Chatbots vs. Online Course Builders: Which Is Right for Your Course?

In this article, you will learn how to create eLearning products with SendPulse. We will go through the features of our online course creator and chatbot builder to help you decide which tool is best for your course.

Let’s explore what they have in common.

How to add course content

Include multimedia files in your lessons to streamline your students’ learning process.

Using chatbots for course content

Our visual chatbot builder allows you to create automated chatbot flows with various media elements to enhance your students’ learning experience. So, let’s look at how to use chatbots to create lessons and fill them with engaging content.

Create a new chatbot flow and add the “Message” element. With this element, you can create messages and add text, media files, buttons, user input elements, and more.

Then, include your lesson body and click “Add” to upload your media files.

To add an image, select the “Image” element. You can upload images no larger than two megabytes in PNG and JPG formats or add a link to an external source.

Now, add an image title and button to create a custom card message.

If you use a paid pricing plan, you can use the “Carousel” element to create up to 10 scrollable cards with images, titles, and buttons.

Use the “File” element to upload checklists, how-to guides, or other eLearning content in PDF, ZIP, or GIF formats.

With our paid pricing plans, you can upload audio and video files of up to twenty megabytes in size and play them directly in your chatbot. You can also link external resources. This option allows you to attach videos of up to two gigabytes in size from public Telegram channels using links to them.

Also, if you use one of our paid pricing plans, you can send one-minute video messages in your Telegram chatbots. You can use them to make announcements or send private video messages to your students.

Telegram chatbots also allow you to send content that will be available to your students only if they pay for it using Telegram Stars. You can add multiple images or videos to your messages. All Stars you receive from your students will be visible in your SendPulse account.

To send multiple files, images, or videos in a single message, use the “Media group” element in your Telegram chatbots. This option is available with our paid pricing plans.

Using the online course builder for content

With SendPulse’s online course builder, you can design courses featuring video, audio, and text-based lessons. You can also add files and tests to confirm students’ course completion.

To start creating your course using our drag-and-drop online course builder, click “Add lesson.” You can add and edit content, images, carousels, and video and audio files, assign homework, and add buttons with links to external resources. To add and edit elements, click the plus icon or drag them from the sidebar.

Add links to YouTube or Vimeo videos or upload your own videos through the file manager.

If you use a free pricing plan, you have one gigabyte of file storage available. You will need to upgrade your pricing plan to add more media files to your lessons.

How to create tests

If you want to evaluate your students’ knowledge, you can include various tests in your course.

The SendPulse chatbot builder allows you to create quizzes with automated scoring for every correct answer. Test results will be saved to your chatbot’s “Audience” tab and the “CRM” section. If you use a paid pricing plan, you can transfer your students’ test results to Google Sheets.

Use our online course builder to customize tests directly in your account. Add questions and media files and select one or more correct answer options.

Assign a score for every correct answer, set a passing score, limit the number of attempts, and include answer explanations. You can also add a checkpoint test so that students can only proceed with the test after they achieve a certain score.

You can view your students’ progress and their test results in the “Analytics” tab and in student accounts.

How to grant access to lessons

Whether you create a course using our online course creator or chatbot builder, you can decide if students unlock new lessons sequentially or gain full access to your course once they sign up.

If you want to schedule access to lessons in your chatbot, use the “Pause” element. You can set a pause in seconds, minutes, hours, or days. In your WhatsApp and Telegram chatbots, you can set a pause until a specific date, day of the week, or within a particular timeframe.

Select the “If inactive” or “Always” option to continue your flow.
In our online course builder, you can schedule your content availability for a specific date and time. You can revoke access or schedule course content to become available on a specific date, at a set time, or a few days after a student completes the previous lesson.

Course landing page

Create a landing page to introduce your course program and encourage website visitors to sign up.

Chatbot landing page

When you create a chatbot with the SendPulse chatbot builder, the system automatically generates a bio link page for your course. You can edit its content to align with your brand identity. Drag pre-made elements to the workspace to build a landing page layout. Add your course summary, program, and your instructors’ photos. Include buttons that will trigger your chatbot flows.

Online course builder landing page

With the SendPulse online course builder, you can create a custom landing page and add content without any limitations. To do this, select and edit a ready-made template or create your page from scratch.

To fill your course website with content, use various elements, sections, and widgets, and add the “Login” widget. Select your course.

If you use a free pricing plan, you can still create a website and a chatbot landing page with a free SendPulse subdomain for your course. However, if you want to customize your domain, you will need to purchase a paid pricing plan.

Payment methods and CRM system integration

You can accept student payments for your course through your course website and chatbots.

