The Ultimate LMS Buyer’s Guide (2024 Edition)

In a perfect world, picking the right learning management system (LMS) should be quick, easy, simple.

Amiright?

But we don't live in a perfect world. Not even close.

The market is saturated with options. So many options. All promising the earth, the moon and a bag of chips. Everything your business needs, and more.

But need I share dear reader that no platform can possibly live up to these kinds of promises?

With a crazy 43% of organizations actively looking to replace their current LMS solution, it’s clear to see that a lot of companies just are NOT happy with their current solution.

Of course, we can put it down to platforms and solutions that over-promise and under-deliver, or that are just poor-quality, but could it be that something's going wrong in the buying process itself?

Could it be that companies are confused about what they actually need from an LMS?

Could it be that slick salesmen, shiny objects and trend-chasing are resulting in buying decisions and platforms that simply aren't right for the job?

Instead of focusing all the wrong things, the buying decision should be led by the overall goals of your organization and the hinges that can swing the biggest doors when it comes to outcomes – things like employee engagement, happiness, career development and retention.

We believe that the right choice for any company should focus on the learner's experience, and maximize for their whole-hearted engagement – the two critical things that determine whether they learn... or not!

When you prioritize these 2 pieces of the puzzle, you get real business results, and you get much more, much faster from your people.

At Engagify, we’ve worked with thousands of businesses and helped them to discover and implement the right learning management system that their teams will absolutely LOVE.

We're experts in maximizing student and learner happiness and success, and the bottom line outcomes that brings for a company.

We started Engagify with the simple belief that learning should be fun, engaging and help us become better versions of ourselves.

But so rarely does this happen.

Most of the time organizations have inspiring plans and a grand vision, but sadly end up constrained by L&D platforms that are stuck in the past and prevent them from executing on that vision.

We've seen it happen time and time again, and it's why we put this guide together.

This guide is for HR and Learning professionals who are either looking to start their employee and team training initiative in the right way so it gets results right out of the gate... or take one that's underperforming, turn it around and improve employee happiness, satisfaction, and retention.

It also aims to help answer the critical question: What does your business really need from an LMS?

By the end, you'll be able to confidently select a powerful, user-friendly platform that helps to achieve your business’s unique learning goals.

Investing in a new learning management system (LMS) can be a game-changer. Maybe you're a startup needing a platform from scratch, or perhaps your current one is a clunky relic hindering your training goals.

If finding the right LMS in a sea of options feels daunting, then here are our 5 key steps to navigate the selection process with confidence...

Step 1: Identify Your Training Audience

• Who are you training? Employees, customers, partners?
• What type of training do they need? Onboarding, compliance, product knowledge?

Understanding your audience and their training requirements is crucial. For instance, employee training might focus on onboarding processes, while compliance training demands features that simplify tracking and record-keeping.

Step 2: Prioritize Essential Features

Not all features are created equal. Focus on the functionalities your LMS absolutely should have:

• Ease of Use: A user-friendly platform ensures smooth operation for both learners and administrators. A clunky interface can hinder engagement and slow down the learning process.
• Gamification: Today's learners are demanding a new kind of training that's more fun, more engaging and more motivating. Best practice gamification takes full advantage of the latest research into how people learn best, to deliver higher & better learning outcomes for your orgaanization and its people.
• AI-first learning features: The new generation of AI models are offering many new, exciting and highly customized-to-the-learner AI-powered learning features that learners love. "Old school" LMS e-learning platforms simply aren't keeping up, so engagement suffers.
• Robust Reporting: Track learner progress, pinpoint areas needing improvement, and measure the effectiveness of your training programs. Comprehensive reporting equips you with valuable insights to optimize your training strategy.
• Seamless Integrations: Connect your LMS with existing tools like your CRM or HR system for streamlined workflows. Integrations boost efficiency and eliminate the need for manual data entry.
• Learning Portals: Manage different training groups efficiently. Learning portals enable you to organize content, personalize the learning experience for various audiences, and avoid duplicating efforts.

Step 3: Evaluate and Shortlist Potential LMS Providers

With your audience and feature needs defined, research begins!

• Initial Research: Identify systems that appear to align with your requirements. Online resources and vendor websites can provide a good starting point.
• Shortlist Creation: Compile a list of promising LMS options that warrant further investigation.

Step 4: Deep Dive and Evaluate Each Vendor

Now, it's time to delve deeper into your shortlisted LMS providers:

• Vendor Communication: Schedule brief calls (around 15 minutes) with representatives from each shortlisted vendor. This direct interaction allows you to clarify specific questions and gauge their understanding of your needs.
• Customer Reviews & Reputation: Seek out online reviews and industry insights to gain a broader perspective on each vendor's strengths and potential shortcomings.

Step 5: Look Beyond the LMS - Assess Vendor Support

Choosing an LMS goes beyond feature sets. Reliable vendor support is equally important:

• Post-Sale Support: What level of customer support does the vendor offer? Are they readily available to address technical issues or answer your questions?
• Technical Expertise: Look for vendors with a proven track record of providing excellent technical support. You want to know there's a team readily available to assist you if needed.

Engagify prioritizes exceptional customer support. We believe in building a strong partnership with our clients and offer 24/7 technical assistance to ensure your learning initiatives run smoothly.

Pro Tip: Once you're satisfied with the vendor's reputation and support services, take advantage of free trials and demos. This hands-on experience allows you to assess the platform's functionality firsthand and see how it caters to your specific requirements.

Additionally, submitting support tickets during the trial period provides valuable insight into the responsiveness and attentiveness of each vendor's support team.

Never forget that choosing the right LMS is an investment in your organization's future.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can select a platform that empowers you to deliver effective training programs, cultivate a skilled workforce, and achieve your learning goals.

Have questions about Engagify?

We'd love to chat – just drop us a message at our Contact page.