How to Migrate from Teachable to BTS: Complete Guide (2026)

Ready to move your creator business from Teachable to BTS? You're making a smart choice. We've helped hundreds of creators make this exact transition, and we know the process inside and out. This guide walks you through everything—from exporting your content to launching on BTS—so you can migrate with confidence.

BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Unlike course platforms that lock you into rigid structures, we give you one place to build something you own. If you've been feeling limited by Teachable's approach, you're about to discover what's possible when your platform works with your vision, not against it.

Migration Overview

Why Creators Leave Teachable

From our experience: We've seen a consistent pattern in why creators decide to move. It's rarely one big thing—it's the accumulation of small frustrations that add up to a fundamental mismatch between what you need and what the platform offers.

The most common pain points we hear:

Design limitations. Teachable's templates feel dated. Your brand deserves better than a generic course portal that looks like everyone else's. Creators tell us they're embarrassed to send their audience to pages that don't reflect their brand's personality.

Fragmentation headaches. Teachable handles courses, but what about community? Coaching? Digital products? You end up stitching together five different tools, managing five different logins, and hoping they all play nice together. They rarely do.

Pricing that punishes growth. As your business scales, Teachable's fees can become a significant chunk of your revenue. We've talked to creators paying hundreds in monthly fees plus transaction costs—money that should be going toward building their business.

Limited ownership. When your entire business lives on someone else's platform, you're always one policy change away from disruption. Creators want to own their audience relationship, their data, and their future.

What you'll gain with BTS: Everything runs behind the scenes in one space. Community, content, courses, coaching—all under one roof with modern design that actually looks like a brand worth paying attention to. We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. You bring your audience; we help you turn them into a real business.

Before You Start: Pre-Migration Checklist

Don't jump into migration without preparing properly. Here's what to have ready before you begin:

Essential Pre-Migration Tasks

• [ ] Export your member/student list – Download a CSV with emails, names, and purchase history
• [ ] Download all your content – Videos, PDFs, images, audio files—everything you've uploaded
• [ ] Document your current pricing tiers – Note prices, billing cycles, and any grandfathered rates
• [ ] Screenshot your course structure – Capture how modules and lessons are organized
• [ ] Review active subscriptions – Know exactly who's paying and what they're getting
• [ ] List your current integrations – Email tools, Zapier connections, payment processors
• [ ] Set a migration date – Pick a specific day and communicate it clearly

Communication Planning

• [ ] Draft member announcement email – Explain the move and what it means for them
• [ ] Prepare FAQ responses – Anticipate questions your members will ask
• [ ] Plan your transition timeline – Decide if you'll run both platforms briefly or do a hard switch

Our recommendation: Block out a full day for migration, even if the technical work only takes a couple of hours. You'll want buffer time for testing and adjustments.

Step-by-Step Migration Process

Here's exactly how to move from Teachable to BTS. We've refined this process through hundreds of migrations, and following these steps will get you up and running smoothly.

Step 1: Set Up Your BTS Account

First, create your BTS account at behindthescenes.com. The signup takes about two minutes.

What to do:

1. Sign up with your creator email
2. Choose your BTS username (this becomes part of your URL)
3. Complete the basic profile setup—name, bio, profile image
4. Connect your Stripe account for payments (you can use an existing one)

Pro tip from our team: Pick a username that matches your brand across platforms. Consistency matters for recognition.

The Starter plan is free, so you can explore everything before committing. Most creators start here, then upgrade to Pro once they're ready to launch seriously.

Step 2: Recreate Your Offering Structure

Now let's rebuild what you had on Teachable—but better. BTS gives you more flexibility in how you structure your offerings.

Map your Teachable products to BTS:

What to set up:

1. Create your subscription tiers – Monthly, annual, or both. Set your pricing.
2. Build your content structure – Organize modules, sections, and lessons
3. Configure access rules – What each tier can access
4. Set up your community spaces – Discussion areas, announcement feeds, member directories

What we've learned: Don't try to replicate Teachable exactly. This is your chance to restructure. Many creators find their Teachable setup was unnecessarily complex. Simplify where you can.

Step 3: Import and Recreate Your Content

Time to move your actual content into BTS. This is the most hands-on part of migration.

For video content:

1. Upload videos directly to BTS (we host them for you)
2. Or connect existing video hosts like Vimeo or YouTube
3. Organize into your new structure

For documents and downloads:

1. Upload PDFs, workbooks, and resources
2. Attach them to relevant lessons or make them standalone downloads

For text content:

1. Copy lesson text from Teachable
2. Paste into BTS content editor
3. Format using our rich text tools

Our data shows: Creators who take time to review and update their content during migration see higher engagement post-switch. Old content gets a refresh, broken links get fixed, and outdated information gets updated.

Content migration timeline:

Step 4: Import Your Members

This is where many creators feel nervous—but it's actually straightforward.

