DIY eLearning tools vs. instructional design consultants

With teams stretched thin and platforms promising plug-and-play training, it’s easy to think anything can be DIYed. But as anyone who’s tried to cut their own fringe can attest, some things are better left to the experts. Keep reading for a breakdown of the pros and cons of common DIY content platforms. You’ll get a side-by-side comparison, a real-world case study, and a clear way to tell when it’s time to call in a consultant.

What DIY tools do well

DIY tools like Rise, Canva, and Chameleon are popular for a reason: they’re quick, intuitive, and don’t require a specialist. If your goal is to build simple, good-looking content fast, you’re in safe territory.

They’re great for:

• Internal comms
• Process explainers
• Policy updates
• How-to guides

Tools like Rise offer mobile-friendly, SCORM-compliant modules out of the box. Canva makes visual content dead simple. Chameleon lets you layer help guides directly onto digital platforms. They all let you ship quickly—and for some teams, that’s enough.

But here’s the catch: instructional design isn’t all about how something looks. It’s about people and how they learn. So while DIY tools can help you publish content, relying on them might mean you miss out on important aspects of learning science. 

What consultants bring to the table

Good instructional design can change behaviour and culture in powerful ways. That’s where a consultant adds depth—turning content into learning that actually makes a difference in your organisation.

The difference is all about learning science. A trained ID will know how to:

• Perform a needs analysis 
• Align learning with your business goals
• Choose the right delivery methods
• Design learning for scale and accessibility
• Properly measure the impacts of each program  

Experienced instructional design consultants are trained in models like ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Cognitive Load Theory. They take the science that underpins adult learning and apply it to your context. So whether you need support with onboarding, leadership, compliance, or cultural change, an instructional design consultant will have the chops to help you make it happen. 

The right tool for the job

It’s easy to see DIY tools as a win because they’re cheap. But cost isn’t everything. The bigger question is, ‘What are we trying to achieve?’

Here’s how DIY tools compare with consultants across a few key factors:

Here’s the bottom line: if you’re building quick, low-risk content, DIY is probably appropriate. But if you’re trying to shift behaviour, meet compliance targets, or embed lasting capability, we recommend a consultant for best results. 

Platforms that bridge the gap

If you’re not ready to hire a consultant, but need more structure than Rise or Canva can offer, you’ve got options. 

Learning management systems (LMS) like TalentLMS and LearnWorlds are a great middle ground. An LMS is designed to help you deliver, track, and manage online training. And they’re perfect if you need more control than a DIY authoring program allows, but aren’t ready to invest in bespoke learning. 

(Full disclosure: we’re affiliates for TalentLMS and LearnWorlds. That’s because we’ve used them, and confidently recommend them to our clients. Of course, we can’t speak to your specific learning needs. Please consider your organisational needs and goals before choosing an LMS).

ID tool comparison table

Case study: How CHIA Vic levelled up their learning

From solid in-house content to confident, capable course design

Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic) had solid learning programs that covered the essentials. But they wanted their training to inspire, engage, and stick.

So CHIA Vic partnered with Hungry Minds to create the tools to improve training across the board. That meant reviewing what was already working, identifying what could be better, and building capability for the long haul. 

We started by reviewing the structure, flow, and design of their existing courses. From there, we co-designed visual mock-ups and new structures they could test, tweak, and improve collaboratively.

Then we went one step further: we delivered a tailored instructional design course for their team built around CHIA Vic’s content and context. Alongside that, we handed over a custom toolkit of templates, guides, and resources.

Results: Confident facilitators, better courses, and tools they’ll use again and again

These days, CHIA Vic approaches learning with clarity, structure, and purpose. With four refreshed courses and a tailored instructional toolkit, they’re designing with confidence. And they’ve equipped their team with the know-how to continually improve their programs. Now they’re set up to create engaging, effective learning—in-house for years to come. 

FAQ—Choosing the right learning solution

Can’t we just build everything in Rise?

You probably could. But that doesn’t mean you should. DIY tools are great for generating content. But if you’re tackling compliance, behaviour change, or culture-building, you need more than a pretty template. A good instructional designer can help you use these tools strategically, or build something better from scratch.

How do we know when it’s time to bring in a consultant?

If your team is stuck in review cycles, struggling to get learning to land, or wasting hours tweaking templates with no real impact—it’s time. Consultants bring clarity, structure, and serious time savings.

Are LMS platforms like TalentLMS and LearnWorlds overkill for smaller teams?

Not at all. They’re designed to scale up or down, depending on what you need. If you’re running more than one course  or want to track progress, assessments, or engagement they’ll save you a lot of time.

Can we do a mix of DIY and custom?

Definitely. Some of the best learning ecosystems use both. And if you’ve got an idea in mind, we’d love to hear it. Just book a call with us to have a chat about how we can work together.  

What is bespoke eLearning?

Custom or bespoke eLearning is digital content that’s designed specifically for your organisation’s goals. Since it’s made from scratch, it’s designed to align with your internal processes, branding, and goals. 

Make learning that works

We want to make it clear: we love DIY tools. Anything that empowers people to stretch their skills and create content is great. But DIY platforms have limits. 

That’s where we come in. 

When you’re ready to build strategic, scalable learning that actually changes behaviour let’s talk. 

We help organisations design learning that moves the needle. And we’ve been doing it since 2008. Getting started is easy.

Book a call with Instructional Design Australia for a no-obligation chat about your project.