How To Launch An Online Community From Scratch

Peeps, what is another great way to connect with other people across the world, share the same idea, and build new friends? Yes, an online community! If you’re planning to create your own online community, then this guide is for you.

Long before the internet came along and offered us email newsletters, social media groups (e.g. Facebook), and char forums, people have been leaning on each other for support. These tools make the flow of communication quicker and more efficient.

Why people are attracted to online communities?

According to a study, women are more driven to online communities than men, who prefer gambling and gaming sites.

First of all, women trust the information they acquire from online communities more than Facebook and other social networking sites. The depth of reliable information is another huge reason. Most women depend on online communities for finding several topics they find useful or beneficial.

Dot Com Women is one of the best and reliable websites and online communities specifically geared towards women. Here, you can find numerous information about landscaping, criminal defense attorneys, creative crafts, and many more.

So, how to launch your own online community?

The steps are just so simple that even beginners can utilize.

• Determine your audience and their needs

Who is your target audience? Do you want to spend time engaging with mommies or ladies? It is important to know the demographics of your preferred audience. Then, determine their needs. You can ask and be open from the audience’s response.

• Select your topic

What do you think could be the right identifying topic that brings your community together? It can be a hobby, profession, activity, social factor, cause, product, or others. When choosing a topic, make sure it is unique and can attract the attention of your community instantly.

• Choose a platform

There are basically two types of forums:

(1) informational forum – generally used when you want to make a room for the community to look for valuable information or content related to a particular product, service, or designated topic.

(2) shared interest forum – brings together people who have the same interest or ideas. Collaboration is an important ingredient here.

• Build a community layout

When creating an online community layout, various items can be included (as applicable), such as related discussion forums, sub-community topics, related events, related blogs, and related file libraries.

• Integrate engagement

An online community must be sustainable in order to ensure success. And, that sustainability is built through engagement. The online community you’re planning to make should not only revolve around your online brand but should also encourage the audience to take part and work together with one another.

• Start a soft launch

Its purpose is to get the community ready for your public and full launch. There are many soft launches you can choose from.

• Know how to appreciate

Don’t forget to recognize and appreciate the participation, patronization, brand loyalty, etc. of your community members. This way, they will be encouraged to come back and revisit your online more often.

• Promote your community

You can promote your newly established online community in numerous ways, whether through email communications or social media sites. To help drive more members in your community, you can invite your contacts, enlist the help of new members, team up with influencers, and communicate with everyone.

Make your online community more active and fun!

Establishing an onboarding process, making a guided video course, sending time in the community yourself, and getting the community together in other ways are just some of the ways on how to make your online community livelier and more interactive.

If you want some inspiration to make an online community, you can go to Dot Com Women and get some ideas.