Tips To Evaluate LMS User Experience Before Purchasing New Software
How many times have you made a purchase, only to regret it a moment later? Or maybe the week after, when you realize the product isn’t all it’s cracked to be. Maybe the salesperson oversold its benefits. Or you don’t use most of the features that you paid for because the UX is lacking. While some things can’t be avoided, there are others you can detect early on. Even before you start the research process and sign on the dotted line. This is particularly important for Learning Management Systems. They’re a significant investment and the wrong system can wreak havoc on your bottom line. So, how do you test out the LMS User Experience prior to purchase? Is there a way to choose a platform that meshes with your existing tools and team skill sets?
1. Use An Online Directory To Identify Top LMS Contenders
You probably already have a few Learning Management Systems on your radar. It’s always good to evaluate all your options though. So, use an online directory to identify top choices based on your online training requirements. Filter results by industry, pricing options, and other key criteria to speed up the search. You can also determine which vendors offer the features you need to get the best ROI. Make certain the directory is reliable and bias-free. You don’t want listings with hyped-up company bios or testimonials that make promises they can’t keep.
2. Analyze Ratings And Reviews To Evaluate LMS User Experience
A trustworthy online directory pairs all the essential product info with ratings and reviews. That way, you can see which tool is worth the investment and delivers the best LMS User Experience. Users should have to provide some basic background information or login with social media accounts. Otherwise, you may have to worry about sponsored or exaggerated reviews. Pay close attention to users with a similar use case or industry. They give you a good indication of how the system performs in the real world and if the User Experience is top-notch. Lastly, evaluate the individual ratings behind the overall satisfaction score. The UX might be amazing, but the CX leaves much to be desired.
3. Test Drive The Platform
User reviews offer a general overview of the tool’s UX, but a not firsthand experience. That comes from a free test drive. Many vendors offer free trials or demos that allow you to try the tool before you buy. You can gauge the LMS UX in advance and see if it meets expectations. Or if you may need to consider other products on the market. Is the User Interface intuitive and easy to navigate? Can you quickly upload content or are there numerous tech roadblocks?
4. Collect Team Feedback After The Free Trial
Trials shouldn’t happen in a bubble. Get everyone involved so they can test drive for themselves and provide input. Especially developers and admins who will use the tool every day to deploy online training. The Learning Management System UX should align with their skills, experience, and workflow. Instead of making it challenging for them to generate reports or add new users. Host a wrap up live event to get their feedback and discuss the overall User Experience. Were there any issues that hindered productivity? If so, can they quickly be addressed with integrations or add-ons?
5. Tap Into Social Media Networks
Do you already belong to eLearning social media groups or online forums? Ask for LMS recommendations and emphasize that you’re looking for a superior UX. Members can share their past experiences with platforms and what they liked/disliked about the tool. Follow-up with additional questions based on their responses. For example, the commenter mentioned that the LMS UX was lacking because of the built-in authoring tool. Ask them why the authoring features were difficult to master. Was the asset library disorganized? Did they have trouble with the navigation controls or the design interface? Dig deeper to find out if their issues will be issues for your team. Or if it all boils down to their inexperience and/or use case.
6. Contact The Vendor To Test Support Services
Part of the UX equation is how vendors treat their customers. Contact them directly via email or submit a trouble ticket. You can also give them a call to test their support services yourself. Start with something simple to see how they respond. Are they able to quickly identify the issue and walk you through the resolution process? Or do they brush you off with a simple “visit our FAQ” email? When in doubt, set up a meeting to speak with a rep face-to-face, even if it’s through video conferencing. Ask them about the User Experience and what makes them stand out from the other LMS solutions. Once again, they should be able to articulate their main UX selling points and why their product is right for your organization.
The Learning Management System UX covers a variety of selling points that you need to consider. From the User Interface design to support services. A free trial gives you firsthand experience, while user reviews indicate how the tool performs over a long period of time. You can also ask for recommendations on social media, but make sure they’re from a trusted source. Lastly, reach out to the vendor to see how they respond and if they know their stuff.
Visit our exclusive LMS directory to read the latest reviews and evaluate LMS user experience before making your final buying decision.
