With the help of the unforeseen scenario of the pandemic, education has undergone a remarkable transformation. The age-old journey of education through blackboards and chalk now embarks upon a thrilling approach through the boundless realms of the digital universe.Â
In this article, we'll explore key pain points encountered by organizations searching how to create online learning platforms. Get to know insights into the benefits, key features of e-learning platform development, and a step-by-step guide on building one. Additionally, you will learn about cost considerations and future predictions for the industry of online learning.
Stay tuned as we share our experience in providing e-learning software development services with examples of an interactive learning management system that resulted in increased customer loyalty and a broader customer base, and online astronomy platform that provides 24-hour live coverage of the night sky, while creating an ecosystem of cosmic education.
- How is E-learning Platform Development Beneficial?
- Key Features of eLearning Platform
- Multimedia content support
- Content management system
- Assessment and progress tracking
- User-friendly interface
- Adaptive learning technology
- Accessibility and localization
- Gamification
- Security and data privacy
- A Closer Look at Types of eLearning Platforms
- Learning Management System
- Online Learning Marketplace
- Online Course Platform
- How To Build an E-Learning Platform in 6 Steps
- 1. Define main goals & target audience
- 2. Choose content & niche
- 3. Decide on a business model
- 4. Plan right features & functionality
- 5. Choose a Tech Stack
- 6. Design and develop
- The Cost of E-Learning Platform Development
- Future Predictions for E-learning Platforms
- Artificial Intelligence in eLearning
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Anticipated Changes in eLearning User Experience
- Consider Inoxoft as a Reliable Partner for Building E-learning Projects
- Learning Management System Development
- Solution for Remote Observation of Space
- Summing Up
How is E-learning Platform Development Beneficial?
Online learning is beneficial due to its accessibility to all students, affordability regardless of their financial situation, and personalized learning according to a person’s needs. The more applications the market offers, the better, therefore e-learning website development is essential.
The shift towards remote work has fueled significant growth in the market, promoting the appearance of new promising startups that decided to embrace e-learning platform development. According to Statista, we are expecting the revenue of the online education market to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 4.24%, leading to an estimated market size of US$69.02 billion by 2028.
Besides lucrative market opportunity, let’s outline some of the other vital benefits of eLearning platform development:
- Scalability. When choosing to create e-learning website, you can easily scale up to accommodate a growing user base without substantial investments in resources.
- Cost-effectiveness. E-learning platform development eliminates the need for physical classrooms, reduces expenses on printed materials, and minimizes other overhead costs associated with maintaining facilities.
- Monetization opportunities. Building an e-learning platform offers various monetization avenues: subscription models, pay-per-course options, advertising, or partnerships.
- Technological innovation. By implementing cutting-edge features during your elearning website development, such as AI-driven adaptive learning algorithms, you’ll stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Key Features of eLearning Platform
When embarking on the journey to create online learning platform, you should prioritize the following key features:
Multimedia content support
Building an online learning platform that wouldn’t support any multimedia elements is akin to designing a video game without any graphics – what’s the point? By incorporating diverse learning materials, like videos, images, audio files, and interactive simulations, your platform will provide engaging and dynamic courses that cater to different learning styles and preferences.
Content management system
Another must-have feature that you must focus on during your e-learning platform development is an efficient CMS. With version control content moderation and analytics, this feature maintains quality and consistency across their courses. Integration with external tools expands functionality, empowering educators to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences.
Assessment and progress tracking
Built-in assessment tools such as quizzes, assignments, and exams enable educators to evaluate learners’ understanding and progress effectively. Develop an e-learning platform that offers features for tracking learners’ performance metrics, and guiding them towards achieving their learning goals.
User-friendly interface
An e-learning platform should boast an intuitive, responsive user-friendly interface to allow learners to navigate effortlessly through resources. With clear organization and mobile compatibility, they can focus on learning without getting lost in the interface and engage with course materials anytime, anywhere.
