LearnDash is the most popular WordPress LMS (Learning Management System) plugin, used by online educators and businesses to create and sell courses, deliver lessons, and manage learners directly from their WordPress site. While LearnDash excels at course content, it doesn't include a built-in community forum or discussion feature.
That's where Website Toolbox comes in. You can embed a fully featured discussion forum directly into your LearnDash course pages using the WordPress Custom HTML block, or simply link to your forum from your site's navigation. Either way, you get user accounts, moderation tools, and real-time conversations alongside your courses.
Alternatively, Website Toolbox also offers a WordPress plugin that provides seamless integration with any WordPress site, including those using LearnDash. The plugin handles embedding, Single Sign On, and automatic user synchronization without needing to manually paste embed code.
This works really well for:
- Online course communities
- Student support forums
- Member training portals
- Course feedback and Q&A boards
- Alumni and cohort groups
- Private member communities
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process:
Step-by-Step: Add Your Forum
Option A: Embed the Forum
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account or create a new forum if you don't already have one.
- Go to Integrate → Embed → Embed your forum, and copy the embed code.
- Visit your WordPress admin dashboard and log in.
- Go to LearnDash LMS in the admin menu, then edit the course or lesson page where you want to add the forum, or create a new page.
- In the WordPress block editor, click the + button to add a new block where you want the forum to appear.
- Search for and select the Custom HTML block from the block library.
- Paste your Website Toolbox forum embed code into the Custom HTML block.
- Click Update or Publish to deploy your changes.
- Copy the URL of your published forum page.
- Go to your Website Toolbox embed settings and paste the URL into the Forum URL field to complete the configuration.
Option B: Link to the Forum
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account or create a new forum if you don't already have one.
- Copy your forum URL from the Integrate → Embed page.
- Visit your WordPress admin dashboard and log in.
- Edit the page, menu, or LearnDash lesson where you want to add the forum link.
- In the WordPress block editor, add a Paragraph or Button block, or edit your navigation menu.
- Type the link text (e.g., "Join Our Forum") and select it.
- Click the link icon in the toolbar and paste your forum URL.
- Click Update or Publish to deploy your changes.
Single Sign On
The easiest way to integrate Single Sign On between your WordPress site and your Website Toolbox forum is by using the Website Toolbox WordPress plugin. The plugin handles SSO, embedding, and user synchronization automatically. Simply install and activate the plugin, and your WordPress users will be signed in to the forum seamlessly.
Visit the WordPress plugin documentation for installation and setup instructions.
What Your Members Can Do
Members
- Create discussion topics
- Reply to existing threads
- Like and react to posts
- Search the forum
- Receive notification alerts
- Edit and delete their own posts
Admins
- Moderate all content
- Ban or suspend users
- Create and manage categories
- Customize the forum appearance
- Set user permissions
- Access analytics and reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LearnDash have a built-in forum feature?
No, LearnDash is a course and Learning Management System plugin and does not include a native forum feature. However, you can easily add a forum to your WordPress site using Website Toolbox, either by embedding it directly into a course or lesson page or by linking to it from your navigation.
Should I use the WordPress plugin or embed manually?
The Website Toolbox WordPress plugin provides the smoothest experience with automatic embedding, Single Sign On, and user synchronization. Manual embedding via the WordPress Custom HTML block works well if you prefer not to install an additional plugin.
Can I customize the look of my embedded forum?
Yes. Website Toolbox provides a theme editor with a variety of themes you can choose from to match your WordPress site's design. You can customize colors, fonts, layout settings, and more to create a seamless look.
Can I make the forum private or members-only?
Absolutely. You can restrict forum access to logged-in users, create invite-only communities, or charge for access with subscription plans. Combined with the SSO integration, you can seamlessly connect your WordPress user system with the forum.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. WordPress uses a visual block editor, and LearnDash courses are built with the same drag-and-drop blocks. You just paste the embed code into a Custom HTML block and WordPress handles the rest. Alternatively, the WordPress plugin requires no code at all.
Will the forum work on mobile devices?
Yes. Website Toolbox forums are fully responsive and work great on phones, tablets, and desktops. If you embed the forum, the iframe adapts to the container size automatically. Website Toolbox also offers a mobile app so your members can participate from their phones.