While social media platforms offer visibility, they don’t provide actual ownership or flexibility for businesses to shape meaningful interactions. That’s where phpFox comes in. As a customizable community-building platform, phpFox enables entrepreneurs and enterprises to build thriving networks within their businesses. From small niche groups to large-scale communities, many phpFox success stories prove that this platform helps companies to launch, grow, and monetize their communities with ease.

In this article, we’ll explore why phpFox has become the top choice and share some success stories for building communities with the phpFox platform.

1. Why phpFox Becomes the Top Choice for Business?

1.1 Full Control & Ownership

Unlike social media platforms, phpFox gives you 100% ownership of your community.

• You can control your members’ data, content, and interactions. That gives you the power to make data-informed decisions, segment your users, and tailor their experience.
• Building your own space means no sudden bans, shadow bans, or policy surprises. phpFox allows you to host your platform securely, control user permissions, and ensure your community thrives without interruptions.

1.2 Scalability and Flexibility

Whether you’re starting with a small niche group or managing an enterprise-level network with thousands of members, phpFox adapts as you grow.

• Flexible Design: Choose a custom layout creates a better look for your online appearance, making it unique, and standing out
• Multi-device support: Web and mobile apps ensure members stay engaged anywhere.
• Customized feature: Personalize the platform to match your business model, whether it’s coaching, e-learning, or membership-based.

1.3 Monetization Opportunities

Communities aren’t just about engagement; they’re also about building sustainable revenue. phpFox empowers you to turn your community into a business:

• Subscriptions & memberships: Charge for exclusive access or VIP tiers.
• Paid groups & events: Monetize smaller, focused communities.
• E-commerce integration & Marketplace: Sell courses, merchandise, or digital products directly in your community.

Many phpFox success stories highlight how these features turned passion-driven communities into sustainable businesses.

1.4. Strong Security & Data Privacy

For business owners, trust is everything. phpFox provides multiple layers of security:

• Captcha: Protect your community from spam and malicious bot. Your new members need to solve math problem, a distorted image, or a checkbox that needs to be checked.
• GDPR-Compliant Data Handling: Protect member privacy and ensure your community meets global data protection standards.
• Features like 2FA (two-factor authentication): Add an extra layer of account security to safeguard both personal and community data.

With phpFox, you don’t just build a community, you build a trusted community where members feel safe to engage, connect, and grow.

1.5. Access For All Devices

Whether you use a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop, our web app will provide you with a responsive and enjoyable mobile browser experience. Our web app is built for mobile devices and adapts to any screen size and orientation.

• Mobile Apps: Mobile apps offer instant access and seamless social interaction, which help members to interact and engage easily. This is available for Android and iOS apps
• Mobile-First Web App: You can access our web app from any web or mobile browser and enjoy a responsive, user-friendly interface that adjusts to your screen size and preferences..

From groups and messaging to live video and forums, phpFox keeps your members connected and engaged anytime, anywhere.

2. Some Highlighted phpFox Success Stories

2.1 Story from Scaling a Community for Business

Used the software for: 2+ years

After using phpFox for over two years, I’ve found it to be a stable and evolving platform that offers great flexibility for building a social networking site. The modern tech stack makes development and customization easier, and the team continues to release meaningful updates.

What I like most about phpFox version 5 (Metafox) is its modern architecture, it’s built using Laravel and React, which makes it powerful, flexible, and developer-friendly. The platform is actively maintained, with frequent updates that continue to improve performance, usability, and features. It’s a great foundation for building a custom social network with real potential

Stephan N., Owner – Online Media

2.2 Story from Custom Branding for a Professional Network

Used the software for: 2+ years

I have been using it since version 3 for more than 12 years, and I probably will use it for the next 12 It is a customizable social network that suits my needs. Constant updates and new crucial functions keep emerging. It seems that this is a system I can trust, and it won’t cease soon, so I will not be forced to look for a replacement.

Pros

Currently, the React interface has been a huge step up. The platform keeps up with most mainstream platforms in terms of design and functions.

Josef M., CEO – Online Media

2.3 Story from Driving Mobile Engagement

Used the software for: 2+ years

Two thumbs up, because that is all thumbs I got. I highly recommend phpFox version 5 (Metafox) to everyone. They are the best in terms of product and support. No downsides, only upsides.

Pros

There is so much:

1. Amazing product, phpFox version 5 (Metafox). Delivers what it promises, and then some. Fully featured.

2. Regular updates to stay current and bug-free.

3. A ton of plugins to make phpFox version 5 (Metafox) very popular and expandable.

4. Top-notch support, which is very timely. Very professional, courteous, and friendly. They do it right the first time!

Daniel A., Founder & CEO – Information Technology and Services

2.4 Story from: Enterprise-Level Performance

Used the software for: 2+ years

PhpFox is very feature-rich out of the box. Marketplace, blogs, forums, photos, groups, polls, quizzes… the list goes on. It also serves as a solid content management system. There are plenty of tools to track and monitor site activity.

Easy to deploy and install on a web host server. Solid development backing from the developers, PHPFox also provides the source code for both mobile and web applications at the highest licensing tier. Their customer support is spot on, even though there is an 8-hour time zone difference, and all tickets are handled via an internal text-based ticketing system.

Julian D., Founder – Marketing & Advertising

3. Services Supporting PhpFox Success Stories 

Launching and scaling an online community can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re moving from another platform or trying to create something that fits your business. That’s why phpFox doesn’t just give you the software; we provide full-service support to ensure you succeed every step of the way.

3.1 Customization Services

Building a community platform creates a unique experience that reflects your brand and supports your members. That’s why phpFox offers customization services to help businesses transform their social communities with tailored solutions, driving unmatched engagement and sustainable growth.

With our step-by-step process, you can tailor your enterprise social network to your exact needs and optimize it for long-term success. Many of our phpFox Success Stories began with customizations that empowered businesses to stand out in the market.

• Consultation & Discovery: Understand your community’s unique needs, goals, and challenges. This ensures that every customization is built with purpose.
• Planning & Design: Our team crafts a detailed blueprint that includes custom features, integrations, and scalability plans. This design phase ensures your platform is not only functional but also future-ready.
• Development & Integration: From building custom modules to integrating third-party applications, we bring your ideas to life. Every feature is developed to deliver seamless performance and align perfectly with your workflow.
• Testing, Feedback & Release: Before going live, we thoroughly test every element. You’ll have the chance to provide feedback, ensuring refinements are made so the final platform is polished, stable, and ready to serve your community.

>>> Explore 6 Clear Signs Your Social Platform Needs Customization Service

3.2 Migration & Setup Support PhpFox Success Stories

Switching platforms can feel intimidating, especially when it involves valuable community data and existing systems. At phpFox, we’ve designed our Migration & Setup Support service to ensure your transition is smooth, secure.

• Data Safety: From contacts and photos to user messages and activity history, our migration service guarantees zero data loss. You can move to phpFox with full data, knowing your community’s information is safe.
• Seamless Integration: phpFox integrates effortlessly with your existing systems, giving you a unified view of customer data, communication history, and more, all in one place.
• Support & Maintenance: Whether it’s setup guidance, troubleshooting, or ongoing maintenance, we will help your enterprises navigate any technical challenge.

3.3 High Load Optimization

PhpFox’s Ongoing Maintenance & Optimization services ensure your platform runs smoothly today and is fully prepared for tomorrow’s growth. This is the key factor behind many phpFox success stories, where businesses confidently scale without performance issues.

