Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get talked about enough:

Where you host your course matters. A lot.

It’s not just about convenience or templates or features. It’s about ownership. It’s about control. And if you’re building your course (aka your business) on someone else’s platform, you might be giving away more than you realise.

Most creators don’t think about this stuff until it’s too late. They sign up to a course platform, build everything there, and then suddenly hit a wall with fees, restrictions, design limits, or worse, a complete loss of access to their own audience.

So before you go all-in on a third-party course platform, read this first.

Most Course Platforms Are Built to Serve Themselves (Not You)

They promise ease. They promise all-in-one solutions. And to be fair, some of them do a good job of helping you get started.

But once you grow beyond that beginner phase, things start to get messy.

You realise the platform owns the customer data.

You find out they’re taking a cut of every sale.

You want to create a more personalised experience for your audience... and can’t.

And that’s when it hits: you’re not really running your own business. You’re just operating within someone else’s system.

It’s kind of like selling your products in a big-box store. Sure, they give you shelf space. But they also decide where you sit, who sees you, and how much you pay for the privilege.

The Not-So-Obvious Costs of Using Someone Else’s Platform

Here’s what creators often overlook when choosing a course platform:

1. Revenue Cuts Add Up

Some platforms take 3%, 10%, even 15% of every sale. That might sound small, but when your course starts gaining traction, you’re handing over thousands just to stay on the platform.

2. You Don’t Really Own Your Brand

Your course might have your name on it, but the student experience still lives inside someone else’s interface. It doesn’t feel like your world, it feels like theirs.

3. Limited Customisation Can Limit Your Growth

Maybe you want to add unique onboarding flows. Or make your site feel like an extension of your brand. Most platforms can’t give you that level of control. You’re stuck with generic layouts and plug-and-play features that weren’t designed with you in mind.

4. You Don’t Own Your Audience

This one’s big. If the platform holds your customer list hostage, or makes it difficult to export... you’re essentially “borrowing” your audience. Which makes it really hard to build long-term relationships, move platforms, or scale outside of their ecosystem.

5. Your Success Is Algorithm-Dependent

If your course sales are tied to how the platform promotes you, or how you rank in their search algorithm: you're vulnerable. Any change in their system can directly impact your income.

So What Do the Top Creators Do Differently?

They build outside of those platforms.

They use custom websites. They manage their own content systems. They design experiences that feel 100% on-brand. And they stay in direct contact with their audience every step of the way.

It’s not about being anti-platform. It’s about choosing freedom over convenience.

When you control the ecosystem, everything becomes easier:

• You keep 100% of your revenue.
• You design a user experience that reflects who you are.
• You grow your email list and community on your terms.
• You’re not at the mercy of someone else’s policy update or algorithm tweak.

So… What Should You Do Instead?

You don’t have to become a full-stack developer to take control. You just need a better setup and one that puts you in charge.

That’s what we’re building with ContentFlo.

We help creators host their course on their own custom-built website: no tech overwhelm, no generic templates, and no revenue-sharing.

It’s your brand. Your site. Your audience. Your rules.

• Keep everything in one place.
• Say goodbye to fees and revenue cuts.
• Finally feel like a real business owner (not a tenant).

Want to Learn More?

We’re currently working with a small group of creators who are ready to make the switch. If you’re one of them, we’d love to chat.

Click HERE for a FREE consultation call with our Founder

Or send us a DM on Instagram: @contentflo.io

You can also email us directly at: hello@contentflo.io

Let’s figure out the best way to take your course from “stuck on someone else’s platform” to “totally yours.”

Because the truth is, the longer you wait, the more control you give up.