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E-learning Platforms for Small Businesses | SME South Africa

Top E-Learning Platforms for Small Businesses in South Africa

Updated on Oct 14, 2024

GetSmarter

    Wide range of online courses

    Comprehensive app for students

    Quick online application for courses

    Easy repayment plans for courses

Coursera

    Range of long and short online courses

    Self-paced learning courses

    Financing available for some degrees

Skillshare

    Access to over 35 000 classes for upskilling

    Able to access learning information while offline

    Enterprise plans for employee upskilling

    Personalised experience for each user

Teachable

    Wide range of tools for course creations

    Affordable pricing plans

    Flexible customisation tools

Introduction

E-learning platforms can really help individuals upskill in any area and industry. These platforms are also affordable opportunities for businesses that want to upskill their employees.

E-learning platforms can have a set of standard features, no matter which platform it is. These platforms have a range of courses, membership fees, learning content and business plans for enterprises.

Additionally, some of the e-learning platforms offer degree certification and scholarships for those who want to study but cannot afford it yet.

There are many benefits of utilising e-learning platforms. You can leverage their vast range of learning courses to upskill yourself, upskill your employees, and get a degree in anything. You can also use these e-learning platforms to teach others any skills you have and earn a profit.

For businesses, e-learning platforms in South Africa can be useful when you want to give your employees new skills or improve their current skills. You can sign-up more than two of your employees under one payment plan. This makes it affordable for businesses of any size.

Main Features

Range of Courses

There are a range of courses on e-learning platforms. These can range from artificial intelligence, data analytics, and yoga poses to how to start your business.

Affordable Courses

The courses on online learning platforms are very affordable. You can pay for them in instalments or all at once. Sometimes you can also apply for scholarships to help you pay for your chosen course.

Flexible Learning

E-learning platforms offer you a flexible way of learning. You can study your course at your own pace, study more than one course at a time and can pause your learning any time you want.

Enterprise Courses

E-learning platforms offer specialised packages for businesses. This makes upskilling for employees affordable for businesses and easier. Also, managers have access to the portals where they can monitor their employee progress.

Integration and Apps

Some e-learning platforms are integrated with other apps. They are integrated with payment apps, artificial intelligence and sometimes Google Analytics. Additionally, e-learning platforms have their own apps that you can download to make learning easier.

Pricing

Each e-learning platform has its own pricing. Some charge you only for the courses you sign up for and others charge you for joining the platform as well as the courses. You can choose to pay monthly or annually for the platform membership. For courses, typically there is a ‘deposit’ that you need to pay before you can start learning. In that case, you will finish paying off the course through instalments.

Subscriptions typically include access to the course material (audio, visual and written content). You also get to use the student portal where you can check out previous course material and also network with other students.

Buyer's Guide

There are many e-learning platforms available on the market for you. Follow these tips to choose the right one for you and your employees.

Consider the following:

Anytime Access

A big advantage of e-learning platforms is that they have apps. You can access your learning material at any time and in various forms (audio, visual and written). You can also access your student portal at any time (app or website) and network with other students and professionals.

Easy-to-use

Trying to study further while working is not easy. It requires a lot of time (sleepless nights) and money too. E-learning platforms make this easy for you by letting you study at your own pace and paying for your studies in instalments.

Security

E-learning platforms use secure websites and apps. You can be sure that your personal information is secure on the platforms, and you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing it. For those who are hosting courses on these platforms, you can rest assured that the payment integrations are safe to use for you, no matter what your location is.

Enterprise Opportunities

If you own a business and need to better your skills, you can leverage the flexibility of e-learning platforms. You can learn new skills as you run your business, and you don’t have to worry about deadlines as you can study at your own pace.

Additionally, you can enrol your employees under one package. This makes upskilling them cheaper and seamless.

Compare our best picks

GetSmarter

Pros

Wide range of courses.

Backed by local and international higher learning institutions.

Affordable payment plans.

Great for businesses looking to upskill employees.

Cons

Some courses are a little pricey.

Not all courses have a repayment plan.

GetSmarter is an online learning platform with a range of courses designed to help working professionals upskill to further their careers. The company also has a business-to-business option for enterprises looking to upskill employees.

Coursera

Pros

Offers short courses and degrees.

Self-paced certificates.

Financing available for degrees.

Offering for businesses and small teams.

Cons

Some degrees have high requirements for enrollment.

Not all courses are financed.

Coursera is a global learning platform which has a range of short courses, certificates and degrees. The online learning platform also offers businesses with large and small team solutions to upskill employees.

Skillshare

Pros

Access to multiple skill building courses.

Membership plans for small and large teams.

Scholarship opportunities for teams and individuals.

Courses presented by industry leaders, creatives and experts.

Cons

Cost to joining the platform.

Courses focus on turning skills into a business, not how to manage your business.

Courses only have certificates, not degrees.

Skillshare is a skills development platform designed for individuals and teams. The platform has a range of short courses, enterprise courses and scholarships for its members.

Teachable

Pros

Easy-to-use app and online tools.

Affordable pricing plans.

Flexible customisation for teachers.

Easy to use AI course builder tool.

Cons

Does not offer degrees.

Not all courses are facilitated by professional educators.

Most of the platform is geared towards helping creators (business owners) develop a training programme.

Teachable is an online learning platform. Teachable provides a platform for people to turn their passions, skills and content into a profit. The platform also features a plan for businesses looking to upskill employees or educate their customers.

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