Did you know that nearly half of the organizations surveyed are on the lookout for a new learning management system (LMS)? But with over a thousand vendors out there, finding the perfect fit can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. It’s no wonder many folks end up making these common mistakes when choosing their LMS.
Your corporate learning platform isn’t just any old purchase. So, how can you make sure you’re getting the right solution without breaking the bank? And how do you know if it’ll meet all your unique needs?
The right LMS can help your organization foster a culture of continuous learning, drive behaviour change, and make a real impact on your bottom line. But if you choose the wrong one, it could set you back months and cost you dearly in missed learning opportunities.
It’s tempting to go for a popular or cheap option to speed up the decision-making process. But that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Choosing an LMS is a big investment of time, money, and energy, and nobody wants to waste resources.
But fear not! We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll delve into the common mistakes people make when selecting their new LMS and offer some tips on how to avoid them. So, let’s dive in and explore these pitfalls in more detail!
7 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid While Selecting the Corporate LMS
#Mistake 1: Remember to clearly define the training objectives
One of the biggest mistakes we often see companies making is picking an LMS just because it looks fancy, fits the budget, or seems easy to handle. While these factors sound good, they won’t help your training efforts if the LMS doesn’t provide the right tools for your audience’s learning needs. It’s like having a sleek car with no engine—it might look good, but it won’t get you anywhere.
Before diving into choosing an LMS, it’s crucial to outline your training goals on paper. This helps you figure out which features are essential for your organization when you’re ready to make a purchase.
Your training goals will vary depending on your industry, audience, and the depth of knowledge you want to impart. For instance, as a sales training outfit, our main priorities were:
Offering comprehensive sales training worldwide, covering various courses to address every stage of the sales process.
Allowing participants to complete training at their own pace and from anywhere.
Providing group activities and interactive options so learners could have a classroom-like experience online.
Once we had these objectives clear, we could start looking for an LMS that matched our needs. We focused on finding a platform that could store our training content, distribute course materials, facilitate discussions among participants, offer flexibility for learners, and handle multiple courses seamlessly.
By jotting down your objectives beforehand, you’ll feel much more confident and equipped when navigating the LMS selection process. It’s like having a roadmap—it guides you in the right direction and ensures you end up with an LMS that truly supports your training goals.
#Mistake 2: Don’t forget to prioritize user experience
Every business owner and web designer understands that if your website isn’t user-friendly, people will quickly click away. The same goes for your Learning Management System (LMS). One common gripe among online learners is about the design—whether it’s the layout of the system, the course design, or just how the site looks overall. Online learning should be captivating, meeting each learner at their level, and this should be a key consideration when choosing your LMS.
If your users aren’t enjoying their learning experience, not only will they be less likely to enroll in future courses, but they’ll also retain less information. As a training professional, your main goal is to teach your students effectively and help them genuinely learn and develop.
When designing or selecting your organization’s LMS, prioritize User Experience (UX). Imagine yourself as a new user visiting the site for the first time, and think about which design elements could improve or hinder the experience. You might even consider hiring a User Experience professional to provide insights and ensure that the design resonates well with your target audience.
#Mistake 3: Your LMS is not just a file repository
If you’re gearing up to launch a training program, you’re probably busy gathering materials and mapping out your courses. Sometimes, when you’ve already planned out parts of your courses before choosing an LMS, there’s a temptation to opt for a system that simply stores files. But for new course creators, this can be a big misstep.
Your users aren’t just looking for a place to download files – they want an engaging learning experience. While it’s important to offer exclusive materials to your course participants, what matters even more is providing them with a real learning journey. That’s where Learning Management Systems shine.
Thinking of an LMS as just a file dump misses its full potential. It’s not just about storing files; it’s about fostering interaction and engagement with your users. Features like progress tracking, regular updates, and engagement tools should take precedence over simple file storage capabilities. After all, your goal is to create an environment where learners can truly engage with the material and make meaningful progress.
#Mistake 4: Overlooking Mobile Users
In 2023, mobile devices accounted for over half of all website traffic. While most online learners use laptops or desktops for their studies, many also rely on their mobiles, sometimes alongside their computers. Despite this trend, some course creators focus solely on desktop design, potentially excluding a significant portion of their audience.
Take the sales industry, for example. Sales professionals are often on the move, juggling busy schedules. They might not always have the luxury of sitting down at a computer for training. Sometimes, they just need to grab their work phones for a quick lesson. It’s crucial to consider your user base: How important is mobile access to them? If it’s vital, your LMS should cater to mobile users too.
Think about offering mobile-friendly features like optimized videos for smaller screens or audio recordings of lessons. Simplified progress tracking can also enhance the mobile learning experience. When comparing different LMS platforms, consider these features to ensure your training program accommodates both desktop and mobile users seamlessly.
#Mistake 5: Not Considering the Potential Integrations
When you’re choosing the right Learning Management System (LMS) for corporate training, it’s essential to consider both the technical aspects and the user experience. The technical side, including integration capabilities, plays a crucial role in the success of your employee training.
Some LMS platforms seamlessly integrate with other tools like video conferencing, messaging, and HR systems. On the other hand, some may not integrate well, requiring additional purchases beyond your initial agreement. Considering the integrations your training program needs can streamline content management in the long run and simplify your overall process.
#Mistake 6: You just forgot to check the custom support/assistance
Deploying an LMS is more complex than it seems at first glance.
Initially, you’ll need assistance from the LMS vendor to set up the system, select features, and get familiar with the basics.
In the mid-term, you’ll require support for tasks like uploading content, managing learners, and generating reports. You may also need to integrate the platform with other systems or align it with company policies. It’s wise to involve your IT department early on.
Looking ahead, you’ll face different challenges, such as utilizing advanced reporting and meeting requests from managers and learners as they become more accustomed to the LMS.
In my experience, the first LMS I implemented was from a Canadian company, while my company was in the UK. Despite being resold by a London-based distributor, technical issues had to be escalated to support teams in a different time zone. This led to delays in resolving problems, resulting in lost business hours and frustrating email exchanges across time zones.
When considering an LMS, assess the customer support infrastructure. If the vendor operates in a different time zone, consider whether local support can address system changes and bugs or if they merely provide guidance on functionality. This distinction is significant.
#Mistake 7: Neglecting Analytics and Reporting Features
Analytics often get overlooked, but they’re crucial when choosing an LMS.
Reporting and analytics tools are a must-have for any learning platform. Surprisingly, while 82% of organizations see them as vital for digital learning improvement, only 14% effectively measure its impact.
Thankfully, most LMS platforms offer built-in tracking and reporting. These tools let you track employee performance and spot areas needing improvement, aligning with your learning goals. Effective reporting ensures knowledge transfer meets targets, enhancing productivity and ROI.
When selecting an LMS, consider its reporting capabilities. If it lacks built-in or comprehensive reporting, it might not be the best choice. Without reporting tools, you may need to purchase additional software, adding unnecessary expenses. Look for a system with customization options, easy data export, and clear, readable reports.
End Note
And there you have it! We’ve covered the most common mistakes made when selecting an LMS. It’s crucial to avoid diving into vendor evaluations before understanding your training needs. That way, you’ll pinpoint the features you truly need and what’s most important.
When it comes to picking a new learning management system, look at the big picture. Don’t get swayed by prices or flashy feature lists. Focus on finding software that genuinely meets your training requirements.
By laying a strong foundation, you’ll narrow down your choices to a select few LMS providers. Suddenly, the decision-making process becomes much clearer. Not only will you dodge expensive errors, but you’ll also see improved long-term business outcomes. Best of luck with your search!
