Press release - 9 June 2011 09:57

How important are user reviews of training and courses?

Findcourses.co.uk recently conducted research to determine how important user reviews are to those choosing training and courses. The verdict is clear, crystal clear. Course reviews are not only important, but crucial, with 90% of respondents stating that reviews are extremely influential to their decision making process when considering which course / training programme to choose.

1,149 users responded to the survey, conducted by the FindCourses Global Group, in the UK (www.findcourses.co.uk), Sweden (www.utbildning.se), Germany (www.kursfinder.de), Finland (www.koulutus.fi) and on the international MBA site (www.searchmba.com) in April 2011.

Brits interested in the opinions of others when choosing training courses

82% of the 547 British participants claimed that course reviews are crucial, and another 17% that reviews are important to them. Only 1% claimed that reviews are unimportant. And we’re not alone, Swedes (94%), Germans (86%), and Finns (85%) have similar beliefs, as most users stated that reviews written by others who previously attended the course have an influential role in their decision making process. Internationally, there is no doubt about it. All respondents on the international MBA site (100%) believe that reviews have a vital role in their choice of MBA program and Business School.

User reviews are a valuable tool in the online marketing of training and courses

Transparency in online marketing is now more important than ever for a company's success. One expert has claimed that consumers are now citing product reviews as an important source of pre-purchase information (Kurt Salmon, global management consultancy, May 2011). Research shows 90% of consumers trust online recommendations from people they know; 70% trust opinions of unknown users (Econsultancy, July 2009).

Findcourses.co.uk has seen a surge of users come to Findcourses.co.uk over the last two years, to review the courses they have been on - whether they want to share their great learning experiences or voice their disappointment in an area of training.

“The value of course reviews to people when they are trying to choose the right course should not be underestimated”, advises Fredrik Andersson, CIO at Findcourses.co.uk.

The courses that tend to be most reviewed are Distance learning & e-learning courses, which may be a result of users needing security from other users before they invest in this relatively new form of training. Similarly, HR Managers often like to read reviews or case studies about Company Specific / In House training courses to see how other like-minded companies benefitted from a training provider, to give them an insight into how the training could work for them.

Reviews, whether positive or negative, ultimately enable people to get an insight into a product, service or course to see if it is suitable for them, or not. “This is why we offer our visitors a variety of opportunities to create & read reviews for the courses on our site "Fredrik Andersson says, whilst pointing out that with more than 500 reviews on site, users tend to return to Findcourses.co.uk frequently, as the site continues to grow and help users make an informed choice.

Topics

Education

Regions

England

Findcourses.co.uk is the UK's largest search engine dedicated to Professional Development - search, find and compare thousands of training courses in the UK. Findcourses.co.uk partnered with The Independent to power The Independent's Training & Courses Site: http://courses.independent.co.uk/ - providing a search service to hundreds of thousands of users every month.

Findcourses.co.uk also runs a number of niche sites dedicated to helping people find the right training and courses for their development including: coaching courses, executive education, sales, health and safety, language courses, IT courses, e-learning, distance learning courses, leadership courses and MBA programs. FindCourses Global AB is the international network of educational sites providing information on Professional Development training in Sweden, Finland, Germany and Denmark.

Contacts

Kate Butterworth

Press contact Information Manager Site Management kate.butterworth@findcourses.co.uk +44 (0) 20 3318 6283

Related media

Findcourses.co.uk
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
By: http://www.findcourses.co.uk

How important are user reviews of training and courses?

How important are user reviews of training and courses?
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .pdf

How important are user reviews of training and courses?
License: Media Use
The content may be downloaded by journalists, bloggers, columnists, creators of public opinion, etc. It can be used and shared in different media channels to convey, narrate, and comment on your press releases, posts, or information, provided that the content is unmodified. The author or creator shall be attributed to the extent and in the manner required by good practice (this means, for example, that photographers should be attributed).
File format: .doc

Scrap the Course Catalogue – Search Engine Marketing is the future

A survey by findcourses.co.uk confirms what past trends indicate. Search Marketing is on the rise. Only 20% of respondents stated that they would ‘go online & book a course’ after seeing it in a catalogue / brochure. Almost as many automatically ‘throw catalogues in the recycle bin’. Most claim they ‘quickly glance through’ course catalogues they receive by email/post, but do not act in any way.

25 August 2010 09:10

Characteristics of people looking for training & courses online drives change for Findcourses.co.uk

Who is currently looking for training online? And what kind of training are they looking for? These questions & others like them are of increasing interest to several parties recently as user’s behaviour changes. Training providers, HR & Training Managers & online marketers alike will benefit from an insight into the characteristics of the users currently searching online for training and courses.

22 June 2011 10:16

What motivates your staff?

Study shows that UK employees are most motivated by their colleagues. There is however a large discrepancy from country-to-country concerning what contributes to motivation in the workplace in Europe.

8 August 2011 11:34

Training days in 2011 – How many have you had?

In an effort to understand current trends in the world of professional development, findcourses.co.uk asked users in the UK, Sweden, Germany, and Finland – "How many days of professional training have you had so far in 2011?" Despite the differences in CPD requirements from country-to-country, an overwhelming majority of respondents had similar answers.

16 August 2011 10:16

EMPLOYEE TRAINING IN THE UK: STUDY SHOWS 1/3 OF RESPONDENTS HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY TRAINING IN 2011

A UK online survey concludes that 1/3 of respondents have not received any CPD training so far in 2011. Despite UK governmental authorities and academics claiming it is “fundamentally” important. This same study conducted by Findcourses.co.uk ascertained that 62% of individuals have received 1-2 days of training while only 5% have received more than two CPD training days.

21 September 2011 13:53

Need for more guidance for employee professional development training

A survey, conducted by Findcourses.co.uk, concludes that more guidance is needed when it comes to employee professional development training. 52% of Brits were looking for training – but did not know which type of course / qualification was required to progress in their careers. More advice and guidance is needed to help people gain the right skills for their personal & professional development.

21 November 2011 10:16

UK EMPOYEES SAY MANAGERS NEED TRAINING TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Findcourses.co.uk conducted a recent study which concludes that there is serious doubt amongst employees about the capabilities of managers. Over half of the 1318 individuals polled believe that their managers need training to cultivate better leadership skills, and only 1% of employees think their managers have the skills to function as an efficient manager.

15 December 2011 09:59

UK EMPLOYEES SAY QUALIFICATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROVING THIER SKILLS

Findcourses.co.uk's recent online survey uncovered the importance of qualifications in the UK and discovered that employees find that courses resulting in a qualification are essential to proving their skills in today’s competitive job market.

20 December 2011 10:27

BECOMING INDISPENSABLE IN AN UNSTABLE JOBS MARKET– UK EMPLOYEES SAY TRAINING IS THE KEY

A recent online survey conducted by findcourses.co.uk, the UK's leading site for Professional Development Training, revealed that employees in the UK believe the best way to prove their indispensability to employers is to participate in professional training to niche their skills.