Upgrade your pricing plan and connect payment systems in your SendPulse account settings to enable student payments.

Accepting payments in chatbots

Add a button to the “Message” element to accept payments right in your chatbot. Type in your checkout button text and select the “Payment” button type. Select a payment system from the dropdown list and choose a payment type (Fixed price or Any amount).

Type in a payment amount and add your product name.

In the CRM section, you can set a pipeline for your automatically created deals. By default, deals are added to the first stage of your first pipeline. Add a link to the default or your custom payment page. Then, click “Apply” to save your changes.

Add and set up several checkout buttons to allow users to pay using multiple payment methods. You can check whether a user paid using the “Payment complete” filter condition. Set the “Paid” or “Not paid” payment condition and select the product you want to track.

To select a product from the list, you’ll need to receive a payment first. You can send yourself a test flow and make a test payment. This payment will be verified in all your chatbot flows, so you won’t need to do this every single time.

If a payment is successful, a user will gain access to your course content. If not, the system will redirect them to the previous deal stage.

Accepting payments in the online course builder

If you want to create a paid course using our online course builder, go to the “Course settings” tab in your course. Select the “Paid” option in the “Access and pricing” option.

Select one or more payment methods and add a course pricing using your selected currency. Depending on your payment system, you can add a page where you want to redirect users after payment. Assign a shared link for all methods or add a dedicated link for every method.

You can create deals with a specific deal status automatically in the CRM system.

Add a shared name for all course-related deals or a dynamic one using linked variables, including course titles, dates, and student names. Then, apply your settings.

Once you launch your course, you won’t be able to change its pricing. If you still want to change it, you can duplicate your course, copy its content, and launch it with a new price.

To add a payment widget to your course website, start editing the website, choose a placement (for example, right after your course program), and add the “Form” payment widget.

In the “Product” field, select “Courses.” Then, in the following field, select your course. You can choose paid courses with any domain from your current account. Available pricing and payment methods will match your course settings.
Customize your form fields — all of them will be required.

Once a user clicks your link, they will see a payment form with the payment method you selected. When a user fills out all the required fields and clicks the button at the bottom of your form, they will be redirected to your payment page.

Once a user completes their payment, they will receive an email with login credentials they can use to access their student account and take your course.

In your SendPulse account, you can view all payments you have accepted through our tools, track payment statuses, view the list of customers who purchased your product, and keep records.

What chatbots and the online course builder have in common

Use chatbots and our online course builder to:

• Schedule content availability or grant access to all lessons at once.
• Add text, images, audio, and video files — everything you need to make your course interactive and engaging for your students.
• Integrate with the CRM system and add payment methods to manage your accounting tasks effectively.

When to choose chatbots for your course

Create your courses using our chatbot builder if they are:

• free or inexpensive;
• short, featuring just a few lessons;
• homework-free or featuring automated assignment checks.
• There are numerous pros to developing your courses with chatbots.

Easy start. Copy and share the link to your chatbot landing page or flow trigger, or add a ready-made QR code to allow students to access your course in a few clicks.

Convenience. Your students won’t need browsers or apps to take your course — they can get everything right through your chatbot.

Round-the-clock assistance. Your chatbot allows you to send reminders, offer exclusive deals, and provide student support day and night.

Use our mobile app to respond to student messages directly on your smartphone. You can download our app from Google Play or the App Store.

When to choose the online course builder

Choose our online course builder if you create:

• extensive courses with diverse content;
• paid courses with medium or high pricing;
• courses that involve multiple instructors;
• courses for students with various learning needs.

Our online course builder offers you several significant advantages.

You can use it to create a full-fledged online academy website, describe your courses, and add payment and quick registration widgets.

Help your students not to miss out on important learning stages by sending emails and web push notifications.

Share access to your entire course program or individual sections and lessons.

Track students’ progress and manage access to your course content in student accounts.

Check tasks and answer students’ questions in dedicated sections to streamline your team’s workflows. Add promo codes and certificates of successful course completion right in your account.

Use SendPulse’s online course builder to develop well-designed courses and provide your students with user-friendly accounts. Make sure your students can easily access all course content, take lessons, complete tests, and consult their instructors.

Enhance your students’ learning experience with our responsive mobile app, allowing them to study even without an internet connection.

Conclusion

Develop short courses with chatbots or use our online course builder to design large-scale programs with multiple lessons and instructors — SendPulse is a perfect fit for eLearning projects of any kind.

Streamline your workload with our automation features, accept payments, and easily interact with students through our CRM system.

Create a SendPulse account, browse through our tools and features, and share your feedback!