So here’s the thing. Platforms like Udemy or Skillshare are great starting points. I mean, you upload your course, they take care of the tech, and you instantly get access to a massive audience. Sounds dreamy, right?
But then reality sets in.
You notice you’re making, what, $3 per student? Sometimes less. Meanwhile, Udemy is running discount sales where your $100 course is suddenly priced at $12.99, and you don’t even get to complain because, well, that’s their platform and their rules.
It’s convenient, yes. But if you actually want to earn more and build something sustainable? You need your own website. Period.
The Big Difference: Ownership
On Udemy (or any marketplace, really), you don’t actually “own” your audience. Students buy through Udemy, not from you. That means you can’t email them directly, you can’t upsell them easily, and you can’t really control how your course is presented.
But when you’ve got your own personal site? Different game. Every student who signs up is your student. You can build an email list, create bundles, maybe even toss in a live Q&A or coaching call. That’s where the real money shows up—not in single sales, but in relationships.
And honestly, Udemy doesn’t care about your brand. They care about their brand. Which makes sense, but it also means you’re just one tile in their giant catalog. On your own site, you’re the star.
The Numbers (aka Why You’re Probably Underpaid)
Here’s a little breakdown.
- Sell a course on Udemy: They take 50% (sometimes more if it’s sold through their promotions).
- Sell the same course on your site: You keep 90-100%, depending on your setup.
Let’s say you sell 200 courses in a month. On Udemy, that might net you $600. On your own site? That’s more like $4,000. Same course. Same content. Totally different outcome.
And that’s not even counting the fact that you can add extras—ebooks, coaching sessions, memberships—that Udemy doesn’t really let you do properly.
The Funny Thing About “Credibility”
A lot of creators think, “Well, people trust Udemy more than they’ll trust me.” That’s partly true in the beginning, but here’s the funny thing: once a student likes your teaching style, they don’t care where they buy from. If anything, they’d rather buy from you directly because it feels more personal.
And when you’ve got your own site, you can look professional without needing a team of designers. Tools like best personal website builder make it insanely simple—you just plug in your course details, choose a layout, and boom, you’ve got a legit home for your content. No coding required, no headaches.
You’re Building a Business, Not Just Selling Videos
This is the part most creators don’t think about until later. Udemy is like renting a booth at a busy market. You get foot traffic, but the booth isn’t yours. The landlord can change the rules any time.
Having your own site? That’s like owning the shop. Sure, you still have to attract people (marketing never disappears), but you decide the prices, the design, the offers. And over time, the shop becomes an asset that grows with you.
Plus, if you ever want to launch a new course or product, you’ve got a built-in audience that’s already warm and ready to buy. That’s way better than tossing it into a marketplace and hoping the algorithm blesses you.
My Take
I’m not saying ditch Udemy completely. It can still be a good discovery tool, especially in the beginning. But don’t stop there. Don’t let your entire teaching career sit on rented land.
Get your own little corner of the internet. Use Udemy as a funnel, sure, but build your real home on your personal website where you set the rules. That’s where you’ll actually start earning what your work deserves.
And if the tech side feels intimidating, honestly, it doesn’t have to. Something like best personal website builder will get you rolling without the usual headaches. You focus on teaching, it handles the rest.
Because at the end of the day, you’re not just making courses. You’re building a business around your knowledge. And that business deserves more than a rented booth.
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