How To Choose The Best eLearning Development Company
There's a lot to think about when you're on the lookout for a new eLearning development company. Their software may be top notch and they have all the right skills. But will the company become a valuable partner who helps you achieve your learning goals and objectives? If not, you may have to revisit this process all over again in the near future. Fortunately, there are 8 tips, tricks, and techniques to help you choose the best eLearning development company the first time around.
1. Schedule Interviews
Formulate a list of questions and then schedule interviews with a handful of eLearning development companies. Send them an invite well in advance letting them know which video conferencing platform you will use. Alternatively, send your top choices a brief questionnaire or request more information via email. This also gives you the opportunity to gauge how quickly they respond to messages.
2. Ask For Recommendations
eLearning professionals who are already happy with their eLearning development company can offer valuable recommendations. They're also able to point out key reasons why they chose the eLearning development company in the first place. And how those benefits may be of use to your eLearning team. Reach out to other eLearning pros on message boards, social media groups, and blogs. Attend eLearning events where you can share ideas and tips with other experienced eLearning professionals. These individuals can offer unique insights regarding eLearning development companies they've worked with in the past.
3. Review Their eLearning Portfolio
eLearning development companies typically have an eLearning portfolio that features a diverse range of eLearning projects. At the very least, they should be applied to supply you with work examples for your review. Carefully evaluate their samples to get a better idea of their expertise and experience level. This is also the time to ask questions that relate to your eLearning project, such as which past eLearning project is similar to yours and why. Εxamine their eLearning portfolio itself to see if it's well organized and cohesive. Lastly, their online presence is a direct reflection of their brand image.
4. Verify What's Included In The Package
Ask for a detailed estimate of what's included in the overall price and if there are ongoing fees to consider. For example, do you have to pay for monthly maintenance? How much do they require upfront? And will they provide you with support services after you deploy the eLearning course? They should be completely forthright about the cost of add-ons or upgrades that you may have to cover in the future. In some instances, you may be able to negotiate a more suitable price by omitting features or services you don't need.
5. Look Up Online Reviews And Ratings
In addition to personal recommendations, you should research the eLearning development company's online reputation. Are there any reviews that might sway your decision? Do they have more positive or negative ratings? An important thing to look for is common patterns. For example, 8 out of 10 people mention that the eLearning development company has an issue with timely responses. Or that they failed to provide adequate customer service. If possible, leave a comment for the reviewer to clarify any ambiguities. You can usually find reviews on the eLearning development company's social media page or blog.
6. Ask About Their Work Process
You are going to be working closely with the eLearning development company to produce a high-quality eLearning course. Thus, they should mesh well with your eLearning team and bring something valuable to the table. Don't hesitate to ask about their individual work process. Specifically, how they are going to handle your eLearning project. How often can you expect updates? Are you able to provide feedback at any stage in the process? What is their preferred method of communication and how quickly do they respond? You can also inquire about the eLearning authoring tools they use and who they'll have on their eLearning team.
7. Get Input From Your eLearning Team
Speaking of teams, your eLearning team should play an active role in the selection process. In fact, they may even have recommendations. Schedule a meeting with your key collaborators and solicit their feedback. This is also your opportunity to identify their skill sets and abilities to avoid redundancies. For example, you may discover that one of your eLearning team members is an experienced copywriter. As such, you won't have to outsource that part of the eLearning project. Getting their input also lets them know that you respect their opinion, which fosters a strong team environment.
8. Try Before You Buy
Most eLearning development companies offer free trials and demos, especially in regards to Learning Management Systems. This gives you the chance to try out the tools before you make your final decision. You can test out the User Interface, explore the online asset library, and see if the features align with your needs. Ask the eLearning development company any last minute questions you have about the software and share any concerns you may have. For example, you discover that the UI is less intuitive than you originally thought. As such, you can ask the eLearning development company about tips or tricks that can make the interface more functional. In the case of eLearning consultants and eLearning content providers, give them a test eLearning project to see how they perform.
This article can help you choose the right eLearning development company that provides the services you need at a price you're comfortable with. Hopefully, you can form an effective partnership that relies on open communication and mutual respect. Just remember to get recommendations, review their past work, and get your eLearning team involved in the process.
From cloud-based to PowerPoint, there are so many eLearning authoring tools to choose from and so little time. So, how do you know which one is right for your next eLearning project? Read the article Pros And Cons Of 5 eLearning Authoring Tool Types to discover the pros and cons of the most popular eLearning authoring tool types.
