Create a Free LMS on Google Drive (with private videos, not unlisted on YouTube)

Hey everyone! I recently had an awesome chat with a customer about setting up an LMS (Learning Management System) without breaking the bank, and I just had to share it with you all.

So, imagine you're just starting out and need to organize your educational content. You don't want to invest in a full-scale custom LMS yet. This customer told me they used Google Drive to create a free LMS and it worked wonders for them. It gave them a way to structure their content and really understand what their learners needed before they made the leap to a custom system.

Now, I know what you're thinking – a Google Drive LMS isn't the same as a professional LMS. And you're right, it's not. But it's a fantastic first step. Here’s why:

1. Organizing Your Content: Google Drive lets you create folders and subfolders to neatly organize your materials. It's like having a digital filing cabinet, making it super easy to keep track of everything.
2. Private Video Hosting: This is a big one. Instead of uploading videos to YouTube as unlisted (which isn’t really private), you can upload them directly to Google Drive. This way, your videos are truly private and only accessible to those you share them with.
3. Flexibility with Integrations and Reports: Google Drive is incredibly flexible. You can use Google Slides, Forms, and Sheets to create custom reports. And if you want to get fancy, tools like Zapier or Make.com can help you integrate and automate processes, making your life so much easier.
4. Cost-Effective: Best part? It’s free! For small teams or organizations just getting started, this is a no-brainer.

The customer I spoke to found that by starting with Google Drive, they could effectively plan their content and understand what worked best for their learners. When they were ready to invest in a custom LMS, they knew exactly what they needed.

So, if you're in the early stages of creating an LMS, give Google Drive a shot. It’s a practical, cost-effective way to get your content organized and gather valuable insights into your learners' needs. And when you’re ready to go big, you'll have a clear idea of what features to look for in a custom LMS.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you’ve tried this yourself. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Stay curious and keep learning!

Akis ??