A brick-and-mortar practice budgets for rent, utilities, and a front desk. An online practice needs a budget too. Yours just goes to software instead of square footage.
The right tools save you hours every week, make your programs look professional, and keep clients coming back. The wrong ones, or too many of them, eat your time and your margins. In this post I'll walk you through the delivery and marketing tools I've used myself or know well, what each one does best, and who it's right for.
First, What Does "Program Delivery" Mean?
Program delivery is how your client receives your program after they buy it: the lessons, handouts, workbooks, and recipes. It can be as simple as an email with a download link or as complete as a members-only website with logins, progress tracking, and scheduling. Which one you need depends on how many clients you serve, how much tech you want to manage, and the experience you want to give.
The Tools, From Simplest to Most Complete
1. Email + Cloud File Storage
Store your program files in a service like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Dropbox, or Google Drive, and send clients a link by email when they purchase. It's the least expensive way to begin, and it works well for short programs.
Tip: Pair this with your email platform so the link goes out automatically after purchase. No manual sending required.
2. Keap (formerly Infusionsoft)
Keap is the engine behind my business. It keeps track of every contact, sends automated email sequences, tags buyers, and runs order forms. Its biggest strength is marketing automation. It has paid for itself many times over.
I am not a Keap affiliate. I recommend it because I use it.
3. AccessAlly
AccessAlly is membership software for WordPress that connects with Keap. It lets you build a complete members area with logins, courses, progress tracking, and gated content that unlocks when someone buys.
I am an AccessAlly affiliate.
4. Healthie
Healthie combines program delivery with the day-to-day tools of running a practice: scheduling, telehealth, billing, charting, and client messaging, all in one place. A great choice if you see clients one-on-one and also deliver programs.
5. Practice Better
Practice Better is another practice-management platform that handles client records, booking, and program delivery. Some of our programs are available to load into Practice Better. Contact support@thehealthcoachgroup.com for access details.
Start a Practice Better subscription here. This is a partner link.
At a Glance: Which Option Fits You?
| Option | Cost | Tech Skill Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email + cloud storage | $ | Low | New practices, short programs |
| Keap | $$$ | Medium | Automating marketing and sales |
| AccessAlly | $$$$$ | High | A complete, branded membership site |
| Healthie | $$ | Low–Medium | One-on-one practices that also sell programs |
| Practice Better | $$ | Low–Medium | One-on-one practices that also sell programs |
How to Choose
- Just starting out? Email + cloud storage. Keep it simple and put your energy into finding clients.
- Seeing clients one-on-one? Look at Healthie or Practice Better so scheduling, notes, and programs live together.
- Building an online program business? Add an email marketing platform like Keap, then consider a membership site like AccessAlly once you have steady sales.
Need Programs to Deliver?
Our ready-to-brand programs come with everything you need to start delivering right away, whichever tool you choose.
Find a Program Program Delivery Made Easy Get Free UpdatesWhere are you stuck in building your business? Tell us in the comments below!
Thank you, this has been very helpful. I am very new to online business, websites and how they function. It has been overwhelming especially when people are throwing around company names and terms and I have no idea what they are or what they do. I look forward to reading more such informative newsletters.
Hello,
This was helpful. I’m looking into Healthie… but what is the actual site? http://www.healthie.com??
Hi Joyce, it is gethealthie.com