How to Choose the Right Learning Management System for Your Business Needs

You want a learning platform that meets your training and business needs. Yet, with over 1000 LMS vendors in the market, it’s hard to make up your mind—you face a choice overload, unable to decide which option is right for you. You ask yourself, how do I choose the learning management system that aligns with my company’s goals while satisfying all the stakeholders? That’s what we’re about to help you with. 

If you don’t have a budget to invest in custom LMS development services but still require a highly customizable and feature-rich tool, this article is for you. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the factors you should take into account when selecting an LMS to find the perfect match for your organization.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

#1 Define your learning objectives

The first step is to define your learning objectives and goals. You need to understand for what purposes the future LMS will be used: will it be employee training, upskilling your IT team, or, perhaps, you want to offer educational courses to your customers? Based on this, you will be able to choose a solution that aligns with your requirements. Consider both long-term and short-term goals and don’t forget to set the KPIs to track your success.

#2 Consider the size of your business

When it comes to LMS selection, size matters. If you own a small company, we suggest that you choose a simpler learning platform, without all the bells and whistles that come with a comprehensive solution. Instead, opt for something easy to set up and use right off the bat. Find a tool that you can configure yourself without having to rely on a development team. Alternatively, if your organization is big, look for more sophisticated learning management systems with advanced features. Although challenging to configure, they will provide you with more opportunities in the long run.

#3 Make sure the user experience is on point

If an LMS performs poorly, nobody is going to use it. Simple as that. When choosing an e-learning platform for your training needs, evaluate the user experience it provides. If possible, request a LMS demo so that you can test every feature and see how the solution works. In addition, consider the following factors:

• Ease of use. The system should have intuitive navigation, a clear user interface, and an easy learning curve so that your learners and administrators can use it right away.
• Mobile-friendliness. With modern users constantly on the go, you want to be able to have more touchpoints with your learners and be able to reach them wherever they are. That’s why it’s critical to choose a mobile-friendly LMS optimized for smaller screens.
• Customization. The LMS should be customizable. If you want to use your company’s logo and color palette, look for a white-label solution.

#4 Consider the features of your LMS

LMS platforms offer various features, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to extensive automation capabilities and gamification. The key is to know which features are must-haves for your organization. Here are the core functionalities you should consider:

• Reporting and analytics. This feature is crucial for tracking learner progress, evaluating the effectiveness of your courses, and making your platform a better place.
• Course management. Obviously, this feature is a must for any LMS. However, course management capabilities differ from tool to tool, and you should find a solution that offers convenient and straightforward course management.
• Third-party integrations. Your LMS should seamlessly integrate with CRMs, HR tools, payment gateways, and other tools your organization uses so that you can create a centralized environment for all your workflows and data.
• Automation. A good learning management system should automate repetitive tasks such as course enrollment, issuing certificates, learner performance assessment, and the like to reduce administrative overhead.

#5 Assess pricing models

Modern e-learning platforms offer various pricing models. You should choose the one that best fits your budget. Here are some options you might come across:

• Monthly fee per user. This model implies paying a monthly fee based on the number of users who access the LMS. The more users you have, the more you will pay, so this option might not be suitable for large organizations that aim to train thousands of learners simultaneously.
• Flat fee. This model implies paying a fixed monthly fee regardless of the number of users you have. It can be more expensive than the first option, but for large businesses, it is a preferred choice.
• Pay as you go. In this model, you pay only for the resources that you use and when you use them. It is more flexible than the other two options and ideal for companies with fluctuating training needs. It will allow you to scale up and down easily without worrying about your finances. 

Also, don’t forget about hidden costs for setup and implementation, maintenance and support, plugins and add-ons, and the like. Discuss this with LMS vendors before committing to a platform. 

#6 Evaluate customer support

No matter how good your LMS is, you will definitely need assistance at some point. That’s why you should choose a vendor that offers adequate customer support. Some provide 24/7 support, others help with onboarding and training, while another option might include a strong user community and solid knowledge base. If your vendor offers all three, that’s probably your best choice. But nevertheless, before committing to any solution, you should contact its customer support team and see how promptly and professionally they respond.

Conclusion 

Choosing the right learning management system for your business needs can be a burden if you don’t know what to look for. You’re about to invest in your company’s future, so do your homework diligently before opting for any solution. Define your learning objectives, consider the size of your business, assess the LMS’s user experience and features, check its pricing models, and evaluate the level of customer support. This will help you choose an e-learning platform that perfectly matches your organization!