Switching course platforms feels daunting because your students, revenue, and curriculum are all actively in motion. But when you follow a structured parallel-staging process, migrating from Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific, Skool, Podia, or LearnDash to a dedicated teaching platform can be completed over a single weekend with zero student downtime. Here is the 24-step master migration checklist used to transfer thousands of courses cleanly, safeguarding your digital assets, payment records, and student goodwill.
Quick Answer: The 5-Phase Migration Framework
- Phase 1: Pre-Migration Audit: Inventory all video files, PDF worksheets, student counts, custom domains, and recurring revenue subscriptions.
- Phase 2: Comprehensive Data Export: Download all original video masters, export student CSV rosters, and archive historical transaction invoices.
- Phase 3: Parallel Staging on New LMS: Recreate modules, upload media, configure branding, and run test enrollments while your old school remains live.
- Phase 4: Payment & DNS Configuration: Connect your Stripe account (0% platform fees) and prepare custom domain DNS records.
- Phase 5: Student Switchover & Sunset: Send student welcome emails, verify login continuity, and only then cancel your old subscription.
Phase 1: Pre-Migration Discovery & Asset Audit
Before downloading a single file or changing any settings, establish a clear inventory of your school's existing operational footprint:
Step 1: Inventory All Active Products & Tiers
List every course, cohort program, membership level, and digital download you currently sell. Identify which courses are evergreen (self-paced) versus scheduled live cohorts.
Step 2: Map Student Enrollment Numbers
Check total student counts across all products. Differentiate between active paying students, free preview users, and historical alumni who require lifetime access.
Step 3: Audit Recurring Billing Subscriptions
Determine whether your payments are processed via your own Stripe Connect account or a proprietary merchant gateway (e.g., Teachable:pay, Kajabi Payments). If you use a proprietary gateway, active recurring subscriptions cannot be transferred via automated tokens and must be invited to re-subscribe.
Step 4: Locate Original Video Master Files
Check your cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, local external hard drive) to see if you already possess raw 1080p MP4 master files. If not, budget time to retrieve them from your current platform's lesson editors.
Step 5: Review Custom Domain & Email DNS Settings
Log in to your DNS registrar (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap) and document your existing CNAME, A-records, and email SPF/DKIM verification records.
Phase 2: Comprehensive Data Extraction & Export
Always export your proprietary data before initiating any cancellation requests:
Step 6: Export Student Rosters as CSV
Export full student spreadsheets containing Name, Email, Enrollment Date, Course Slug, and Completion Percentage. If you have multiple courses, export individual CSVs per course to simplify batch importing.
Step 7: Download Lesson Video Masters
Download every video file. If your platform lacks a bulk export button (like Teachable or Kajabi), use our Teachable Video Export Guide to retrieve files lesson by lesson.
Step 8: Download PDF Worksheets & Media Attachments
Organize lesson attachments into folders corresponding to your curriculum modules (e.g., "Module 1 - Lesson 2 - Reflection Worksheet.pdf").
Step 9: Archive Written Lesson Content
Copy written lesson text, code snippets, and exercise prompts into backup documents or a Notion workspace.
Step 10: Export Sales Tax and Financial Transaction Records
Download complete lifetime transaction and invoice reports for your CPA and tax compliance.
Phase 3: Parallel Staging on Your New LMS
The secret to zero student downtime is parallel staging. Your current platform remains fully operational for your existing learners while you construct your new academy in the background:
Step 11: Set Up Your New LMS Account
Create your account on your new platform (e.g., Ruzuku's Free Plan).
Step 12: Build Course Syllabi & Modules
Create your modules, sub-lessons, and sections. Ensure the structural numbering matches your previous course so returning students feel familiar.
Step 13: Upload Video Lessons and Media Assets
Upload your MP4 video files, attach PDFs, and embed exercise prompts directly into each lesson.
Step 14: Configure Automated Completion Certificates
Set up dynamic completion certificates with custom signatures, course titles, and CEU contact hour specifications if applicable.
Step 15: Perform Full End-to-End Test Enrollment
Enroll a test email address, walk through every lesson, test video playback on mobile and desktop, and verify that discussion feeds work seamlessly.
Phase 4: Payment Gateway & Custom Domain Routing
Ensure your checkout flows and branded web addresses are primed for switchover:
Step 16: Connect Your Stripe Account
Connect your Stripe account to your new LMS. On Ruzuku, you pay 0% platform transaction fees, meaning 100% of your earnings (minus standard card processing) go straight to your bank.
Step 17: Recreate Pricing Plans & Coupon Codes
Set up your one-time purchase tiers, payment plans, and promotional discounts.
Step 18: Decouple Custom Domain from Old Platform
Remove your custom domain mapping from your legacy provider's settings to release the SSL certificate lock.
Step 19: Update DNS CNAME Records
Point your course subdomain (e.g., academy.yourdomain.com) to your new LMS CNAME target in your DNS management dashboard.
Phase 5: Student Switchover & Legacy Sunset
Execute a smooth, transparent transition for your learners:
Step 20: Import Your Student CSV Roster
Upload your exported student CSV into your new platform. This provisions student accounts without charging them or requiring manual registration.
Step 21: Send Onboarding & Password-Setup Emails
Send an announcement email explaining that your academy has upgraded to a faster, cleaner learning portal. Include personal activation links so students can set their password and log in.
Step 22: Monitor Student Check-Ins for 7 Days
Provide responsive support for any students who need assistance finding their login links during the first week.
Step 23: Place a Redirect Notice on Legacy School
If your old school is still temporarily active, update its homepage banner to direct visitors to your new login URL.
Student Announcement Email Template
Here is an email template that frames your platform migration as an exciting upgrade:
Subject: We're upgrading our course portal! Here's your new access link
Hi [Student First Name],
I have an exciting announcement! Over the past few weeks, we've been rebuilding our student portal on a brand-new, faster platform designed to give you a much better learning experience.
Our new portal includes clean video streaming, integrated lesson discussion areas, and native live meeting rooms where we can connect in real time.
Your Access Is Ready:
We've already transferred your account and your full course access. All you need to do is set your password:
👉 [Link: Set Your Password & Log In]
If you run into any questions or have trouble logging in, simply reply directly to this email and our team will take care of you right away.
Warmly,
[Your Name]
Migrate with White-Glove Support on Ruzuku
You don't have to navigate platform migration alone. Ruzuku provides complimentary white-glove migration assistance for course creators, coaches, and training organizations switching from Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi, Skool, Podia, Kartra, or LearnDash.
Our team will help format your curriculum, stage video assets, verify student CSV imports, and test your student experience before you flip the switch.
Make Your Platform Switch Painless
Join thousands of educators who made the switch to Ruzuku for 0% platform transaction fees, live video classrooms, and dedicated human student support.