Can You Use LearnDash On Your Mobile Device?

LearnDash is one of the best LMS (Learning Management System) plugins for WordPress.

It lets you create, manage, and sell online courses from a platform that is self-hosting so you have complete control over it.

It has been one of the most popular WordPress LMS solutions for not only smaller course creators but also for non-profit course providers and even massive educational institutions since it was established in 2013. 

If you have used LearnDash to develop your e-learning business, then we’re sure you would agree that you’ve made the right choice.

Maybe your course has now grown to thousands of students and LearnDash has enabled you to achieve a successful revenue stream via its easy monetization options. So what’s next?

How do you continue to grow, innovate, and provide offline support and the best possible experience for your online students?

One excellent option for growth is to branch out to app stores by creating a LearnDash app and broaden your presence on Android and iOS as well. 

All the big names in e-learning such as Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and Lynda all began on the web before expanding into the app stores so they could meet the demand of the app-first, mobile-dominant digital era we’re living in today.

There are many compelling reasons why these big names made this decision, and in this article, we’re going to lay out the reasons why you should follow their example and develop mobile apps for your online courses, and how to build them.

Let’s get into it and know how can you use LearnDash on your mobile device!

Why You Should Create An App With LearnDash

If you use a theme for your e-learning website that is responsive with LearnDash, then it most likely works well on a mobile browser, and users should be able to access your course just fine on their mobile devices too.

If this is the case, you’re probably wondering why you should even develop a LearnDash app, right?

To Keep Up With Modern Needs

When e-learning started taking off back in the 90s, being able to do a course online via a desktop browser was revolutionary. However, as time has moved on and technology has evolved, this is no longer the case.

The e-learning industry has grown almost 10 times the size it was back then, and how we interact with technology has changed considerably too.

Smartphones took over desktops, and apps took over websites. Now, we spend most of our time online via our mobiles, and the in-app purchases feature. 

In 2020, for example, several users automatically expect an ‘in-app’ experience, whether they are socializing, shopping, or mobile learning.

They would like an icon that is visible on their home screen, the ability to receive notifications from their course and to have a more intimate, enclosed experience. 

Having a LearnDash app makes all of this possible, and makes your course more appealing to a modern audience. 

A Learner Experience That Is Less Distracting And More Engaging

In our modern technological world there is so much out there trying to grab our attention with the mobile-powered learning program is very important.

If you don’t grab someone’s attention, earn it, and then maintain it over time, then your rivals will, and this is particularly true in the e-learning sphere.

The longer you can keep your students focused, the richer their learning experience will be, and the more satisfied they will be with your course. 

A LearnDash app provides students with a more ‘enclosed’ experience with no other browser tabs to distract them.

Plus, the native navigation and native tab menu let students move around the learning platform smoothly and intuitively. Students also anticipate a native mobile app for any product or tool they plan on using frequently. 

Students will want to be able to work whilst they’re traveling, or out and about.

Just one tap will quickly let them pick back up where they left off, and the app will keep them logged in, which is a lot easier than going to a website, logging in, and waiting for the page to load.

Developing a LearnDash app allows you to provide a more convenient and modern learning experience for your students, and it’s easy to see why app users tend to be more engaged than those who don’t use the app.

While your existing website works well for desktop users, it’s time to develop an app for Android and iOS for those who prefer to learn on their mobiles.

Enables Push Notifications

A LearnDash app allows you to send push notifications straight to your learner’s mobile devices.

More and more browsers are clamping down on web notifications, and iOS doesn’t allow any web notifications.

However, the native push is still the best way to reach students directly, and this doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

Push notifications are excellent for e-learning. Your students will be notified of instructor messages, milestones in their learning, updates to their courses, and study reminders.

This encourages retention and engagement over time, as well as optimal learning outcomes. 

It’s also less likely for students to miss push notifications, as they are very visible on their lock screens.

Although some students might not open their notifications immediately, this isn’t an issue because it will just be stored in the message center of the app. 

Attract New Users Via App Stores And Boost Your Visibility

Many people turn to app stores on iOS or Android devices to find answers to their problems, which is a great way to attract new students!

With good optimization for app store SEO, students will find you by searching for related keywords. Check out our LearnDash Course Builder review.

Potential students could be searching for your specific type of content, and if you are not available, then you will lose out to a rival who does have a presence in app stores.

This opens the door to a new user acquisition channel and puts you on the radar of those who would have not found your LearnDash website via the crowded mobile web marketplace.