• Security, Updates & Stability: We provide regular security patches, bug fixes, and system updates to protect your community from vulnerabilities and disruptions. With proactive monitoring and timely maintenance, your platform stays stable and trustworthy.
• High Load Optimization: When traffic spikes or your site reaches higher thresholds of users, data, or activity, we step in to fine-tune infrastructure for high performance. Expect faster page loads, smoother navigation, and a seamless experience even during peak hours.
• Performance Optimization: We will help your business to review and optimize site performance, from database management and caching improvements to server-side adjustments

Conclusion

These phpFox success stories show how businesses of all sizes, from niche communities to enterprise-level networks, have built thriving, revenue-generating platforms. With full control, scalability, monetization tools, and strong security, phpFox empowers business owners to create communities that not only engage but also sustain long-term growth.

If you’re ready to launch or scale your online community, phpFox could be the success story for your business. Explore the possibilities and get started with phpFox today!

Tired of feeling stuck with Facebook Groups? You want a community where you set the rules, choose the design, and monetize from your members without worrying about platform limits.

Even if you’ve never built a community before, phpFox makes it simple. Our all-in-one solution is designed to help anyone start an Online Community for Beginners, with no tech skills required. In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the easiest way to create a thriving online community

1. Define Your Community Purpose and Audience

1.1 Choose Your Type Of Community

Before building your online community for beginners, please take a moment to know what it’s all about and who it’s for. Your niche encompasses the topics you’ll discuss, the type of members you’ll attract, and the value you’ll deliver.

It could be:

• Learning: Those who love sharing knowledge or teaching. Examples include a language learning group, a coding bootcamp, or a photography masterclass.
• Networking: These groups often focus on collaboration opportunities, industry news, and advice. Think entrepreneurs, freelancers, or specialists in a specific industry. 
• Monetization: If you’re aiming to generate income, you could create a paid content hub, membership site, or mentorship program. 
• Interest-based: Community sharing passion, such as a sports team, a favorite musician, or hobbies like board games, gardening, or film discussion. These communities are built on enthusiasm, fan culture, and shared experiences.

1.2 Define Your Target Audience

After you’ve chosen your community type and niche, the next important step is to identify who you want to attract as members by asking some questions:

• Who do you want to invite?
• What are their needs or challenges?
• How can your community help them?

Knowing this helps you make important decisions about:

• What does your background on the platform look like 
• Which phpFox features to fit 
• How can your community provide value and support to them?

2. Key Features to Build an Online Community for Beginners in phpFox

2.1 Customization & Styling Tools Of Building An Online Community For Beginners

At phpFox, you can have complete control to customize the community page or even the entire site content. Therefore, you can create a unique and attractive platform by editing what appears on each page or content block.

Edit Your Content

You can easily modify the content shown on any page or content block. This flexibility lets you decide exactly what information or media your users see, and also control the types of content they’re allowed to share on your platform.

Customize Your Layout

Our latest version includes a powerful layout editor. You can:

• Pick from industry-standard preset layouts tailored to popular niches and audiences.
• Fully customize the layout to match your unique vision and goals.

This lets you build an online community for beginners that is easy to navigate and engaging for your members..

Style Your Community

phpFox lets you personalize your community by customizing colors, fonts, and typography. This means you can change the design of your platform to reflect your brand better and make it more inviting to your members.

Our styling options help you create a unique and attractive community identity that stands out and feels relevant to your users.

2.2 Administration Features of Buiding an Online Community For Beginners

phpFox offers a variety of powerful tools to help admins manage and customize their community platform easily. Here are some key features:

Theme Management

Take complete control over your site’s appearance by modifying headers, footers, sidebars, colors, fonts, backgrounds, borders, and animations.

Localization

You can use the localization feature to adjust your platform to the preferences and needs of your members based on their location and language. The localization feature includes features like active translation, allowed countries and currencies, and language settings.

Announcement

This feature allows you to create and send important announcements to all users on your platform. You can use this feature to communicate effectively with your user community and share valuable information, updates, events, and other related content. 

SEO Friendly

phpFox helps your community get found on search engines with built-in SEO tools. You can manage meta tags, keywords, sitemaps, and robots.txt files to improve your site’s visibility and ranking.

2.3 Secure Your Community and Build Trust

When building an online community for beginners, phpFox gives you multiple choice of protection to keep your members secure and your community thriving

• Multi-Factor Authentication: Members enter a code from their phone when logging in.
• SMS Verification: Require members to enter a one-time security code sent to their phone before logging in. Even if a hacker has a password, they’re locked out without this code. It’s also a quick way to verify a user’s identity, ensuring your platform is filled with real people, not fake accounts or bots.
• Captcha: Stops bots from creating fake accounts. New members must complete a simple challenge (like typing distorted letters, solving a quick math problem, or checking a box) to continue.
• Platform Privacy: You decide who can see profiles, posts, and member details. All settings are accessible right from Account Settings, giving you full control over what members share.
• Web Security Scan: PhpFox regularly scans its platform for web security vulnerabilities based on the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) guidelines. This helps to ensure that the platform is up-to-date and protected against all kinds of threats.

3. Engage Your Members

Your community site is live. The goal here is not just to get sign-ups, but to make members feel welcome and excited to participate.

3.1 Invite Your Members

Start with your network:

• Invite your existing network, like friends, colleagues, and past customers.
• Use phpFox’s built-in Invite feature to send invitations directly from your platform.
• Share it on your social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X, etc.)
• Post it in relevant online groups or forums (where self-promotion is allowed)

Pro tip: Offer a small incentive for early joiners, like exclusive content or free access to a paid feature.

3.2 Increase Engagement to Build an Online Community for Beginners

PhpFox includes engagement tools like:

• Chat: Instant messaging lets members check in, brainstorm, or have casual conversations; chat keeps the community buzzing.
• Likes, Comments, Shares, and Reactions: A simple “like” or reaction can start a deeper conversation. Comments keep discussions flowing, and sharing helps great content reach more members.
• Photos & Videos: phpFox supports photo albums, likes, comments, and filters, plus video uploads or embeds from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and more
• Blogs & Forums: Organize discussions into topics, making it easy to find and join conversations on shared interests.
• Premium Apps ( ChatPlus, Live Streaming, Stories): Available in phpFox ‘s App Store

4. Monetize from Your Online Community

4.1 Ways to Make Money

With phpFox, you can choose what works best for your audience:

• Subscriptions: Create membership subscriptions that charge your users for accessing exclusive content and features. You can customize member groups, manage subscriptions, and compare them
• Marketplace: Let members buy and sell goods or services. Turn your community into a social marketplace where you can easily upload and sell their products.
• Advertising: Let’s create and manage ads that reach your ideal customers. You can target your ads by gender, location, age, and languages, and control your budget and settings from the Admin CP
• Activity Points: A gamification app that rewards your social network members with virtual points for their interactions. You can use these points as a website currency to manage your members and offer them various incentives.

4.2 Easy Payment Methods

phpFox supports:

• PayPal: A trusted option for millions of users worldwide.
• Apple Pay: Let iOS users pay in just a tap.
• Google Pay: Fast, secure checkout for Android and web users.
• E-Wallets: Convenient for members in regions where digital wallets are popular.

