Why Custom E-learning Platforms aren't Cheap.

First off, a custom e-learning platform is built to meet the branding and unique needs of companies who want to have full control.

It's sad (not for me) when a lot of companies ask me to build an e-learning platform say I'm too expensive. It is simply because they don't know the cost of quality.

Incase you don't know ??, I'm a WordPress Developer.

I will not lower the quality of my work.

I can easily remove features to maintain quality.

But I cannot reduce quality in order to accommodate client's desired features.

I decided to list out the plugins I used on one of the e-learning platforms I'm building.

In fact, I've never done this before now.

Doing this has now made me realize that I've been charging too low for my quality.

I'm sharing this to help any developer's future client to understand that e-learning is not as simple as ecommerce.

Clients should understand that e-learning developers charge high because cost of production is high.

Here are they:

PLUGIN NAME - PLUGIN WEBSITE - COST PER YEAR ($)

1. Admin Columns Pro - https://www.admincolumns.com - 89 AffiliateWP - https://affiliatewp.com/ - 149.5 AutomatorWP - https://automatorwp.com/ - 149Tutor LMS ( Ollyo )- https://www.themeum.com/product/tutor-lms/ - 199
2. Bot Protection (Essential) - https://www.malcare.com/ - 0
3. Branda Pro ( WPMU DEV )- https://wpmudev.com/ - 90
4. BuddyBoss Pro - https://www.buddyboss.com/ - 228 Elementor Pro - https://elementor.com/ - 59File Upload Types - https://wpforms.com/ - 0
5. FOX - Currency Switcher - https://pluginus.net/ - 36
6. Header Footer Code Manager - https://draftpress.com/ - 0
7. Hide Dashboard Notifications - https://wprepublic.com/ - 0
8. SolidWP Security Pro - https://ithemes.com/ - 99One User Avatar - https://onedesigns.com/ - 0
9. Payment Plugins for Stripe - https://https://paymentplugins.com - 0
10. Paystack Payment Gateway - https://wordpress.org/plugins/woo-paystack - 0 Presto Player Pro - https://prestoplayer.com/ - 99 PublishPress Capabilities Pro - https://publishpress.com/capabilities/ - 79 PublishPress Permissions Pro - https://publishpress.com/permissions/ - 79Shortcode in Menus - https://gagan0123.com/ - 0
11. Super Progressive Web Apps - https://wordpress.org - 0
12. Woo - https://woocommerce.com/ - 0WP Dark Mode Ultimate ( WPPOOL ) - https://wppool.dev/ - 49
13. WP Hide & Security Enhancer - https://wordpress.org - 0

TOTAL COST OF PLUGINS - $1404.5

DEVELOPMENT TIME: 4 - 6 Months (If all conditions are met by client)

HOSTING COST DURING DEVELOPMENT: $28/mo (this could be less) on Cloudways which is $168 for 6 months. (Try at Cloudways with a $25 dollars credit HEREhttps://www.cloudways.com/en/?id=547259)

HOSTING + PLUGINS = (1404.5 + 168) $1,572.5

THEME: A public paid theme could cost around $60 but if you'll use a custom theme then you'd pay a UI/UX designer to build a design. This could cost between $600 - $2000 more than a paid theme.

DEVELOPMENT FEE:

Usually developer's fee would be like 10x -15x of plugins + hosting cost. This depends on whether you use a custom theme or public paid theme. Using a custom theme means more work for the developer.

Generous developers (They aren't easy to find) can help you reduce costs by using their plugins' license. This could cut down cost from $1,572 to around $600.

From a generous developer, you would be paying around $6,000 - $9,000.

Cost will certainly increase if you're building a website and an e-learning platform. In fact, a website is a separate budget from an e-learning.

NOTE:

I shared this in West-Africa context. It's certainly way more if you're in Europe.

In a Nigerian context, you would spend around N4,200,000 - N6,300,000. (This does not include a website).

If you're requesting for features outside any WordPress plugins like I listed, it will demand the developer to build a custom plugin. You should be ready for the bill or just chill and be content with what you have.

MAINTENANCE:

WordPress plugins are renewed yearly to ensure plugins are up to date and e-learning remains secure. From a generous developer, you should be paying $600 for plugins and anywhere between $200 - $500 for monthly maintenance.

IN SUMMARY:

You should be willing to make a one-time investment of $6,000 - $9,000 and around $3,000 - $6,600 (N2,100,000 - N4,620,000) for yearly management of your e-learning.

Please, if you can't afford this, don't go for a cheap developer that will ruin your business. It's better you use great platforms like Selar , Thinkific or Teachable .

Yes, your customization is limited but you're certain of your business growth.

I hope this was helpful to both developers and future clients.

PS: If you're a WordPress dev and don't know how all of these 24 plugins I listed works, then you need a consultation and training by me ??

PSS: I build stuffs with WordPress at WPFlat (wpflat.com)

Please share to others who need this. I appreciate your kind gestures.

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