What is the best way to evaluate community platforms? |
If you're trying for ways to create an online community and have a virtual community, then you probably know that we're in the most exciting time in creating online communities.
Now more than ever worldwide, individuals are seeking new and innovative ways to get connected with people with the same passions as themselves. However, with so many options to choose from it can be hard to determine how to assess the best community-based platform.
In the next section, we'll outline specific criteria to evaluate communities, so that you'll be able to choose the one that makes the most sense to you. First, let's talk about what an online community platform actually is.
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In this piece...
What exactly is an online platform for community?
4 key criteria for evaluating community platforms
4. Great service system for support
What exactly is an online platform for community?
A platform for online communities is a service in software that allows people to build communities, organise, run, and develop online communities in one place.
Also, online community platforms revolve on creating a virtual community that brings people with similar passions together in order to share ideas with each other, achieve goals and build connections.
and the most important thing to creating those kinds of virtual environments is to choose the right platform with an extensive set of functions that are well-designed community management software as well as a variety of ways to make money from your work.
Now that we've gotten the basic facts from the beginning Let's look at how to evaluate community-based platforms.
4 key criteria for the evaluation of community platforms
Our criteria of community platforms into four key categories: native features and monetization, accessibility, and the potential to grow. While there are a number of methods to judge a community platform but we think these are the top aspects.
1. Native features
At the time of writing the main thing to assess community platforms is researching what kind of features they have to give users.
When you're building an online community, the more options you're able to use for creating your virtual environment you'd like to provide your members more options you have, the more options you have.
But one thing to look at right off starting is whether features of the community platform are native or integrated. Native features are designed by the service creators and designed specifically with their platform in mind. Integrations, on the contrary hand, are often marketed as being easier, and faster for creators who already have a successful service elsewhere.
It's true that the small advantage you receive from using integrations doesn't outweigh the additional effort and time that you'll spend juggling multiple platforms for your online community. Contrary to native functions, which have a seamless interface.
You might be wondering which native functions we're talking about, so we've compiled a list of the ones that we love:
Your online community for Web, iOS, and Android apps.
Discussion boards post as well as polls and Q&As.
Livestreaming and recorded video capabilities.
Virtual Events, paid memberships, online courses.
Direct and messages for groups, profiles of members.
Complete statistics.
This feature will enable you to build an online community that offers a variety of content options and ways for members of your community to communicate.
2. There are many ways to earn money
A further important factor to evaluate the community-based platforms is to understand the monetization possibilities available to them.
Paid memberships
When it comes to the evaluation of monetization options available on the community platform It is important to keep in mind that features and monetization work hand-in-hand. Consider it this way If you're given numerous options when it comes to creating content and experiences for your members, that also means that you're able to find more ways to make money from that content.
One of the basic community platform features that you'll need to make money from is the capacity to charge members for memberships paid. This could be a one-time, annual, or monthly membership fee which members in your community have to pay to access.
Virtue events
Another community platform feature that has proved to be important is the ability to organize virtual events.
Virtual events are an excellent way to earn money as they allow for many different forms, both large or small. Additionally, you can charge for attendance.
When you're running an online social network, it's possible to invite famous presenters on a live event hosted by your members. But you can also have an event as basic as a social mixer or mastermind group.
Online courses
Online courses are another feature for community building that may be considered as part of your monetization strategy.
This is something not quite within your realm of expertise (and this might be, but it won't be...yet!). However, online courses can be an excellent way to increase members' engagement, make money from old content, and expand the reach of your business.
Similar to how online communities unite people with a shared goal, so too, does the online learning course. When you create an online course, you're creating an online community that has a focused goal the members of your community will be able to reach.
When you look at community-based platforms that provide online education (which you must!) these features should be readily implemented and accessible. It is possible to integrate these features into your existing course. Circle which will attempt to convince you to integrate a community to your online course, and vice versa. But why should you have two platforms when there is one platform that can do both?
There's no need to worry if your group is focused on the arts, finance, spirituality as well as self-care, or else. Online courses are a great method to gain a fresh perspective on your online community and re-engage people who've fallen off. An excellent feature of a community platform is the ability to provide discounts on community membership after someone has taken your online class.
3. The availability
We are living during a time where more and many people use their phones and tablets over sitting at a desktop computer. One of the most important aspects to consider when evaluating the community platform is how available their platform is.
What exactly do we mean by this? If we're talking about accessibility it's about the importance of having the best web and native mobile app experience. Many platforms don't offer this function at all which means your members will have to access your community from a mobile-friendly web site. That's...not great.
There's good news that there are a few platforms out there that offer native mobile apps accessible on iOS and Android devices. If you're looking to take it one step further, choosing a platform that lets you create an application that has your personal branding can put your company in the ideal position.
4. A great support system
The final criteria for evaluating community platforms is something you don't think of: having a support system within your platform.
The conclusion of the day there's no doubt that you have access to every one of the features of a community platform you want, a plethora possibilities to make money as well as a fantastic mobile app. The truth is that you're going be able to ask concerns.
If you're a developer who is building your first community online or changing an existing one to a brand new platform the software provider you go with must have the best tools to assist you.
As an example, we offer a free community called Mighty Hosts that anyone can join and connect to other creators who are building communities. This means that you're not just getting an ever-growing well of connections to the community as well as an enviable number of tools for building your own community, getting it started and taking it to the next level.
Remember, it isn't a matter of how many choices that you can choose from If you're not able to utilize the options. Choosing a platform with a great support system is a must.
Ready to get started?
It is a robust cultural software platform to combine community, classes, content, and commerce. Additionally, Mighty's customizable Spaces give you the option to design what you want for your community, not whatever a platform thinks it should offer. It is possible to select features like live streaming, courses discussions, events, forums and member chats, as well as long or short-form material, and many more! And you can sell access in 135 different currencies and with token-gating.
On top of that With the Mighty Network, you'll be capable of offering all these pieces together with your own branding that is instantly accessible via the internet, iOS, and Android. Do not underestimate the value of your users being capable of accessing your company's brand anywhere they're.
Let's start building the community you've been dreaming of.