How to Make e-Learning App: A Guide for Your Successful Business Launch

The Online Education market is expected to reach $185.20 billion in 2024. It will grow 8.56% from 2024 to 2029 and reach $279.30 billion by the end of the period.

With the Internet and mobile devices getting more accessible and personalized learning experiences, e-learning has become the go-to option for individuals, organizations, and institutions to upskill and reskill their workforce.

The market is growing, and so is the number of e-learning apps being made every year. If you are planning to join the niche with your own product, this guide is for you. We at ProCoders have years of software development experience and have worked on large-scale educational tools. So we decided to share our knowledge with this complete guide and not leave you wanting more!

Educational App Development Market Overview

Almost $280 billion by 2029, the e-learning market is driven by:

• increasing demand for educational content
• more mobile devices in the world
• smartphones and tablets getting more affordable

Plus, the rise of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is making it easier for developers to create educational apps.

The market will reach 1.121 billion users by 2029. Your target learners are part of this one billion user base.

And if you want to make a big impact in the e learning mobile app development market, you need to think outside the box. And that’s what we do at ProCoders. Let us help you turn your educational app into a reality!

The Best E-Learning Mobile Application Examples for Benchmarking

Coursera

Coursera is one of the leading e-learning platforms offering users educational content globally. It has courses on:

• physics
• engineering
• liberal arts
• biology
• math
• computer science 
• business, etc. 

With such a broad range, we’re not surprised Coursera’s revenue reached $636 million in 2023. 

The platform is available as a web application and a mobile app.

Remember that with us, you can create an app like Coursera or Udemy!

edX

edX provides courses from prestigious universities such as: 

• Oxford
• Harvard
• Columbia
• MIT, etc. 

The platform offers a wide range of subjects, including: 

• business studies
• computer science
• engineering
• psychology
• linguistics
• statistics, etc. 

edX provides a certificate of completion for courses, serving as proof of qualification for users. 

With over 50,000 degree program graduates, edX brought its mission back to life in 2023.

Duolingo

Duolingo is a gamified e-learning application for language learning. The app uses techniques such as:

• levels
• goals
• statistics
• awards

This is one of the most engaging apps on the market. Duolingo has second place in the education category on the App Store. It’s also featured in the “Editors’ choice” section on Google Play.

Duolingo reported strong financial results for 2023, with revenue reaching $531.1 million. It’s a 43.74% increase from 2022. It’s a must-consider benchmark for anyone looking to have a successful launch.

Gainful Features for e-Learning Apps

• Progress Tracking.
  Users want to track their progress and possibly even receive feedback on their performance. This helps them stay motivated and on track to achieve their learning goals.
• Payment Integration.
  You need to integrate a payment system to monetize your app. This feature makes course purchase more convenient. Users only need to make a couple of clicks.
• Push Notifications.
  Push notifications can help you keep users engaged. Notify them about new lessons, quizzes, or special offers. This way, you encourage them to continue learning.
• Social Sharing.
  Social sharing helps people share their accomplishments online. This allows them to stay on track and promotes your online education platform to broader audiences. The feature creates a sense of community. It also makes the learning experience more enjoyable.
• Gamification Elements.
  Game-like elements such as rewards and challenges motivate users.
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
  Add innovative technologies like AR and VR to your app. Through phone cameras, they help create virtual classrooms or show cards on real objects.
• Live Streaming and Webinars.
  Offer live, interactive classes and workshops. They will help users connect with instructors and other learners in real time.
• Interactive Quizzes and Assessments.
  Make users interested in the material. Offer to test their knowledge with interactive quizzes and assessments. You can use rewards as encouragement.
• Collaborative Tools.
  Facilitate user collaboration. Let them work together on projects, share knowledge, and discuss ideas. You can do it through virtual learning rooms and chats.

Recommended: How to Create a Language Learning App?

By incorporating these features, you can create a learning platform that enhances users’ experiences. If you’re unsure which features are necessary for your project’s goals, our team at ProCoders offers a Discovery Phase to help you identify and prioritize the essential features. 

During this Phase, we work with you to analyze your project goals, target audience, and technical requirements and identify the best features to include in your platform. This ensures you create a learning experience that meets your users’ needs and provides steady revenue.

