How Internet Users Choose Training

Throughout 2015, we asked 1,000+ users what they look for when selecting a training course. The results show the most influential factors when booking open, in-house and online training courses.

Over the course of the 2015 calendar year, Findcourses reached out to every user who booked a course through our site, as well as those who expressed interest in receiving more information about a specific course.

Our correspondence took the form of follow-up emails asking users whether they had received the information they were after. Users were also asked to specify why certain courses were unsuitable for their needs.

The results were surprising and gave an insight into what users truly look for when booking courses.

While it would be logical to assume cost as a main determinant of bookings, we actually found that our users were more interested in content, availability, and general suitability of the programmes.

When courses had detailed content and suitable dates, users were likely to book. When courses had little information, users would continue searching for a more suitable programme.

Course content trumps all

The majority of users booking both online and open training programmes want detailed information about the course content.

Courses with little to no content information were usually glossed over in favour of more in-depth course descriptions.

Those seeking an in-house course require additional information on the availability of in-house programmes before booking the course.

The importance of timeliness

Users seeking an open course overwhelmingly agreed that they would not book a course without dates or availability listed (as well as those courses with unsuitable dates).

In-house and online users agreed that the main reason for not booking a course they had visited was the general suitability of the course, not the course price or availability.