Online courses are educational programs delivered over the Internet, typically through a learning management system (LMS) or a website. They can range from short, self-paced courses to full-length degree programs, and cover a wide range of subjects and disciplines. LearnDash subscriptions feature helps you create a great LMS website.
Online courses have become increasingly popular in recent years, for several reasons. One of the primary reasons is the convenience they offer. Learners can access course content from anywhere with an internet connection, at any time that suits their schedule. This flexibility is particularly attractive to adult learners who may have work or family commitments.
LearnDash provides a robust and user-friendly platform for course creators to create and sell their courses, with powerful features that enable them to create engaging and effective learning experiences for their learners. In this blog, we will learn about the LearnDash subscription feature for online courses.
What are LearnDash Subscriptions?
LearnDash subscriptions are a feature that allows course creators to sell access to their courses on a subscription basis. With LearnDash subscriptions, learners pay a recurring fee to access the course content for a specified period, typically a month or a year.
Course creators can offer different subscription levels and pricing options to cater to a wider range of learners, making their courses more accessible and appealing. They can also set up automated payments and renewals, which frees up time and resources and enables them to generate a reliable and consistent stream of revenue.
LearnDash subscriptions work by enabling course creators to offer their courses on a subscription basis, with learners paying a recurring fee to access the course content for a specified period. Here’s how it works:
- Course creators create their course content using the LearnDash LMS platform, including lessons, quizzes, and other course materials.
- They set up subscription plans for their courses using the LearnDash subscriptions feature, specifying the price and duration of each subscription level.
- Learners can then browse the course catalog and choose the subscription level that best suits their needs and budget.
- Once they have subscribed, learners can access the course content for the duration of their subscription, typically a month or a year.
- Course creators can set up automated payments and renewals, which enables them to generate a reliable and consistent stream of revenue and reduces administrative burdens.
- Learners can cancel their subscription at any time, but their access to the course content will end at the end of their current subscription period.
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Benefits of LearnDash subscriptions for online courses
- Provides a reliable and consistent source of income for course creators
- Enables course creators to scale their business more effectively
- Offers learners a more affordable and flexible way to access high-quality educational content
- Allows course creators to offer different subscription levels and pricing options
- Enables course creators to set up automated payments and renewals
- Provides an effective way for course creators to monetize their content and build a sustainable online business.
How LearnDash subscriptions differ from other payment models
LearnDash subscriptions differ from other payment models in several ways. Here are some of the key differences:
One-time payments: With one-time payments, learners pay a single fee to access the course content. In contrast, with LearnDash subscriptions, learners pay a recurring fee to access the content for a specified period, typically a month or a year.
Course bundles: Some online course platforms offer course bundles, which allow learners to purchase multiple courses at a discounted price. LearnDash subscriptions, on the other hand, allow learners to access a single course on a subscription basis.
Membership sites: Membership sites offer access to a range of content and resources for a recurring fee. LearnDash subscriptions can be used in conjunction with membership sites to offer access to specific courses as part of a broader membership program.
Pay-per-course: Some online course platforms charge learners on a per-course basis, with each course requiring a separate payment. LearnDash subscriptions, in contrast, enable learners to access a single course regularly, making it more affordable and accessible for learners.
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How to use LearnDash subscriptions Feature
A step-by-step guide to setting up subscriptions in LearnDash:
- Install and activate the LearnDash LMS plugin on your WordPress site.
- Create your course content, including lessons, quizzes, and other course materials.
- Navigate to the LearnDash > Courses section of the WordPress dashboard and select the course you want to sell on a subscription basis.
- Scroll down to the Access Settings section and select the Subscription Access type.
- Set up the subscription levels and pricing options that you want to offer by clicking on the Add Subscription button.
- Specify the subscription level name, price, duration, and any other relevant information.
- Repeat the process for each subscription level that you want to offer.
- Once you have set up your subscription levels, navigate to the LearnDash > Settings > Stripe (or other payment gateways) section of the WordPress dashboard and enter your payment gateway details.
- Configure your payment gateway settings, including currency, payment frequency, and payment options.
- Test your payment gateway to ensure that it is set up correctly and processing payments.
- Once you have set up your subscriptions and payment gateway, you can start promoting your course and accepting subscription payments from learners.
- Monitor your subscription performance using the LearnDash reporting and analytics tools, and adjust your subscription levels and pricing as needed to optimize your revenue.
That’s it! With these simple steps, you can set up subscriptions for your LearnDash courses and start generating a reliable and consistent stream of income.
Subscription levels and options in LearnDash
LearnDash allows you to offer different subscription levels and options to learners. Here are some of the common subscription options you can create using LearnDash:
- Monthly or annual subscriptions
- Tiered subscriptions
- Free trial subscriptions
- Discounted subscriptions
- Group subscriptions
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Examples of successful LearnDash subscription models
Many successful online courses use LearnDash subscriptions to generate a reliable and consistent stream of revenue. Here are some examples:
Yoga International: Yoga International is a popular online yoga community that offers a range of subscription options for learners. Their subscription plans include access to thousands of yoga videos, articles, and classes, with options for monthly or annual billing.
The Piano Lesson Guy: The Piano Lesson Guy is a popular online course that teaches beginners how to play the piano. They offer a subscription model that gives learners access to a range of piano courses and tutorials on a monthly or annual basis.
Photography Concentrate: Photography Concentrate is an online course that teaches users how to improve their photography skills. They offer a subscription model that gives learners access to a range of photography courses and tutorials on a monthly or annual basis.
Copyblogger: Copyblogger is a popular online course that teaches users how to write effective copy for their websites and marketing materials. They offer a subscription model that gives learners access to a range of writing courses and tutorials on a monthly or annual basis.
These are just a few examples of successful LearnDash subscription models. By offering high-quality courses on a subscription basis, these businesses have been able to generate a reliable and consistent stream of revenue, while providing learners with flexible and affordable access to valuable educational content.
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Conclusion
LearnDash subscriptions are a powerful tool for building a successful online course business. By offering learners a range of subscription options, you can attract and retain more subscribers, generate a reliable stream of revenue, and provide learners with flexible and affordable access to valuable educational content. With LearnDash, you have the flexibility to create different subscription levels and options that cater to the needs and preferences of your learners, helping you to build a sustainable online course business over time. So if you’re looking to monetize your online courses and build a thriving educational business, the LearnDash subscriptions feature is worth exploring.
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