How Does an e-Learning Application Make Money?

Revenue Model	Description	Example Platforms
Premium content	Offer exclusive content for a fee, such as in-depth tutorials, e-books, or certifications	Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare
Subscription	Users pay a monthly or yearly fee for access to the platform’s content	LinkedIn Learning, Pluralsight, MasterClass
Advertising	Place advertisements within the app or offer sponsored content to generate additional revenue	Khan Academy, edX, Alison
Affiliate marketing	Earn a commission by promoting other businesses’ products or services within the platform	CreativeLive, Digital Photography School, Treehouse
Partnerships with institutions	Partner with companies and educational institutions to provide courses and earn a commission on each sale	2U, FutureLearn, OpenLearning
Corporate training	Target businesses and organizations who are looking for tailored training programs for their employees	LinkedIn Learning for Business, Cornerstone OnDemand, Docebo

Tech Stack You Need to Build an e-Learning App

Here are the key technologies you need to build an e-learning app:

Component	Description	Popular Choices
Backend	Impacts performance, scalability, and security of your app	Node.js, Django, Laravel
Frontend	Impacts user experience, engagement, and responsiveness of your app	Vue.js, Angular, React
Database	Stores and retrieves user data, content, and other information	MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL
Payment Integration	Necessary for monetizing your app	PayPal, Stripe, Braintree
Cloud Hosting	Ensures your app can scale and handle high volumes of traffic	AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Create an E-Learning App for Non-Tech Founders

Step 1. Define the Concept and Purpose of Your E-Learning App

This involves:

• identifying your target audience
• defining the problem you want to solve
• figuring out the unique selling proposition of your app 

It can be an event app or an e-learning platform with live or on-demand lessons, etc. You can target business people or students. The app can include social media features to boost engagement or have an AI-powered search through the library course (you can use these functions as a part of your selling proposition).

The key to all this information is analysis, much like the process we conduct during the Discovery Phase.

Step 2. Research the Market

Once you have a clear concept in mind, it’s time to do market research. After all, how do you know your idea is in demand? How do you know what your competition is?

This research will help you identify gaps and determine how you can make a better app.

Step 3. Choose the Right Platform

You have the option of developing a native app for either iOS or Android. You can also cover both OS by choosing cross-platform development.

The choice depends on where your audience is and the time and money you have for development.

Step 4. Find the Right Tech Partner

Look for a provider with experience in e learning app development. Also, check for a proven track record of delivering high-quality products. 

For example, ProCoders has a team of over 120 experienced developers. Many of them have practical experience in building e-learning applications. 

Our team has worked with educational businesses of many levels, from startups to established institutions. 

If you are considering ProCoders as your tech partner, we can connect you with some of our past partners. They can share their experiences working with us and answer any questions. 

We want you to feel confident in your decision to work with us.

Step 5. Develop the App

This is where your app comes to life. Developers will build two main parts:

• The front-end: This is what users see and use, like the app’s design, buttons, and navigation.
• The back-end: This handles everything behind the scenes, like storing data and managing servers.

Developers will add important features, such as:

• Playing videos, audio, and other multimedia content.
• Creating interactive quizzes to make learning fun.
• Adding chat or message tools to let users communicate.

They will also:

• Set up databases to store user information and progress.
• Connect the app to other tools using APIs.
• Check the app’s structure to make sure everything works smoothly.

This stage brings all the pieces together to create a working app that’s ready to use.

Step 6. Test and Launch

Testing helps the app function correctly across different devices and operating systems. There are different types of testing:

• Functionality Testing: To check if all features work as intended.
• Usability Testing: To evaluate the app’s user interface and experience.
• Performance Testing: To check if the application performs well under various load conditions.
• Security Testing: To protect sensitive data and check privacy compliance.

After all testing stages, the app is ready for launch. You should do a final check of all the guidelines and requirements. Then, it’s time to deploy the app on Google Play and the App Store.

At this point, you can start all the marketing campaigns you planned to promote your product.

Challenges You MChallenges You May Face When Making an E-Learning App and How to Avoid Bottlenecks

You may face several potential challenges along the way.

Limited budget

One of the main challenges for early-stage apps is a limited budget. To solve this challenge, you can:

• keep only important features
• build an MVP first
• focus on marketing to attract more users

Technical difficulties

Technical difficulties can also appear in the early stages of product development. To solve these problems, consider hiring professionals.

