Key Performance Metrics for Online Learning Brands in 2024

2024 has illuminated a new set of challenges and opportunities for brands offering education to their members or employees. With the rise of consumer preference for micro-learning and mobile-first content, it has never been more important for organizations to ensure they are meeting the needs of modern learners.

The best way to do this is by setting key performance metrics that can be tracked over time. Here are some that we suggest:

1. Engagement Rates

Attention is currency, so measuring engagement is more important today than ever before. Because micro-learning is designed to capture and retain learner attention effectively, it often skyrockets engagement rates for brands that format their courses, trainings, and certifications this way.

Brands should monitor metrics like the average number of lessons a user completes each month and active daily users. A high engagement rate indicates that the content is resonating with your audience. Engaged users are less likely to churn and more likely to add more value to your organization.

2. Completion and Progression Rates

Tracking course completion rates offers insights into the effectiveness of content delivery. Since micro-learning breaks down complex information into manageable chunks, it almost always leads to higher completion rates.

Progression metrics can also help understand how quickly learners are advancing through courses. These insights can help you determine if your content is too challenging, to easy, or if there's are specific lessons where learners are dropping off that you might want to reconsider.

3. Mobile Accessibility and Usage

With so many people accessing content solely from their smartphones, it's essential to assess the accessibility of your courses on mobile devices. In addition to running your own accessibility testing, you should also be tracking mobile completion rates. A discrepancy between desktop and mobile completion rates indicates that your UX has a lack somewhere.

4. Learner Satisfaction and Feedback

Learner feedback is invaluable. Whether they're your members, employees, or students, getting feedback provides direct insights into what is working and what needs improvement.

Ask your learners to complete regular surveys (we suggest quarterly), and track your net promoter (NPS) and or customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores to gauge overall satisfaction. Make sure you pay close attention to feedback related to the accessibility and mobile usage, as these aspects are fundamental in today's learning ecosystems.

5. User Acquisition and Retention Rates

Attracting and retaining learners is as important as educational outcomes. Tracking user acquisition metrics like sign-up rates, marketing campaign effectiveness, and referral rates is crucial. Measuring customer retention rates will help your team understand how well the platform keeps learners engaged over time. Effective micro-learning and seamless mobile experiences often significantly boost these metrics.

6. Cost-Effectiveness

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of online learning programs is important to every organization, regardless of size. This means analyzing your return on investment (ROI) by comparing the costs of content development and delivery against the benefits gained, such as improved performance, higher engagement, and increased learner retention.

As we continue to navigate through 2024, these key performance metrics will help you track whether your learning, training, and certification programs are successful. Brands that embrace micro-learning and a mobile-first approach are well-positioned to enhance these metrics.

Want to learn more about how JUNO can help you create a dynamic and future-ready learning experience? We'd love to connect with you. Schedule your personalized demo today, or join our Connect online community for a taste of what your JUNO platform could be!