By supporting multiple payment methods, your community can welcome members from almost anywhere in the world without payment barriers

>>> Explore Some standard Payment Features for Business in phpFox

5. Access all devices

Designed to work seamlessly across all devices, phpFox ensures your community stays connected and engaged, no matter where they are.

• Mobile-First Web App: Our web app is designed for mobile devices and adapts to any screen size.
• Native iOS & Android Apps: Members can get push notifications, join events, and chat instantly.
• Web App: Provide you with a responsive and enjoyable mobile browser experience

Conclusion

To build an online community for beginners, you need the right tools, a clear vision, and engaging features for members to connect. phpFox gives you everything, from customization and security to monetization and mobile access.

Start your free trial today and turn your idea into a thriving, connected community. Explore the possibilities and get started with phpFox today!

Selling is not just about transactions. It’s about building relationships, sharing value, and turning your brand into a community. That’s why setting up an online store for the community is one of the best things you can do in 2025.

Today, customers want to buy from people they trust, brands they relate to, and platforms where they can be more than just buyers. That’s where phpFox is here, a platform designed for selling and connecting to build a digital storefront for your community. This guide will provide valuable information to help you succeed in the competitive online marketplace.

1. Why does Selling Online help you grow a Community Faster?

1.1 Build Your Niche Audience

Selling online is about attracting the right target group, who care about what you offer and want to stick around. Whether you’re a coach, a content creator, or a small business owner, launching your online store for the community allows you to focus on your niche and speak directly to them.

PhpFox offers numerous features to create niche groups, discussion boards, and activity feeds where your followers can interact, not just with your products, but with one another. That’s how a new buyer becomes a community member, and a community member becomes a loyal brand advocate.

1.2 Increase Word of Mouth & Referrals

When your online store is part of a community platform, every customer feels like family as they read real feedback, ask questions, offer support, and invite their friends to join in. It’s a space where trust grows naturally, and that trust fuels word-of-mouth more powerfully than any paid ad.

1.3 SEO, Social Media, and Email Campaigns

That’s where phpFox becomes even more powerful. Built-in blogging, newsletters, and SEO-friendly content modules mean you can rank on search engines, stay connected via email, and keep your audience engaged through social updates—all from the same dashboard. Your online store for the community becomes a content hub where you educate, entertain, and sell all in one go.

2. Best-selling products in an online store for the community

2.1 Handmade & Unique Goods

Custom crafts, personalized gifts, artisanal skincare, home décor—these items thrive in community-based platforms because buyers care about the story behind the product. With phpFox, you can create a profile for your craft shop, tell your story, showcase products with images and video, and receive direct feedback from customers. 

2.2 Dropshipping

Want to start selling without managing inventory? Dropshipping is your go-to model. You handle the storefront and marketing, while suppliers handle logistics and shipping.

Utilize your phpFox platform to create niche interest groups (e.g., eco-friendly living, home fitness, pet lovers), and then sell relevant products through your store. You gain trust and authority by running a space where people come to learn, connect, and shop.

2.3 Print-on-Demand

Perfect for creators, designers, and influencers, print-on-demand lets you like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases without printing or shipping anything yourself. With phpFox, your fans can browse your store, comment on product ideas, and even vote on designs. It’s not just a shop, it’s an interactive merch experience that keeps people involved in every step.

2.4 Digital Products

Digital products are exploding in popularity such as eBooks, templates, coaching programs, music, or premium memberships. The beauty of digital is the scalability that allows for one-time creation, selling forever.

phpFox supports file uploads, member access levels, and gated content, making it ideal for those building a community for your business. Sell a course, run a support forum, and host live webinars, all in one platform.

>>> Explore 4 Digital Products You Can Start Selling Now

3. Building your Online Store  for the community with phpFox

3.1 Create a Marketplace That Feels Like a Community

Instead of cold product listings, phpFox lets you create a vibrant, interactive marketplace. Members can browse stores, follow favorite sellers, and join niche interest groups. The platform is built to foster interaction, which means people spend more time in your community, and that means more sales and stronger loyalty.

Example: Let’s say you run a wellness brand. With phpFox, you can sell your herbal teas and self-care kits, run a yoga discussion forum, and let members share their routines, all in the same place.

3.2 Easy Marketplace Listings

phpFox simplifies the product listing process with built-in marketplace features. Upload product photos, write descriptions, set prices, and organize by categories—no need for third-party integrations or extra plugins.

Everything is designed for ease, even for non-tech users. Want to feature limited-edition items? Highlight trending products? Offer member-only discounts? It’s all possible inside the phpFox ecosystem.

3.3 Monetization Tools in phpFox

Running an online store for the community isn’t just about listing items, that it’s about building a sustainable income stream powered by interaction, engagement, and loyalty. phpFox goes beyond traditional eCommerce by offering multiple built-in monetization models that help you earn in many ways: 

• Paid Memberships: With phpFox, you can create tiered membership levels and charge for access to offer exclusive content or access to premium groups.
• In-Platform Advertising: If your community attracts some steady visitors, in-platform advertising can turn attention into revenue. With phpFox, you can sell ad space in newsfeeds, group pages, and the sidebar.
• Donations and Tips: Let fans support your work directly. 

Affiliate or Referral Programs: Encourage users to bring in more members or buyers. With phpFox, you can create affiliate or referral programs that turn your members into your most effective marketers through store credit, discounts, cash commissions, early access to products or content.

This flexibility makes phpFox perfect for creators, coaches, and niche entrepreneurs looking to diversify their income.

3.4 Customize Online Store  for the community

No cookie-cutter templates here. phpFox allows full customization, so your brand shines across every page.

• Add your logo and colors.
• Customize layouts and landing pages.
• Use banners, featured sliders, and widgets.
• Integrate with your domain.

Whether you’re launching a lifestyle brand, a course community, or a niche marketplace, phpFox gives you full control over the look and feel.

4. Step-by-Step Starter Plan for Launching an Online Store 

You’re just 30 days away from launching a powerful online store for the community, where your brand connects, sells, and grows. Launching a successful online store for the community doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In fact, with the right platform and a clear plan, you can build a thriving social commerce hub in just one month. Here are the week-by-week steps to get you started.

4.1. Define Your Niche & Product Line

Your first step focuses on taking time this week to define who your community is and what you want to sell.

To-do List:

• Identify your niche (e.g., wellness, parenting, gaming, art, local crafts).
• Define your ideal audience: Who are they? What are their problems? What do they value?
• Decide on your initial product lineup: physical goods, digital downloads, or services?
• Define your ideal audience: Who are they? What are their problems? What do they value?
• Choose a store name and branding direction (color palette, tone of voice).

4.2. Set Up Your phpFox Marketplace

Now, it’s time to build the digital space where your community will live and shop. phpFox makes setup easy with built-in marketplace and social networking features.

To-do List:

• Create your phpFox site (use a trial or demo if needed).
• Add your branding: logo, color scheme, homepage design.
• Set up your marketplace module: categories, payment settings, shipping info (if physical products).
• Add your first product listings: include compelling images, pricing, and descriptions.
• Test your checkout process to ensure it runs smoothly.

4.3. Build Your Community & Promote

With your store in place, it’s time to bring people in and keep them engaged.

To-do List:

• Create social groups or forums related to your niche.
• Start a content plan: post blogs, tips, and behind-the-scenes updates.
• Invite your first members: friends, followers, or beta testers.
• Promote your store on social media, newsletters, or niche forums.
• Encourage members to comment, like, or share your product listings.

