support and the right third-party tools streamlined what could have been a highly technical and stressful undertaking. The comprehensive resources provided by ThriveCart, along with clear communication from their support team, helped ensure that nothing was lost, and I could focus on building my business on this more powerful platform without worrying about technical hiccups or data loss.

Overall, despite the initial concerns, the migration process ended up being far smoother than anticipated. With a meticulous approach, I was able to make the switch without any major disruptions to my students or business operations, allowing me to start taking advantage of ThriveCart’s powerful features right away.

Learning Curve and Support

Like any new platform, ThriveCart came with a learning curve. As much as I was excited about its advanced features and the potential to enhance my business, getting accustomed to a new interface and system posed challenges at first. ThriveCart’s robust functionality, especially with its sales funnels, upsells, and affiliate management tools, required some time and effort to master. This wasn’t simply a plug-and-play transition, especially when coming from a more simplified platform like Teachable.

Initially, navigating ThriveCart’s various customization options—setting up checkout pages, configuring upsell offers, and managing affiliate programs—felt overwhelming. The platform offers a wealth of tools to optimize the selling process, but learning how to integrate them seamlessly into my business took patience. Understanding the finer details of cart behavior, advanced sales funnel creation, and utilizing data analytics to track customer actions required a more in-depth understanding of the system than I had anticipated.

However, what made the learning curve manageable was ThriveCart’s excellent support system. The platform provides a comprehensive range of tutorials, knowledge base articles, and step-by-step guides that walk you through each feature and setup process. From detailed how-tos for beginners to advanced tips for more experienced users, the resources were invaluable in helping me get up to speed quickly. Whether I needed to customize my sales pages or optimize my upsell strategy, I could easily find detailed instructions that answered my questions.

Moreover, ThriveCart’s customer support team was consistently responsive and helpful. Whenever I encountered a roadblock or had a technical issue, their support team provided clear, actionable advice that allowed me to keep moving forward. Whether it was through email support or chat, I always felt supported and never left waiting for long periods. Their expertise helped me troubleshoot issues and make adjustments more efficiently, reducing frustration and downtime.

Another aspect that made the learning process smoother was the availability of community support. ThriveCart has an active user community where I could connect with other entrepreneurs and course creators who had faced similar challenges. Sharing experiences and learning from others accelerated my mastery of the platform, as I could apply real-world tips and strategies that helped me unlock the full potential of ThriveCart’s features.

Ultimately, while the initial learning curve required time and effort, ThriveCart’s robust support system ensured that I wasn’t going through it alone. The combination of well-organized tutorials, responsive customer service, and a supportive community made the transition far more manageable. As a result, I quickly gained confidence in using the platform and was able to leverage its powerful tools to grow my business. What initially felt like a hurdle soon turned into an opportunity to refine my sales strategies, automate more processes, and ultimately run a more efficient, profitable business.

Impact on Business Growth

Since making the leap to ThriveCart, the impact on my business has been nothing short of transformative. Not only have my sales figures improved, but the entire customer experience has been elevated to new heights. ThriveCart’s advanced checkout system, which includes features like upsells, downsells, and order bumps, has significantly increased my average order value. With the ability to offer additional products or services during the checkout process, I’ve been able to boost revenue without needing to bring in new customers—something that has made a huge difference in the growth of my business.

Beyond just increasing sales, the streamlined checkout process has reduced cart abandonment, leading to a higher conversion rate. This smoother customer journey, from initial click to completed purchase, has created a more professional, trustworthy experience for my audience. Customers appreciate the ease of purchasing, which in turn has resulted in more repeat buyers and positive feedback.

Additionally, ThriveCart’s powerful analytics tools have given me deeper insights into what’s working and what needs improvement. I can now track every detail of my sales funnels, from page views to conversion rates, allowing me to make data-driven decisions that optimize my marketing strategies. This ability to continuously refine my approach has allowed me to scale my business more effectively.

Ultimately, ThriveCart has proven to be an essential tool in my journey, allowing me to grow my business efficiently while maintaining a positive and seamless customer experience.

Increased Revenue and Conversions with ThriveCart

Switching to ThriveCart had a direct and noticeable impact on my business’s revenue growth. One of the most significant factors driving this increase was ThriveCart’s suite of powerful sales tools. With the ability to integrate features like one-click upsells, downsells, and order bumps, I was able to maximize the value of every transaction. These tools made it easy to offer additional products and services at the point of purchase, which immediately increased my average order value. Customers who were already in the buying mindset found it convenient to add relevant extras to their purchase with minimal effort.

ThriveCart also played a critical role in boosting my conversion rates. The platform’s highly customizable, conversion-optimized checkout pages reduced friction in the buying process, helping to minimize cart abandonment and keep potential customers engaged. The simple, seamless checkout experience gave customers confidence in their purchase, which naturally led to a higher number of completed transactions.

Additionally, ThriveCart’s built-in A/B testing feature allowed me to experiment with different checkout page designs and sales strategies, enabling me to fine-tune my approach and identify what resonated most with my audience. By continuously optimizing the checkout process based on data, I was able to drive better results and steadily increase my revenue.

