In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, building a robust brand community is more crucial than ever. A thriving community not only fosters loyalty but also turns customers into advocates, driving growth and enhancing brand value. With numerous software options available, choosing the right tools can be daunting. This guide explores the best brand community building software available in 2024, highlighting their features and how they can help you create and nurture a vibrant brand community.
The Importance of Brand Communities
Brand communities are about more than just sparking conversations and sharing information; they’re about instilling a sense of belonging and loyalty in your audience. A robust brand community may provide essential insights into client preferences, increase engagement, and even influence product development. With the appropriate tools, you can establish and manage a community that actively supports and promotes your brand, resulting in long-term value and deeper relationships with your target audience.
Best Brand Community Building Platforms
Here’s a comprehensive look at the best community building platforms available today.
1. Discourse
Discourse is an open-source conversation platform known for its versatility and scalability. It is intended to support a wide range of community interactions, from forums to Q&A sessions and beyond. Discourse has a highly customizable interface that can be adjusted to your brand’s requirements. It offers real-time notifications to keep members engaged and extensive moderation features to assist manage community interactions more effectively. However, configuring and customising Discourse may necessitate some technical knowledge.
Features:
- Customizable Design: Discourse offers a high degree of customization, allowing you to tailor the platform’s appearance and functionality to fit your brand’s needs.
- Real-Time Notifications: Members receive instant notifications about new posts, replies, and other activities, ensuring they stay engaged.
- Advanced Moderation Tools: Includes features like automated spam filtering, moderation queues, and user trust levels to help manage community interactions effectively.
- Mobile-Friendly: The platform is fully responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across different devices.
- Integrations: Discourse integrates with various tools and services, including single sign-on (SSO) and analytics platforms.
Monetization Options:
- Discourse itself does not have built-in monetization features, but you can integrate third-party tools and plugins to implement paid memberships or other revenue streams.
Pros:
- Open-source and highly customizable.
- Supports a wide range of community activities.
- Strong moderation and user management features.
Cons:
- Requires some technical expertise to set up and customize.
- Maybe overkill for smaller communities
Also Read: Guide to Brand Community Building Software
2. Slack
Originally designed as a tool for team communication, Slack has evolved into a flexible platform for creating brand communities. It’s a well-liked option for encouraging interaction and cooperation because of its numerous integrations, well-organized channels, and real-time messaging capabilities. Although Slack lacks built-in monetization mechanisms, premium channels and memberships can be offered with the use of third-party technologies and integrations.
Features:
- Channels and Threads: Organize conversations by creating different channels for specific topics or groups, and use threads to keep discussions organized.
- Direct Messaging: Allows for private conversations and one-on-one interactions, fostering personal connections within the community.
- Integrations: Supports a wide range of integrations with tools like Google Drive, Trello, and more, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
- File Sharing: Easily share files, documents, and multimedia with community members.
- Customizable Notifications: Tailor notification settings to avoid information overload and stay focused on relevant updates.
Monetization Options:
- Slack does not have built-in monetization features. However, you can use integrations or external tools to create premium channels or offer paid memberships through other platforms.
Pros:
- Real-time communication and collaboration.
- Highly customizable with numerous integrations.
- Easy to use and familiar interface for many users.
Cons:
- Can become overwhelming with high volumes of messages.
- Less focused on long-form discussions compared to dedicated community platforms.
3. Discord
Discord gained popularity among gaming community at first, but it now supports many different kinds of communities. It has features like text discussions, audio and video channels, and roles and permissions that may be customized. Discord is appropriate for both informal and formal communities because it allows for revenue generation through features like Server Boosts and premium memberships.
Features:
- Voice and Video Channels: Provides options for live voice and video communication, making it ideal for virtual events and real-time discussions.
- Text Channels: Create different channels for various topics to keep discussions organized.
- Roles and Permissions: Set up roles and permissions to manage community members and control access to different features.
- Bots and Integrations: Enhance the functionality of your server with bots that can automate tasks, provide information, and more.
- Custom Emojis: Add a personal touch to your community with custom emojis and reactions.
Monetization Options:
- Discord offers Server Boosts and Paid Memberships through features like Discord’s Nitro subscription, which provides additional perks for users. You can also use integrations and bots to handle payments for exclusive content or premium roles.
Pros:
- Strong focus on real-time communication.
- Versatile with both text and voice capabilities.
- Highly customizable with bots and roles.
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for newcomers due to the sheer number of features.
- Less formal structure compared to other platforms.
Also Read: 7 Strategies to Engage Your Community
4. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks offers a full set of solutions for community management, such as membership management, content sharing, and online courses. Its comprehensive feature set enables the seamless integration of monetization tactics such as paid memberships and online courses, making it perfect for multifaceted community setups.
Features:
- Membership Management: Create and manage membership tiers with varying levels of access and benefits.
- Content Sharing: Share articles, videos, and other content to keep your community engaged.
- Online Courses: Build and sell online courses directly within the platform.
- Events and Workshops: Host virtual events, workshops, and webinars to engage your community.
- Mobile App: Provides a dedicated mobile app for community access on the go.
Monetization Options:
- Mighty Networks includes features for monetizing your community, such as paid memberships, subscriptions, and online courses. You can set up different pricing plans and access levels for your members.
Pros:
- Comprehensive set of features for community management and content sharing.
- Integrated tools for courses and events.
- Mobile app ensures accessibility for users.
Cons:
- Pricing may be higher than other platforms, especially for smaller communities.
- The range of features may be more than needed for simpler communities.
5. Circle
Circle is known for its clean and user-friendly UI. It provides discussion forums, direct messaging, and event management tools. Circle also allows monetization via paid memberships and subscriptions, allowing for a variety of community models while retaining a user-friendly experience.
