Skool.com Review - The Best Platform To Build A Community?

For years, I’ve worked with creators to build their membership platforms. Before “paid communities” became the buzzword, we called them membership platforms, and tools like Patreon and Fangage were leading the charge. Fast-forward to today, and the demand for more advanced, engaging platforms has skyrocketed. Enter Skool - a platform I’ve used and recommended to clients looking for an all-in-one solution to build thriving paid communities.

This review is based on my experience working with dozens of creators and setting up platforms like Skool for membership and engagement. I’ll break down what makes Skool unique, its pros and cons, and whether it’s the right fit for your community.

What Is Skool?

Skool is a community and course hosting platform designed to help creators, coaches, and experts build, engage, and monetize their audiences. Think of it as the next step up from platforms like Patreon but with features specifically built to boost interaction, learning, and retention.

Unlike platforms that focus on endless customization, Skool prioritizes simplicity. This makes it an excellent choice for creators who want to focus on community and content without getting bogged down in technical details.

Why I Recommend Skool for Paid Communities

After working with a variety of platforms, from Patreon to Kajabi, Skool has become one of my top recommendations for creators. Here’s why:

1. A User-Friendly Interface That Encourages Engagement

One of the biggest challenges with membership platforms is keeping members engaged. Skool solves this with an interface that feels familiar, much like a social media platform.

Your members can easily switch between course content, discussions, and resources without feeling overwhelmed. Notifications and activity feeds keep the community active, which is crucial for retention in paid communities.

2. Gamification Features That Keep Members Coming Back

Skool incorporates gamification elements like leaderboards and badges. Members earn points for engaging with content, completing courses, or participating in discussions.

I’ve seen firsthand how these small touches create a sense of competition and community. They’re especially useful in paid communities, where engagement directly impacts the value members feel they’re getting.

3. Combines Courses and Communities

With Skool, you don’t need separate platforms for hosting your courses and running your community. Everything is integrated, making it easier for members to engage with both.

For example, a fitness coach I worked with used Skool to host workout videos and facilitate group discussions. Members loved having everything in one place, and it made the onboarding process smoother.

4. Seamless Integration with External Tools

Skool integrates with tools like Zapier, allowing you to connect it to your email marketing software, payment gateways, or CRMs. This flexibility is a big plus if you’re already using other systems to manage your business.

What Are the Downsides of Skool?

While I’m a fan of Skool, no platform is perfect. Here are a few limitations I’ve noticed:

1. Limited Customization

Skool focuses on simplicity, but this comes at the cost of customization. You can’t tweak the design or branding as much as you can on platforms like Kajabi or Circle.

For example, I had a client who wanted their community to match their brand’s unique color scheme and URL. Skool only allows subdomains like skool.com/yourcommunity, which might not work if full branding control is a priority.

2. No Built-In Video Hosting

Skool doesn’t host videos directly, so you’ll need to use platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it adds an extra step for creators running video-heavy communities.

3. No Native Live Call Features

Live calls are a big part of many communities, but Skool doesn’t offer built-in functionality for hosting them. You’ll need to integrate with Zoom or Google Meet, which can add extra costs for larger groups.

Who Is Skool Best For?

From my experience, Skool is best for creators, coaches, and educators who:

• Want a simple, all-in-one platform for hosting courses and communities.

• Value engagement and retention over heavy branding and customization.

• Are looking for gamification features to boost member participation.

If you’re running a smaller community and need advanced customization or native video hosting, you might find platforms like Circle or Kajabi a better fit.

How I Can Help You Build Your Skool Community

Over the years, I’ve helped dozens of creators transition to platforms like Skool, optimizing their communities for engagement, retention, and growth. From setting up systems to designing content strategies, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

Here’s what we implement for creators & coaches:

• Community-Building Systems: Proven strategies to keep members engaged and reduce churn.

• Automation Workflows: Tailored systems to streamline onboarding, engagement, and payments.

• Content Strategies: Personalized approaches to increase retention and drive recurring revenue.

Final Thoughts

Skool is an excellent platform for creators looking to grow and monetize their communities without the headache of managing multiple tools. Its simplicity, gamification features, and all-in-one structure make it a great choice for creators and coaches focused on engagement and ease of use.

If you’re serious about building a profitable paid community and want help getting started, schedule a strategy call with me. Together, we’ll map out the best setup for your community and ensure you’re maximizing Skool’s potential.

👉 Schedule a Free Strategy Call

Whether you’re just starting or transitioning from another platform, I’ll help you build a community that thrives. Let’s get started!