Adaptive learning technology
In the year of 2024, your e-learning website development must include adaptive learning technology that generates personalized learning paths for each learner’s preferences. AI-driven algorithms can adjust course content and difficulty levels in real-time, ensuring an optimal learning experience.
Accessibility and localization
Accessibility features ensure that the e-learning platform is inclusive and accessible to users with disabilities. And how to make an e-learning website even more inclusive? By catering to a diverse global audience: add localization options that support multiple languages and cultural preferences.
Gamification
Incorporating game-like mechanics into the learning process encourages users to participate, progress, and achieve their goals actively. Badges, points, leaderboards, rewards, and push-up notifications are game changers in enhancing user motivation and engagement.
Our team helped transform an innovative language-learning board game into a digital platform. We created a responsive web application that connects users with native speakers worldwide for immersive language learning. To learn more about this story, visit our case study.
Security and data privacy
Robust security measures protect user data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. From encryption to secure authentication, the platform must prioritize the privacy and security of its users’ information.
A Closer Look at Types of eLearning Platforms
Choosing your customers can play a decisive role in your business plan and alter your approach to eLearning platform development. Depending on your demand, there are various types of online learning websites that serve different purposes: they aim at different target audiences, while offering appropriate content.
Here are some of the most popular types of e-learning platforms:
Learning Management System
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application designed to manage, deliver, and track educational content and training programs. The platform typically offers course creation tools, content management, assessment and grading functionalities, communication and collaboration tools, and reporting and analytics capabilities.
Read more: LMS vs CMS vs LCMS: What’s the Difference?
Commonly developed with the enterprise licensing model, LMSs are used in educational institutions, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to simplify online and blended learning experiences.
- Docebo is a cloud-based LMS leveraging AI to personalize diverse learning modalities: e-learning, blended learning, social learning, and mobile learning. Docebo has integrations with popular third-party tools and platforms such as Zoom, Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
- Moodle LMS is a widely-used open-source platform for educators and learners that provides flexibility and customization to support diverse learning methods like collaborative, project-based, and gamified learning.
Online Learning Marketplace
This platform connects learners with a wide range of courses on various subjects, skills, and topics, provided by individual instructors or educational institutions. Instructors can create and publish courses on the marketplace, and learners can access course materials, participate in discussions, complete assignments, and receive certificates of completion.
When you create an e-learning website similar to online learning marketplaces, focus on user-friendly interfaces, ratings and reviews, search and filtering options, and personalized recommendations to enhance the learning experience. You can also choose a business model, which suits you best: revenue sharing, subscription-based or freemium.
- Udemy provides a vast array of lessons and tutorials curated from both individuals and established institutions. It equips teachers and instructors with a diverse toolkit for content creation and delivery. Udemy also takes on the responsibility of marketing and distribution, ensuring courses reach a wider audience.
- Skillshare focuses on creative and practical skills by offering thousands of classes in areas such as design, photography, writing, and entrepreneurship. The platform allows instructors to create and publish classes, which learners can access and achieve a certificate through a subscription model.
Online Course Platform
An online course platform is a digital platform that hosts and delivers educational courses to learners over the internet. These platforms offer a range of features and tools for course creation, content delivery, engagement, and assessment. Learners can access course materials, interact with instructors and other learners, track their progress, and receive feedback and grades.
Online course platforms may cater to specific industries, disciplines, or skill levels, and they may offer self-paced or instructor-led courses. The common monetization options to create e-learning platform of this type include pay-per-course model, subscription-based and freemium models.
- Coursera partners with universities and institutions worldwide to offer courses, specializations, and degrees. It provides learners with access to high-quality educational content in different areas. Coursera offers a mix of self-paced and instructor-led courses, along with features like quizzes, assignments, and peer assessments.
- LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is an online course platform that provides professional development courses and tutorials. This platform also features high-quality video content, quizzes, exercise files, and certificates of completion.
How To Build an E-Learning Platform in 6 Steps
The process of creating an online learning platform requires much of your devotion and attention to details. This short guide will help you get acquainted with the basic principles of how to create an e-learning website.
