How to Evaluate Community Platforms |
If you're seeking to build an online group If so, you're likely aware of the fact that we're living during an amazing time for online community building.
Now more than ever worldwide, individuals are looking for new ways to connect with others with the same interests as them. However, with the many choices to choose from, it is difficult to know how to evaluate the best community-based platform.
In the next section, we'll outline clear criteria for evaluating community-based platforms so you can pick the one that makes the most sense for your needs. But first, let's define what an online community platform actually is.
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In this article...
What exactly is an online platform for community?
four key elements to consider when evaluating community platforms
What exactly is an online platform for community?
A community online platform is a software service that lets people build, organize, manage, and expand online communities at once.
Thus, online communities platforms are all based around building a virtual space which brings individuals with the same interests together to interact with each other, achieve goals and create connections.
And the key to creating these kinds of virtual spaces is choosing an application that comes with a robust set of features that are well-designed community management software with a wide range of options to earn money for your work.
But now having gotten the fundamental facts off the table Let's discuss how you evaluate community-based platforms.
Four key factors to be considered when testing community-based platforms
Our criteria for community platforms into four main categories: native capabilities and their monetization options, as well as availability and potential for expansion. While there are a number of methods to judge the community-based platform, we believe these cover all the important elements.
1. Native features
The final analysis the primary factor to evaluate community platforms is to research what kinds of functions they offer.
If you're creating an online network, the better choices are available to design 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 beginning is whether features on the community platform are integrated or native. Native features are developed by service developers and are specifically made to work with their platform. Integrations, on the other hand, are often advertised as simpler and quicker for creators who already have a successful company elsewhere.
It's true that the small benefit you get by integrating your site doesn't justify the added work and time you'll be investing trying to manage multiple platforms for the online communities you have. Contrary to native functions, which are seamless.
It's possible that you're wondering which native functions we're talking about, so here's a list of some that we love:
Your community on Web, iOS, and Android apps.
Discussion boards post as well as polls and Q&As.
Livestreaming and recorded video capability.
Virtual Events, paid memberships, online courses.
Direct & private messaging for groups and profiles for members.
Complete analytics.
These features will allow users to create communities that offer a range of options for content and methods that your members can communicate.
2. Many ways to make money
Another important aspect to consider when assessing communities is to know the options for monetization.
Paid-for memberships
When it comes to looking at monetization options for the community platform, it's good to remember that features and monetization are inextricably linked. Take it in this manner, when you have numerous options when it comes to making content and creating experiences for your members, that also means that you're able to find more ways to make money off of your content.
One of the most basic functions of a community platform that you'll need for monetization is the ability to charge members for memberships paid. This could be a one-time per month, annually, or annual fees that users in your community have to pay to access.
Virtue events
Another community platform feature that has proven important is the ability to host virtual occasions.
Virtual events are an excellent way to earn money 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, you may have big-name presenters be guests at a virtual gathering for your members. You can also organize something as simple as a social mixer or mastermind group.
Online courses
An online course is another feature for community building that may be considered as part of your strategy for monetizing.
This might not be at your fingertips (and this might not be...yet!). Online courses are, however, the perfect way to boost member interaction, monetize older content, and increase the size of the reach of your business.
Just as the online community brings people together with a shared goal the same is true for an online course. If you design an online course you're creating an online community that has a specific goal in mind that you will help your members achieve.
If you are evaluating community platforms that provide online education (which you should!) these features should be easily implemented and native. These platforms are like Circle that will try and convince you to integrate the community features in your online class and vice versa. But why would you need two different platforms when you could have one that does both?
There's no need to worry if your online community's focus is on spirituality, finance, art, self-care, or something other than that. Online classes are an excellent opportunity to open the eyes at your community online and to re-engage those who have fallen off. A great community platform feature is the ability to provide an offer on a community membership when someone takes the online course.
3. Accessibility
Our society is in an age where many people use their phones or tablets instead of sitting down at an office computer. One of the most important aspects to consider when evaluating the community platform is the extent to which they are accessible.
What do we mean by this? If we're talking about accessibility, we're talking about the necessity of providing a stellar web and the native mobile experience. Some platforms do not provide this feature at all, which means your members must access your community from a mobile website. That's...not great.
The good news is that there are a few platforms out there that offer native mobile apps that are made available for iOS as well as Android devices. If you want to go an extra step, however you should select a platform which permits you to build an application that has your own branding will put your company in the ideal place.
4. Great service system for support
The most important factor to take into consideration when the evaluation of community-based platforms is one that you may not have thought of the support system within the platform you are using.
In the end of the day there's no doubt that you have access to all the community platform features you want, a plethora of ways to monetize and a stunning mobile app. The real-world reality is that you're bound to have issues.
No matter if you're a designer that is starting your first online community , or moving an existing community to a brand new platform the software provider you go with should have great tools to assist you.
As an example, we offer a free community called Mighty Hosts where anyone can join to connect to other creators who are building communities. You'll not only get an increasing number of connections with other community members as well as an enviable quantity of information for creating your own community, getting it started and taking them to the next stage.
It does not matter what options are available to you if you don't know how to make use of these options. Making sure that you choose an option with a solid assistance system is crucial.
Ready to start?
offers you a powerful cultural software platform to bring together community, courses along with content and commerce. Furthermore, Mighty's flexible Spaces give you the option to create what YOU need to build your community, not the features that a platform suggests it should offer. You can choose from features like live streaming, courses and events, discussion forums and member chats, as well as long as well as short-form content, and other things! You can also sell access in 135 different currencies and with token-gating.
On top of that With a Mighty Network, you'll be in a position to provide all these pieces together with your own branding immediately accessible on the web, iOS, and Android. Be aware of the potential of your users being capable of accessing your website wherever they go.
Let's get started on building the community you've been in the process of.