We at ProCoders are ready to check your code, test the app, and fix all the bugs.

Scalability issues

Poor planning and tech stack choice can result in scalability issues. With time, as the demand for your app grows, it may not be able to accommodate everyone. To overcome this challenge, you can: 

• plan to handle increased traffic and demand
• use cloud technology
• invest in better architecture 
• invest in a better software design

How ProCoders CaHow ProCoders Can Assist You in e Learning App Development

ProCoders will support you at any stage of the planning or development process. Here are some examples:

Discovery Phase

A proprietary stage we’re very proud of. Here, we gather all the critical information needed to plan your project:

• Stakeholder Interviews: We talk to them to understand the needs and expectations of everyone involved.
• Market Research: We identify trends, competitors, and challenges for you.
• Requirement Gathering: We define detailed functional and non-functional needs while you’re busy with core company tasks.
• Feasibility Study: We evaluate the technical, financial, and operational viability of your product.
• Prototype Creation: We build a basic model to refine the concept if it’s needed.
• Documentation: We compile a clear roadmap, budget, and project plan for you to continue working on the app.

This phase results in several deliverables, including a detailed roadmap. We don’t use some typical templates. All we deliver is based on your goals, avoids risks, and helps you stay on track.

How to Create an eLearning App

We transform your ideas and the roadmap into a working product with:

• Architecture Design: Unique, scalable structures created specifically for you.
• Clean Code: Readable, maintainable, and well-documented coding practices.
• Agile Methodology: Iterative development with constant feedback.
• Quality Assurance: Continuous testing for reliability and security.

Maintenance and Support

Post-launch, we keep your app performing at its best:

• Bug Fixes: Quickly resolve issues to maintain functionality.
• Updates: Add features and improvements based on user feedback.
• Performance Monitoring: Ensure stability and optimal performance.
• Security Patches: Protect against emerging threats.

With ProCoders, you’ll have a skilled team supporting your project from start to finish. Let us help you build and sustain a successful e-learning app.

The Quartz Network Case

Meet Ruslana, QA Lead at Quartz Network

Ruslana is the QA lead for the Quartz Network project, collaborating with ProCoders for over two years to deliver a reliable and high-performing platform.

ProCoders: Ruslana, can you tell us about the partnership between Quartz Network and ProCoders?

Ruslana: It began when Quartz Network approached ProCoders to create a unique B2B platform for professionals to network and learn. They needed features like a library of educational courses, online conference spaces, and a user-matching system.

ProCoders: How did ProCoders address this challenge?

Ruslana: The founder of Quartz Network, Todd Pritts, was impressed with ProCoders’ previous work. After a brief call, ProCoders quickly assembled a team and delivered a full-stack solution that exceeded expectations.

ProCoders: What was included in the solution?

Ruslana: The platform featured an admin panel, a library of courses, user and vendor matching, payment processing for tickets and courses, and a system for meetings and discussions. ProCoders also optimized images for a smooth user experience.

ProCoders: How has the platform been received?

Ruslana: It’s been a huge success. Hundreds of courses are available, and several successful conferences have been conducted. The platform is stable and ready for future opportunities, with ProCoders hailed as heroes by Quartz Network.

ProCoders: Can you tell more about the ProCoders team for the project?

Ruslana: We have 12 skilled team members. Collaboration and mutual support are central to our work culture—it feels like a family.

ProCoders: Were there challenges during the project?

Ruslana: Definitely. The biggest was ensuring the platform could handle large user volumes and integrating multiple systems. But we’re not a team that gets scared. We’re determined, so after a couple of attempts, we have found the perfect mix of tech to avoid risks.

ProCoders: It sounds like a strong partnership.

Ruslana: Absolutely. This collaboration has been successful! We look forward to continuing this partnership and exploring future opportunities.

Conclusion

The market offers opportunities for innovative e-Learning app development. Take your unique idea and ProCoders’ experience in software development, and you have a match that’s meant to be!

We offer full-cycle development services, which means we can help you plan the app, develop, test, launch, and maintain it. 

Let ProCoders help you bring your educational app vision into reality! Contact us, and let’s start working!