Features:
- Discussion Boards: Create different discussion boards for various topics and interests.
- Events: Schedule and manage community events with built-in tools.
- Direct Messaging: Facilitate private conversations between members.
- Custom Branding: Customize the platform to match your brand’s aesthetics.
- Integrations: Connect with tools like Zapier, Memberful, and more.
Monetization Options:
- Circle supports paid memberships and subscriptions, allowing you to create different membership tiers and offer exclusive content to paying members.
Pros:
- User-friendly and visually appealing interface.
- Strong focus on engagement and community building.
- Integrates well with other tools and platforms.
Cons:
- May lack some advanced features available in other platforms.
- Pricing can be a consideration for smaller communities.
6. Vanilla Forums
Vanilla Forums is a versatile platform for managing community interactions, such as forums, Q&A sessions, and knowledge bases. While it lacks built-in monetization capabilities, it can be coupled with third-party solutions to enable premium memberships or other revenue streams.
Features:
- Discussion Forums: Create and manage multiple forums with customizable categories and topics.
- Q&A: Allow users to ask and answer questions, facilitating knowledge sharing.
- Knowledge Base: Build a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and resources.
- Moderation Tools: Includes features for moderating content and managing user behavior.
- Analytics: Provides insights into community activity and engagement.
Monetization Options:
- Vanilla Forums does not have built-in monetization features, but you can integrate third-party tools or custom solutions to handle paid memberships or access controls.
Pros:
- Versatile with support for forums, Q&A, and knowledge bases.
- Strong moderation and management features.
- Provides detailed analytics for tracking community performance.
Cons:
- May be more complex to set up and manage.
- Some advanced features may require additional customization.
Also Read: 10 Best WordPress Community Plugins in 2024
7. Khoros Communities
Khoros Communities is designed for larger organizations, with considerable customization and integration options. It offers extensive analytics, moderation tools, and enterprise-grade community management features. Monetization can be accomplished through specialized solutions and integrations, although this is normally reserved for larger enterprises.
Features:
- Community Management: Tools for managing user roles, permissions, and content.
- Analytics and Reporting: Detailed analytics and reporting tools to track community performance and engagement.
- Integration: Integrates with CRM systems and other enterprise tools.
- Customization: Highly customizable to fit specific business needs and branding.
- Moderation and Support: Advanced tools for moderating content and providing user support.
Monetization Options:
- Khoros Communities allows for monetization through custom solutions and integrations, which can include paid memberships, sponsorships, or premium content. However, these features are often tailored to enterprise needs and may require custom development.
Pros:
- Enterprise-level features and scalability.
- Strong analytics and reporting capabilities.
- Extensive integration options.
Cons:
- Higher cost, making it less suitable for smaller communities.
- Can be complex to implement and manage.
8. Reddit
Reddit allows users to establish and manage subreddits based on certain subjects or interests. Although Reddit does not have built-in monetization features, its enormous and diverse user base can be used to promote products, and additional technologies may help with monetization tactics.
Features:
- Subreddits: Create and manage subreddits focused on specific topics or interests.
- Voting System: Users can upvote or downvote posts and comments, influencing content visibility.
- Moderation Tools: Includes tools for moderating content and managing user behavior.
- Engagement: Engage with users through discussions, polls, and AMAs (Ask Me Anything).
Monetization Options:
- Reddit itself does not offer built-in monetization features. However, you can leverage its platform for promotional purposes or use external tools and strategies to monetize your community through other channels.
Pros:
- Large, diverse user base.
- Easy to create and manage subreddits.
- Strong community engagement features.
Cons:
- Less control over the platform’s appearance and functionality.
- Not suitable for formal or branded community environments.
9. Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups are an easy method to create and maintain groups, especially if your target demographic is already active on Facebook. While Facebook Groups do not have built-in monetization capabilities, you can use Facebook’s advertising tools or interface with third-party services to provide paid memberships or unique content.
Features:
- Group Types: Create different types of groups (public, closed, or secret) depending on your privacy needs.
- Content Sharing: Share posts, photos, and videos to keep members engaged.
- Events and Polls: Host events and create polls to interact with your community.
- Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Facebook’s other features and tools.
Monetization Options:
- Facebook Groups do not have built-in monetization features. However, you can use Facebook’s advertising tools or integrate third-party services to offer paid memberships or exclusive content.
Pros:
- Familiar platform for many users.
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Integrates well with other Facebook features.
Cons:
- Limited customization options compared to dedicated community platforms.
- Less control over user data and platform changes.
Also Read: How to sell online courses from your own community website
10. Hivebrite
Hivebrite offers a comprehensive solution for managing professional networks, alumni associations, and membership organizations, providing tools for networking, content sharing, and event management.
Features:
- Customizable Portal: Personalize the look and functionality to align with your brand.
- Networking Tools: Enable member connections through profiles and messaging.
- Event Management: Organize, promote, and manage events with ease.
- Content Management: Share articles, blogs, and multimedia content.
Monetization Options: Hivebrite includes built-in monetization features, allowing for paid memberships, access levels, and event fees.
Pros:
- Versatile and customizable for various community types.
- Robust event management and content sharing tools.
- Built-in monetization capabilities.
Cons:
- Can be expensive for smaller organizations.
- Some features may require a learning curve.
Choosing the Right Brand Community Building Software
The best community building platform is determined by your individual needs, such as the type of community you’re creating, the level of customisation required, and your revenue ambitions. Platforms such as Discourse and Khoros Communities give considerable customization and enterprise functionality, whilst Circle and Mighty Networks offer sophisticated revenue alternatives. Hivebrite is a good alternative for professional networks due to its extensive capabilities and monetization support. By comparing the features and capabilities of various platforms, you can determine which one best corresponds with your community’s aims and will assist you in building a successful, engaged audience.
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