What is LMS (Learning Management System)
Learn what an LMS (Learning Management System) is, why it's important for websites offering online courses, and what key features to look for.
If you’re thinking about offering an online course on your website, you’ve probably heard the term LMS — but what exactly is it?
What is LMS?
LMS stands for Learning Management System. It’s a platform designed to help you manage and deliver educational content online — whether it’s a training course, tutorial series, or a full-scale digital school.
LMS systems are used by websites, schools, companies, and independent creators to:
- Organize content in a structured way (like Courses > Modules > Lessons)
- Help students track their progress
- Allow teachers to manage, update, and deliver content easily
- Control access to course materials (free or paid)
You can think of an LMS like a CMS (Content Management System) — but instead of blog posts and pages, it’s optimized for lessons, video content, quizzes, and more.
Popular platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera are all LMS-based.
What features does an LMS need?
A good LMS needs more than just the ability to upload videos or write text. Here are some essential features:
1. Course Structure (Course → Module → Lesson)
Online learning requires structure. A standard LMS should support:
- Multiple courses
- Each course containing modules or chapters
- Each module containing lessons (videos, text, quizzes)
This structure helps students focus and navigate easily.
2. Video Hosting Support
Video is the heart of most online courses. Your LMS should:
- Allow embedding from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or private players
- Or support secure self-hosting if you want full control
3. Enrollment and Membership System
Whether your course is free or paid, you need a way to manage:
- Student registration
- Logins and accounts
- Access control to specific lessons or courses
This is especially important if you want to monetize your course or create a community.
In short, an LMS transforms a regular website into an interactive learning experience.
If you’re building your course website with WordPress, stay tuned — I’ll soon share how to turn WordPress into a powerful LMS using my plugin.