Evaluation of Community Platforms |
If you're trying to build an online group , then you're likely aware of the fact that we're in an amazing time for creating online communities.
Now more than ever individuals from all over the world are seeking new and innovative ways to get connected with people that share similar interests as them. There are the many choices to choose from, it is difficult to determine how to assess the best community-based platforms.
Ahead, we're providing clear criteria for evaluating community platforms, so you'll be able to choose the one which is the best fit to you. Before we get started, let's clarify what an online community platform actually is.
If you want more support in building your online community Come join OUR Mighty Community for free as well as meet fellow new and well-established community owners! We'd love to have you join us. Sign up for free!
In this article...
What exactly is an online community platform?
Four key factors to be considered when evaluating community platforms
4. An excellent Support system
What exactly is an online platform for community?
An online community platform is a service in software that lets people build communities, organise, run, and grow online communities all in one place.
Also, online community platforms are all based on the creation of a virtual environment which brings individuals with the same interests together to interact to achieve their goals, as well as build connections.
and the most important thing to creating these kinds of virtual spaces is choosing an application that comes with many features and a great software for managing communities, and multiple ways to make money from the work you do.
However, now after we've got the essential details off the table let's look at how to approach evaluating community platforms.
four key elements to consider when the evaluation of community platforms
Our criteria for community-based platforms into four main areas: native features, monetization, availability, and the potential to grow. Although there's a myriad of methods to judge the community-based platform We believe that these four categories cover the top aspects.
1. Native features
In the time of writing the primary factor for evaluating community-based platforms is researching what kind of capabilities they offer.
When you're building an online network, the better options you have for designing the virtual space you want to provide your members, the more options you have.
However, one aspect to keep an eye out for right off the bat is whether the features on the community platform are integrated or native. Native features are developed by service developers and specifically designed using their platform in mind. Integrations, on the contrary side, are typically advertised as simpler and faster for creators who already have a successful company elsewhere.
The reality is that the tiny benefit you gain from using integrations doesn't outweigh the added work and time trying to manage multiple platforms for the online communities you have. In contrast to native features that can be seamless.
You might be wondering what native capabilities that we're talking about. this is a brief list of features which we are awestruck by:
Your online community for Web, iOS, and Android applications.
Discussion board postings as well as polls and Q&As.
Livestreaming and recorded video capability.
Virtual Events, paid memberships, online courses.
Direct and messages for groups, profiles of members.
Detailed analysis.
These features will allow users to create an online community that offers a variety of ways for your community members to engage.
2. There are many ways to earn money
Another important aspect to consider when assessing communities is to know the monetization possibilities available to them.
Paid-for memberships
In the process of looking at monetization options for an online community be sure to consider that monetization and features work hand-in-hand. Think about it this way that if you're able to offer a multitude of options for developing content and experiences to your users, it also means you have more ways to monetize your content.
The most fundamental community platform features which you'll require to monetize is the capability to charge for paid memberships. It could be a once-off, annual, or monthly membership fee which members of your community are charged to access.
Virtual events
Another community platform feature which has proven to be significant is the capacity to hold virtual events.
Virtual events can be an ideal way to make money from your event because they can take many different forms, both large or small. You are able to charge attendees.
When you're running an online social network, it's possible to host famous speakers on a live event hosted by your members. You can also organize an event as basic as a social mixer or mastermind group.
Online courses
A course online is an additional community-building feature could be considered in your marketing strategy.
It might seem like this is something not quite in your wheelhouse (and it could not be...yet!). But online courses are an excellent way to increase members' engagement, make money from older content, and increase the size of the reach of your business.
Similar to how online communities unite people in common goals as well, do the online learning course. When you create an online course you're creating the community you want to create with a focused goal you'll help your students reach.
If you are evaluating community platforms that offer online courses (which you should!) these features should be easily implemented and native. 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 would you need two different platforms when you can have one with both?
There's no need to worry if your online community's focus is on spirituality, finance, art, self-care, or something else. Courses online are a fantastic method to gain a fresh perspective at your community online as well as re-engage individuals who've dropped off. A great community platform feature is the ability to provide a deal on a group membership when someone is taking your online class.
3. Availability
Our society is in an era where many people use their phones or tablets instead of sitting down at a desktop or laptop. An important factor in evaluating the community platform is how available their platform is.
What is this? When we talk about availability it's about the need for the best web and native mobile apps. A lot of platforms do not offer the functionality, meaning that your customers are required to connect to your online community via a mobile website. That's...not great.
It's good to know that there are a few platforms out there that offer native mobile apps that are accessible on iOS and Android devices. If you'd like to go a step further, however selecting a platform that allows you to create an application that has your personal branding can put you in the best possible position.
4. Great support system
The most important factor to take into consideration when looking at community platforms is something that you may not have thought of the support system on the platform you are using.
The final analysis, you can have all of the features on the community platform that you want, a plethora possibilities to make money as well as a fantastic mobile app. The real-world reality is that you're bound to have issues.
Whether you're a creator who is building your first community online or moving an existing community to a brand new platform the company you choose to work with should have great resources to help you along.
As an example, we offer a free community called Mighty Hosts, which anyone is able to join to connect to other creators who are building communities. You'll not only get 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 taking it to the next level.
Remember, it doesn't matter how many options are available to you If you're not able you can make the most of these options. Choosing a platform with a great service is essential.
Ready to start?
provides you with a powerful culture software platform that lets you connect courses, community along with content and commerce. Plus, Mighty's flexible Spaces give you the option to develop what YOU want to build your community, not the features that a platform suggests it should offer. You can choose from features such as live streaming, classes, events, discussion forums and member chats, as well as long or short-form material, and more! You can also offer access to 135 distinct currencies or with token-gating.
On top of that by utilizing a Mighty Network, you'll be able to offer all of these pieces together with your own branding, instantly available on web, iOS, and Android. Do not underestimate the value of your users being capable of accessing your company's brand anywhere they're.
Let's begin building the community you've been in the process of.