Are you looking for ways to promote your brand or company without spending too much time and effort? If yes, then you should consider starting an online community website. The idea behind these websites is simple – they allow members to share their ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc., on various topics related to your brand.
An online community website allows its members to interact with each other through blogs, forums, groups, polls, events, etc. These websites also provide a space where brands can engage with customers directly.
There are several benefits associated with having an online community website. For example, it helps build trust between consumers and businesses. In addition, it provides opportunities for companies to connect with potential clients.
What is an online community website?
An online community website is a type of social media platform that allows users to create profiles and participate in discussions about a particular topic. It is similar to a forum but has some unique features.
For instance, an activity stream where members can post live updates, and share their experiences just like any social networking website like Facebook or Instagram. Another feature is the ability to create communities around specific topics.
The best part of an online community platform is that it does not require any technical knowledge. You don’t need to have any programming skills to set up one. All you need is a domain name and hosting service.
Here are the top 10 reasons why you need to have an online community website:
1) Builds Trust Between Consumers And Brands
When people visit a website, they expect to find information about products and services offered by the business. However, when they visit a website, they often get confused because there’s no clear indication of what the site is all about. This makes them feel uncomfortable and uninterested in visiting the site again.
On the other hand, if they see a logo or a picture of a product, they will be more likely to visit the site. They will also be more inclined to buy from the business after visiting the site.
2) Provides Opportunities To Engage With Customers Directly
Online community websites allow businesses to communicate with their target audience directly. This means that instead of sending emails to thousands of people, you can simply send messages to a few hundred people who are interested in your product or service.
3) Helps Generate More Traffic
If you want to increase traffic to your website, you must first understand how search engines work. When someone searches for something using Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc., he/she enters keywords into the search box. Based on those keywords, the search engine displays results that include links to relevant websites.
However, most people do not click on the first result displayed on the search page. Instead, they click on the second or third result. If you want to rank higher on search engines, then you should focus on building backlinks. Backlinks are hyperlinks pointing to your website from another website.
4) Allows Businesses To Connect With Potential Clients
It is very important to know your target market before starting an online community website. Once you identify your target market, you can use this information to develop content that appeals to them.
5) Allows Users To Share Their Experiences
People love sharing their experiences with others. Online community websites provide a great opportunity for people to share their experiences with each other. As a result, these websites become popular among customers.
6) Increases Brand Awareness
A lot of people think that creating an online community platform is expensive. But, it doesn’t cost much to build one. In fact, you only need a domain name and hosting package. The rest depends on whether you use WordPress or Joomla as your CMS platform.
7) Allows People To Get Updates On News & Events
Most online community websites offer news feeds so that users can stay updated on current events. These websites are usually used to keep consumers informed about new products, promotions, and special offers.
8) Gives You A Chance To Promote Your Products & Services
Most online community platforms have blogs where companies can promote their products and services. For example, if you sell shoes, you can create a blog where you write articles related to shoe-related topics.
9) Offers An Opportunity To Create Loyalty Programs
An online community website allows you to create loyalty programs. These programs help you retain existing customers and attract new ones.
10) Provides A Platform To Market New Products
You can use online community websites to launch new products. However, you cannot just post any old product on the website. You must make sure that the product has been reviewed by at least three different people.
How to create an online community website in 2022?
Creating an online community platform in 2022 requires very minimal effort. You don’t even need to hire a web developer.
For more about how to create an online community platform, check out our guide below:
Step 1: Choose a name and buy a web hosting service
The first step is choosing a name for your website. This will be your brand identity. It is also a good idea to choose a short URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Short URLs allow visitors to easily remember your website address.
Once you have chosen a name, you can purchase a web hosting service. Web hosting services store all the files associated with your website. They also provide email accounts, databases, and FTP access.
Step 2: Install WordPress
WordPress is the most widely used CMS platform. It is free and easy to install. All you need to do is download the software and follow the instructions provided.
Step 3: Select a theme for your community website
After installing WordPress, you should select a theme. There are many themes available on the internet. Some of them are free while some require payment. You can choose the Reign theme, it is one of the best BuddyPress WordPress themes. It is easy to set up and doesn’t cost you, your entire income.
Step 4: Regularly update your online community website
It is important to regularly update your website. If you don’t update your site, then it won’t look professional. Also, it may not rank well in search engines.
Wrapping up – Creating an Online Community Website
In conclusion, if you have a passion for something but aren’t sure where to go from here, starting an online community site might be exactly what you need. Whether you’re looking to connect with others who share your interests or simply build a platform for sharing information, building an online community can be a fun and rewarding endeavor. And once you’ve built up a following, you can monetize your efforts through affiliate marketing, advertising, or even selling products related to your brand.
Interesting Reads:
How To Build An Online Community For Your Business
Why Should A Small Business Create Online Community Website
Create An Online Support Community For Your Business, Brand or Services