4.4. Launch Campaign and Track Sales

To-do List:

• Plan and run a launch campaign: email your list, post across platforms, and pin announcements inside your phpFox community.
• Offer a launch-only incentive: limited-time discount, bonus gift, or exclusive access.
• Track sales, signups, and user activity using phpFox’s admin dashboard.
• Collect feedback from your first buyers and improve listings or user flow as needed.
• Highlight early success stories or testimonials to build trust.

Conclusion 

In 2025, the online stores won’t be the ones with the most products; they’ll be the ones that build the strongest communities. That’s why many small business creators, coaches choose an online store for the community where people don’t just shop, but connect, share, and belong.

phpFox gives you the tools to launch, grow, and monetize, all in one powerful platform. Whether you’re selling digital downloads, handmade goods, or drop-shipped products, phpFox helps you build a brand that thrives through connection. Explore the possibilities and get started with phpFox today!

We’re excited to roll out phpFox 5.1.18, the latest version packed with new app, essential enhancements, and bug fixes, that bring more stability and smoother experiences to your phpFox platform. At phpFox, we’re committed to evolving alongside our clients—and this release is another step forward in helping you deliver a faster, more seamless, and user-friendly community.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s new.

1. New App

Tour Guide (new app)

Excited to show off your platform? So are we! The Tour Guide app is here to help you create engaging, interactive walkthroughs that guide your users through the heart of your community. Whether they’re brand new or exploring fresh features, Tour Guide makes every step feel intuitive and exciting. It’s easy to set up, fun to use, and a powerful way to turn first-time visitors into confident, happy members. Let’s show them around!

Highlighted Features

• Site administrators can create a unique tour guide for each page and add multiple steps to guide users through specific elements or workflows. 
• Users can experience the tour guide step-by-step on the selected page.
• Users can repeat the tour, go back to a previous step, refresh the guide, move forward, or end it at any time.
• The tour guide is automatically disabled once the user finishes it, ensuring a clean and unobtrusive experience.

2. Core Updates

Admin CP

Members Management

• Admins can now export user data to a CSV file directly from the AdminCP.
  
• Super Administrators can designate other users as Super Administrators
• Member Settings: Add a new setting to control token lifetime.

Registration Settings

• Admins can assign multiple users as ‘On Signup New Friends’—a great way to boost engagement from the first login.
  
• “Send Welcome Email” setting has been removed. Welcome emails are now managed via:
  AdminCP > App Settings > Notifications > Types > App Name (User)
  

Global & Visual Settings

• You can now configure a custom logo for emails, adding a consistent brand touch to every message.
  

Reports & Notifications

• Admins can now choose who receives notifications for new user reports—ensuring issues are seen and handled quickly
  

Localization Enhancements

• Admins can now set the default country and language to streamline onboarding for users in specific regions.
  

Staff Permissions

• Fine-grained AdminCP access control now available—manage what your staff can see and do with new permission settings.
  

Storage Settings

• Storage configurations can now be removed even if they contain uploaded files, giving admins more control over storage cleanup.
  

Ban Filters & Validation

• A new “Active” column has been added to all ban filter pages (Email, IP Address, Word).
  
• System now validates email format before adding it to the banned list.
  
• Regex rules are now checked for correct formatting before being accepted.
  

UI/UX Improvements

We’ve made several refinements across both the web and mobile app to enhance the overall user experience—from cleaner layouts to better responsiveness and smoother interactions

Frontend Web Enhancements

• Improved usability on the Dashboard: the member item viewer no longer appears when hovering over a member’s name.
  
• User info updates now reflect instantly after editing—no need to refresh!
  
• On mobile view: Notification badge count is now hidden after opening the notification popup, keeping the interface clean.
  

• Global Search View: Removed repetitive titles when viewing type details for a more streamlined experience.
  
• You can now change the language directly from the Registration page, improving accessibility for new users worldwide.
• Enhanced color border contrast for better visibility and accessibility.
  

Mobile App Enhancements

• In the Composer Feed, the URL Video button is now hidden when posting in Events, User Profiles, Groups, and Pages—making the interface cleaner where it’s not needed.
  
• Date of Birth field now behaves more intuitively when selecting data, improving the overall registration flow.
  

3. App Update

Invitations 

New Permissions & Features

• Set Invitation Permissions: Admins can now define exactly who’s allowed to invite others to the platform.
  
• Refresh Invite Code: A handy new feature that allows users to refresh their invite codes as needed.
  
• Manage Invite Codes: Easily track and manage all invite codes in one place.
  
• Smart Cleanup: If the inviter’s account is deleted, their invite code is automatically deactivated—keeping your system clean and secure.
  

AdminCP UI/UX Improvements

• Smarter Layouts:
  
  • Repositioned the Search button for easier access.
    
  • Added mass delete actions and sortable columns to the Manage Invitations page.
    
  • Enhanced checkbox UI for better usability when resending multiple invites.
    
• Improved Messaging: Invitation content now displays more clearly—even if no personal message was added.
  
• Bug fixes

E-wallet

New Permissions & Features

• Adjust User Balance: Admins can now manually adjust a user’s wallet balance directly from the AdminCP—perfect for corrections or bonus credits.
  

Frontend UX Enhancements

• Smarter Navigation: After submitting a withdrawal request, users are now redirected straight to the Withdrawal Requests page—no more guesswork.
  
• Bug fixes

Marketplace

UI/UX Improvements

• Improved how pending invoices are handled when a listing expires or the price changes.
  
• The “Repayment” option has been renamed to “Pay Now” for clearer user understanding.
  
• The Pay Now button is now visible directly on listings that require it.
• Added more status filter options in the search form, making it easier to manage listings at scale.
  
• Map UX Fix: Clicking on a listing title in the map view no longer triggers an annoying zoom-in.
• Bug fixes

Activity Points

UI/UX Improvements:

• On the Package Transaction Page:
  
  • Added a “Pay Now” option for pending transactions, allowing users to pay again.
    
  • Remade the “ID” column to “Transaction ID” for better clarity.
    
• Admin/Users: Now you can order data by columns for easier management and review.
  
• AdminCP:
  
  • Added a Payment Method column and filter, allowing admins to manage package transactions by payment method.
    
• Bug fixes

Other minor improvements and bug fixes for:

• Chat Plus
• Forum
• Photo
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In the fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to captivate their audience. One powerful tool that has emerged as a game-changer is the integration of story features across various platforms. Stories have already proven to be such an incredible tool that offers businesses a unique opportunity to connect, engage, and elevate their brand presence.

Here are five strategic ways to harness the power of story features and take your business to new heights:

1. Fostering Authentic Connections

In the era of authenticity, story features provide a genuine and human touch to your brand. Use this platform to showcase the behind-the-scenes moments, the faces behind your business, and the authentic stories that make your brand unique. Authenticity fosters trust, and trust is the cornerstone of long-lasting customer relationships.

2. Showcasing Product Journeys

Turn your products or services into compelling narratives. Take your audience on a journey, from conception to creation. Share the stories behind your products, the craftsmanship involved, and the impact they have on your customers. This approach transforms your offerings from mere transactions into experiences worth investing in.

3. Interactive Engagement

Leverage the interactive features of story platforms to engage your audience actively. Polls, quizzes, questions – these tools turn passive viewers into active participants. By involving your audience in decision-making or seeking their opinions, you not only boost engagement but also make them feel like valued contributors to your brand’s narrative.

