Online communities are powerful because they allow you to connect with others who share similar interests. They also provide a platform where you can build relationships and make new friends. In this post, I’m going to explain why creating an online community is important for your business. Then I’ll talk about how you can get started building your own online community.
If you’ve never created an online community before, then you might not understand why it’s such a big deal. But once you see how powerful these communities can be, you’ll realize just how valuable they are to your business.
I’ll go over everything from setting up your first online community to growing your audience and making sure you stay relevant.
What is an Online Community?
An online community is a place where people come together to discuss topics that interest them. You can think of it as a virtual neighborhood or town square.
You may have heard the term “social media” used in reference to online community platforms. That’s because social media sites like Facebook and Twitter were originally designed to help people create their own online communities.
But today, there are many other ways to use online communities to grow your business. For example:
- They’re great places to find customers.
- They’re excellent tools for generating leads.
- They’re a way to build brand awareness.
- They’re prominent in pushing engagement to your site.
- They’re easy to set up and manage.
Read more: How to start engagement in your community?
How to create an online community website in 2022?
Creating an online community takes time and effort. It requires planning, strategy, and persistence. If you want to start an online community, here’s what you need to know:
Choose a name and buy a hosting service
Choosing a good domain name is one of the most important things you can do when starting an online community. Your domain name will become part of your community’s identity. So choose something memorable and unique.
Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to purchase a web host (a company that provides space on its servers) and install WordPress. This software is free and allows you to easily create websites.
To learn more about installing WordPress, check out our guide: Everything You Need To Do After Installing WordPress.
Choose and install BuddyPress
Get the number one community-building plugin for your community website. BuddyPress offers all the features you need to build a thriving online community.
BuddyPress lets you add members to your site. These members can join groups, participate in discussions, and even vote on content.
It’s easy to customize BuddyPress so you can create a community that fits your needs.
Select the theme of your virtual community
Choose a user-friendly and highly-responsive theme for your online community platform. A responsive theme adapts to different screen sizes and devices.
A responsive theme also makes it easier for visitors to navigate your community.
The best themes are built with mobile users in mind. They make it easy for people to browse your community using smartphones and tablets. Just like the Reign theme, the all-in-one community platform, powered by WordPress.
Install additional plugins for enhanced customer experience
Add functionality to your online community that helps your visitors get the information they need. Plugins let you turn your website into a fully functioning community.
For example, if you sell products, you could offer a product review section where visitors can leave reviews of your products. Or, if you run a restaurant, you could allow guests to rate your food.
Plugins aren’t just limited to enhancing your community’s functionality. Some plugins can be used as standalone applications. For example, you can use WooCommerce plugins to power your eCommerce store.
Read More: Just In Time Training In The Workplace
Why create an online community website?
There are many reasons why you might want to create an online community. Here are some common uses:
Build relationships between businesses and customers
If you own a business, you may find that creating an online community gives you access to new customers.
By joining your community, these potential customers can ask questions or share their experiences.
This type of relationship marketing is called “word-of-mouth” marketing. It’s a powerful way to generate leads and increase sales.
Create a place for your employees to connect
Your employees have busy lives. If you don’t give them a place to socialize, they’re less likely to feel connected to your brand.
An online community is a great way to bring your team together. By participating in discussions, sharing photos, and posting videos, your employees will feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Improve employee retention
Employee turnover costs companies millions each year. However, there are several ways to decrease this price. One way is to encourage your employees to stay at your company longer.
You can do this by offering perks such as discounts, freebies, and other incentives. Another option is to provide a fun work environment.
But what about when your employees quit? You’ll still have a community full of loyal fans who love your brand.
Boost your reputation
When someone joins your community, they become part of your brand. This means that they’re more likely to trust you and buy from you.
In addition, when you build a strong community, you’ll gain exposure. People will see your name and know that you’re trustworthy.
These benefits mean that building an online community is one of the most effective forms of marketing available today.
Helps in SEO traffic
Search engines pay attention to how often people visit websites. When you add content to your site, it makes it easier for search engine spiders to crawl your pages.
This means that your site will rank higher on Google and other search engines. And because your community is integrated with your main site, it will help improve your overall SEO performance.
Why Create Online Community – Closing Insights
In conclusion, creating an online community is a fantastic idea if you have something unique to offer your members. Whether it’s a group focused on helping others improve their finances or a place where people share their experiences and advice, building an online community will give you access to a huge audience and allow you to connect with like-minded individuals. And when you combine that with the ability to earn money from advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships, you can create a truly lucrative online business.
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