Exporting from Teachable:

1. Go to Teachable admin → Users → Export
2. Download CSV with all member data
3. Clean up the spreadsheet (remove test accounts, fix formatting issues)

Importing to BTS:

1. Navigate to your BTS dashboard → Members
2. Use our import tool to upload your CSV
3. Map the columns (email, name, subscription tier)
4. Review the preview and confirm

Handling active subscribers:

For members with active paid subscriptions, you have options:

• Honor existing access: Give them complimentary access on BTS until their Teachable subscription ends, then they renew with you
• Migration discount: Offer a special rate for switching their payment to BTS immediately
• Parallel access: Run both platforms briefly while members transition

BTS's take: We recommend honoring existing access. It builds goodwill, reduces member anxiety, and creates a clean transition. Most members appreciate the upgrade and happily renew when the time comes.

Step 5: Test Everything

Before announcing to members, test your entire setup as if you were a new customer.

Testing checklist:

• [ ] Create a test account and go through signup
• [ ] Purchase each offering type (use test mode)
• [ ] Access all content in each tier
• [ ] Check mobile experience (many members access on phones)
• [ ] Test community features—posting, commenting, notifications
• [ ] Verify email notifications are working
• [ ] Click every link and button
• [ ] Test password reset and account management

Ask a friend: Have someone unfamiliar with your setup go through the experience. Fresh eyes catch things you'll miss.

Step 6: Launch and Redirect

You've built it. You've tested it. Time to go live.

Launch sequence:

1. Send announcement email – Let members know the new platform is ready
2. Share login instructions – Clear steps for accessing their new home
3. Update your links – Website, social bios, email signatures
4. Redirect old URLs – Point Teachable links to BTS (keep for SEO)
5. Monitor the first 24 hours – Be available to answer questions

From our experience: The first day feels hectic, but 90% of members transition without any issues. The ones who reach out usually just need a quick link or password help.

Communicating with Your Members

How you communicate the migration matters as much as the technical execution. Your members chose you—make sure they feel taken care of during the transition.

When to Announce

Timeline we recommend:

What to Tell Them

Be transparent and focus on benefits. Here's a framework:

The message:

"We're moving to a new platform that will give you a better experience. Your access continues uninterrupted. Here's what's improving..."

Key points to cover:

• Why you're moving (honest but positive)
• What's getting better for them
• Their access isn't interrupted
• Exactly what they need to do (usually just click a link)
• How to get help if needed

Email Templates

First announcement:

Subject: Exciting news about [Your Brand]

>

Hey [Name],

>

I'm moving [Your Brand] to a new home—one that's been built specifically for creator businesses like ours.

>

Starting [Date], you'll find everything at [new URL]. Your membership transfers automatically, and honestly? I think you're going to love the upgrade.

>

Here's what's getting better:

- [Benefit 1]

- [Benefit 2]

- [Benefit 3]

>

Your access continues uninterrupted. I'll send login details before the switch.

>

Questions? Just reply to this email.

>

[Your name]

Migration day:

Subject: We're live! Here's your new access

>

Hey [Name],

>

The new [Your Brand] is officially open!

>

Access everything here: [Link]

>

Your login: [Email they use]

>

First time? Click "forgot password" to set yours up.

>

Everything you had before is waiting for you—plus some new features I think you'll enjoy.

>

See you inside,

[Your name]

Handling Concerns

Some members will have questions. Here are the most common and how to address them:

"Will I lose my progress?"

Reassure them that their access transfers completely. Course progress can be tracked fresh, which some members actually prefer.

"Do I need to pay again?"

Explain exactly how billing works. If you're honoring existing subscriptions, say so clearly.

"Why are you changing things?"

Share your honest reasons. Members appreciate transparency over corporate-speak.

Common Migration Challenges (And Solutions)

We've seen it all. Here's how to handle the bumps:

Challenge: Members can't find their login

Solution: Send a clear, simple email with a direct link. Include a "forgot password" prompt. Some members save old Teachable bookmarks—redirect those URLs if possible.

Challenge: Content formatting looks different

Solution: Review high-traffic content after migration. Some formatting may need adjustment. Our editor handles most standard formatting, but complex layouts might need tweaking.

Challenge: Payment history questions

Solution: Keep records of Teachable transactions for reference. If members ask about past payments, you'll have the data. BTS tracks everything going forward.

Challenge: Members miss features that don't exist

Solution: Be honest about differences. If Teachable had something BTS handles differently, explain the alternative. Often, our approach is better—just different.

Challenge: Tech-resistant members struggling

Solution: Offer a quick video walkthrough. Screen share if needed. Some members appreciate extra hand-holding during transitions.

Our recommendation: Over-communicate during migration week. Better to send one too many emails than leave members confused. The temporary inbox noise is worth the smooth transition.

Post-Migration Checklist

You've launched. Members are accessing content. Here's what to do in the first week:

First 24 Hours

• [ ] Monitor support inbox constantly
• [ ] Check community for questions or issues
• [ ] Verify all payment connections are working
• [ ] Test a purchase with a real card
• [ ] Confirm email automations are firing

First Week

• [ ] Review analytics—are members engaging?
• [ ] Send a "how's the new platform?" check-in
• [ ] Address any recurring questions with a FAQ or tutorial
• [ ] Start promoting your upgraded experience
• [ ] Begin planning new content that uses BTS features

First Month

• [ ] Gather feedback from active members
• [ ] Optimize based on usage patterns
• [ ] Explore BTS features you haven't used yet
• [ ] Consider upgrading to Pro if you started on Starter
• [ ] Celebrate—you did it!