4. User-Generated Content Amplification

Encourage your community to contribute to the narrative. Showcase user-generated content that aligns with your brand. Whether it’s testimonials, creative use of your products, or real-life experiences shared by your customers, featuring user-generated content amplifies the authenticity of your brand story and fosters a sense of community.

5. Real-Time Updates and Exclusive Content

Utilize the ephemeral nature of story features for real-time updates and exclusive content. Announce limited-time offers, flash sales, or exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. The urgency created by the temporary nature of stories compels your audience to act promptly, driving traffic and conversions.

Conclusion

Incorporating story features into your business strategy is not just a trend; it’s a strategic move toward creating a more immersive and engaging brand experience. By fostering authentic connections, showcasing product journeys, encouraging interactive engagement, amplifying user-generated content, and providing real-time updates, your business can leverage the power of stories to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Elevate your business by embracing the art of storytelling, and watch as your brand becomes an integral part of the narrative in the digital landscape.

Contact us for more information about our product and its offering if you are interested in our services and products.

How to make a website like twitter

In the fast-paced world of social networking, Twitter has emerged as a dominant player, captivating millions of users worldwide. If you’re looking to create a website or app similar to Twitter, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key steps and considerations for building a successful social network platform or online community like Twitter. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving online presence that attracts users and drives customer engagement. From conceptualization to execution, learn how to make a website like Twitter and embark on a journey toward establishing your own thriving online community.

Define Your Target Audience

Before delving into the exciting process of crafting your own Twitter-like app, take the time to research and analyze your intended user base. Understanding their demographics, interests, and behaviors will lay the foundation for creating a compelling and successful app like Twitter. So, dive deep into understanding your audience and gather valuable insights on how to make an app like Twitter. By doing so, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to tailor your platform to meet their specific needs, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction. Remember, a thorough understanding of your target audience is key to building a remarkable app like Twitter.

Choose the Right Technology Stack

When embarking on the journey to create a website like Twitter, selecting the right technology stack is crucial. To ensure a robust platform, opt for a scalable framework that facilitates real-time updates, smooth user interactions, and efficient data management. Discover how to make a website like Twitter with the perfect technology stack by considering popular choices like Python, PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Node.js for the backend, coupled with React or Angular for the frontend. By leveraging these technologies, you’ll be equipped to build a responsive and dynamic social networking website akin to Twitter. So, explore these options and make informed decisions to create a powerful and engaging platform.

Focus on User Experience

Discover how to make a website like Twitter with a seamless interface and engaging features that resonates with users, focus on designing a user-friendly interface and providing an intuitive experience. Emphasize simplicity, easy navigation, and visually appealing aesthetics. Incorporate features like personalized timelines, hashtags, and user mentions to foster engagement and promote conversations. Additionally, prioritize optimizing your website or app for mobile devices, as a growing number of users access social media platforms through smartphones and tablets. By considering these aspects, you can craft a website or app that captures the essence of Twitter’s success and offers a delightful user experience. Implement Robust Security Measures (100 words):

When developing an app like Twitter, prioritizing security is paramount. Safeguard user data and maintain privacy by implementing robust security measures. Utilize industry-standard encryption protocols, enforce stringent password policies, and regularly update your software to mitigate potential vulnerabilities. Enhance security further by incorporating authentication mechanisms like two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection to user accounts. By focusing on security from the outset, you can instill trust in your users and create a safe environment for their interactions. Learn how to make an app like Twitter while prioritizing user data security and privacy.

Leverage Social Sharing and Integration

When crafting how to make a website like Twitter that thrives on seamless social sharing and broad user integration, it’s crucial to foster user engagement and expand your platform’s reach. One effective way to achieve this is by integrating social sharing functionalities. Empower users to effortlessly share posts, media, and updates on popular social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram. By enabling seamless sharing, you not only enhance user experience but also increase the visibility and exposure of your platform.

Furthermore, consider providing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to facilitate third-party integration. This enables users to sign into your website or app using their existing social media accounts. By offering this feature, you simplify the onboarding process and eliminate the need for users to create new accounts from scratch. It also helps in leveraging the existing user bases of established social media platforms, potentially attracting a broader audience to your website like Twitter.

Security

Security should be a top priority as well. Implement robust security measures to protect user data and maintain trust within your community. Additionally, leverage social sharing and integration features to allow users to connect their accounts and share content effortlessly.

Selecting the appropriate technology stack is another key aspect. Consider using frameworks and programming languages that offer scalability and flexibility. Prioritizing user experience is paramount-ensuring a seamless and intuitive interface will engage users and keep them coming back.

By following these guidelines and incorporating the keyword “how to make an app like Twitter” into your research and development process, you’ll be on your way to creating a successful social network platform or online community.

If you’re wondering how to make an app like Twitter, you’ve come to the right place. At phpFox, we specialize in developing cutting-edge social networking solutions tailored to your unique requirements. Our team of experts possesses the skills and expertise necessary to bring your vision to life. Experience our platform through our trial and witness firsthand how it can empower your users to connect, engage, and thrive. Contact us today to explore the possibilities and take the first step toward building your own thriving online community.

In today’s digital landscape, online communities have become an integral part of our social fabric. This article will cover some tips regarding how to create a website like Facebook to power your online community. If you’re looking to build your own social network website or online community platform, this blog will guide you through the essential steps to create a thriving online community. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to leverage our product to establish a successful social network platform.

Understanding the foundation of how to create a website like facebook

In today’s digital age, the demand for online community platforms has skyrocketed. If you’re looking at how to create a website like Facebook, it’s crucial to understand the foundation of successful social network platforms. This article explores the key features and functionalities of a thriving social network builder and analyzes the importance of incorporating social media features to achieve a platform similar to Facebook

Understanding the Difference:

Before diving into the evaluation process, it’s important to note that online community platforms differ significantly from traditional forum solutions. While forums primarily facilitate discussion, a comprehensive community builder encompasses a wide range of features. These can include live streaming, chat, emojis, blogs, events, groups, polls, activity feeds, video and music integration, friend and member management, and more.

Let’s delve into the benefits of integrating some features into your online community platform.

Live Streaming: Enhancing Real-Time Interactions

One of the defining aspects of platforms like Facebook is the ability to facilitate live streaming. By integrating this feature into your online community platform, you enable users to engage in real-time interactions, fostering a sense of connection and immediacy.

ChatPlus and Emoji: Promoting Seamless Communication

Communication lies at the heart of any successful social network. Incorporating ChatPlus and a diverse range of emojis into your platform encourages seamless and expressive communication among users, enhancing engagement and interaction levels.

Events and Groups: Facilitating Community Engagement

Creating an environment where users can organize events and form groups based on shared interests fosters community engagement. These features enable users to connect with like-minded individuals, promote collaboration, and strengthen the sense of belonging within your platform.

Planning Your Online Community Platform when you know how to create a website like Facebook

Conducting market research to identify your target audience and niche.

Defining your platform’s unique selling propositions (USPs) to differentiate it from existing social network websites.

Creating a comprehensive development plan and timeline for your project.

Discussing the importance of scalability, security, and user experience in building a successful platform.

