Online community platforms provide valuable networking and resource sharing opportunities for organizations of all kinds, but with so many choices out there it can be hard to know which platform best meets your needs.
Select a platform that can support the goals of multiple departments. If your audience is most focused on volunteering and advocacy efforts, look for solutions which offer those features as well.
Features
Community platforms provide a digital hub where individuals with similar interests, professions, needs or goals can convene online to connect. Used both by businesses and individuals alike, community platforms feature tools and features designed to promote engagement and facilitate collaboration.
The best online community platforms provide their users with multiple methods for sharing content, discussing topics and working together on projects. Furthermore, these platforms include support and moderation tools to ensure a safe, welcoming and friendly atmosphere within the community.
Some platforms cater to specific industries or audiences, while others take a more comprehensive and general approach to managing communities. For instance, an online gaming community might provide specific guidelines and rules for its members in order to keep an uplifting environment for players – this factor should always be taken into consideration when selecting an online community platform for your brand or business.
Many of the top community platforms provide customizable and branding features to businesses, enabling them to provide their audience with an unforgettable experience and build trust. Furthermore, strong security measures must also be in place so members feel comfortable sharing personal data and participating in discussions; such features as secure connections, two-factor authentication and privacy policies outlining platform expectations can all help make for a comfortable community platform experience.
At their core, community platforms should also offer multiple channels for users to communicate asynchronously. This ensures they remain engaged even if they cannot attend live discussions or events – an especially helpful feature for companies with international audiences that wish to keep customers up-to-date.
Many of the leading online community platforms also contain features designed to facilitate customer discovery and acquisition, such as review sharing for products they have bought; this can be an extremely effective way for brands to reach new customers. Furthermore, certain community platforms offer tools which help businesses identify potential leads as well as identify active users on their site.
Integrations
Online community platforms have become an indispensable asset in our ever-expanding digital world, providing individuals and businesses with a platform for creating vibrant connections and fostering engagement. They enable individuals and businesses to establish virtual spaces where they can connect with people who share similar interests, goals, or values; increasingly popular among businesses seeking to promote customer engagement while creating brand advocates is another benefit of using an online community platform.
Although there are various kinds of community platforms, this guide focuses on those designed specifically to assist businesses build an engaged customer community. These platforms feature various features that enable users to discuss topics, share resources and collaborate in an online environment.
Step one in choosing a community platform is deciding the type of community space you wish to create. There are numerous uses for such spaces, each requiring its own distinct approach – be it gathering feedback from customers or positioning your company as an industry leader – each platform offers something specific.
To maximize the success of your community, it is key that you select an easy-to-use platform with all of the features needed for its effective functioning. If you need to set up a discussion forum, look for one with built-in threading and commenting capabilities; additionally, look for one which allows for customization so it matches with your brand image.
Another key feature is the ability to establish and manage communities in multiple languages, which is especially helpful if your members hail from various parts of the globe. You should also ensure your platform supports various content formats – some may be better suited for knowledge base articles while others provide greater support for events and videos.
Integration between tools and channels should be seamless for optimal community platform use, helping automate processes to save both time and effort. You should also think carefully about whether your community platform can scale as your business expands.
Pricing
Pricing options for online community platforms vary significantly, from free options to paid membership plans or per user subscription. When making your decision about which platform is right for you, take into consideration your usage goals as well as potential expansion plans – generally speaking, more users equals more expensive community membership fees.
Online community platforms provide organizations with tools that enhance customer or member experiences. By breaking down traditional one-way communication between stakeholders, and creating an open forum for discussions and interactions that provide increased value. Furthermore, these platforms help foster relationships that strengthen loyalty to brands while raising brand awareness.
Online communities may seem outdated, but they can be an invaluable asset to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Communities allow companies to connect with a group of people — customers, employees or industry experts — who share knowledge or expertise; encourage collaboration which leads to new partnerships or business opportunities; and share experiences.
Online communities are an effective way to expand the customer or product knowledge of your target audience. Customers will use online communities as an avenue for learning more about your product and getting their questions answered by peers – making for happier and more engaged customers who may return and purchase your products again in the future.
Online communities also can help generate sales and marketing leads for B2B companies, often seeing an increase in revenues and renewals after including thought leadership communities into their overall business strategies.
Consider how an online community platform will fit with your existing digital presence when choosing a platform. A dedicated community website or social media management tool with integrated social channels will give followers access to engage with your brand from any device. When signing in community members to your platform, think carefully about signing them in via single sign-on (SSO), which allows for quick login with ID from independent software tools or through their social media account; other systems offer multiple means of user identification like emails addresses or phone numbers.
Support
Businesses using online community platforms provide their customers with a space where they can interact. This may take the form of discussion forums, Q&A sections or any other feature which allows members to form connections and foster a sense of belonging among themselves.
Depending on the nature of a community created, these platforms may also serve to generate revenue by offering subscription tiers or other forms of paid content. This strategy can help monetize an online community while making users feel like their membership provides maximum benefit.
The best online community platforms provide an enjoyable user experience for all, from signing on and navigating within, to offering features such as social media login that make accessing accounts and posting easier for members.
One key element when selecting an online community platform is its support capabilities. Some communities employ dedicated support teams that are available 24/7 to address any questions and resolve issues for community members; other platforms provide users with self-service features so they can search the FAQ section or other resources independently for guidance or information.
As more and more people turn to the Internet as their main form of interaction, businesses must ensure they meet this audience. Community platforms can help businesses engage and better communicate with their audience whether customers, employees, or industry professionals. Some community platforms even personalize user experiences based on interests or behavior to maximize engagement while expanding thought leadership within an industry.
