Buying elearning content should be simple, buy way too often people find it’s far too complex that it should be.
Complex pricing models, lack of transparency, and too many options make it harder than it should be.
This confusion slows down sales, frustrates buyers, and creates unnecessary barriers.
If suppliers simplified pricing and buyers pushed for clarity, the whole process would improve.
The Basics
- Companies still need elearning content, especially compliance training.
- The purchasing process is difficult due to unclear pricing and too many choices in the sales process.
- Many buyers don’t even ask for quotes because the pricing is too vague.
- Suppliers need to make buying easier with clear pricing, better sales materials, and a direct sales approach.
Why is buying elearning content so complicated?
If you’ve ever tried to purchase an elearning content library, you know how frustrating it can be.
The pricing models are overly complex, and buyers struggle to find the right content without jumping through hoops. It shouldn’t be this difficult.
The problem? Complexity is killing sales.
At events like World of Learning, Learning Technologies, The Learning Leaders Conference, it’s clear that companies still buy content, but how they buy it is a mess.
Compliance training, for example, remains a high priority, yet the buying process is full of unnecessary friction.
Too many options, too many pricing tiers, and too little transparency. It doesn’t need to be like this.
This complexity isn’t just frustrating—it’s costly:
- Underestimated Costs: A survey found that companies often underestimate Learning Management System (LMS) costs by an average of 59% during the planning stage. (ELEARNINGINDUSTRY.COM)
- Supplier Recommendations: Experts suggest that suppliers should adopt straightforward pricing, provide quick responses, and use simple terms to facilitate easier purchasing decisions. (ELEARNINGINDUSTRY.COM)
- Buyer Strategies: Buyers are advised to request simple pricing structures, avoid complex contracts that may lead to unforeseen costs, and be cautious of attractive initial deals that may not offer long-term value. (ELEARNINGINDUSTRY.COM)
Scott Hewitt asks: Why do suppliers make buying elearning content harder than it should be with overly complex pricing models and too many variations? Why don’t they adjust their pricing models or clearly explain how they calculate their prices?
So what’s the solution?
Instead of overcomplicating things, the focus should be on:
- Clarity in pricing – Buyers need straightforward pricing models that don’t require decoding. How can suppliers expect buyers to compare options when pricing isn’t clear? Many don’t even ask for quotes because the process feels so vague.
- Understanding the market – Who is actually buying content, and what are their biggest frustrations?
- Direct sales approach – Rather than waiting for customers to figure it out, go to them. Identify LMS buyers, sell directly, and help them sell to their customers.
- Stronger marketing collateral – Without clear, compelling sales materials, even great content won’t sell itself. Do we need video explainers? A biweekly newsletter? Better positioning of new courses?
Scott Hewitt suggests: Suppliers should offer easy-to-understand prices, respond quickly, and use simple terms to make purchasing more straightforward.
At the same time, buyers can take control by asking for simple pricing, avoiding complex models, and steering clear of contracts that lock them in. But how often do they actually push back?
What’s next?
It’s time to take a step back and build a plan. That means identifying what’s missing in the sales process and asking for the missing materials to fix it. Whether it’s a simple leaflet, an animation, or an outreach strategy, the goal is to remove barriers, not create them.
Scott Hewitt warns: Buyers should also be cautious of deals that seem great in year one but disappear in year two. How often do they check for hidden pricing jumps before committing?
Buying elearning content should be easy. It’s time to make it that way.
If you have struggled to get a great deal or find the elearning content that you need get in contact with us today.
Google Questions & Answers
How to create elearning content?
Start by defining learning objectives. Choose a format (videos, quizzes, interactive modules), structure content clearly, and make it engaging. Use authoring tools like Articulate Storyline or Articulate Rise 306. Other options include Adobe Captivate. Ensure accessibility, test usability, and gather feedback to improve.
How do I become an elearning content developer?
Gain skills in instructional design, graphic design, and authoring tools like Storyline or Captivate. Learn about learning principles. Build a portfolio with sample courses. Publish your work and get feedback from other designers and developers.
What is the best elearning platform?
It depends on your needs. For businesses, TalentLMS and Docebo are popular. For educators, Blackboard works well. If you need content authoring, Articulate 360 and Adobe Captivate are top choices. Looking for off the shelf content, then Real Projects has a great content library.
What makes good elearning content?
It should be clear, engaging, and interactive. Strong instructional design, multimedia elements, and real-world application make learning effective. Content should be accessible, mobile-friendly, and provide immediate feedback to users.