Choosing the Right Online Community Builder

When it comes to building an online community platform or how to make a website like facebook, it’s crucial to assess your requirements and understand what a community builder should offer. In this article, we will explore various online community builder options available in the market, with a focus on finding the perfect platform to create a Facebook-like experience. Along the way, we’ll delve into the key features and customization capabilities you should consider.

Evaluating different online community builder options available in the market. how to create a website like facebook your needs, you must understand what a community builder is supposed to do and assess your requirements. First, online community platforms are very different from traditional forum solutions. You should look for a platform that offers ease of use and customization capabilities.

The Importance of Ease of Use and Customization:

To create a successful Facebook-like platform, finding a community builder that offers both ease of use and robust customization capabilities is essential. This combination empowers you to shape your platform according to your unique vision and meet the needs of your target audience effectively.

Designing Your Online Community Platform

Designing an online community platform is crucial for its success. An intuitive and visually appealing design can make a huge difference in user engagement and retention. You should aim to create a user-friendly navigation and interface that is easy to use and understand. You can also provide tips on creating engaging profiles, activity feeds, and content layouts.

To build user engagement and growth strategies, you can outline effective strategies for attracting and retaining users. You can explore methods to encourage user-generated content and participation. You can also discuss the importance of gamification, rewards, and incentives to foster engagement. In optimizing your platform, it is crucial to leverage analytics and gather user feedback. This data-driven approach is essential when you know how to make a website like Facebook

Monetizing Your Online Community Platform

Monetizing your online community platform is an important aspect of its success. You can explore various monetization models such as advertising, premium memberships, and sponsored content. It is important to balance monetization with user experience. You can provide tips on creating revenue streams without compromising community engagement.

So, you know how to create a website like Facebook that requires careful planning, a robust feature set, and a user-centered approach. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can create a successful online community platform that drives user engagement and offers a unique user experience. Our product, phpFox online community builder, provides the ideal solution, enabling you to effortlessly bring your vision to life. Start building your thriving online community today!

A community manager is a key role in any social media team and is responsible for building the relationship between the brand and its audience. Learn everything you need to know about the role of a community manager.

RELATED: 12 Proven Community Engagement Tactics You Can Steal

Who is a Community Manager?

It has been discovered that 76% of internet users participate in an online community. Data cannot lie. People love being part of a community where everyone shares similar passions. (And that community could be yours too!). But managing communities is not child’s play. That’s where a community manager comes in.

Community managers are the middle person who is responsible for building strong relationships between a brand and its customers, both online and offline. They are the voice of the brand and moderate and grow the community by supporting, and engaging with customers. Eventually, their goal is to turn customers into loyal fans by offering them immense value, and an inclusive space to foster relationships.

What Does a Community Manager Do?

The role of a community manager is to act as the bridge between a brand and the community it is aiming to create (i.e. a group of core consumers or audience with the same interests).

They should be the brand’s ambassadors, engaging with potential customers and building relationships with existing ones. They are also focused on gauging sentiment around the brand, using social listening tools in order to monitor feedback and engagement.

Key Responsibilities of a Community Manager

While there could be a bit of variance in the roles and responsibilities of a community manager depending on the industry—here’s what it generally covers:

• Ideate, and implement community-focused campaigns and strategies
• Create snackable and engaging content like daily/weekly product updates, short videos, group discussion topics, or other types of content as required
• Respond to customers and be valuable, all in friendly and a timely manner
• Monitor and track metrics and report them on feedback and online reviews
• Boost brand awareness by organizing and managing events and webinars
• Liaise and coordinate with other departments like marketing teams, communications teams, customer support teams, sales teams, development teams, and content teams
• Build relationships with industry experts and invite them to collaborate
• Stay up-to-date with digital technology trends and explore innovative ways to engage the community
• Lays down strict community guidelines to promote an inclusive and safe space
• Plans and executes community-engaging like giveaways or contests

Community Manager vs. Social Media Manager

You might be wondering: Isn’t it exactly the same as what a social media manager does? Well, of course not. While there are some similarities, there is a clear difference.

Indeed, several duties overlap between a “Social Media Manager” and a “Community Manager”. But the role of a community manager doesn’t revolve around acting as the brand and promoting its products on social media. It is much broader because their specialty lies in understanding the community as a whole.

A social media manager is the person who creates a social media strategy for all channels.

They post directly from the brand’s account and are responsible for organizing and managing budgets, plans, and the brand’s voice and tone for replying and engaging with the audience.

The community manager is the person who actually implements those plans.

They take the directions set by the social manager and then manage the communications and interactions afterward.

Community managers often post from their own accounts, not the brand’s, which allows them some more freedom to choose how they interact with followers and gives some leeway on the type of content they create.

It means that community managers are often seen as advocates rather than just strategists for the brand’s social media content.

Qualities of a Good Community Manager 

Building strong relationships lies at the helm of community building. In order to successfully take on this role, one needs to focus on various skills and qualities. These are a few of those skills that a qualified community manager should be capable of:

• Passionate and dedicated. First, community managers need to have an inherent passion for communities. Their role is to create a lively space where the members can foster genuine relationships, and interact in a hassle-free manner. Passion for people is requisite because only then you can make sure that each person involved has a positive experience with your brand.
• Be the go-to person for the community members. Gone are the days when 1:1 communication between brands and their customers was a rarity. Today that happens every day. A community manager needs to establish a rapport of being the go-to person for queries, or any help in general. That can be built by offering value.
• Great communication skills. Community managers are a brand’s ambassadors. Anything they say directly affects the brand’s reputation. So strong communication skill is required. More importantly, they should be able to empathize with the audience. They must be good at delivering information, creating engaging content, and having the know-how to deal with any conflict or crisis that may occur.
• Data-driven decision-making. Undoubtedly, a community-center brand still needs to boost revenue, and a community manager needs to possess make decisive actions.
• Adaptability. There’s an obvious fact about social media: It changes almost every day. Thus, businesses have to catch up with the latest news and trends quickly. Anyone working in a role in social media needs to be able to adapt to changes both with the brand directly and with general cultural and societal changes.

?Pro Tip: Being a community manager is more than just being the face of the brand. You need to spend time interacting and posting thoughtful replies to proper topics. You should also try to share informative articles or useful tools with your community when you come across them.

A community manager is essential to growing communities!

A community manager is a key role in building long-lasting relationships between the community and the brand.

Also, a community manager needs to be highly skilled in communication, necessary tools, and relationship building.

When a community manager excels in their job, your brand will have a better online reputation, more brand mentions, and more engagement. That will lead to more chances for sales, for sure!

?Looking to build a social network site to engage with your audience? Build one with phpFox!

Currently, we’re opening Pre-Order for phpFox version 5 (Metafox) – our most anticipated release of 2022. If you’re interested in phpFox social network software, you can pre-order our next version phpFox version 5 (Metafox) to get exclusive pricing for Early Birds. The program will end after Oct 27, 2022, so don’t sleep on this chance! 

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Generally speaking, online communities bring together networks of customers, experts and partners to connect, share expertise and create conversation and collaboration, in an owned online space.

If you want to learn more about the many types of virtual communities and which ones are right for your business, you’ve come to the right place. One size does not fit all. Working with an innovative community provider allows you to tailor an online community to your brand. Here are the most important community formats you can consider to grow your business.

RELATED: Tips to Build a Great Online Community

In This Article:

1. Different Types of Online Communities
2. Top 7 Types of Online Communities
3. Are you looking to build your online communities?

