Consumers at many businesses aren’t content to be mere passersby or just the means to an end (profit) for those businesses. They want, instead, to feel a part of something significant, something that helps those of a similar mind connect and share their common interest.
So, when companies build a community-oriented customer base, members of that community are more likely to return to that business than continuously search for something new.
Cultivating a community, in short, is crucial to any company’s success. If you are hoping to build a group of loyal customers or users for your business, here are some tools that could help you — and your customers — create the sense of community you crave.
Hivebrite
Hivebrite is a website exclusively for community management. The system allows companies to customize personalized platforms for their communities, rather than make members adapt to generalized platforms. Hivebrite lets you decide how users sign up and log in (i.e., via email or other social media accounts, and via open accessor invitation-only status).
It helps you manage member databases, network with participants, oversee content and events and conduct online payments. Hivebrite is a practical first step for anyone hoping to optimize community engagement.
Ning
Ning is another system that can help you build a platform exclusive to your business. An example of a past client? Tennisopolis; the company created a platform that allows tennis lovers to message one another, share content and discuss the latest news in forums.
You can do the same at your company, by integrating social media sharing, allowing your “community” members to move between your platform and channels like Twitter, easily. This is especially useful for companies looking to build communities that have already established common interests.
Brand24
Kuba Rogalski, an employee at Brand24, says he uses his own product for a variety of tasks, such as tracking brand mentions and for all online conversations related…
