In recent years, the online tutoring business has witnessed rapid growth, fueled by an increasing demand for remote learning options. The global online education market is projected to expand exponentially, driven by the convenience, flexibility, and wide accessibility of virtual learning platforms.

Platforms like Outschool have led this wave, attracting students and tutors alike by providing engaging, interactive courses for learners across various subjects and age groups. Building a tutoring website like Outschool can be an exciting venture, as it allows you to tap into this growing market and create a rewarding learning environment.

What Is Outschool and Its Business Model ?

Outschool is an online learning platform that offers live, small-group classes for kids aged 3–18. Unlike traditional tutoring, Outschool combines the structure of a school with the flexibility of digital learning. Tutors or teachers can create unique classes in a wide range of subjects, from academic courses to special interest topics like art, coding, or even storytelling. Students can explore their interests, interact with peers, and receive personalized instruction from qualified educators.

Outschool operates as a marketplace, connecting students and parents with tutors. The platform takes a commission from each class fee, allowing tutors to set their prices and manage their schedules independently.

This business model provides Outschool with a scalable revenue stream while allowing tutors to earn based on the demand and quality of their classes. This approach has contributed to Outschool’s success, making it an attractive model for those looking to create their own tutoring websites.

Key Features to Build a Website Like Outschool

To develop a successful tutoring website similar to Outschool, it’s essential to incorporate several key features that ensure an engaging, functional, and user-friendly experience for tutors, students, and parents. Here are the must-have features:

  1. User Profiles and Role-Based Access: Allow users to create profiles based on their role (student, parent, tutor). Tutors should have access to class management tools, while students and parents can browse classes, enroll, and review.
  2. Class Scheduling and Calendar Integration: A robust calendar system to help tutors schedule classes and allow students to see upcoming classes or events. It’s crucial to have real-time updates and notifications.
  3. Search and Filter Options: Enable students and parents to search classes by subject, age group, price, and tutor rating. This feature helps users easily find the classes that best fit their needs.
  4. Booking and Payment System: A seamless booking and payment gateway system where parents can register students for classes and make payments directly through the platform. Secure payment options like credit/debit cards and digital wallets should be included.
  5. Video Conferencing Integration: Integrate popular video conferencing tools like Zoom or have an in-built solution to facilitate live, interactive classes.
  6. Reviews and Ratings: A feedback mechanism where parents and students can rate and review tutors, creating transparency and building trust on the platform.
  7. Dashboard and Analytics for Tutors: Tutors should have access to a dashboard that provides insights into their classes, earnings, attendance rates, and more.
  8. Notification System: A notification feature to remind users of class schedules, enrollment updates, or any changes. Push notifications or email reminders can be helpful in keeping users engaged.
  9. Classroom Management Tools: Features like screen sharing, file sharing, whiteboard tools, and chat to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

Revenue Channels for a Website Like Outschool

A tutoring website similar to Outschool can generate revenue through various channels:

  1. Commission Fees: Charging a commission on each transaction made on the platform. Outschool, for example, takes a percentage from every class fee as a platform fee.
  2. Subscription Plans: Offering subscription plans for tutors or parents. Tutors can pay for access to advanced tools or to reduce commission fees.
  3. Sponsored Classes: Collaborate with educational brands to sponsor classes, giving these sponsors visibility to platform users.
  4. Advertising: Promoting brands products or services on the platform as an additional revenue stream.

How to Develop Your Own Tutoring Website?

There are two primary approaches to building a tutoring website: custom development and using a readymade solution. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.

1. Custom Development

With custom development, you can build a tutoring platform from scratch, tailoring every feature and functionality according to your specific needs. While this approach offers unique branding and high customization, it also comes with significant drawbacks:

Pros:

  • Complete customization allows you to integrate any feature or tool.
  • Unique branding and user experience for a distinct market presence.

Cons:

  • Expensive and time-consuming, as it involves multiple stages of development, testing, and deployment.
  • Requires a skilled development team, potentially resulting in high maintenance costs.
  • Longer time to market due to extensive development cycles.

Custom development can be ideal for large enterprises with a substantial budget and specific, unique requirements. However, it’s generally not the best approach for small or medium-sized businesses aiming to enter the market quickly.

2. Readymade Solution

Using a readymade solution is a faster, cost-effective approach to building a tutoring website like Outschool. Platforms like Yo!Coach provide all the necessary features and are highly customizable.

Pros:

  • Quick deployment, with pre-built features and functionalities.
  • Cost-effective, as you only pay for the software and any additional customizations.
  • Reliable support, regular updates, and maintenance included.
  • Customizable, allowing you to modify elements like branding, design, and key functionalities.

Cons:

  • Limited control over certain backend functionalities, though this is often negligible for most businesses.

Why Yo!Coach is the Best Solution for Building Your Tutoring Website

Yo!Coach stands out as one of the best readymade solutions to build a tutoring website. It’s specifically designed to support online learning marketplaces like Outschool and comes packed with essential features.

Here are some highlights of Yo!Coach:

  1. All-In-One Platform: Yo!Coach offers essential features like scheduling, booking, video conferencing integration, secure payments, and analytics, eliminating the need to rely on third-party tools.
  2. Fully Customizable: You can tailor the platform to suit your unique requirements without starting from scratch. Customize the design, features, and workflows to align with your brand.
  3. Multiple Revenue Streams: Yo!Coach supports various monetization options, including commission fees, subscription models, and advertisements, providing flexibility in generating income.
  4. Integrated Video Conferencing: Yo!Coach integrates seamlessly with tools like Zoom, Lessonspace and AtomChat, allowing users to conduct live, interactive classes without hassle.
  5. User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive interface offers a smooth user experience, helping tutors, students, and parents navigate easily.
  6. Regular Updates and Technical Support: Yo!Coach’s team provides regular updates to ensure your platform remains secure and up-to-date, along with reliable technical support to address any issues.

Conclusion

Building a tutoring website like Outschool is a fantastic way to tap into the growing online education market. By carefully planning and incorporating essential features, you can create a platform that attracts tutors and students alike.