Different types of online communities

Most online communities are centered on bringing people together around a common interest, cause, or goal. Members connect, engage, and share their knowledge with each other. The difference is in the central focus of the community.

The many types of online communities you can find online are thanks to the wide range of interests, professions, and habits of people all over the world. Each one is tailored to the needs of its members, and that means lots of variety!

When it comes to the different types of communities, it’s important to take note that a community can be categorized as more than one type. There are no set rules differentiating the types of online communities and often the lines are blurred between them.

For instance, as a course creator, you might set up a learning community that doubles as a brand community. As your online community grows and becomes more established, it will probably also take on the form of a social community.

To get a better idea of what those types of online communities are, let’s take a look at the top 7 types of online communities.

Top 7 Types of Online Communities

Given the many different types of online communities, we’ve broken them down into a list of the most common and most influential ones. Here are 7 of the main types of online communities you can take a look at:

Brand Communities

One of the most common types of online communities is brand community.

As in its name, brand communities are built around one brand or business. This means there’s a huge amount of variety in brand communities. Brand communities focus on fostering an emotional connection between community members and a specific brand.

This type of online community aims to bring together individuals as a tribe, centered on a shared identity that’s built around the brand. In the community space, members can interact with their favorite brands and brand lovers. This type of online community is designed to generate brand loyalty by gathering all the most enthusiastic customers in one space.

Key characteristics of this type of online community:

• Brand communities are meant to be fun. At their heart, they’re about celebrating a brand and everything that customers love about it.
• Brand communities are usually characterized by lots of user-generated content and the community engagement strategy is usually centered on encouraging this type of content.
• It’s usual to see community engagement ideas like giveaways, competitions, and surveys in this type of online community.

For businesses and organizations, brand communities can be a huge asset for generating leads and fostering loyal relationships. When done right, this type of online community can be a powerful tool for accelerating your business.

Learning Communities

There are many different types of online communities built around learning and knowledge sharing. Learning communities are designed to bring together learners and students into one collaborative space.

Learning communities give learners the chance to ask questions, discuss ideas and concepts and receive feedback from their peers. They’re not just a space for furthering students’ knowledge, they can also be an important source of emotional support during the learning process. A great example of a learning community is HelloTalk. This application lets you chat with language partners via text or voice messages easily.

Key characteristics of the learning community:

• Learning communities share similar goals for increasing knowledge around a certain topic.
• They are largely focused on asking and answering questions, setting them apart from other types of online communities.
• Learning communities allow learners to collaborate on learning material, including sharing resources and discussing problems and challenges.

Of the many types of online communities, this is the one that’s probably most relevant to course creators. Learning communities are a great starting point from which to grow a brand community and membership community too.

Interest Communities

Such kind of online communities is focused on a specific interest, hobby, or passion. They can be immensely fun and thus you should ensure that the content is engaging for members to interact.

One of the best examples of this type of community is Strava. Strava is a fitness app tailored for runners and cyclists. It allows you to record your activities on your feed and connect with others.

Interest communities are also suitable for hosting offline events or private meet-ups. As community admins, you can encourage members in nearby locations to get together or host offline events with lots of exciting activities.

Networking Communities

As the name suggests, networking communities are all about networking! Unlike other types of online communities, networking communities are solely focused on helping members find new opportunities for increasing their network.

This type of online community is built around a certain industry or profession. At the same time, there are also networking communities that aren’t professional at all. For instance, communities of support and communities of circumstance can also be classed as networking communities.

Key characteristics of this type of online community:

• Networking communities are often discussion-based with users posting questions for advice or support and topics for debate.
• Networking communities offer members the chance to find solutions to common problems and issues that they’re facing in the chosen topic.
• Compared to other types of online communities, networking communities are often more formal than spaces like fan communities or brand communities.

While networking communities are classified as stand-alone types of online communities, other types of online communities can include networking activities too. Other communities often double up as networking communities and you’ll probably find that your online community incorporates traits of a networking community.

Social Communities

Among the various types of online communities, social communities are arguably the most common and easiest to recognize. Social communities are exactly that – communities based on building social connections.

In social communities, people gather to chat, share stories and interact. Brands can leverage social communities for marketing objectives, especially in increasing brand awareness. Unlike other types of online communities, they’re not spaces for endless advertising and promotions. Social communities are about sharing insights and making connections rather than commercial acts.

Key characteristics of this type of online community:

• Social communities vary hugely in size, ranging from just a small, private group of friends to massive communities.
• You can think of social communities like a virtual house party – it’s a group of people coming together to spend time together and start discussions.
• You can find social communities on every social media platform, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Often other communities incorporate elements of social communities and vice versa. In fact, borrowing ideas from social communities are a great way to make your community more fun and engaging.

Fan Communities

The growth of online communities has made it possible for a very specific type of community to take off – fan community.

Fan communities are based on a shared interest like a movie, sports, or artist. Fan communities focus on making social connections but they’re really centered around one interest.

While some types of online communities are closed and private, fan communities are usually open to all. All you need is to love that thing a lot! If you’re a fan, you can join a fan community. Social media site Reddit hosts many fan communities such as the community for Game of Thrones, with 3.1 million members.

Some creators have begun utilizing fan communities as a way to generate income and grow their personal brand.

Key characteristics of this type of online community:

• Fan communities are started by fans or creators to build a community around a shared passion.
• Interactions in this type of online community are almost everything around that mutual interest or passion.
• Fan communities often involve specific types of user-generated content like fanfic, art, videos, and more that aren’t typically seen in other types of online communities.

Not all brands are suited to the creation of fan communities, but if you’re a creator or artist, fan communities can be a great tool for building brand loyalty and brand awareness.

Support Communities

With this type of community, the goal is to create a peer-to-peer network to offer technical and strategic support.

These groups are helpful in troubleshooting technical issues, in which software developers and other builders need to navigate complex creative challenges. In peer-to-peer communities, users would discuss together on technical or strategic questions before they contact your customer support team. Below is the support community for phpFox’s customers.

This type of workflow can help your support team more time and energy, connect customers and create frequent discussions within your community.

Are you looking to build your online community?

Now you know the top 7 types of online communities, you may refer to this list to pick a type of community that is best fit for you.

If you are interested in getting professional and in-depth advice on building online communities effectively, phpFox is right here for you. It is a feature-rich platform for building online communities of any niche with tons of advanced features like ChatPlus, Live Streaming, etc.

To start creating your own online community from scratch, get in touch with us now!

UP NEXT

• Best Brand Community and What Done Right

• Key factors of a successful online community

• Live Streaming benefits for business

Want to boost community engagement? Be more engaging.

We are frequently asked how to make the online experience more compelling, and more engaging. Here are 12 proven techniques that will work for community engagement. Not all are applicable to all types of Communities. You will get a sense of what will work and what won’t with your given audience. Pick two or three to start with and experiment. Then add a few more. Please leave us a comment below to tell us which ones you picked.

Importance of Community Engagement

Online community engagement helps you strengthen your relationships with your audience. It also allows you to build customer loyalty. By helping your customers when they’re in need, building a relationship with them, and offering a one-of-a-kind customer experience, you’ll be able to increase your customer loyalty. Customers will trust your brand because you’ve answered their questions. They’ll fall in love with your brand because you’ve joked around with them, expressed your gratitude, and resolved their issues.

