For full disclosure, some of the links below are affiliate links*. All my affiliate/partner links are at the bottom of this page.
It is strongly recommended to have a business email (e.g. name@yourdomain.com).
Sometimes you can get an email address with your domain, depending on where your website is hosted you may also get a free email address with your hosting.
But what if you haven't yet got a website but want to start email marketing?
If you are a Microsoft kind of person then you might want to get your email via Office 365 (this is often an add-on when you buy your domain from places such as Go Daddy).
Personally, I am a Google kind of girl - so I always recommend getting an email address from Google Workspace*. One of the things I love about Google is you can set up alias email addreses (e.g. my main email address is rachel@virtualtechangel.com but I also have hello@ info@ and many others - all of which come into my main inbox!)
*I have a 10% discount code which provides 10% off the first year of either the Google Workspace Business Starter plan or the Google Workspace Business Standard plan. Message me if you'd like the code.
Unless you are using a system with an integrated email system, you will need an Email Marketing system. There are lots to choose from that you ay have heard of such as MailChimp or Active Campaign but my go to recommendation for getting started is:
MailerLite* - this is a great way to get started for free and you only start to pay as your subscriber numbers/numbers of emails sent increases and integrates well with other systems.
There are a number of different options out there to host your course, including Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, MemberVault.
The systems I have most experience with are Kartra, New Zenler* and Go High Level systems such as Easy Peasy Funnels* and Funnel Sketchers* (see all-in-one systems for more info). ThriveCart* also has a Learn platform available free to anyone with a ThriveCart account.
If you use WordPress for your website, you can use paid plugins to build your course platform -two popular and well known ones are LearnDash or MemberPress.
A really good stand alone cart system is ThriveCart*. I really rate this system – it is easy to use and it is more than just a checkout – you can build your whole sales page in ThriveCart, there are lots of different options (such as setting up discount coupons) and you can easily set up Affiliates for your products.
I use Canva Pro* to create graphics and to create professional branded documents, for example a “freebie” or an e-book.
You don’t need the Pro version as there is a lot you can do on the free version – however upgrading to the Pro version has definitely been one of my best investments. This is a tool I could not run my business without!
If you need to record a video presentation, some good options to consider are Zoom and Canva. On Zoom you can screenshare and deliver a session live to real life people and record the session, or just deliver the session with no participants and record. Canva is a great way to create a presentation – and then you can also Present and Record from inside Canva to create a video.
I also really like Clideo.com as a way to edit videos. Anything video is really not my zone of genius and I find this system makes it really easy.
Quiz funnels and quizzes as a lead magnet can be incredibly powerful. There are lots of systems out there, and after doing some research on it, the one I settled on is Involve.me*. It is has an affordable monthly subscription and I think it is a really good and easy to use system.
Other good sytems are ScoreApp and TryInteract.
I primarily work in WordPress using the Elementor page builder and host my sites on SiteGround*. |
I am also very experienced with Wix. In addition, this website is built in Easy Peasy Funnels.
Unless you are using a system with an integrated email system, you will need an Email Marketing system. There are lots to choose from but these are the two I would recommend:
ActiveCampaign* has an affordable starting package and is a very popular system which integrates well with lots of other systems.
MailerLite* is a great way to get started for free and you only start to pay as your subscriber numbers/numbers of emails sent increases. Again, MailerLite integrates well with other systems.
There are a number of different options out there to host your course, including Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, MemberVault.
The systems I have most experience with are Kartra, New Zenler* and Go High Level systems such as Easy Peasy Funnels* and Funnel Sketchers* (see all-in-one systems for more info).
ThriveCart* also has a Learn platform available free to anyone with a ThriveCart account.
If you use WordPress for your website, you can use paid plugins to build your course platform -two popular and well known ones are LearnDash or MemberPress.
A really good stand alone cart system is ThriveCart*. I really rate this system – it is easy to use and it is more than just a checkout – you can build your whole sales page in ThriveCart, there are lots of different options (such as setting up discount coupons) and you can easily set up Affiliates for your products.
I use Canva Pro* to create graphics and to create professional branded documents, for example a “freebie” or an e-book.
You don’t need the Pro version as there is a lot you can do on the free version – however upgrading to the Pro version has definitely been one of my best investments. This is a tool I could not run my business without!
If you need to record a video presentation, some good options to consider are Zoom and Canva. On Zoom you can screenshare and deliver a session live to real life people and record the session, or just deliver the session with no participants and record. Canva is a great way to create a presentation – and then you can also Present and Record from inside Canva to create a video.
I also really like Clideo.com as a way to edit videos. Anything video is really not my zone of genius and I find this system makes it really easy.