1. Define main goals & target audience
Identify your objectives: why you need to create your own eLearning platform, and what you aim to achieve. Get to know your target audience, including their demographics, learning preferences, and needs, — meeting their demands effectively will help make your platform convenient and valuable.
2. Choose content & niche
Selecting content and defining your niche involves identifying the specific subject matter or area of expertise that your platform will specialize in. Here’s how you can approach this process:
- Reflect on expertise and passion. Begin by reflecting on your own expertise, interests, and passions. Consider the topics or subjects you are knowledgeable about and passionate about teaching to build an eLearning website that strikes.
- Research market demand. You must analyze your active competitors to identify gaps and opportunities for differentiation to create your own eLearning platform.
Pro tip: look for areas where you can offer unique value or address underserved segments of the market, considering your target audience.
- Align with expertise and audience needs. Choose a niche that aligns with your expertise and interests while also resonating with your target audience. This alignment explains precisely how to create an e-learning platform that is engaging, relevant, and valuable to users.
- Tailor content for engagement. Provide relevant, and valuable learning experiences for your users. For this, incorporate a variety of materials, interactive elements, and assessments to keep learners engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey.
3. Decide on a business model
How to create an online learning platform that won’t make you go for broke? By choosing your business model you identify sources of revenue, products, details of financing, and the intended customer base.
When selecting a business model to create your own e-learning platform, consider the following factors to ensure alignment with your goals and audience needs:
- Subscription-based model: Users pay a recurring fee for access to a library of courses or premium features. This model provides predictable revenue and encourages long-term engagement.
- Pay-per-course model: Learners pay a one-time fee to enroll in individual courses. It offers flexibility to purchase only the courses they are interested in and can be combined with subscription options for access to additional content.
- Freemium model: Offers basic access to courses for free, with premium content or features available for a subscription fee. This way, users can sample your platform before committing to a paid subscription and can help attract a larger audience.
- Enterprise licensing model: Partner with businesses or organizations to provide customized e-learning solutions for their employees or members. This model results in bulk sales and recurring revenue through licensing agreements.
- Revenue sharing model: Collaborate with content creators or institutions to share revenue generated from course sales. This model incentivizes instructors to create high-quality content and can help attract top talent to your platform.
4. Plan right features & functionality
Create an e-learning website with the key features and functionalities you determined. An effective online learning platform comprises essential features tailored for administrators, students, and teachers.
➞ Admin profile:
- User and course management: Efficiently manage user accounts and course listings by providing features for adding, editing, and removing users and courses.
- Detailed analytics: Statistical reports and analytics tools to gain insights into platform usage, course popularity, and user engagement metrics.
- Notification management: Tools for creating push notifications and email alerts to keep users informed about new courses, recommendations, and upcoming events.
➞ Student profile:
- Advanced search bar: Implement advanced search, category, and filtering options to empower students in finding courses effortlessly based on specific keywords, subject categories, prices, and expertise levels.
- Personalized recommendations: Elevate user engagement by offering courses that reflect each student’s learning journey and preferences.
- Comprehensive User Profiles: Provide students with profiles containing essential information, purchase history, and customizable settings.
- Payment Integration: Ensure a smooth and secure payment experience by integrating various payment gateways, enabling students to complete transactions with confidence.
➞ Teacher profile:
- Course creation and management: Provide intuitive tools to create, publish, and update their courses effortlessly.
- Dashboard insights: Equip teachers with a comprehensive dashboard to monitor course performance, track student progress, and manage course enrollments.
5. Choose a Tech Stack
Selecting the appropriate technology stack is a crucial step in answering the question of “How to create an online learning platform?” The tech stack you choose will influence the platform’s performance, and development efficiency. Here’s an explanation of the tech stack considerations for each type of e-learning platform:
- Frontend. LMS and online course platform developers use frontend frameworks like React.js or Angular to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces. Similarly, online learning marketplace employ frontend technologies such as React.js or Vue.js.
