RCSI Online

Introduction

At the start of 2022, the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences launched RCSI Online, their new digital platform providing online learning for healthcare professionals.

Aimed at healthcare professionals who want to improve patient care and elevate their careers while balancing professional and personal schedules, RCSI Online programmes were designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to advance their careers in an accessible and flexible format. The digital-only offering from RCSI Online includes postgraduate courses in Clinical Leadership, Leading Digital Health Transformation, and Wound Management and Tissue Viability.

In 2024, the next phase of RCSI Online evolution focused on creating a seamless course purchasing process.

The Solution - Shopify’s “Buy Button”

Arekibo worked closely with RCSI to develop a solution that addressed the need for centralised course listings and the ability to sell courses online.

The solution included the following:

• Course Details Enhancement - Each course page was upgraded with more engaging and detailed information to offer users an in-depth understanding of each course. This included details on course modules, faculty biographies, and student testimonials. The new design also incorporated online forms that allowed users to easily request more information on each course.
• Buy Button - The “Buy Button” - Shopify’s “Buy Button” is a flexible tool that allows businesses to embed a purchasing option directly into any webpage. Instead of developing a full online store, the "Buy Button" provides a simple and seamless integration, allowing users to purchase courses directly through the existing website.
  
  Initially, the idea of creating a separate online store was considered. However, Shopify’s “Buy Button” was selected for the following reasons:
  • Seamlessness - Integrating the "Buy Button" within the Sitecore platform provided users a smooth, uninterrupted browsing and purchasing experience.
  • Consistency - Embedding the Shopify “Buy Button”, RCSI could preserve the website's design and user interface, avoiding the complexities and disruptions a separate e-commerce store would have caused.
  • Scalability - This solution allowed RCSI to scale their e-commerce capabilities easily, enabling them to add more courses as needed while maintaining a seamless user experience.

The Results

The redesigned RCSI website successfully met the client’s goals, delivering measurable results:

• 100+ postgraduate courses are now easily accessible through the centralised course finder, simplifying the browsing experience for users.
• Courses are available for purchase directly via the Shopify “Buy Button,” creating a seamless and intuitive e-commerce experience.
• The integration of Shopify’s “Buy Button” allowed RCSI to offer an online purchasing option without disrupting the user experience, providing a unified platform for students to explore and buy courses.

With the new platform in place, RCSI plans to continue expanding their online course offerings, confident that the Shopify integration will scale with their growing needs. Visit RCSI Online.

For other institutions looking to streamline course management and integrate e-commerce, we can support your the development of your strategy and roll out.

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