How To To Find The Ideal eLearning Marketplace To Sell Your Online Training Courses
eLearning marketplaces give you the unique opportunity to reach your target audience and take the stress out of the checkout process. You add your online training course to their catalog and online learners are able to quickly enroll via a secure payment gateway. However, picking the perfect site for your online training budget and marketing goals is essential. Here are some tips to help you find the ideal eLearning marketplace to sell your online training course.
1. Test Out Your Top Candidates
One of the most effective ways to scout out the options is to give multiple marketplaces a try. Make a list of your top choices, then test out the platform. Choose a topic, and then use the built-in filters to look for relevant online training courses. For example, you want to find an online training course that caters to experienced IT techs, or customer service associates who need to fine tune their communication skills. Pay close attention to the layout, search criteria, and ease of use. Does the eLearning marketplace give you a brief summary of the online training content the courses include, or a detailed overview of the benefits and applications? Are there are a broad range of filters, so that visitors can find exactly what they’re looking for?
2. Find Our Niche
Some eLearning marketplaces specialize in certain niches. Others have categorized catalogs that make it easier for online learners to find the right online training courses, which is why it’s important to know your niche. This allows you to list your online training course in the right place to gain maximum exposure. Otherwise, you may end up disappointing online learners who expect something else or completely missing out on a valuable marketing opportunity, as site viewers aren’t interested in the ideas or concepts you cover.
3. Research Online Reviews
If the eLearning marketplace has been around for a while, you’ll probably find a fair share of online reviews. Some eLearning professionals may be unhappy with the lackluster sales they achieved via the marketplace, while others may have experienced great success with certain online training platforms. Use search engines to look up any and all information regarding the eLearning marketplace. Take note of the benefits and drawbacks that past users include in their reviews. Then, determine if the pros outweigh the cons in your situation. You may not necessarily need the same features or perks other course creators required. Thus, the complaints or concerns they had with the marketplace aren’t a deal breaker.
4. Ask Your eLearning Network
In addition to researching online reviews, consider reaching out to your extended eLearning network. Sign up for social media groups where you can ask questions regarding platforms other eLearning pros have used in the past. Schedule a meeting with your collaborators to get their input. Even if they don’t have any recommendations, they can still weigh in on your current candidates. For example, they’ve heard great things about an eLearning marketplace or they’d prefer to go in a different direction.
5. Compare The Pricing Options
When all is said and done, pricing is the most significant factor to consider. What does the marketplace charge for each listing? Do they take a certain percentage of your online training course sales? Most importantly, is it really worth the investment? eLearning marketplaces that have high visitor traffic and conversion rates may be more expensive. However, they can also lead to more online training course sales in the long run. Thus, you’ll see a better return on your marketing dollar. Likewise, eLearning marketplaces that have lower visitor states, and lower monthly subscriptions to match, may yield significant results. Especially if your online training course stands out from the crowd and offers something unique to visitors.
6. Size Up The Competition
Which eLearning marketplaces are your competitors using to promote their online training courses? Have they found success, or are they struggling to meet their sales goals? Sizing up the competition allows you to find the best platform for your eLearning course. However, it also gives you the opportunity to fine tune your listing and sales pitch. For example, a high-selling online training course in your niche mentions certain keywords in their listing. As such, you should add these to your summary to improve SEO. In addition, take a look at competitor’s sites to identify other marketing strategies you may want to employ. Do they use email opt-ins? Unique call-to-actions?
7. Create Measurable Marketing Goals
You won’t be able to gauge the success of your marketing endeavors if you don’t set measurable goals. Success is a relative term. And some eLearning marketplaces may be better suited to your organization’s needs and marketing objectives. Meet with your team to set realistic goals regarding how many online training courses you need to sell in a certain time frame, as well as how much you plan to invest in the platform in order to achieve these goals. For instance, you know that it may take some time to build momentum. Thus, you are going to invest X amount in the first quarter and would like Y amount of course sales in return. If you don’t hit the benchmark, it may be time to re-evaluate your online training strategy and look for other online training marketplaces. During this trial period, adjust your course description to see which nets the best results.
Choosing the best eLearning marketplace for your online training course requires time and research. You have to consider all the options then determine which platform meets your needs, online training budget, and goals. When in doubt, try out the sites at the top of your list to see things from a learner’s perspective. Does the marketplace make it easy to find relevant online training courses? Or is it overly saturated with online training content in your niche? Healthy competition is good, but getting lost in the crowd can hurt your eLearning sales.
By choosing an eCommerce platform that is not suitable for your needs, could make you miss out on countless sales. Read the article Boost Your eLearning Course Sales: 5 Tips To Choose An eCommerce Platform to discover 5 tips that will make the decision of choosing an eCommerce platform less stressful and time consuming.