- Backend. LMS employs backend frameworks like Django (Python) or Laravel (PHP), for online learning marketplace – Ruby on Rails (Ruby) or Node.js (JavaScript), and to to build scalable systems backend for online course platforms employ backend frameworks like Django (Python) or Express.js (JavaScript).
- Database. Choose reliable database management systems like MySQL or PostgreSQL to store user data within the LMS and online course platform. Yet, while developing online learning marketplaces, opt for more flexible database solutions such as MongoDB or Firebase.
- Hosting. Again, to handle large volumes of users and course content, deploy LMS and online course platform on scalable hosting solutions such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. For online learning marketplaces choose Google Cloud Platform or DigitalOcean to accommodate growing numbers of users and course listings.
6. Design and develop
Choose a proactive team with experience in the industry to create an e-learning platform. Hire professional front-end and back-end developers, a project manager, a business analyst, and a UI/UX designer for a comprehensive development approach.
- Prototyping: Begin by creating an e-learning MVP that ensures ease of use for seamless navigation. Start by sketching screens on paper to visualize the user flow and interactions, then develop a digital wireframe and create mockups to provide a visual representation of the platform’s design and layout.
- UI design: Develop a cohesive design system to establish a strong brand identity, including logos, typography, and color schemes. To bring the created UI design to life, implement it into your UX prototypes.
- Development: It’s high time to transform prototypes into a real website with actual data and user interactions. Here, your team implements business logic and key features into a functional product. Integrate third-party services and APIs, including payment gateways and social media platforms.
- Testing & debugging: Conduct thorough testing of each screen and interaction to identify and resolve any issues or bugs. Create a detailed bug list and prioritize fixes based on severity, and recheck everything after debugging to ensure smooth functionality.
The Cost of E-Learning Platform Development
E-learning website development involves navigating through a multitude of considerations, each of which influences the overall cost of the project. Below, we delve into the critical factors that can impact the cost of e-learning platform development:
- Scope and complexity of your e-learning platform significantly impact development costs: features, functionalities, any customizations or integrations you want to offer.
- Choice of technology stack significantly influences development costs: opting for premium or specialized technologies may incur higher expenses.
- Design elements such a UI/UX design, branding, and multimedia content makes you invest in professional services to create an engaging and visually appealing platform.
- Composition and size of your development team may incur additional expenses, like hiring skilled developers, designers, project managers, and QA testers.
Pro tip: consider outsourcing development to reduce costs or hiring freelancers for specific tasks.
- Factor in ongoing maintenance and support costs, including software updates, security patches, and technical support. The development has to be revisited from time to time, so you could keep your project up-to-date.
On average, the cost of building a basic e-learning platform with essential features can range from $5,000 to $10,000. However, for more sophisticated platforms with advanced features, customizations, and integrations, the cost can escalate significantly, reaching up to $100,000 and more.
In the case of our recent project, the decision to work with Canvas LMS, a robust educational platform primarily used by educational institutions, inherently introduced a higher level of complexity. Customizing the platform solely to the client’s project meant removing extraneous modules while retaining essential ones, which led to additional development effort and cost.
For a precise estimation of your e-learning platform development costs, reach out to our team of experienced specialists. We will carefully assess your project needs and provide you with a detailed cost breakdown, ensuring that your budget aligns with your goals and expectations.
Future Predictions for E-learning Platforms
The future of eLearning website development holds promising opportunities as advancements in technologies continue to reshape the educational landscape. The market for AI in education has projections indicating an increase from $3.99 billion in 2023 to $5.57 billion in 2024, representing a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.7%.
Artificial Intelligence in eLearning
AI algorithms can analyze learner data to identify knowledge gaps and tailor content to address them. It also can assist instructors by automating administrative tasks and providing real-time feedback to learners.
AI-powered chatbots will be increasingly utilized in eLearning platforms to offer instant support to students, answering queries, providing guidance, and discussions. Offering personalized assistance round the clock, these virtual assistants will significantly enhance the overall learning experience.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
VR and AR technologies have already made significant strides in industries. For example, the VR-based medical training platform Osso VR empowers healthcare professionals to undergo training on a wide range of medical procedures and stay updated on the latest advancements in medical technology.