What we've learned: The creators who thrive post-migration are the ones who treat it as a fresh start, not just a platform swap. Use this moment to re-engage dormant members, launch something new, or restructure your offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much does BTS cost?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched. Our Pro plan is $149/month with lower transaction fees (3.5% + 30¢ versus 10% on Starter). Most creators find that Pro pays for itself quickly if they're doing meaningful revenue. Check our pricing page for full details.

Q2: Is BTS free to use?

Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free to launch. You can build your entire creator business, accept payments, and start earning without paying us a monthly fee. The 10% transaction fee on Starter means we only make money when you do.

Q3: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

We're creator business infrastructure, not just another monetization tool. BTS gives creators one place to build something they own—content, community, courses, and coaching all in one space. Everything runs behind the scenes so you can focus on creating and connecting with your audience.

Q4: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

Absolutely. We've helped hundreds of creators migrate from Teachable, Patreon, Kajabi, and other platforms. Your member list imports directly, and we offer tools to make the transition seamless for both you and your audience.

Q5: How long does it take to set up BTS?

Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed for speed—we want you earning quickly, not buried in settings for weeks. Simple setups can be live in an hour or two.

Q6: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, like most platforms. Starter takes 10% of transactions. Pro takes 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction plus the $149 monthly fee. We're transparent about this because we believe creators should know exactly what they're paying.

Q7: What kind of support does BTS offer?

Real humans who understand creator businesses. Not just a help center—actual support from people who've helped 1,600+ creators build and grow. We're particularly hands-on with migrations because we know switching platforms can feel overwhelming.

Q8: Can I use my own domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains for a fully branded experience. Your members see your domain, your brand, your business—BTS runs invisibly behind the scenes.

Q9: How long does the Teachable migration take?

Most creators complete the process in 1-2 hours for basic setup, or a full day if you're doing a comprehensive content transfer. The technical work isn't complicated—it's mostly uploading and organizing.

Q10: What if I get stuck during migration?

Reach out to our support team. We help with migrations regularly and can guide you through any roadblocks. You're not doing this alone.

Q11: Will my Teachable courses look the same on BTS?

The content transfers, but the presentation will look different—better, we'd argue. BTS has modern, brand-forward design that doesn't look like a generic course portal. Take this opportunity to refresh your visual presentation.

Q12: Can I run both Teachable and BTS simultaneously?

Yes, many creators run both platforms for a transition period. This lets members migrate at their own pace and gives you time to ensure everything works before fully switching.

Q13: What happens to my SEO if I switch platforms?

Set up redirects from your Teachable URLs to your new BTS pages. This preserves most of your search equity. Google handles platform migrations well if you redirect properly.

Q14: Do I need technical skills to migrate?

No coding required. If you could set up Teachable, you can set up BTS. Our interface is designed for creators, not developers. The most technical thing you'll do is upload files and map spreadsheet columns.

Q15: What payment processors does BTS support?

We integrate with Stripe for payments, supporting all major credit cards and payment methods Stripe offers. If you already have a Stripe account from Teachable, you can often use the same one.

Q16: How do I handle refunds after migration?

For purchases made on Teachable, handle refunds through Teachable. For new BTS purchases, process them through your BTS dashboard. Keep both systems accessible during the transition period for this reason.

Q17: What if my members don't want to switch?

In our experience, this rarely happens if you communicate well. Most members follow the creator, not the platform. For the rare holdout, offer extra support or extend their Teachable access while they adjust.

Q18: Can I import my course completion data?

Course progress doesn't transfer automatically, but many creators see this as a feature, not a bug. Members get a fresh start, and you get clean analytics. If progress tracking is critical, reach out to our team for options.

Q19: Does BTS work internationally?

Yes! We support creators and members globally. Payments work in most countries (excluding a few restricted regions). Payouts typically arrive in 1-5 days, with same-day available in the US.

Q20: What's the biggest mistake creators make when migrating?

Rushing the communication. The technical migration is straightforward—it's the member experience that makes or breaks it. Take time to craft thoughtful announcements, prepare for questions, and be present during the transition.

Key Takeaways

• Migration is easier than you think. Most creators complete the process in a few hours, not days or weeks.
• Communication matters. Keep your members informed at every step, and most will transition without issues.
• This is a fresh start. Use migration as an opportunity to restructure, refresh content, and re-engage your audience.
• You're not alone. Our team has helped hundreds of creators make this exact switch—reach out if you need help.

About the Author

BTS Support is our Migration Specialist team, helping creators transition from platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, Patreon, and others. We've personally assisted 500+ creators through successful migrations and know exactly what works (and what doesn't).

At BTS, we believe creators shouldn't be held back by platform limitations. If you're ready to build something you truly own, we're here to help make it happen.

Related Resources

• BTS vs Teachable: Full Comparison
• Teachable Alternatives for 2026
• Getting Started with BTS

This guide reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026. Have questions about your specific migration? Reach out to our team.

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