Today’s world is driven by eCommerce. With everything available online, from dinner meals to air tickets, the education industry is also taking a big leap. While online teaching has been popular for some time, educational institutions have been slow to adopt online mediums for selling the courses they offer. But, thankfully, the change is around the corner now.
The market for Edtech eCommerce is new but full of opportunities. Moreover, the evolution of e-learning due to COVID-19 in the last years paved the way for educational institutions to bring their offerings to the global market with the help of eCommerce solutions.
However, the market is still new and businesses need to have a well-designed strategy to tap into the online education economy. Here is a 4-step plan they can use to get started:
Build an eCommerce Strategy
To build eCommerce solutions for educational institutions, you need to develop a full-fledged strategy that includes your business model, monetization strategy, tech stack and much more.
You can’t just launch a website for selling courses online and expect users to pay you money. Analyze the competition in the market, look out for their operational and marketing strategies, find out the tech stack of their eCommerce platform and then make an informed plan to get success in the edtech eCommerce world.
Focus on Branding
You need to realize what it takes to be a successful retailer in 2021. You may have skills, expertise, or the best resources to teach online but if you lack branding, no one will come and trust your services. Thus, start investing in Google ads, pay-per-click, and SEO to attract leads once you have an eCommerce platform. The edtech eCommerce industry is indeed new but it is getting players very fast so you should leave no stone unturned in securing your place.
Focus on Creating a Flawless CX
A flawless and engaging customer experience is an essential part of a successful eCommerce platform. For educational institutions to effectively sell courses online, their applications should offer an impeccable CX. Or, they’ll risk losing leads in between the checkout process. By sharing basic course information for free, interacting with students on a personal level, or even enabling a 2-way conversation using a Chatbot, can help educational institutes keep students hooked during their journey.
Opt for a Global Approach
In the e-learning industry, there should be no geographical boundaries. Unlike food or clothes, Ed-tech is a digitally native industry and you shall not limit your services to just your local areas when stepping into it. Education can be delivered anytime and anywhere.
Wrapping Up
Like any other industry, there will be innovative startups and emerging super brands in the Edtech eCommerce industry in the coming years. But, if educational institutions play the eCommerce game with a carefully crafted strategy, they have the chance to emerge as winners.
Got queries? Consider contacting our eCommerce experts, right here.
Guest article written by: Anup Mehrotra is the Vice President in the Sales & Marketing division of Envision eCommerce and Netsmartz. His expertise in building strategic partnerships, software product marketing, and demand/lead generation is focused on helping budding entrepreneurs build quality products fast. In his leisure time, he likes to read and write about software development and marketing.