Understanding the Costs of Creating a Website to Sell Online Courses with LearnDash
Introduction
If you are planning to create a website to sell online courses, one of the key components you’ll need is a Learning Management System (LMS) plugin. LearnDash is a popular and powerful LMS plugin for WordPress, specifically designed to turn any website into an online course platform. However, the total cost of implementing and maintaining a LearnDash-powered website can vary widely. In this article, we will break down the potential costs to help you estimate the total investment required.
Understanding the LearnDash Pricing
The core LearnDash plugin comes in three different pricing plans to cater to various needs and budgets.
LearnDash License Plans
Basic License: 199/year for one site. Plus License: 369/year for up to 10 sites. Pro License: 659/year for up to 25 sites.Additionally, LearnDash offers a special discount to save up to 40% off all plans. This discount is limited and available for a short period of time only, so it’s important to act fast.
Building Your Online Course Website
Creating a website to sell online courses with LearnDash involves several components, each with its associated costs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to consider:
1. LearnDash License
The LearnDash plugin itself is the backbone of your course platform. The cost of the license depends on how many sites you intend to run with LearnDash:
Basic License: 199/year for one site. Plus License: 369/year for up to 10 sites. Pro License: 659/year for up to 25 sites.2. Hosting Costs
Hosting is another crucial component of your online course website. The cost of hosting depends on whether you choose shared hosting or managed WordPress hosting, and the quality of the service you need:
Shared Hosting: 5 to 30/month (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround). Managed WordPress Hosting: 30 to 100/month (e.g., WP Engine, Kinsta).3. Domain Name
The domain name you choose will be a key part of your online presence. You should budget around:
Typically: 10 to 20/year.4. WordPress Theme
Choosing the right theme for your course website is vital for both functionality and aesthetics. The cost depends on whether the theme is free or premium:
Free Themes: 0. Premium Themes: 50 to 100, one-time fee or annual subscription.5. Additional Plugins
Depending on your requirements, you may need additional plugins for functionalities such as membership management, e-commerce, and page builders:
Membership Plugins: 100 to 200/year (e.g., MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro). E-commerce Plugins: 0 to 300/year (e.g., WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads). Page Builders: 0 to 300/year (e.g., Elementor Pro, Beaver Builder).6. SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate is essential for security and trust. Many hosting providers include it in their packages, or you can purchase one separately:
Often: Included with hosting, but if purchased separately, it can cost 10 to 200/year.7. Payment Processing Fees
Processing payments online can come with fees:
Typically: 2.9% 30￠/transaction depending on the payment gateway.Total Estimated Costs
Initial Setup Costs: Depending on your specific needs, the initial setup costs can vary from 250 to 1500, including LearnDash, hosting, domain, and theme.
Annual Costs: After the initial setup, the annual costs for LearnDash and other fees can range from 200 to 1000.
Conclusion
Overall, the total cost of creating a website to sell online courses using LearnDash can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic setup to several thousand dollars for a more comprehensive platform. It is essential to carefully plan based on your specific needs and budget to ensure you are making the best investment for your online course business.
Final Notes
If you are considering using LearnDash to create your online course website, take note of the following:
Pricing: LearnDash starts from 199/yearly for the Basic License and varies up to 659/yearly for the Pro License. Special Discount: Take advantage of the 40% special discount on all plans for a limited time.Explore our website for more detailed LearnDash pricing plans and additional information to help you make an informed decision.