Thinking about launching an online course? Educational resources serve many purposes, and can be an excellent part of your strategy to grow your brand. For starters, online courses are often great for lead generation and establishing your company as an authority within your industry. Whether you’re thinking about building a course or have already started the process of putting one together, you’ll need a solid learning management system (LMS). There are many LMS options out there, and it can be challenging to find the right fit. Not sure what to look for? Here, we share some of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing an LMS:
Information Security
Information security is not something to overlook. Before you give your business to a LMS provider, do your due diligence to ensure that you feel confident in the security and privacy policies. Whether your LMS will handle employee documentation or customers’ personal details, it’s critical to keep that information as safe as possible. Ideally, the system you choose should have strong password requirements, encryption, protected servers, and privacy controls.
Intuitive Interface
It probably comes as no surprise that user-friendliness is among the most important factors to look for in your search for an LMS. If you’re creating a course for your target market, you’ll need to ensure that the modules are easy to access from all devices. The menu should be simple to navigate, as learners will quickly lose interest (and patience) if the course is too difficult to maneuver.
Reporting and Analytics
When evaluating LMS options, be sure to explore the platform’s reporting and analytics capabilities. The best systems offer comprehensive and flexible analytics so you can identify strengths and weaknesses in your course (and make changes accordingly). It’s also nice to have visual representations of learner data, so you can quickly note patterns and easily discuss with your team.
Social Learning
Part of the appeal of modern learning resources is the ability to interact with other learners. If you want those who invest in your course to have the opportunity to converse with other students or share achievements, look for an LMS that can integrate social learning.
Offering an online course can be a strategy for your brand that’s well worth the time and effort it takes to create. Building an online learning resource that offers real value to your target market does more than establish your company as a thought leader–it will also help you forge new connections and collect important data. Finding an LMS that meets your needs and budget can be a challenging part of the puzzle, but it makes all the difference in the success of your course. If you’re wondering whether producing a learning resource will be beneficial for your brand, we’d love to help you determine the best path forward. Our team has the expertise to assist you with every aspect of your marketing campaign, so please contact us when you’re ready to start the process.