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The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted the educational systems worldwide. Approximately 825 million learners across the world are affected due to the closure of schools, colleges, and universities. As education is shifted to online, online tutoring remains at the forefront in alleviating the negative effects of the closure of schools. This also gave rise to the trend of online tutoring marketplaces, making it one of the most lucrative businesses of 2021.
Considering the fact that the online tutoring industry was projected to grow to a $1.6 billion worth industry in 2021, there is no wonder why entrepreneurs are brainstorming about how to start a tutoring business. Online tutoring marketplaces are being tossed as a popular alternative for classroom teaching and the market is crowded with N number of tutoring platforms. However, what makes a tutoring platform unique is the features and functionalities it possesses.
In this blog, we will be covering exactly the same- The best-in-class feature that a tutoring marketplace must have.
Key features of the tutoring marketplace
When it comes to launching an online tutoring marketplace, features are one of the important aspects you need to consider. Features and functionalities are powerful to make or break an online tutoring platform. Here are some of the key features of a tutoring marketplace.
Single-step signup and sign in
The first thing a user would do after visiting a tutoring marketplace is signing up for the platform. The multiple-step sign-up is a thing of the past. Provide a single-step sign-in using email IDs or social logins to make it easy for your users to move over to discover the marketplace.
Intuitive search
Implement a smart and intuitive search for your users to search for relevant learning material. Integrate a smart search that understands keywords easily. Implement tutor and course filters so that students can find tutors and courses based on factors like subject, top courses, price, reviews, country, etc.
Student and Tutor profile creation
A good tutoring profile consisting of teaching experience and academic qualification is the sales pitch. Allow tutors to create a succinct and concise profile to attract more students. A good tutor profile must include personal and professional details, an option to upload a resume, the specialization, a video introduction, etc. Likewise, implement a student profile set-up so that students can create a personal profile of their own.
Personal dashboard
Both tutors and students must be able to create a profile of their own which will take them to a personal dashboard that displays their activities on the online tutoring platform. A dashboard must display the courses purchased, and related courses based on browsing and purchasing history. Likewise, the personal dashboard of a tutor must show the booked schedules, payments, and a lot more.
Virtual classroom
There are many different ways to conduct classes on an online tutoring platform. Some tutoring sites allow searching and scheduling alone while teaching happens offline or on video conferencing apps like Zoom or skype. Whereas, more sophisticated online tutoring software allows Zoom integration through API which allows tutors to take classes within the platform. Virtual classrooms also feature functionalities like a whiteboard, screen sharing, sending of files, messaging through chats, etc.
Q & A board
Another important feature of an online tutoring marketplace must have a section that allows students to post their doubts so that tutors can rely within a stipulated time. This feature helps students to raise their doubts outside their classroom.
Multiple payment gateways
Including multiple payment gateway options that are convenient and secure for users is one of the critical features that an online tutoring platform must have. Make sure you use commonly available payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal so that your users can choose the ones they would like to use. To ensure safety, implement the escrow method that allows the payment to be kept on the online tutoring platform and transferred to the teacher only after confirmation from the student. This helps to prevent fraudulent acts and protects both students and teachers. Make sure you choose an online tutoring software that helps to implement multiple currency availability in your online tutoring platform.
Reviews and ratings
Allow students to leave their reviews and ratings for tutors once they finish a particular class.
Reviews and ratings also improve the appeal and trust of your online tutoring platform. Not only it helps to capture more attention, but it also helps to attract more students. Include the feature to filter the review so that only authorized users who have truly completed a course with a tutor can leave a review.
Notifications
In a physical classroom, it is quite easy for students and tutors to understand when a class begins and ends. Whereas in online tutoring set-up, the important updates are exchanged via notification. Implement notifications in your online tutoring platform that allows tutors to send alerts and reminders to students about new classes or courses, schedule changes, and more. Make sure the notifications are relevant to users in terms of the content.
Multilingual capability
Offer multilingual capability which gives flexibility to your platform by allowing students to view the tutoring platform in the language of their own. This becomes more relevant when you are expanding your services to countries that have a first language other than English.
Multi-device compatibility
Multi-device compatibility is a critical feature, especially in this digital world where users have access to N number of devices. Make sure your online tutoring platform can be accessible across all mainstream digital devices and operating systems. Though a little expensive, a mobile application of your online tutoring platform will be a smart addition as well.
Conclusion
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the education industry are expected to continue displaying its presence for a long time. The on-demand online tutoring industry is to gain more popularity in the coming years. Tutoring marketplaces that quickly connect students to tutors are expected to quickly gain momentum during the times of the current pandemic. Though the competition is fierce, there is still room for more tutoring platforms that offer unique features and functionalities in micro niches. This opens up lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs who are looking to launch online tutoring platforms.
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