ThriveCart’s ability to streamline the purchasing process and influence buying decisions has been a game-changer for my business, leading to increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, and long-term business growth.

Key Features of ThriveCart

ThriveCart is a robust shopping cart and checkout platform designed to help businesses sell digital products, courses, memberships, and services. Here are the key features that set ThriveCart apart:

1. One-Time Payment Model

No Recurring Fees: ThriveCart offers lifetime access with a one-time payment option, eliminating the need for ongoing monthly or annual fees. This makes it cost-effective compared to platforms like Teachable.

2. High-Converting Checkout Pages

Customizable Templates: Pre-built, conversion-optimized checkout templates can be easily customized to match your brand.
1-Click Upsells & Downsells: Increase sales with post-purchase upsells and downsells that require no extra action from the buyer.
A/B Testing: Test different versions of checkout pages and sales funnels to determine which one performs better.
Cart Abandonment Recovery: Automatically email customers who abandon their cart to recover potential lost sales.

3. Affiliate Management

Built-In Affiliate Program: Easily manage affiliates, set commission structures, and track affiliate sales, all within ThriveCart.
Automated Payouts: Set up automatic payouts for affiliates based on sales they generate.

4. Advanced Sales Funnel Options

Bump Offers: Add additional offers on the checkout page that customers can add with one click.
Custom Sales Funnels: Build dynamic sales funnels with upsells, downsells, and thank-you pages tailored to different customer actions.

5. Subscription & Payment Plans

Flexible Pricing Options: Offer one-time payments, subscription plans, or installment payment options.
Dunning Management: Automatically follow up on failed payments for subscriptions, reducing churn and lost revenue.

6. Course & Membership Integration

ThriveCart Learn: ThriveCart has its own built-in course platform, allowing you to host and deliver online courses directly. This eliminates the need for third-party course platforms.
Memberships: Manage memberships, including drip content, course modules, and access permissions, all from within ThriveCart.

7. Integrations & Automation

Email & CRM Integrations: Seamlessly connect ThriveCart to your favorite email marketing tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and more.
Webinar Integrations: Integrate with webinar platforms to sell and manage webinar registrations.
Zapier: Integrate ThriveCart with thousands of other tools using Zapier for advanced automation.

8. Tax & VAT Handling

Automatic Tax Calculations: ThriveCart automatically calculates taxes, including VAT for European customers, ensuring compliance with global tax regulations.
Digital Tax Support: Manage and charge digital taxes accurately for different regions.

9. Detailed Reporting & Analytics

Revenue & Profit Tracking: View in-depth analytics on your sales, profit margins, conversions, and customer behaviors.
Affiliate Performance: Track affiliate performance, commissions, and payouts with detailed reports.

10. Mobile-Friendly & Secure

Mobile-Optimized Checkouts: Checkout pages are fully optimized for mobile devices, improving conversion rates for mobile traffic.
Security: Built-in SSL encryption ensures that all transactions are secure, protecting both your business and your customers.

11. Customer Management

Customer Hub: Customers can log into their accounts to access their purchase history, course content, or update payment details.
Subscription Management: Customers can easily update or cancel their subscriptions, reducing support tickets and improving user experience.

12. High-Level Support

24/7 Support: ThriveCart provides ongoing support and has a knowledge base to assist with troubleshooting and best practices.

ThriveCart is ideal for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution for selling digital products, running membership sites, and managing sales funnels. The platform’s flexibility, powerful features, and one-time fee make it an attractive alternative to platforms with ongoing subscription costs.

Key Features of Teachable

Teachable is a popular online course platform known for its ease of use and comprehensive features tailored for creators and educators. Here are the key features of Teachable:

1. Course Creation Tools

Drag-and-Drop Builder: Create and customize courses with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
Multimedia Support: Upload video, audio, text, PDFs, quizzes, and other file types to enhance course engagement.
Course Compliance: Set course completion requirements to track student progress and ensure that key lessons are completed.

2. Student Management

User Profiles: Allows creators to manage student profiles and track their learning progress.
Quizzes & Assessments: Built-in quizzes help assess student understanding and increase engagement.
Certificates of Completion: Automatically generate and issue certificates once a student finishes a course.

3. Monetization Options

Flexible Pricing: Offer various pricing models including one-time payments, subscriptions, payment plans, or free courses.
Coupon Codes & Discounts: Provide discounts or coupons to encourage sales and attract new students.
Affiliates Program: Teachable has built-in affiliate management tools to allow others to promote your courses in exchange for a commission.

4. Sales & Marketing Features

Customizable Sales Pages: Create branded, conversion-optimized landing and sales pages for each course.
Upsells: Offer upsells to students after they purchase a course to maximize revenue.
Email Marketing: Integrated email marketing tools allow for nurturing students and sending updates, offers, or newsletters.

5. Payments and Payouts

Instant Payouts: Teachable handles payments and offers instant payouts to course creators.
International Payments: Support for multiple currencies, making it easy to sell courses globally.

6. Integrations

Third-Party Integrations: Integrates with tools like Zapier, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and more for better marketing and student tracking.
Custom Domains: Set up your own branded domain to match your website or business.

