When it comes to creating online courses, communities, coaching services, or any other knowledge-based digital business, Kajabi stands out not just for its features, but for the success it brings to its users. As one of the most robust online course platforms out there, Kajabi’s 60,000 creators have collectively earned a combined $5 billion in lifetime gross merchandising value. This jaw-dropping number is a testament to the platform’s efficacy and the potential it holds for content creators looking to sell, manage, and market online courses.

But before you sign up for Kajabi and join the ranks of these successful creators, it’s important that you truly understand what the platform is and what all it offers. As someone who’s used the platform for several years now, I’ve put together a list of 7 key things that every potential Kajabi user should know before signing up.

1. The Features and Limitations of Each Plan

The first thing you have to look at when considering Kajabi is the features and limitations inherent in each of its pricing plans. Kajabi offers several tiers, each designed to cater to different needs and scales of operation.

For instance, the Basic plan is ideal for those just starting out, offering essential tools but with limitations on the number of products (3), funnels (3), and websites (1) you can create. As you move up to the Growth and Pro plans, you gain access to more advanced features like automation, affiliate marketing, and additional websites, but these come at a higher cost.

It’s important to assess not just the number of products or contacts allowed, but also the range of marketing tools, customization options, and support levels each plan offers. This will help you choose a plan that not only fits your current needs but also aligns with your future growth aspirations.

I always tell people that you can start small if you want and scale up down the line as your needs evolve.

2. The Value of Kajabi University

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes have a tendency to skip tutorials and just dive into a product to figure things out myself. But I think that’s a mistake with Kajabi because the platform just has so many capabilities that it’s really helpful to take advantage of all of the tutorials and resources they offer via Kajabi University.

Kajabi University offers a wealth of learning materials that can help you maximize your use of the platform. From course creation to effective marketing strategies, Kajabi University is a goldmine for both new and experienced users. Whether you’re a beginner looking to understand the basics of online course creation or an experienced creator aiming to refine your marketing strategies, there’s something for everyone. The courses are meticulously structured to guide users through every facet of using Kajabi effectively.

With a library of more than 350 instructional videos, you can dive into courses covering topics from accounting to legal matters, equipping you with the knowledge to launch and run your new online business efficiently.

3. User Interface Quirks

All in all, I’ve always found Kajabi to be pretty straightforward and easy to use, but at the end of the day, every platform has its quirks and Kajabi is no exception.

A notable quirk is the email editor’s limitation, which restricts typing to the left side of the template. While this might not be a deal-breaker, it’s a small detail that speaks to the user experience on the platform.

Another quirk I’ve come across is in the checkout process on Kajabi. Specifically, when an existing student or member tries to purchase an additional product and enters their email, they are prompted with a message saying, “You’re already a member, please log in.” This login process redirects them to a different page, creating some confusion in the user experience.

Having said that, these are minor little things I’m nitpicking, and when compared to other platforms, Kajabi really is one of the easiest to use that I’ve come across.

4. Kajabi’s Web Design Capabilities Balance Ease of Use with Some Customization

Kajabi’s approach to web design strikes a delicate balance between user-friendliness and customization, catering to a wide range of users from tech novices to experienced web designers.

The web design tools are built with simplicity in mind. The platform offers an intuitive interface that allows users to create and customize their websites without needing extensive technical knowledge. This is particularly beneficial for creators who want to focus more on content and less on the complexities of web development.

Another thing a lot of people don’t realize about Kajabi is its array of pre-designed templates. These Kajabi templates are look great and, more importantly, are also optimized for conversions. They can be easily customized to fit your brand’s look and feel, making it simple to create professional-looking websites and landing pages.

While Kajabi prioritizes ease of use, it also offers a range of customization options. Users can modify layouts, change color schemes, and add custom elements to their pages. This flexibility allows for a degree of personalization, ensuring that each website can stand out and reflect the unique brand of its creator.

However, it’s important to note that while Kajabi offers a good range of customization options, it may not match the level of advanced customization available in platforms dedicated solely to web design, like WordPress. Users looking for highly specific design features or who wish to implement complex custom code may find some limitations.

5. Sales Tax Isn’t Natively Integrated

Unlike some platforms that automate sales tax calculations, Kajabi requires you to manage this aspect independently.This means you’ll need to consider how to handle tax calculations for your products. Here are a couple of strategies you can employ:

• • Incorporating Tax into the Offer Price: One straightforward approach is to include the tax percentage directly in your overall Offer price. This method simplifies the process for you and your customers, as the price they see is the final price they pay, with tax already accounted for.

• • Creating Region-Specific Offers: If your customer base is spread across various states or countries, each with its own tax rates, you might consider creating multiple offers. Each offer can include the specific tax percentage for that region in the price. When doing this, it’s crucial to clearly label each Offer with the respective state or country name, ensuring customers select the correct one.

• • Using External Tools for Tax Management: For a more automated and precise approach, consider integrating your Stripe account with a tool like Quaderno. Quaderno specializes in tax management and can automatically calculate the correct tax rate based on your customer’s location. This integration not only simplifies tax calculations but also ensures compliance with various tax laws and regulations, which is particularly useful if you have a diverse international customer base.

6. There are Lots of Integrations

While Kajabi already does a lot on its own, you can further enhance its capabilities by integrating it with other tools you use. These integrations enhance the functionality of Kajabi, allowing users to connect with a wide range of tools and services seamlessly.

Kajabi offers a variety of native integrations that are directly built into the platform. These integrations include popular email marketing tools, analytics services, and payment gateways, among others. Native integrations are designed to work seamlessly within the Kajabi ecosystem, providing a smooth and integrated user experience. They enable users to connect their Kajabi account with other essential tools they use in their business, such as automating email campaigns or tracking website analytics without leaving the Kajabi platform.

For broader connectivity, Kajabi integrates with Zapier, a tool that acts as a bridge between over 5000 different apps. This integration exponentially expands the possibilities of what you can achieve with Kajabi. Through Zapier, you can connect Kajabi to virtually any app in the Zapier library, from project management tools like Asana or Trello to customer relationship management systems like Salesforce. This means that even if a direct integration isn’t available natively within Kajabi, you can likely still connect your Kajabi account to your preferred tool using Zapier.

7. You Can Try It Free for 30 Days

One of the great things about Kajabi for new users is the opportunity to explore its features through a 30-day free trial. This trial period is an excellent way to experience firsthand what Kajabi has to offer without any initial investment.

During the 30-day trial, you get complete access to all of Kajabi’s features. This includes the ability to create and market your courses (check out these Kajabi course examples), set up your website, and utilize the email marketing tools. It’s a no-risk opportunity to see how these features work together and how they can benefit your online business.

The trial period is a great time to navigate through Kajabi’s user interface and get a feel for its ease of use. You can experiment with different templates, set up pages, and explore the customization options available.

You should use the trial to gauge how effective Kajabi will be for your specific needs. Whether it’s building courses, managing memberships, or marketing your products, the trial gives you a practical understanding of how Kajabi can support your business goals.

With all of these things in mind, you can better understand what to look for when trying Kajabi free for 30 days. Click here to get started.