Marketplace platform to sell online course using accelerated software development

Introduction

The e-learning industry has witnessed exponential growth, with many educators looking for platforms to sell courses online. However, building such platforms from scratch can be time-consuming and expensive. This case study examines how we utilized the low-code tool, Outsystems, to rapidly develop a platform for personal educators to effectively sell courses online.

Objectives

1. Create a user-friendly interface for educators to upload and manage their courses.
2. Integrate secure payment gateways.
3. Ensure a seamless user experience for students accessing and purchasing courses.

Challenges

1. Need for a quick-to-market solution.
2. Integration of diverse functionalities without compromising on performance.
3. Scalability concerns for future growth.

Solution

1. Rapid Application Development with Outsystems:

Outsystems, being a low-code platform, allowed us to visually develop the entire application. The drag-and-drop interface, pre-built templates, and modular building blocks significantly reduced the development time.

2. Customizable Templates for Educators:

We utilized Outsystems' customization features to provide educators with a variety of templates. This enabled educators to design their course landing pages without any coding knowledge.

3. Integration of Payment Gateways:

Outsystems' connectivity capabilities made it easy to integrate popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square. This ensured secure and seamless transactions for users.

4. Scalable Cloud Infrastructure:

With Outsystems, the platform was hosted on a cloud infrastructure that could scale according to the demand, ensuring uninterrupted service even during peak times.

5. Mobile Responsiveness:

To reach a wider audience, the platform was designed to be mobile-responsive. Outsystems' native mobile capabilities ensured that the application worked flawlessly across devices.

Results

1. Time to Market: Leveraging Outsystems' low-code capabilities, we were able to bring the platform to market in just 3 months, a significant reduction compared to traditional development methods.
2. User Adoption: The platform saw rapid adoption among educators due to its user-friendly interface and customization options. Within the first six months, over 1,000 educators had registered and listed their courses.
3. Sales Growth: With integrated payment gateways and a seamless user experience, the platform facilitated over 10,000 course purchases in the first year.
4. Feedback and Iteration: The agile nature of Outsystems allowed for quick iterations based on user feedback. This ensured that the platform continuously evolved to meet the needs of educators and students.

Conclusion

Utilizing Outsystems' low-code capabilities, we were able to swiftly develop a robust and scalable platform for personal educators to sell their courses online. This case study demonstrates the potential of low-code platforms in rapidly responding to market demands and delivering solutions that drive real value for users.