In the future, these immersive technologies will be constantly integrated into eLearning platforms, enabling learners to experience virtual classrooms, interactive simulations, and hands-on training in a safe and controlled environment.
Anticipated Changes in eLearning User Experience
E-learning platforms will leverage data analytics to provide tailored content recommendations, adaptive assessments, and learning pathways. For example, a language learning platform can analyze a learner’s pronunciation patterns and provide targeted pronunciation exercises to help them improve.
Gamification techniques will play a crucial role in driving learner engagement. Platforms will integrate gamified elements: leaderboards, badges, and rewards, to create a more interactive learning experience. For instance, a sales training platform can use gamification techniques to simulate real-life sales scenarios and offer instant feedback based on learner performance.
Consider Inoxoft as a Reliable Partner for Building E-learning Projects
We are a custom e-learning development company that specializes in delivering cutting-edge solutions for e-learning projects. With years of experience and a proven track record of success, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner in the education technology sector. Here’s why you should consider Inoxoft to create your own e-learning platform:
- Educational Software Consulting. Our team specializes in providing expert guidance and strategic insights to help you navigate the complexities of educational software development.
- E-learning App Development. We excel in developing custom e-learning applications, whether it’s a mobile learning app, a web-based e-learning platform, or a virtual classroom environment.
- UX/UI Services for E-learning Platforms. Our UX/UI experts understand user behaviors, preferences, and needs to design interfaces that are visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for learning outcomes.
- E-learning App Testing Services. Our dedicated testing team conducts comprehensive testing and quality assurance processes to identify and resolve any issues or bugs before deployment.
Inoxoft is an outsourcing company that provides the best web development services for customers all around the world. Our main task is to make sure our customers are satisfied and their needs are fulfilled.
When pondering the question of how to build an online learning platform, take a closer look at our success stories to gain insight into our expertise:
Learning Management System Development
Seeking to meet the evolving needs of their students and streamline operational efficiency, our client sought to develop an online platform offering personalized learning paths and boosting sales productivity. We created an interactive and feature-rich platform, providing teachers and students with intuitive web applications tailored for online lessons. Such an efficient workflow and personalized approach resulted in the expansion of our client’s customer base and fostered greater loyalty.
Solution for Remote Observation of Space
With a vision to democratize access to space education, our clients envisioned an online hub for cosmic exploration. Inoxoft delivered an innovative online astronomy platform, offering 24/7 live coverage of the night sky and facilitating telescope bookings for individual observation. The developed platform features live streams, themed clubs, and space quests, fostering engagement and discovery among students and members.
Summing Up
Building a learning platform is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors, including market dynamics, user preferences, and technological advancements. Yet, amidst the challenges lies the potential for immense fulfillment: as education continues its digital evolution, there’s a unique opportunity to create a platform that educates, inspires and empowers its users.
At Inoxoft, our approach to online learning platform development revolves around the key principle of understanding how to build e-learning platforms effectively. We delve into market research, niche identification, and business model selection to ensure alignment with your objectives, offering the following services:
- Education Software Development Services
- LMS Development Services
- School Management Software Development
Harness the transformative power of e-learning to revolutionize education and unlock new opportunities for growth by partnering with Inoxoft. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you build a successful e-learning platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you create an e-learning platform?
You typically start by defining your objectives and target audience. Then, you'll conduct market research, choose the right technology stack, design the user interface, develop the platform, and finally, test and launch it.
How much does it cost to develop an online learning platform?
The cost of developing an online learning platform can vary significantly depending on factors such as features, complexity, technology stack, and development time. Generally, it can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
For a more accurate estimate of your project specifically, feel free to contact us for a personalized consultation.
What is e-learning software development?
E-learning software development involves the creation of digital tools and platforms that facilitate online learning. This includes designing and developing tailored to meet the needs of educators and learners educational software solutions, such as:
- Learning Management SystemsÂ
- Online Course Platforms
- Virtual Classrooms