The pros and cons of self-hosted LMS -

What is the most effective place to offer online course sales: your own website, or on an LMS platform?

Many online teachers, the first decision they must make is whether or not to develop their online course using an online e-learning platform hosted by a company such as Udemy or Thinkific or even create it via their own web site with a self-hosted solution such as or another WordPress-friendly LMS.

Pro: You are in charge of the experience learners have on your website.

In the majority of hosted e-learning platforms, your course has to be in line with the format of the host site. There's little you can do to alter the learning experience or differentiate yourself from others that offer similar courses. Your control over things like refund policies , or payments are limited.

On a self-hosted site it is yours and you're able to make them freely according to any business policy that is most appealing to you. You can sell e-learning however you like without having to jump through any hoops on the platform end.

The downside is that you have to do all the set-up task by yourself.

Of course, building your own online learning website has its own set of responsibilities, and not everyone is willing to go through the trouble in setting up their own site. If you're lacking the knowledge to do it yourself it is possible that you will need learn the process. If you aren't much of DIY-skilled, you could need to find an expert who is knowledgeable about how to do their job. And if you don't have enough money to pay anyone, it could be hosting platforms are the best option.

Pro: Your customers are the ones you own.

On a hosted platform, your students are clients of the service, not of you. This puts limitations on your capacity to sell to them and serve them effectively. Utilizing an online learning platform, you are able to access all of your students. It is possible to monitor the metrics of your learners, promote your courses' new offerings to them, and respond to any customer complaints directly.

Cons: You're accountable for the brand you represent and your marketing strategy.

Naturally, hosted e-learning websites have an interest in selling courses. They've constructed a complete marketing strategy around it, and have reputation of a brand to back this up. It's true that being associated with these brands can be considered an unpaid marketing. But it comes at the cost of making your own branding and your own business plan.

If you'd like to take the back seat to your marketing efforts, you can post your site on hosting platforms and then wait for visitors to find it. If you're looking to make your brand your own, then a self-hosted platform can give you more control.

Pro: You keep all profits.

Most e-learning solutions make their profits by taking a percentage of sales from courses launched via their platform. If you run the courses on your own web site the profits you earn are yours. There is no need to pay a fee to the hosting platform.

The costs are the entire cost, and you are also responsible for it.

Of course, that isn't a guarantee that your website will be cost-free. In fact There are many overhead expenses associated to running a web-based site that include the costs of web hosting as well as domain name fees as well as security charges. You are able to make your own decisions regarding these matters, however it is possible that you don't want to.

Pros: You get full access to the audience's metrics.

Do you want to know what customers do on your site? Or what about how the students are engaged in your course? Analytics are in high demand so the majority platforms come with a set of fundamental tools. But they won't cut it when you need the detailed information that tools like Google Analytics or Inspectlet provide.

If you want to know what pages visitors entered and left on, the length of time they spent scrolling down the page, or where they went on the page that they visited, your hosting platform may not provide that data. In addition, adding this information to your own website will be more difficult.

Con: It's important to understand what they are.

However, more analytics capabilities aren't a pro for everyone. Unless you know how to make sense of your discoveries, more information is unlikely to help the person you are. This is assuming that you've got the time to study them.

Analytics of the audience are crucial to developing a good online course. It helps you learn more about their significance. If you do not have the time or patience to work through these reports, a hosted system will provide you with data that is easier to understand, even if they are simplified.

Pro: Your business is yours that's yours alone.

Do you want to build your own company, or take a glimmer of another's? Your choice is yours. In any case to create value online courses that have potential to become very profitable. While you may earn a living on a hosted website, you can't make a business. Your only chance to be an affiliate of another's.

More control means more responsibility as well as more money.

At the end of the day, the ideal place to sell online courses is where you feel most comfortable. If you view your online course as an enjoyable side hustle and not a full-time job, then platforms like Udemy or Thinkific may be the best option for you.

If you plan to sell online courses as a living, then hosting a platform could give you too many restrictions. A self-hosted online learning website gives you the freedom needed to accomplish the goal.

If you're looking to be focused on your goal and nothing else, then hosting on a platform could provide a better solution. If control and access are positives for those who are in control, then self-hosted might be what you want.