You may also boost your sales through community engagement. By being active and responding to community posts, members will feel confident making a purchase through your store. Even if there are negative comments on your site, if you respond positively and resolve the issue, you’ll still grow your sales. You can also grow your sales by recommending certain products when asked. Avoid making every reply about your products. The sales will come naturally.

We can listen to our customers more personally through optimized community engagement posts. In other words, the more engaged your audience, the more loyalty you’ll build for your brand.

12 proven community engagement tactics you can steal

1. Post content worth engaging with

If you want to increase community engagement, you need to create content that people can engage with. It could be a poll, a video people can relate to, a meme that makes people laugh, or a product photo that encourages someone to tag their buddies. Choose to post content that will receive a positive reaction from people. Is your post about something beautiful, inspiring, funny, or relatable? Post content that’ll drive emotional feelings from people.

2. Host live events and webinars

Live webinars are paramount to attracting more followers and boosting community engagement. The first thing you should consider before starting a live webinar is your target audience. The vital factor is choosing a topic of interest for your followers to make sure you increase community engagement. Keep in mind that your content should cater to all tastes.

A live webinar should make users curious and want to interact with your content. Keep the content light, friendly and exciting to draw your followers’ attention.

Being the host of a live webinar helps you learn about your community’s concerns, questions, and uncertainties regarding your brand.

When you go live, you can host around any subject. Whether it’s a new product release, a tour of your company, or a Q&A, you create an opportunity for your audience to connect with you directly and learn more about your business.

Bonus tip to increase social media engagement: Advertise before you go live!

?If you want to step into Live Streaming and make it your powerful communication tip with community members, check out phpFox Live Streaming solution!

3. Boost engagement with contests and giveaways

People love free stuff, and if they have something to gain from engaging with your content, they’re going to do it.

Offering your audience something in return for commenting or sharing your content or becoming a follower is a great way to reward and acknowledge engagement.

People, in general, are more than happy to get involved with a brand if it means they will get something from the business. That could be a freebie, discount code, or perhaps a cheaper membership, the choice is yours. Running a simple contest that gets users engaging with your brand is a great way to attract more customers and raise brand awareness.

Top Tip: Try to make your contest as fair as possible when generating a winner. If you have to choose, using a random selection tool is a great way to give all of your users a fair chance of being picked for the prize.

4. Host Question & Answer Sessions

Handing out nuggets of gold to customers is as easy as giving them useful information and answering their queries. Joining Q&A answer sessions is a great way to provide users with value and gets you seen as a helpful brand. If you can offer relevant answers to customer queries and spark discussion with your prospective customers, all before your competitors, you will become the go-to seller.

With consumers becoming more impatient and wanting answers to their queries almost immediately, having a dedicated customer response team is perfect for catering to those needs.

Asking a relevant but fun question is a great way to get your customers to leave a comment on your post. For example, you can create a post that compares two different dresses and ask ‘Which would you rather wear on date night?’ This allows you to incorporate your product into the question while still being playful with your audience.

5. Create Polls & Surveys

Another good practice for creating engaging posts is through polls and surveys. Social polls and surveys are super simple for obtaining that needed community feedback quickly.

Best Practice: Post your poll or survey at the optimal times that your target audience tends to be active.

The data obtained from polls and surveys are great for future marketing material. Airbnb created a poll to learn what it is customers see as a need for their short breaks and escapes. The results show that users prefer mountain views the most with outdoor hot tubs coming in a close second.

From this information, Airbnb can tailor their future holiday deals around properties that include these features to try and improve conversions and sales. Although this particular poll is pretty generic, it seems targeted to get customers interacting with the brand by voting, rather than trying to obtain useful data for future marketing campaigns. If you can use your poll to do both at the same time, even better!

6. Start a debate

As a matter of fact, debates drive some of the most quality conversations you’ll see in a community. They can also create some conflict, which is sometimes necessary for communities. When there’s conflict, and people disagree but work through it and find common ground, their relationships grow stronger. They will feel safer in the community knowing that they can express their opinion without being attacked. But make sure you have clear rules and guidelines in your community, and that you moderate consistently to prevent and remove attacks and abuse.

7. Reply to your audience

Replying to your audience is one of the easiest ways to improve community engagement, but companies often overlook it. Many businesses will post content and leave it at that. This action is a mistake — you want to comment back to your followers and engage them in conversation.

It takes two to have a conversation, so you must spend the time conversing with your audience. If people comment on your content, comment back. Engage in conversation and start a dialogue with your brand.

If you post content on your profile, monitor the comments, and take time to comment back.

Even if someone leaves a comment like “This is awesome,” you can reply and say, “Thanks, we love it too!” Having conversations with your audience is one of the most effective social media engagement strategies because it encourages them to keep engaging with your business. You motivate them to comment on future posts and connect with your company in the future.

Bonus tip to increase social media engagement: Use the person’s name when you respond to their comments.

It helps them feel more connected to your business because you’re addressing them personally. Chewy is a great example of addressing the person’s comments while using their name.

8. Encourage readers to Comment, Like, and Share 

There’s a proven tip that when you create a post, always add a call to action at the end of it. You can informally ask your community members to like, comment, and share with their friends. People are much more likely to share a post if you ask them to.

9. Use Emojis in posts

According to OPUSFidelis, using emoticons can increase your community engagement. Each emoticon can increase engagement by a remarkable amount. A smiley face can boost interaction by 25% whereas a grimacing emoticon can increase engagement by 138%. Those who use emoticons in posts tend to see an increase in likes, comments, and shares.

10. Stay on top of the trends

Have you noticed how everybody’s using Instagram’s Reel or Facebook Reel as soon as the feature rolled out?

Staying on top of the trends is a key factor that will determine a brand’s success in audience engagement.

Of course, this doesn’t mean every movement, challenge or feature is right or relevant for every brand or industry. However, your audience is likely to resonate better with content that’s aligned with the current trends.

Staying on top of the trends will not only offer your content a fresher vibe, which will lead to your desired community engagement increase, but it will also help you gain more inspiration for future post creation. Isn’t it interesting?

11. Ask for feedback on how to make the community better

Asking for feedback is a way to get new ideas, but it’s also a great engagement tactic. Members love to be involved in brainstorms and discussions. This will make them feel heard, and important and make them more invested in the success of the community since now they’ve been part of the development process.

Try to be clear when asking for feedback. Don’t just ask how to make your community better. You might say, “What can we do to increase the level of activity in this community?” or “What kind of event would you love to attend for the community?”

12. Host in-person events and empower your members to organize

If you’re hosting an online community and haven’t created opportunities for your members to get together in real life, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. Connecting with people in person will allow them to forge stronger relationships, which will bring more energy and engagement back into your online community. This one might seem obvious, but too many people forget about it.

Don’t have the time and resources to host an event? Ask your members to organize a small get-together in their local city. Doesn’t have to be fancy. It can just be coffee, brunch, or a happy hour.

Let’s wrap up!

And there you have it – the big list of our favorite online community engagement tactics. Try each of these activities and see which ones generate the most activity in your community.

Once you find your favorites (and your community members’ favorites!), repeat them. This helps you create a habit of engagement in your members.

The best way to achieve all of your community engagement objectives and build the perfect engagement strategy is to have a deep understanding of your audience.

Collect different information about them, do some research, ask questions, and be sure to listen!

For more ideas around online community engagement platform, visit our blog, where you’ll find practical tips and strategic guidance.

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