Integration
Our Most Popular Software Integrations and How to Use Them
A smart and capable person can achieve a lot on their own, but they can do even more if they’re well connected. We think it’s the same with software. Connecting CourseStorm software with the other tools and solutions you use regularly, means you can do more with less effort. Software integrations, as we previously explored, lift the burden of data entry so your team can focus on supporting students, patrons, and instructors.
In this article, we’re introducing you to our top five most popular software integrations. These are the top five ways that our clients connect CourseStorm software with other digital and online tools. We’ll show you how they can save you time and money and give you some examples for why you might want to try them.
1. WordPress Integration to Display Classes
Did you know that 39.5% of all websites on the internet use WordPress? Among websites with a content management system, more than 64% run on the platform. That’s why we created an easy-to-use plugin that can seamlessly display classes on WordPress websites.
It’s a quick and easy way to show students what you have to offer without sending them to an external site. That means you keep the SEO benefits and your branding stays front and center. Students won’t even realize they’re interacting with a plug-in.
To find the plugin visit the WordPress plugin marketplace or sign into your WordPress enabled website as an admin. From the dashboard you can click plugins then “add new.” From there, just type “CourseStorm” into the search plugins bar. When you find it click “install now”
When the installation is complete, all you have to do is enter your CourseStorm URL and you’ll be able to start displaying courses on your site!
You can choose to display featured classes or upcoming classes. You can also choose to display the class categories in a drop-down list or to organize classes by category. The plug-in also comes with a featured classes shortcode and a browse categories shortcode, so you can display this information anywhere on your site.
The best part is, the plugin syncs hourly, so if you make any changes to your courses, those changes will automatically appear on your website within 60 minutes. For more on customizing your CourseStorm WordPress plugin visit our help site.
2. PatronManager Integration for Performing Arts Programs
If your non-profit performing program uses a patron management system, you may rely on it to sell tickets and keep track of donors. That’s exactly what these systems are made to do. However, they’re less good at managing the unique needs of class registration. Rosters, waitlists, and payment plans just aren’t part of the package.
That could mean you have to enter information multiple times, struggle to create useful forms, and miss valuable information about how students and patrons overlap. You may find you need a dedicated class registration system to provide the best experience for students. That’s where the CourseStorm-PatronManager data integration comes in. It links the two systems together to simplify and streamline both patron and course management. We call it PatronStorm.
When you connect the two apps, your CourseStorm data automatically syncs with your PatronManager database. You’ll be able to view and report on ticket purchases and track donations through PatronManager like you’ve always done. And now you’ll also be able to see CourseStorm class registrations and student information right in PatronManager.
It’s a seamless way to keep data centralized so you can make smart choices about patron communication, marketing, and class offerings. To set up this integration, contact your PatronManager support team.
3. Axiom Elevate Integration for Higher Ed Institutions
Many of our software integrations are built on the same core idea: having student data all in one place makes your job easier. Not only does it save time, it also reduces the possibility of errors since data needs to be entered only once.
You may already use Axiom Elite to integrate data between your student information software (SIS) and other tools. CourseStorm works with Axiom to import student registration data into popular student information systems like Banner, Colleague, PowerCampus, and Jenzabar.
Our integrations team can help you set up a seamless integration between CourseStorm and your student information software of choice. Contact our team to set up an integration on Axiom.
4. Zapier for Email and More
If you’re not already using Zapier, prepare to have your workflows optimized. Zapier is an integration tool that allows you to automate processes between all kinds of apps. Basically, you select a trigger (an event that starts the process) and an action (what you want the software to do) and Zapier takes care of it automatically.
For example, say you’d like to include new students in a three-email welcome sequence. With a Zapier integration, when a student registers in CourseStorm, they can be automatically added to your “new student” email list in Mailchimp.
You can also do thousands of actions using the Zapier integration. For instance, you could send new registrants an SMS message, add them to a spreadsheet, or even send them a link to a feedback form. This list of actions is nearly endless but our most popular Zapier integrations include Mailchimp and Constant Contact. Here’s a sampling of what you can do with either of these email platforms through Zapier.
You can use Zapier for free. It stays free as long as you have less than five Zaps (triggers+actions) doing fewer than 100 tasks per month. This is ideal for smaller programs with fewer registrations. Larger or high-volume programs might need to upgrade to the $20 per month plan, which gives you up to 20 zaps and 750 tasks per month.
While Mailchimp and Constant Contact are our most popular Zapier-based integrations, you can use this type of integration to connect CourseStorm with other software as well. Check their database to see if your software is supported.
5. Google Calendar to Keep Track of Classes and Events
CourseStorm integrates with the most common calendar tools. Whether you’re using Google, Apple Calendar, or Outlook, you can display all of your courses to a shareable calendar. Then you can:
- Embed it on your website and allow students to subscribe
- Share it directly with instructors and staff
- Use it to keep track of what learning spaces are in use and when
This integration is perfect if you want students to be able to see upcoming classes at a glance. It’s also a useful tool for facilities management and staff organization.
How you subscribe to a calendar depends on the calendar software you’re using. We’ve found some useful guides for the most common calendar tools:
- Add a Public Calendar Using a Link on Google
- Subscribe to a Calendar using Outlook
- Subscribe to a Calendar using Apple Calendar
All you need to make this integration work is a calendar app and the link to your CourseStorm online class calendar.
More Software Integrations
In some cases, pre-built integration solutions might not be enough. For even more integration opportunities CourseStorm offers a fully open REST API. It’s a tool your website or app developer can use to integrate CourseStorm with other software. Developers use it to create custom integrations with secure access to all of your data including classes, students, registrations, categories, locations and instructors. Contact us to get started with our API.
We’re always working on ways to make our impossibly simple registration software even better. Keep an eye out for more software integrations coming soon from CourseStorm.
Matt James
Matt has over 20 years of experience in the software industry. As the founder or co-founder of four software companies, he comprehensively understands technology, design, operations, finance, sales, marketing, and customer service. Matt co-founded CourseStorm to connect learners to classes where they can gain education a la carte to enrich their lives through art classes, prepare for a new job, or level up their existing skills.