Evaluation of Community Platforms |
If you're looking to establish a virtual community , then you probably know that we're living in the most exciting time in creating online communities.
Now more than ever individuals from all over the world seek out new methods to meet people that share similar desires as they do. The problem is that with numerous options to pick from, it is difficult to know how to evaluate community platform.
Ahead, we're providing specific criteria to evaluate communities, so that you can pick the one you think is most appropriate to you. First, let's talk about what is actually a community website is.
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In this article...
What exactly is an online community platform?
4 key criteria for evaluating community platforms
2. There are many ways to earn money
What is an online community platform?
A community online platform is a software service that lets people build communities, organise, run, and develop online communities in one place.
So, online community platforms are all based around building a virtual space that brings people with similar interests together to interact, accomplish goals, and create connections.
The key to creating these kinds of virtual environments is to choose a platform that has an extensive set of functions, great community management software as well as a variety of ways to earn money for your work.
Now having gotten the fundamental information from the beginning let's look at how to evaluate community-based platforms.
4 key criteria for evaluating community platforms
We've broken down our requirements for community-based platforms into four main categories: native capabilities and their monetization options, as well as availability and the potential to grow. Although there's a myriad different ways to assess the community-based platform We believe that these four categories cover the most important aspects.
1. Native features
At the end of the day the main thing for evaluating community-based platforms is to research what kinds of features they have to offer.
When building an online network, the better choices are available to design the online space you wish to build for your users The more options you have.
But one thing to look at right off the bat is whether the features on the community platform are integrated or native. Native features are designed by the service creators and are specifically made to work with their platform. Integrations, on the other hand, are often marketed as being easier, and more efficient for those with a company elsewhere.
The reality is that the tiny benefit you gain by integrating your site doesn't justify the additional effort and time you'll be investing trying to manage multiple platforms for an online presence. Contrary to native functions, which can be seamless.
It's possible that you're wondering what kind of native features that we're talking about. this is a brief list of features which we are awestruck by:
Your community on Web, iOS, and Android applications.
Discussion boards post Polls, posts, and Q&As.
Livestreaming and recorded video capability.
Virtual Events, paid memberships, online courses.
Direct and private messaging for groups and profiles for members.
Comprehensive analysis.
The features allow you to build communities that offer a range of content options and ways for members of your community to engage.
2. There are many ways to earn money
A further important factor to evaluate the community-based platforms is to understand the options for monetization.
Paid memberships
In the process of the evaluation of monetization options available on a community platform It is important to keep in mind that monetization and features are inextricably linked. Think about it this way If you're given numerous options when it comes to making content and creating experiences for your customers, it means that you're able to find more ways to make money from that content.
One of the most basic community platform features which you'll require for monetization is the ability to charge for membership fees. This could be a one-time per month, annually, or annual membership fee which members of your community are charged to access.
Virtual Events
Another aspect of community platforms which has proven to be crucial is the capability to host virtual event.
Virtual events are an excellent way to earn money because they can take many different forms, both large or small, and you could charge per person who attends.
If you're running an online group, you might invite famous presenters in a virtual event for your members. However, you could also host an event as basic as a mixer for networking or a mastermind group.
Online courses
An online course is another feature for community building that you might consider in your marketing strategy.
It might seem like this is something not quite within your realm of expertise (and this may not be...yet!). But online courses are a great way to spur participation from members, increase the value of existing content and grow your company.
Similar to how the online community brings people together with a shared goal the same is true for an on-line course. When you make an online course you're creating the community you want to create with a specific goal in mind that you will help your members attain.
When you evaluate community platforms offering online classes (which you must!) These features must be easily implemented and native. There are platforms like Circle that will try and convince you to integrate the community features to your online course, or vice versa. why should you have two platforms when there is one that does both?
It doesn't matter whether your online community's focus is on religion, finances, art as well as self-care, or other than that. Online courses are a great way to get new eyes to your online community, and to re-engage those who have fallen off. One of the best features on a community platform is being able to offer a deal on a community membership after someone has taken the online course.
3. Accessibility
We are living during an era where more people utilize their phones and tablets over sitting at an office computer. A crucial aspect to evaluate the community platform is how available their platform is.
What do we mean by this? If we're talking about accessibility in this context, we're talking about the importance of having the best web and native mobile apps. A lot of platforms do not offer this function at all so your users must access your group via mobile web page. That's...not great.
There's good news that there are a few platforms that provide native mobile apps accessible on iOS as well as Android devices. If you're looking to take it one step further you should select a platform which permits you to build a white label app with the branding of your choice will place you in the best possible place.
4. An excellent service system for support
The final criteria for evaluating community platforms is something that you may not have thought of the support system within the platform you are using.
The end of the day there's no doubt that you have access to every one of the features on the community platform that you desire, an abundance possibilities to make money as well as a fantastic mobile application. The reality of the situation is that you're still going to have issues.
No matter if you're a designer in the process of creating your first community online or transitioning an existing one over to a brand new platform the company you choose to work with should have great tools to assist you.
For example, at we offer a free community called Mighty Hosts that anyone can join and network with other creators building communities. This means that you're not just getting an unending supply of community connections and resources, but you also get an enormous number of tools for building your own community, getting it started, and bringing it to the next level.
Don't forget, it does not matter what options are available to you if you don't know how you can make the most of them. Choosing an option with a solid assistance system is crucial.
Are you ready to begin?
It is a robust cultural software platform to combine community, classes as well as content and business. Furthermore, Mighty's flexible Spaces let you choose to design what you want to build your community, not the features that a platform suggests you should have. You can choose from features including live streaming, course, events, discussion forums members' chats, lengthy as well as short-form content, and more! And you can offer access to 135 distinct currencies and with token-gating.
In addition, with the Mighty Network, you'll be capable of offering all the pieces under your own brand immediately accessible on the web, iOS, and Android. Don't underestimate the power of your users being able to access your brand wherever they are.
Let's start creating the community you've been dreaming of.