For many learning teams, choosing an off-the-shelf elearning library quickly turns into a confusing process, there are plenty of options, but very little to guide the decision. Where do you start?
Budgets are fixed. Timelines are tight. And every provider claims to have exactly what you need.
But the smartest organisations don’t just pick what looks good on paper. They ask a more fundamental question: what do we actually want this content to do?
That one question can unlock a far more useful selection process, and saves you months of post-purchase headaches.
Forget the course title list. Start with your goals.
Imagine hiring someone because their CV looked busy, but without checking what they’ve actually delivered. That’s how title-driven off the shelf elearning library purchases go wrong.
The better approach is to begin with a clear understanding of what the organisation needs to achieve. Faster onboarding? Meeting compliance deadlines? Reducing repeat questions for customer-facing teams?
When the goals are clear, the selection process becomes less about quantity and more about fit.
This is also the time to bring others in. Operations, HR, compliance, IT.
They’ll all have perspectives on what success looks like. A joined-up approach avoids buying content that sits unused or duplicates work already being done in-house. Spend time to speak to the people in the business to understand what the problems are. Think strategically.
Core topics are essential, but they’re not enough.
Most elearning libraries tick the same boxes: leadership, communication, digital skills. But what happens when your team needs something more specific?
Think lone worker safety. Or situational awareness for retail staff. Or dealing with civil unrest in customer-facing environments.
These aren’t fringe topics. They’re daily realities for many sectors and often ignored in generic libraries. Choosing an elearning provider that includes depth, not just breadth, is the difference between offering training and solving real problems.
Going global? Subtitles won’t get you there.
If teams are spread across multiple countries, localisation becomes non-negotiable.
True multilingual content isn’t just a course with translated captions. It’s recorded in the local language. Reviewed by native speakers. Structured with cultural context in mind. You can’t just press translate and expect to get quality content.
Providers that rely on automation or stock voiceovers might get the words right, but the tone and nuance are often off.
That disconnect leads to poor engagement and a waste of investment. Remember you will be looking for ROI and learner engagement.
Ask providers how many courses are fully localised, which languages are supported, and how updates are handled per region. You need to be looking for translation that has humans in the loop.
More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just… more.
It’s easy to be impressed by libraries boasting 1,000+ courses. But without curation, that scale can quickly become noise.
Many organisations get more value from a focused pack, 10 to 50 modules aligned to specific use cases like onboarding, compliance, or manager development. These smaller sets are easier to roll out, easier to measure, and more likely to stick.
Look for providers who offer tailored bundles based on industry, audience, or topic area. You’ll spend less time sorting and more time delivering.
The tech fit matters more than most realise.
SCORM compliance should be the baseline, but it’s not the full picture.
Check whether the provider offers SCORM 1.2 or xAPI. Can they supply thumbnails, metadata, and course descriptions formatted for your LMS? Do the files work on mobile as well as desktop?
And crucially, avoid platforms that require complex connectors or plugins just to upload a course. The more straightforward the integration, the faster your team can move.
Providers who supply detailed onboarding guides or support during implementation are worth shortlisting early.
Don’t let pricing become its own learning curve.
If you need a pricing walkthrough just to understand the options, something’s gone wrong.
Transparent pricing should be the norm. Look for providers who publish rates clearly, avoid per-seat surprises, and don’t charge extra for file formats or languages.
A simple pricing model isn’t just convenient. It helps you plan. Especially when rollout needs to happen at pace.
Customisation doesn’t have to mean custom development.
Some providers only offer “what’s on the shelf.” Others are open to adapting content based on sector needs, and even adding it to the wider library.
If they’ve worked with clients in your industry, ask how that content evolved. Did they create new modules? Refine tone? Add examples based on real-world workflows?
This level of flexibility gives your team influence without the cost and time of a full bespoke build.
Need help choosing? That’s part of the offer, too.
Providers should make content selection easier, not harder.
Some offer content-matching tools or curated recommendations based on your sector, audience size, or team maturity. Others assign a content consultant to help identify the right bundle.
This level of guidance helps avoid duplicate modules, content gaps, and “decision fatigue.” It also signals that the provider understands real learning workflows, not just catalogue management.
If they act like a partner now, they’ll act like one later.
Here’s a tip: how a provider behaves before the contract is signed often mirrors how they’ll behave after.
Are they responsive? Do they offer guidance without a hard sell? Are they willing to connect you to other partners or reference clients?
The strongest providers treat the relationship like a collaboration, not a transaction. That’s exactly the mindset you want when challenges arise mid-rollout or six months down the line.
Only seeing curated demos? Ask what they’re not showing.
Any provider can produce a slick demo. The real test is what the full library looks like.
Can you access real modules in the formats and languages you need? Are the courses structured in a way your teams will actually use? Is the tone right for your audience?
If access is restricted or overly controlled, ask why. A confident elearning provider will be happy to show their content without filters.
Use benchmarks, but don’t let them lead.
It’s helpful to see how different vendors compare, but internal needs should drive every decision.
Once you’ve identified the outcomes that matter, be it faster onboarding, multilingual delivery, or reducing support tickets, then benchmarking becomes meaningful. Without that foundation, comparisons are just a spreadsheet exercise.
Need help defining those needs? Many organisations find value in structured planning tools or internal discovery sessions before shortlisting vendors. One place to start is reviewing how leading off the shelf elearning content providers frame their offers.
Final thought: the right elearning library scales with you.
It’s not about choosing the biggest collection. Or the cheapest.
It’s about choosing an off the shelf elearning library that meets your team where they are, and grows as your needs evolve.
A provider that supports your goals, adapts with your business, and understands your audience is worth far more than a few extra modules.
Choose the fit. Not the flash.
