When it comes to creating and selling online courses, you have several options. Two popular platforms often considered are Thinkific and WordPress Learning Management Systems (LMS), like Learndash. While both have their merits, this article will delve into the specific advantages Thinkific offers, particularly for those who want a streamlined and efficient approach to online education.
Why Consider Thinkific over a WordPress LMS like Learndash?
The sources suggest that the choice between Thinkific and WordPress LMS often depends on individual business needs. However, Thinkific offers a more straightforward and focused approach for many course creators. Here are some of the key reasons to consider Thinkific:
- Simplicity and Speed of Setup: If you are just starting out, with little to no online presence, or planning a basic course set-up, then Thinkific is the faster way to get up and running. Thinkific is designed to be user-friendly, allowing course creators to focus on content rather than technical complexities. This ease of use is particularly beneficial for individuals or small businesses that do not have a dedicated tech team.
- Focus on Course Delivery: Thinkific is primarily a platform built for hosting and delivering courses. It offers a robust course player and tools specifically designed for online learning. Unlike WordPress LMS plugins, which are add-ons to a broader website platform, Thinkific provides a dedicated learning environment.
- No Hosting Worries: Thinkific is a self-hosted learning management system. This means you do not have to worry about the technical aspects of hosting your site, dealing with updates, or ensuring site security. This can be a major advantage for those who are not technically inclined or do not want the hassle of maintaining a server. With a WordPress LMS like Learndash, you must take responsibility for this.
- Built-in Themes and Design Tools: Thinkific provides a range of ready-to-use themes and design tools. While it might not be as infinitely customisable as WordPress, the design tools are user-friendly and comparable to platforms like Shopify. This allows you to create a professional-looking site without any coding expertise.
- Reduced Technical Overheads: Building and maintaining a WordPress site can be more expensive and require specific technical skills. There is a significant difference, both technically and cost-wise, between running a site for 20, 200, and 2000 people. Thinkific can be a more cost-effective option, particularly for those unfamiliar with building websites at scale.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Thinkific offers SSO capabilities which allows students to access your courses using their existing social media or other platform credentials. This can significantly improve the user experience and boost course consumption by reducing the need for students to create and remember multiple passwords.
- Direct Integrations: Thinkific offers direct integrations with other platforms. This can be more streamlined than configuring multiple plugins on a WordPress site. For example, Thinkific can be integrated with Intercom to streamline customer support and engagement.
- WooCommerce Integration: While Thinkific does not have a cart system, it can be tightly coupled with WordPress and WooCommerce to give you the benefits of both platforms. With this integration, WordPress can operate as your main website and handle checkouts, whilst Thinkific acts as the LMS, taking data from WordPress and providing course content. This is the set-up favoured by many course creators.
When Might Learndash (or a Similar WordPress LMS) be a Better Choice?
Despite these advantages, there are scenarios where a WordPress LMS like Learndash might be more suitable:
- Complete Customisation: If you need precise control over the design and layout of your learning platform, then WordPress offers greater flexibility. WordPress is infinitely more extensible than Thinkific regarding design and layout.
- Unique Membership Packages/Payment Options: If you have very particular membership packages, subscriptions, or payment options, then WordPress and WooCommerce are the best options. For example, if you need to accept wire transfers or bitcoin then a WordPress site will be more suitable.
- Existing WordPress Site: If you have a significant existing WordPress site with essential custom features, it may be preferable to keep your learning content on WordPress to avoid connecting users across two different platforms. However, as the source points out, this can be easily achieved with a plugin.
- Technical Expertise: If you or your team have a strong grasp of building websites at scale to cater for multiple users, then WordPress can be more cost-effective.
Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
Many course creators find the optimal solution is a hybrid model, using Thinkific for its robust course delivery and user-friendly interface and WordPress for its flexibility and sales capabilities. This allows you to utilise the strengths of both platforms and create a strong ecosystem for your online courses.
Conclusion
Thinkific provides a streamlined, user-friendly, and focused approach to online education. Its ease of use, robust course delivery tools, and lack of hosting responsibilities make it an appealing choice for many course creators. While WordPress LMS options like Learndash offer greater customisation, Thinkific’s simplicity and focus on course delivery, especially with WordPress for sales, make it compelling for those looking to launch and grow their online course business quickly. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, technical expertise and business goals.