How To Find An Industry-Specific LMS For Your Business
Many LMS solutions are generalized. Their features are geared toward organizations at large, instead of fully investing in niche markets. However, finding an industry-specific LMS for your business is worth the added effort. And now you can even bypass hours or days of online shopping thanks to specialized software directories. There are also other online tools to help you spend your L&D dollars wisely and select the best industry-specific LMS for your training objectives. Here are 7 tips to get an inside look at system specs, CX, UX, and selling points before you buy.
7 Tips To Choose The Best LMS
1. Start With An Online Directory
You could begin with a basic search engine query. Type in relevant keywords to see hundreds of results and then click on them one by one to compile a list. Or you can start with an online directory that features all the top choices in one place. There’s even the option to filter by industry so that you omit generalized software providers. You know that every vendor that’s listed knows your niche.
2. Request A Free LMS Consult
Online directories are easy to use and allow you to bypass the search engines, but LMS consults are great for organizations on tight timelines. Better still, they’re free. You simply provide basic details, such as the project scope, budget, and the number of users. Then let the LMS experts compile a list of top choices. The vendors they recommend cater to your industry and fall into your price range. Then you can use their findings to conduct more research on your own. For example, contact vendors for a free quote or check out their website to weigh pricing options.
3. Get In-House Recommendations
Certain team members are already familiar with industry-specific LMS solutions. Especially those who’ve been in the field for years and work behind the scenes to create online training content. Ask for their recommendations and what they liked best about the platform. Or which Learning Management Systems you should avoid based on their personal experience with the tool. They have insider knowledge about your requirements, objectives, and online training gaps. Which puts them in a position to offer sage advice based on your LMS criteria. The secret is transparency and open communication. Let them know what you’re looking for and the gaps you must address. You should also clarify the budget without disclosing too many financial details. Especially if they aren’t directly involved with company accounting.
4. Read User Reviews
User reviews can be biased. Some companies pay for testimonials or only highlight favorable opinions. However, the online directory features honest software reviews to help you make the best purchasing decision. Users must sign in via their LinkedIn account and provide basic information. Such as their industry, company size, and role within the organization. Which means they’re an actual person instead of a paid reviewer. You’re able to evaluate the customer experience, usefulness, usability, and pros/cons for the top LMS options. There’s also a likelihood to recommend an overall satisfaction score.
5. Visit Industry-Insider Social Media Groups
Most industries have a central hub (or several). Like social media groups, online forums, or blogs where people come together to share ideas. Visit these industry-insider groups to ask for their LMS suggestions and tap into their resource library. For instance, they may have a list of relevant links to help you choose the best staffing and recruiting LMS. Members are typically willing to help newcomers if you give them some background information. Such as how many users you have, which features you need, and your general price bracket. You should also be prepared to repay the favor and offer recommendations of your own. It’s all about give and take.
6. Review "Top 20" Lists
Which industry-specific LMS offers the best value for money? Is there a platform that delivers a superior customer experience? How about UX? The LMS directory features "Top 20" lists that cover the most crucial selection criteria. These lists are based on data from actual LMS users. For example, the User Experience rankings involve the system usability scale, perceived usefulness, and net promoter scores. While the value for money factors in cost, features, and usefulness. See if any of your top choices show up on the lists or use them as a starting point for your search.
7. Go Beyond Vendor Vetting
Don’t stop at the vendor’s site after reading a few user reviews. Sign up for a free trial to see how the tool holds up and whether it’s worth the cost. Test out their support services and if their UI is truly user-friendly. Since this is an industry-specific LMS, vendors should be able to answer your pointed questions. So, send an email or call their expert helpline to gauge their level of knowledge. How well do they articulate themselves and sum up the product features? Can they help you resolve a basic issue without making you feel less-than? Can they provide examples of past clients in your niche and their success stories? Such as how the LMS helped them reduce compliance violations and improve employee retention by 25% in the first year of implementation.
Conclusion
What sets an industry-specific LMS apart from traditional online training platforms? Specialized software is custom-tailored to your compliance issues, reporting requirements, and use case. Vendors understand how important it is to maintain company standards and meet employee expectations. Thus, they offer an all-in-one LMS that helps you incorporate industry trends and achieve the best results. It fits like a glove because it’s designed for your corner of the corporate world.
Are you looking for reliable LMS reviews and ratings? Visit our online directory to find the ideal industry-specific system for your organization. Use filters to narrow the search by features, pricing model, or deployment type. You can also determine which vendors specialize in your industry and use case.
