In marketing online||Build a Community Online||

Over 93% of Internet users take part in some type of online community. 

But just why are online communities such a draw for so many people? 

 Online communities are much like a virtual café, bar, or other

gathering place for people to get together with people with similar

interests.

 Online communities are a great place to learn something new.

 Online communities are where people can be anonymous and share

their problems and fears.

 Online communities allow people to talk with people of the same

mind so that they can confirm their beliefs.

 Online communities allow people who are facing a hardship to feel

less lonely.

Online Community Defined: An online community can be accessed

anywhere at any time. Some of the components of an online community

include chatrooms, message boards, newsletters, event calendars, and

anything else that lets an Internet user interact with others who are

online.

Why should you be concerned about online communities for your online

marketing strategy? Customers who take part in an online community

are a good target for your sales because they have a high affinity for

loyalty to your product when they are participating in an online

community. When you have a strong and solid online customer

community you know that you’ve built a loyal following for your

company and the products or services you sell. Your loyal customers will spread news of your company through word of mouth and this will

further increase your sales.

Message Boards: It will be to your benefit to provide your customers

with a message board on your website. You can break your message

board up into categories for your different products or services and

encourage your customers to share their ideas and opinions with others. 

This is the first step towards building an online community. Customers

will answer each others questions and this will save you some money on

the cost of customer care. You just need to make sure that you moderate

the message board on a regular basis so that your customers are getting

accurate information.

Message boards also give you some great feedback about the products or

services you’re selling. Honest feedback from customers lets you better

take care of their needs. You also get to learn a lot more about your

customers and what it is that they want from your business. 

Message boards are an important part of your website and your online

community. You can develop a message board without spending a lot of

time and money. Begin by asking your website hosting company if they

can provide you with a message board template that you can include in

the hosting package. Otherwise look on the Internet for a message board

that is free. Choose a message board that fits the look and feel of your

website so that you’re maintaining consistency.

Message Board Content: A successful online community isn’t just a

common message board. The content on your website will play a big

part in the quality of your online community. The more professional your

website content is the better the quality of the message board. Always keep in mind that it’s content that attracts readers and should be your

major concern when it comes to your decision to develop an online

community.

You’ll find that fresh content ideas will start to flow when you have an

online community. You’ll know exactly what your customers are

looking for and just how you can provide that for them. Active message

boards are a cost efficient way for you to provide great customer service.

Message Board Calendar: Calendars are a vital part of the online

community because they allow people to meet offline. Even if your

company doesn’t have any offline events, a calendar will let you post

valuable industry information. For example, if your company sells

stationary you could list the dates when you’ll be attending trade fairs in

the search for new products for your customers. This type of information

lets customers know that your website and business content is ever

changing.

Contests: Contests are a great way to get customers excited about your

company and your website. Ask customers to share a story about how

your product or service has benefited them. When the contest is over you

can post these stories, along with the names of the winners, on your

website. This marketing technique provides you with customer

testimonials and is also a good way for you to see what your customers

are interested in.

Maintaining an Online Community: It can take a lot of work to maintain

your online community. You’ll need to invest a certain amount of time

and effort if you want the benefits of an online community to come your

way. Make sure that all of your staff is involved in the maintenance of the community and that they know the importance of responding

immediately to posts from your customers. When your online

community is in its beginning stages you might have to plant some of

your own questions, answers, and comments to the message board. Once

traffic to your online community builds it will start to flow on its own

and will require less maintenance.

Other Online Communities and Ad Space: If you don’t think that you

have the time and manpower to maintain an online community you might

want to consider buying ad space on a community that is already

established and which has a high profile on the Internet. The online

community should have some connection with the types of products or

services that you’re selling.

See also:

Strategies for co-branding

rising-to-top-of-search engine

Building-e-mail-lists

Reaching your target audience