So, you’ve decided to build an eLearning business but are torn between the available options — you’re not alone.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of Learning Management Systems available, especially when you are just starting out.
There’s so much to consider that one wrong decision can crash-land your potential venture even before it takes off. But, if you make a wise decision, having a successful business journey is within the palm of your hand.
Fortunatley for you, we’re here to simplify things for you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step by step, helping you find the LMS that’s just right for your business.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right LMS
Though all learning management systems help you create and deliver training modules, no two tools are the same. Each one packs a unique set of features to solve a particular niche’s problem.
Thus, to ensure you end up choosing the LMS that meets all your business needs, you need to start by asking the right questions.
1. Start with Your Business Needs
Before you step into the world of LMS, you need to be certain of the business you’re starting. Forget about all the shiny LMS platforms and their bells and whistles and take a moment to focus on what your business needs to do and what it needs.
Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
- What’s the main goal of LMS in your business? Are you looking to onboard new employees, offer compliance training, educate your customers, or maybe even sell courses online?
- Who’s going to use this thing? Think about the people who will be logging in to the LMS platform—are they tech-savvy, or will they need something super simple to navigate?
- What kind of content are you delivering? Are we talking lessons, video courses, quizzes, interactive stuff, or a mix of everything?
- Do you need to track progress of your users? It’s one thing to offer training, but do you also need to keep an eye on how everyone’s doing?
- What’s the budget? And not just the upfront cost—consider any ongoing fees or future expenses if you plan to scale.
2. Pinpoint your Must Have Features
Now that you know the true purpose of your business, it’s time to list out features that are non-negotiable for your LMS.
The list will be unique to each business. However, here are some features that are common in most LMS platforms:
- Supports Quiz: Are you thinking of creating and administering quizzes to assess the knowledge and overall progress of the users? Then, we suggest you get a plugin that supports quizzes.
- Email Automation: Want to engage the existing subscribers by providing information through automated emails. If yes, you need to choose the right LMS plugin that has email automation.
- Upload Course Materials: It’s better if you select an LMS plugin that includes text, and PDFs for course workbooks. Also, it includes other course materials like audio, video, and other materials.
- Payment Gateways: Do you want a quick and secure payment for your courses? If yes, select an LMS plugin that provides multiple payment options as per your requirements.
- Content Dripping: Are you willing to handle extensive courses with ease? If yes, content dripping lets you release lessons at a respective scheduled time instead of releasing them all at once.
- Progress Tracking: This feature enables recording and monitoring users’ activity to know the overall progress! It keeps a detailed record of lessons that are accessed, completed, or yet to be completed.
- Responsiveness: You might face issues if your LMS website cannot be accessed through mobile devices. To avoid that, we suggest you choose a responsive plugin.
- Integration and Compatibility: Many plugins provide their users with plenty of add-ons. We suggest you choose a plugin that provides multiple integrations that enhances your website functionality.
3. Explore the Market and Evaluate LMS
When choosing an LMS plugin, it is advisable to do your research and review all the available LMS options.
It can be a good idea to go through reviews and ratings. If you don’t find it trustworthy, going through experts’ suggestions or seeking recommendations might be a suitable option.
a) Narrow Down Your List
Start by crossing off any LMS that doesn’t meet your must-have features or is way out of your price range. Aim to narrow it down to a few top contenders.
b) Check Out Reviews
Head over to review sites like G2 or Capterra and see what real users are saying. Pay attention to feedback on usability, customer support, and overall satisfaction.
c) Try Before You Buy
Most LMS platforms offer free trials or demos. Take advantage of these to get a feel for how the system works. Test out the interface, play around with creating a course, and see if it’s a good fit.
d) Evaluate Support
While you’re testing, reach out to customer support with any questions. How quickly do they respond? Are they helpful? This could be a big factor in your decision.
e) Think Long-Term
You’re not just choosing an LMS for today—you’re choosing one that should grow with your business. Consider whether the platform can handle more users, more courses, and more complexity as you expand.
f) Get Clear on Costs
Let’s talk money. LMS pricing can be all over the map, so it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. Here’s what to consider:
- Value for Money: Sometimes, it’s worth paying a bit more for a system that does everything you need and comes with great support.
- Upfront Costs: Are there any fees for setting up or onboarding?
- Ongoing Fees: Will you be paying monthly, yearly, or per user?
- Extras: Watch out for hidden costs, like extra charges for additional features, custom branding, or premium support.
4. Launch a Pilot Test with Beta Users
Once you have picked one LMS from the crowd, consider a soft launch with a small number of users for a hands-on experience.
Most LMS vendors would be happy to give you a free trial or demo if you approach them. Some even offer a free version of their software.
Use this opportunity to spot any problems and challenges early on. You can also get genuine feedback from the user regarding your platform as well as your content to improve on.
5. Plan Your Public Rollout
Once you fine-tune your LMS based on the feedback from the pilot group and are satisfied with what you have, it’s time for a public release.
Start by migrating your content and user data from the pilot test to the new system. Ensure everyone associated with the platform, including your in-house team and users, is properly trained.
And then you’re done — for now, that is. This is because you still need to monitor the operation of the LMS for maintenance and updates.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right LMS for your business is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By taking the time to understand your needs, prioritizing key features, and carefully evaluating your options, you can find an LMS that fits your business perfectly.
Remember, the best LMS is one that not only meets your needs today but can grow and evolve with you as your business does. Good luck, and happy LMS hunting!