One of the fastest ways to waste money in your business is to pay for a platform that does not fit how you actually work.
I know this because I have done it.
And here is the thing. We have very different approaches to platforms in our own businesses. One of us goes for the long-term vision. The other goes for what is actually needed right now.
Neither one is wrong. But we have both learned that the right platform can save you time and money, and the wrong one can quietly drain both.
So how do you choose platforms that actually fit your business? Let’s talk through it.
The Lesson We Learned The Hard Way
For a while, I was on ConvertKit.
Now, before I say anything else, let me be clear. ConvertKit is a great email platform. Laurie uses it and loves it.
But for me? It was a terrible investment.
Not because the platform was bad. Because I was not using most of the features that they offer.
Laurie uses a lot of their features that make them more expensive. That is why it works for her.
But I was not using those features. I was paying for things I did not need.
So I switched to Flodesk. And I love it.
For my business, Flodesk just made sense.
That one switch taught us something really important. The best platform is not the one with the most features. It is the one that fits how you actually work.
Two Ways To Think About Platforms
We both think about platforms differently, and I think it is helpful to hear both sides.
One approach is to look long-term and say, “I’m going to pay a little more now because I know I’m going to grow and I’m going to need it, and I don’t want to do the hassle of moving my list later.”
That is wisdom for a certain season and a certain goal.
The other approach is to say, “I am going to pay for what I actually use right now and switch later if I need to.”
That is also wisdom.
The key is knowing which approach fits your business right now.
How To Evaluate A Platform Before You Commit
So how do you actually decide?
Here are the questions we ask ourselves before committing to any platform.
What Features Do I Actually Need Right Now?
Be honest with yourself. If you are not using advanced automation, do not pay for it. If you are not doing email sequences yet, you might not need the higher tier.
What Features Will I Need Soon?
This is where the long-term approach comes in. If you know you are growing fast and will need something in a few months, it might be worth paying for it now to avoid the hassle of switching later.
What Is The Real Cost Of Switching Later?
Moving your email list or your course platform later is a pain. If the switch will cost you hours of time and potential lost subscribers, paying a little more now might be worth it.
Am I Using What I Already Pay For?
This is a big one. Before you add a new platform, look at what you already have. Are you actually using it? If not, adding another one will not fix that.
Platforms That Have Worked For Us
We have found a few platforms that were the best money we ever spent.
Email Platforms
ConvertKit works well for businesses that use a lot of features and plan to grow into them. Flodesk works well for businesses that want something simpler and more affordable for the season they are in.
The point is not that you need to use either one. The point is that we each found a platform that fits our needs and our style.
Course Platforms
MemberVault has been amazing for hosting courses. But again, that is because it fits how the courses are run.
What matters is finding a platform that fits your needs and your teaching style.
That is what we want for you.
What To Do If You Are On The Wrong Platform
If you are reading this and realizing you might be on the wrong platform, do not panic.
You are not stuck.
Here is what we would do:
First, write down what you actually need. Not what you think you should need. What you actually use every week.
Then, look at what you are paying for. Compare it to that list. Are you paying for features you never touch?
Finally, make a decision. If the platform fits, keep it. If it does not, start researching alternatives. Switching is not failure. It is stewardship.
You do not have to stay on a platform that is not serving you just because you already paid for it.
The Goal Is Fit, Not Fancy
At the end of the day, the goal is not to have the most impressive stack of platforms.
The goal is to have the right platforms for your business in your season.
We use different email platforms. That is okay. We have different needs.
What matters is that we each know why we are on the platforms we use. We are not paying for things we do not need. We are not staying on something out of guilt or habit.
We are making intentional choices.
And that is what we want for you, too.
Give Yourself Permission To Choose What Fits
I want to say one more thing.
There is a lot of pressure in the online business world to use the “right” platforms. The ones everyone else is using. The ones the experts recommend.
But your business is not everyone else’s business.
You get to choose what works for you. You get to start simple. You get to switch when something stops fitting.
That is not failure. That is wisdom.
So take a breath. Look at what you are actually using. And make the choice that fits your business, not someone else’s.