Make The Best First Impression To Students

E-learning and online course creators with apps on Android and iOS appear more legitimate and professional. Take the massive e-learning businesses we talked about earlier.

Pretty much all of them are present in the app stores. Not showing up when someone searches for your business can do damage to your brand.

In this day and age, mobile apps speak to the quality of your brand and make you more appealing to potential students, as well as to potential investors and business partners. 

So now that we’ve talked about the most compelling reasons why you should reinvent your LearnDash website for the app store, let’s take a look at how you do this. 

Creating A Mobile App For Your LearnDash Courses

There are a couple of options available to you when developing a mobile app, and each one will have its mobile learning benefits and drawbacks. 

The best option for you will be dependent on several factors such as your budget, customized features, technological know-how, and timescale. 

AppPresser

AppPresser is an app builder with no coding required that lets you add your LearnDash courses, topics, lessons, and quizzes to the app easily. 

You can add your courses using the visual page builder, edit your branding and colors, and submit to app stores.

Adding extra WordPress content is easy too, like blog posts, a BuddyPress community, and a membership area. 

AppPresser is a great budget-friendly option as it is a DIY app builder.

While it is time-consuming to set things up (like the app customizations and accounts), you can get your courses in the app stores for less than $1,000.

BuddyBoss LearnDash App

The BuddyBoss LearnDash app is a pretty hands-off solution for app development.

Their team reviews the app for you and makes sure it complies with the guidelines set out by the Apple App Store Guidelines and Google Play Store Guidelines.

When the app is ready, it will go live on the app stores using your development account.

If you want the experience to be hands-free, the people at BuddyBoss will handle everything such as developing, customizing, and preparing the mobile app so you can just focus on the other areas of your business.

If you’re using the BuddyBoss platform, then the app is a great choice for everything you need to get your app up and running.

Their app is compatible with any WordPress theme, as long as you have the LearnDash plugin, BuddyBoss Platform, or both installed. 

Custom App Development

If you have a substantial budget and a lot of specific needs, then custom app development might be the right option for you.

This option lets you scaffold the app from top to bottom, making sure that everything is designed to cater to your courses. You can alter each component of the app, creating the best possible experience for your learners. 

The largest drawback of this approach is how expensive it is. It’ll take you into five figures, and maybe even six. The maintenance of the app is also completely down to you.

Now that we’ve talked about the possible ways you can develop your app, let’s take a look at some things to be mindful of – especially if you go down the custom app development route.

In-App Purchases

In-app purchases are an important factor to keep in mind when selling courses via a mobile app.

Both the Android and iOS app stores require digital purchases to use this system, and these purchases are facilitated by the app stores, not via your payment processor.

App stores take a 15-30% commission for in-app purchases. 

While you will still be able to sell courses via your website, your app will be removed from the app store if you redirect users from the app to your website to make purchases.

You can offset this loss of revenue by raising the in-app prices of your courses.

This will allow students to purchase courses via your website, before logging into the app on their mobile device when they want to access the content there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LearnDash Compatible With Mobile?

Yes, LearnDash is compatible with mobile. When converting your LearnDash site into a mobile app, you can make it available on the app stores and let students easily gain access to your courses.

Mobile apps are the best way to connect with students using mobile devices. 

If you rely just on your mobile site alone, you could be losing out. Native apps can provide a far better user experience with improved loading times and fantastic features.

Plus, apps are so much easier for students to access.

Meanwhile, mobile websites can only be accessed through browsers, making them far less accessible. 

​If Course Content Is Updated In WordPress, Does This Translate To The App Too?

Yes, most app-developing tools are frequently syncing your website with your app, meaning any update to the content of your site is reflected on your app too.

This makes managing the app far simpler, as you can make updates to course content entirely through the website.

Are LearnDash Mobile Apps Compatible With Custom Themes?

App developers like AppMySite have their native interface and design and allow you to customize the color theme and design of your app.

They also allow web views, which renders your mobile site into the app. This will let you display your website’s custom theme in the app, but this will not affect native screens. 

Final Thoughts

Your website is your primary platform for your course, and you should always prioritize developing it into a strong, user-friendly space for students.

But a mobile app has unique benefits that can enrich your business and aid your students and should be considered essential when the time is right to develop them, rather than just a nice addition to your business.

A mobile app can improve course completion rates, engagement, perceived value, learner satisfaction, and more.

The best way to develop your app depends on your circumstances as a business, but making your courses easier to access is worth it for any e-learning business.