7. Analytics & Reporting

Student Insights: Access detailed reports on student enrollment, engagement, and course completion rates.
Revenue Reports: Track sales, earnings, and affiliate payouts to keep your finances in check.

8. Support & Security

24/7 Support: Access to a support team for technical and account issues.
Data Security: Secure platform with built-in data encryption and compliance with industry standards for data protection.

Teachable is especially suited for educators who want an all-in-one solution for creating, marketing, and selling courses without needing advanced technical skills. However, the pricing, feature limitations (on lower plans), and transaction fees may become a concern as businesses grow, prompting some users to explore alternatives like ThriveCart.

Customer Experience Enhancements

Since switching to ThriveCart, the feedback from my students has been overwhelmingly positive. One of the most significant improvements has been the enhanced user experience, which resonated deeply with my audience. ThriveCart’s streamlined checkout process and intuitive course delivery made it easier for students to navigate and access content, reducing any confusion or friction they might have experienced on previous platforms. The simplified purchasing flow, combined with a more professional and visually appealing interface, gave customers confidence in their transactions, contributing to an overall smoother experience.

The positive response extended beyond the checkout process, as the platform’s course management tools provided a more organized, user-friendly learning environment. Students could access their courses with ease, track their progress, and even manage their account details seamlessly, which contributed to a higher level of satisfaction and engagement. This elevated experience not only made the learning process more enjoyable but also kept students coming back for more.

Ultimately, happy learners are loyal learners, and this shift to a more user-centered platform underscored the importance of placing the customer experience at the forefront of any business decision. As a result, I noticed a marked increase in student retention and repeat purchases, reinforcing the idea that investing in user experience translates to long-term business growth. ThriveCart allowed me to deliver an improved learning journey that truly aligned with my brand’s values and my commitment to delivering value to my audience.

Stay open to learning and growing. The landscape of online business is constantly evolving, and what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Keep up with industry trends, seek feedback, and be willing to develop new skills. This mindset not only helps you stay relevant but also equips you with the tools to tackle new challenges head-on.

I love what I do and believe in sharing knowledge. One of the things that brings me immense joy is guiding aspiring online business entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and unlock their online business potential in ways they may not have imagined. I enjoy providing direction and sharing the wisdom I have gleaned through my journey.

Secure your spot today on the waitlist for my upcoming LIVE webinar to advance your knowledge. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in yourself!

Turn Your Hobbies Into Side Hustles

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Maintain and Build Friendships

Maintaining friendships can be challenging, especially when it’s easy to get caught up in working 24/7 and sacrificing social interactions.

Many of my friendships fizzled out because I kept saying no to dinners, group hangouts, and camping trips, all in the name of working on my business. I’ve come to understand how significant it is to make time for personal relationships for my own happiness and overall well-being.

Make a conscious effort to schedule time with friends and family. These interactions are vital, whether just a quick coffee catch-up or a phone call. Remember, it’s not just about your online business; it’s about enjoying life and the people in it.

In addition to maintaining existing friendships, building relationships with other online business owners is important. They understand the unique struggles, ups, and downs in a way “real-world friends” might not. Join online communities, attend networking events, and engage with other entrepreneurs on social media. These connections can provide support, advice, and camaraderie that can be incredibly valuable on your journey.

I realized that being part of a mastermind group was a real game-changer for boosting my online business to the next level. The group was there to encourage and motivate one another through challenges, celebrate each other’s wins, strategize, identify, and help each other focus on strengths or trends. This took the feeling of “going it alone” out of being a solopreneur.

“Next Level Membership” is a community of like-minded entrepreneurs personally led by me, Kelly Anne Smith. The main goal is to create a supportive space for you to build relationships while helping you overcome your online business challenges and achieve growth.

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You don’t have to go through this journey alone! Join us to elevate your online business with motivation, community, collaboration, and sound strategy.

Conclusion

making the transition from Teachable to ThriveCart was one of the most strategic moves I’ve made in my business. It wasn’t just about switching platforms—it was about choosing a tool that would support my vision for scalability and efficiency. ThriveCart’s cost-effective structure played a key role in reducing overhead costs, allowing me to reinvest in my business without being weighed down by ongoing subscription fees and transaction cuts. This shift gave me the financial breathing room to grow and allocate resources more strategically.

What truly set ThriveCart apart, though, was its superior customization and robust marketing capabilities. The platform’s flexibility allowed me to tailor my checkout processes and sales funnels in ways that reflected my brand and optimized conversions. Whether it was through one-click upsells, downsells, or its seamless integration with affiliate marketing, ThriveCart offered the tools I needed to elevate my business and streamline the entire customer experience.

For digital educators, choosing the right platform is a crucial decision that can impact not just your day-to-day operations but also your long-term growth. It’s important to evaluate your platform choices based on your unique business needs, future goals, and the tools that will help you get there. For me, ThriveCart was the answer—providing the flexibility, marketing power, and financial structure to support my continued success in the digital education space.

If you’re contemplating a platform change, I encourage you to take a close look at your needs and find the platform that aligns with your goals for sustainable growth and success.

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