Quiz funnels and quizzes as a lead magnet can be incredibly powerful. There are lots of systems out there, and after doing some research on it, the one I settled on is Involve.me*.
It has a free option (although – heads up, there are some features you can’t use on the free version, including integrations which means you can’t get your data out of the system and link it to your email system for example to capture your leads without upgrading). Still, it is a very affordable monthly subscription and I think it is a really good and easy to use system.
I primarily work in WordPress using the Elementor page builder and host my sites on SiteGround*. I am also very experienced with Wix.
In addition, this website is built in Easy Peasy Funnels.
As with everything, there are lots and lots of options out there - but these are the ones I have used the most and are my top 3 favourites at the moment, for different reasons.
Another system I use a lot and really recommend is New Zenler. It is has been around for a while now, but it is still in BETA so you can go Pro at a reasonable price. Find out more below.
One of my top recommendations is Easy Peasy Funnels*. It is a fantastic option for those who want everything in one place! EPF is a whitelabel of the GoHighLevel platform. Find out more below.
I also love Funnel Sketchers* - like EPF, it is also a whitelabel of the GoHighLevel platform. It is a fantastic option for those who want everything in one place! Find out more below.
If you want a more established tried and tested system, I have a lot of experience of using Kartra. It is a very powerful system and if you would like everything in one place, it is a good option. Find out more below.
A system I use a lot with clients just starting out selling courses and memberships is New Zenler*.
I really rate this system as it is easy to use and is very straightforward.
It is really easy to set up and for me one of the biggest attractions is that you can get started without a monthly subscription.
Some features are not available on the free plan (e.g. transactions are not free unless you upgrade) but there is a lot you can do with the free plan.
For example, I have one client who uses MailerLite for emails, ThriveCart for their cart and hosts the course in NewZenler – this sort of solution is really easy to set up.
Features include:
Online Courses
Create, Sell & Deliver Online Courses.
Marketing Funnels
Build your email list with high converting Marketing Funnels
Powerful Automations
Setup emails and action sequences based on what user does on your site.
Quizzes & Surveys
From graded quizzes to timed quizzes, create any type of Quizzes and Surveys
Membership Sites
Design the membership area with page designer. Set Tiered Pricing for access levels.
If you want a more established tried and tested system, I have a lot of experience of using Kartra and if you would like everything in one place, it is a good option.
However, while it is a great system, I do recognise that it may be well out of budget if you are just getting started and it is my job to give you alternatives within your budget – or at little or no cost.
Features include:
Email marketing
Cart system
Landing pages, Sales pages, Website pages, Funnels, Opt-in forms to capture leads
Courses/Memberships portal
Surveys and quizzes
Helpdesk
Calendar bookings
There are a growing number of companies who have whitelabelled GoHighLevel (or GHL) to set up a SAAS (Software As A Service). If what you are looking for is a system where everything is in one place then a GHL based system is a great option.
While there is no such thing as a perfect system, for me, GoHighLevel comes pretty close! It is an affordable system and does a lot! It means you don't need a separate funnels system, course platform, email marketing system, Calendar system - it can do it all. If I had the skills to build my own perfect platform it would proably be a combination of my favourite features of New Zenler plus the majority of GHL!
However, as I don't currently have those skills (or the time!) I am recommending the two platforms that I personally use:
I have been using Easy Peasy Funnels* run by Easy Peasy Business since October 2022.
I use it for my calendars and appointments, all funnels and products and I even built my website on it. There is a good supportive Facebook group and I have always found Danny Clarke and the EPF team really helpful whenever I have needed any support.
I started using the Funnel Sketchers* platform in early 2024. First with a client and then I opened my own account to use with a new business I am launching later in 2024 (which I am very excited about!). I now work with several clients who use Funnel Sketchers and am one of the Recommended Funnel Sketchers specialists.
The Founder of Funnel Sketchers is Kerry Moorse who is very well known and respected as a Funnels expert. One of the things I like about working with Kerry is how clear her training videos are, The support and training from Funnel Sketchers is excellent.
Features can include*:
Courses & Memberships
Funnels & Landing pages
Email Marketing and Automations
Checkouts and Payments
Calendar & Appointments
Forms & Surveys
Social Media Scheduler
Send proposals and Contracts
CRM & Pipeline builder
Websites and Chat bots
AI Tools
Communities
Affiliate software
Funnel Templates
*Funnel Sketchers and Easy Peasy Funnels have configured what is available in their version differently - so take care to check each platform and the features available on each plan to make sure you choose the right option for you!
I use both so if there is anything you are not sure about, I should be able to clarify for you!
I work with several clients who use the Funnel Sketchers* platform and as of October 2024 I am pleased to say I am on their list of recommended Funnel Sketcehrs Specialists.
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