What to look for (and what to avoid) when outsourcing eLearning content development to an eLearning vendor.
Outsourcing eLearning development can save time, scale your learning offering, and deliver higher-quality content but only if you choose the right vendor. For a breakdown of outsourcing models, see our complete guide to eLearning content outsourcing.
The wrong choice can leave you with templated modules, poor engagement, or ongoing costs just to make simple edits.
So, how do you spot a great partner before you sign the contract? Here’s what to look for and what to avoid.
1. They Understand Your Goals and Audience
A quality eLearning vendor won’t just take a PowerPoint and turn it into SCORM. They’ll ask questions like:
- Who are your learners?
- What behaviours or skills are you trying to change?
- How will success be measured?
Look for a team that can interpret your vision and translate it into a course that works in the real world — for your audience, your timeframe, and your brand.
2. They’re More Than Just Instructional Designers
Great eLearning is a team effort. You’re not just looking for instructional design – you want a one-stop shop with award winning specialists in:
- Graphic design and branding.
- Animation and video production.
- Adult learning principles and accessibility.
- Authoring tools like Articulate Rise and Storyline.
That blend of learning science, creativity, and technical skill is what brings your content to life and keeps your learners engaged.
3. They Offer Flexible Development Models
Every organisation is different. The best vendors will offer a model that suits how you want to work. This might include:
- Full development from start to finish.
- Hybrid approaches for example, they build one module and hand over the files for you to replicate in-house.
- Design or visual support only, if your team is doing the some components internally.
Flexibility is a good sign they’re focused on long-term relationships, not just quick projects.
4. They Collaborate
Great eLearning doesn’t appear in a vacuum. Look for a vendor who works with you like an extension of your team. That includes:
- Collaborative scripting and concept development.
- Visual design input not just branding but strategic use of illustration, layout, and media to support your content.
- Feedback loops that are productive and efficient.
Suggestions that improve the learning experience and show they’re thinking creatively
Consider this example. One of our clients came to us with existing compliance material and a tight deadline. Instead of simply repackaging what they had, we designed a short, scenario-driven module with animated graphics to bring policy content to life. It resulted in higher learner engagement and faster approval from internal stakeholders.
5. You Own the Final Product
This is a big one: Make sure you retain full ownership of your source files (e.g. Rise, Storyline, video, illustrations, animation assets). That means:
- You can update and maintain your content without relying on a vendor.
- You own your IP, branding, and messaging.
- You’re free to scale or adapt courses as needed.
At B Online Learning, we always hand over the full source files, in fact we pioneered the idea back in 2008, it’s your content, and we believe you should control it.
6. They Bring Experience That Actually Matters
Look beyond flashy portfolios – real value comes from vendors who’ve seen and solved problems like yours before. Experience means:
- They understand how to work with SMEs who are time-poor or new to learning design.
- They can adapt to different industries, learners, and LMS environments.
- They know where projects typically go off track and how to avoid it.
- They’ve refined their processes to save you time, not just deliverables.
When you work with experienced eLearning professionals, you’re tapping into years of lessons learned, creative problem-solving, and confidence that your project is in good hands.
At B Online Learning, we’ve delivered hundreds of successful eLearning modules across compliance, onboarding, leadership, and more, always tailored to the client’s unique brand and needs.
7. They Know the Authoring Tools Inside Out
It’s one thing to offer eLearning development. It’s another to truly understand how to get the most out of the tools, without overcomplicating the build.
A great vendor will:
- Use Articulate Storyline or Articulate Rise 360 in ways that are efficient, elegant, and easy to maintain.
- Avoid unnecessary custom code or overly complex triggers that break easily.
- Leverage built-in features like variables, branching, media controls, and accessibility tools properly.
- Build content with future updates in mind – keeping it clean, scalable, and editable.
When a developer doesn’t know the app well, you often pay more for a result that’s harder to update. At B Online Learning, we’re not just developers — we’re Australia’s only Certified Articulate Training Provider, which means we know the platform inside out and use it to its full potential
Red Flags to Watch Out For
No clear scoping or quoting – If it’s vague upfront, you’re likely to see scope creep or unexpected fees later
- Template-based samples – If everything looks the same, it probably is.
- Limited industry experience – Context matters, especially in compliance, safety, or education.
- No mention of accessibility – If it’s not built into the design from day one, it won’t meet WCAG standards.
Ongoing fees for basic updates – You shouldn’t be locked in for every small change
Bonus Tip: How to Compare Vendors
When you’re reviewing proposals or making your shortlist:
- Look for fixed quotes. Transparent pricing shows confidence in their process.
- Request examples of previous work. Ideally, work that matches your industry or learning needs.
- Ask how they ensure collaboration and creative input.
- Check if they offer flexibility and handover options especially if you want to replicate content in-house.
Ready to Outsource Smarter?
At B Online Learning, we’ve helped hundreds of organisations bring their content to life through custom eLearning development. We offer:
- Development in Articulate Storyline and Rise 360
- Fixed quotes and transparent scope
- Full source file ownership
- A collaborative team with expertise across design, animation, and learning
Want to explore different ways to outsource? Check out our pillar post on smarter eLearning outsourcing models for three practical approaches.
Talk to us about your next project and see what our elearning content development services can offer.
