Introduction
Lynda.com is a reputable online learning platform with over 6,000 online courses taught by industry experts in various fields such as technology, business, and creativity. The platform allows learners to access top-quality training materials from anywhere at any time. Lynda.com was founded in 1995 in Ojai, California, and was acquired by LinkedIn in 2015.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lynda.com provides a vast range of online courses on various subjects.
- The platform is easily accessible and allows learners to access courses from any device that has an internet connection.
- Users can learn at their own pace and track their progress throughout the year.
- The courses on Lynda.com are taught by industry experts, making the training materials of high quality.
Cons:
- Lynda.com does not provide live support to learners during the training.
- The platform does not provide a free trial to new users.
- Some courses may be too advanced or too basic for some learners.
User Experience
The platform is user-friendly, and it is easy to navigate. The website is responsive, allowing learners to access it on any device. The courses are split into bite-sized videos, making it easy for learners to follow along. The courses also include quizzes and exercises that help learners test their knowledge and reinforce concepts.
Pricing and Value for Money
The platform provides a monthly subscription plan that costs $29.99 or an annual plan that costs $299.88. The subscription plan gives learners unlimited access to all the courses on the platform. Compared to other online learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera, Lynda.com's pricing is slightly higher. However, the platform's quality of courses justifies the cost.
Alternatives
There are many alternatives to Lynda.com, including Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, and Skillshare. However, Lynda.com stands out due to its wide range of industry experts that teach the courses.
Customer Service
Lynda.com provides email support to learners, which can sometimes take up to 24 hours to receive a response. The platform does not provide a live chat support option.
Product Quality and Selection
The quality of Lynda.com's courses is high due to the experienced industry experts who teach them. The platform provides a vast selection of courses on various topics, making it easy for learners to find a course that fits their needs.
Website Usability
The Lynda.com website is well-designed and easy to navigate. The platform's search function is sufficient, and learners can filter their search results by topic, skill level, and software.
Returns and Exchanges
Lynda.com does not provide refunds for its subscription plans. However, users can cancel their subscription anytime, and their subscription will remain active until the end of their billing cycle.
Promotions and Discounts
The platform sometimes provides promotions and discounts to subscribers. However, these promotions are not frequently available.
Reputation
Lynda.com has a good reputation in the e-learning industry due to its quality courses and experienced instructors. The platform has also won numerous awards, including the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards.
Payment Options
Lynda.com accepts payment through credit cards and PayPal.
Loyalty Programs
The platform does not provide any loyalty program or rewards to its users.
Customer Reviews
Lynda.com has excellent customer reviews, with users praising the quality of courses and the expertise of instructors.
Community Involvement
Lynda.com has an active online community. Learners can participate in discussions and forums, and the platform provides a platform for instructors to interact with their students.
Shipping and Costs
Lynda.com is an online platform, and there is no shipping involved. However, users should be aware that they are signing up for a recurring subscription when they sign up for a Lynda.com subscription plan.
In conclusion, Lynda.com is an excellent online learning platform that provides high-quality courses taught by experienced industry experts. Although the pricing may be slightly higher than its counterparts, the quality of courses justifies the cost. The platform's user experience is friendly, and its website is easy to navigate. However, customer support and refunds can be a concern for some users. Overall, Lynda.com is an excellent choice for learners looking to expand their knowledge on various subjects.
