Evaluation of Community Platforms |
If you're seeking for ways to establish a virtual group and have a virtual community, then you're likely aware of the fact that we're living during an amazing time for the development of online communities.
Today more than ever individuals from all over the world are looking for new ways to connect with others with the same passions as themselves. The problem is that with the many choices to choose from it can be hard to decide how to judge communities and platforms.
Ahead, we're providing specific criteria to evaluate community-based platforms so you're able to pick one which is the best fit to you. Before we get started, let's clarify what is actually a community website is.
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In this piece...
What exactly is an online platform for community?
four key elements to consider when testing community-based platforms
4. Great service system for support
What exactly is an online community platform?
A platform for online communities is a software service that lets people build communities, organise, run, and expand online communities from one location.
Thus, online communities platforms all revolve on the creation of a virtual environment that connects people who share similar interests together to interact, accomplish goals, and create connections.
and the most important thing for creating such virtual spaces is choosing an application that comes with an extensive set of functions that are well-designed community management software with a wide range of options for you to monetize your work.
Now having gotten the fundamental details from the beginning Let's discuss how you evaluate community-based platforms.
four key elements to consider when the evaluation of community platforms
We've broken down our requirements for community platforms into four categories: native features and monetization, accessibility, and the potential to grow. Although there's a myriad of ways to evaluate the community-based platform but we think these are all the important elements.
1. Native capabilities
In the end of the day the primary factor to evaluate community platforms is researching what kind of features they have to offer.
If you're creating an online community, the more choices you have for designing your virtual environment you'd like to build for your users more options you have, the more options you have.
One thing to check out for from the bat is whether the community platform features are integrated or native. Native features are developed by the service creators and specifically designed to work with their platform. Integrations, on the contrary of the spectrum, are usually advertised as simpler and faster for creators who have an existing business somewhere else already.
In reality, the tiny benefit you gain by integrating your site doesn't justify the additional effort and time managing multiple platforms to build an online presence. In contrast to native features that can be seamless.
You might be wondering what kind of native features that we're talking about. we've compiled a list of the ones we like:
Your online community for Web, iOS, and Android applications.
Discussion board postings, polls, and Q&As.
Livestreaming and recording video functionality.
Virtual Events, paid memberships, online courses.
Direct & private messaging for groups and profiles for members.
Detailed analysis.
The features allow users to create a community with a diversity of options for content and methods for your community members to communicate.
2. Multiple ways to monetize
Another important aspect in evaluating communities is to know the monetization possibilities available to them.
Paid memberships
When it comes to looking at monetization options for the community platform be sure to consider that features and monetization go hand in hand. Think about it this way If you're given numerous options when it comes to developing content and experiences to your members, that also means that you're able to find more ways to make money off of that content.
One of the most basic functions of a community platform that you'll want for monetization is the ability to charge for membership fees. The fee could be one-time per month, annually, or annual subscription fee that members of your community are charged to access.
Virtue events
Another community platform feature which has proven to be crucial is the capability to host virtual events.
Virtual events can be a great monetization option as they allow for an array of possibilities, big or small, and you could charge per person who attends.
If you're managing an online community, it's possible to invite famous presenters on a live event hosted by your members. You can also organize things as small as a mixer for networking or a mastermind group.
Online courses
A course online is another community building feature that could be considered in your strategy for monetizing.
This might not be within your realm of expertise (and this might not be...yet!). Online courses are, however, an excellent way to increase member interaction, monetize older content, and increase the size of the reach of your business.
In the same way that online communities unite people around a common goal as well, do an on-line course. When you make an online course you're creating an online community that has a focused goal you'll help your students achieve.
When you evaluate community platforms that offer online courses (which you must!) the features you choose should be easily implemented and native. These platforms are like Circle that will try and sell you on simply integrating communities in your online class or vice versa. why should you have two platforms when you could have one with both?
It doesn't matter if your online community's focus is on the arts, finance, spirituality, self-care, or something other than that. Courses online are a fantastic way to get new eyes on your online community as well as re-engage individuals who've dropped off. A great community platform feature is being able to offer discounts on community membership when someone takes the online course.
3. Accessibility
Our society is in an era where users are using their smartphones and tablets over sitting at an office or laptop. A crucial aspect to evaluate community platforms is seeing how accessible their platforms are.
What is this? When we talk about availability it's about the importance of having the best web and native mobile apps. Some platforms do not provide the functionality, so your users will have to access your community from a mobile web page. That's...not great.
The good news is that there exist a number of platforms out there that offer native mobile applications that are made available for iOS as well as Android devices. If you want to go one step further, choosing a platform that lets you create a white label app with your personal branding can put you in the most advantageous position.
4. An excellent Support system
The final criteria for the evaluation of community-based platforms is one that you may not have thought of the support system within the platform you are using.
The end of the day, you can have all of the community platform features you'd like, as well as a myriad possibilities to make money, and an amazing mobile app. But, the reality of the situation is that you're going be able to ask issues.
If you're a developer who is building your first community online or changing an existing one to a brand new platform the service provider you sign up with must have the best sources to guide you.
As an example, we have a no-cost community named Mighty Hosts that anyone can join and connect with fellow creators creating communities. You'll not only get an unending supply of community connections as well as an enviable quantity of information for creating your own community, getting it started, and bringing them to the next step.
It does not matter what options you have at your disposal If you're not able to utilize the options. Making sure that you choose the right platform that has a good support system is a must.
Ready to get started?
provides you with a powerful culture software platform to connect courses, community as well as content and business. Additionally, Mighty's customizable Spaces let you choose to design what you want to build your community, not whatever a platform thinks you should have. There are a variety of features available such as live streaming, classes and events, discussion forums and member chats, as well as long or short-form material plus many more! And you can sell access in 135 different currencies or with token-gating.
In addition With a Mighty Network, you'll be able to offer all of the pieces with your own branding, instantly available on web, iOS, and Android. Don't underestimate the power of your members being able to access your company's brand anywhere they're.
Let's get started on developing the community that you've always thinking about.