Tarun Nagar 
“The Web is more than a collection of pages; it’s a platform for building communities.”
– Rebecca MacKinnon
How do you build an online community? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Creating an online community for your small commercial enterprise has become increasingly important in a new virtual environment.
An online community can offer an invaluable platform to interact with your clients, domesticate logo loyalty, and propel entrepreneurial expansion in light of the growing preference for authentic relationships and individualized interactions.
Online community building affords many opportunities for marketers, from progressed earnings and user retention to insightful know-how and a far better aggressive gain.
The marketplace records show sharp growth in using the best community websites, highlighting the possibility for small groups to gain from this powerful tool and boost their online presence. So, are you ready to start building an online community? Dive straight away!
Quick Summary: This blog has everything you need to know about online community website development, from its cost, stats, features, process, advantages, and maintenance. So, dive straight to the blog to learn more.
Table of Contents
What is an Online Community Website?
An online community website serves as a virtual meeting vicinity for people with comparable pastimes. This social media development changes pix of their works, recipes, and recommendations. Community-building platforms are probably secret communities for health software clients, or they might be open forums like Reddit.
You can build a digital business that provides a feeling of community and connection, allowing humans to percentage, study from, and inspire one another.
10 Most Popular Online Community Websites
Website |
Launch Date |
Founder(s) |
USP |
| 2005 | Steve Huffman, Alexis Ohanian, Aaron Swartz | User-driven content and discussions on any topic | |
| Facebook Groups | 2004 | Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz | Connect with friends, family, and communities |
| Discord | 2015 | Jason Citron, Stanislav Vishnevsky | Text, voice, and video chat for gamers and communities |
| Stack Overflow | 2008 | Jeff Atwood, Joel Spolsky | Q&A platform for programmers and developers |
| YouTube | 2005 | Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim | Video sharing and online community |
| Nextdoor | 2011 | Nirav Tolia, Saar Gur | Hyperlocal social network for neighborhoods |
| Quora | 2009 | Adam D’Angelo, Charlie Cheever | Q&A platform for general knowledge sharing |
| Ravelry | 2007 | Jessica Self | Online community for knitters and crocheters |
| Goodreads | 2006 | Otis Chandler, Elizabeth Chandler | Book recommendations and social network for readers |
| Etsy | 2005 | Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, Hadia Scheckler Mehta | Online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods |
“The internet has been a great equalizer. It allows anyone with a computer to have a voice and reach a global audience.”
– Michelle Obama
Market Stats on Online Community Websites
Knowing about market sector growth and downfall will help you build an online community platform. Don’t stop reading.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1370906/top-social-media-platforms-effective-community-building/
- In January 2023, 25% of entrepreneurs worldwide decided on Facebook and Instagram as the most pleasant social media app development platforms, with YouTube coming in second at 14%.
- The online community software program market is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2027, growing at a 13.8% CAGR from 2020.
- According to Market sand Markets, the social networking website management software marketplace will amplify at a 16.8% CAGR to reach $2.1 billion through 2025.
- According to Forrester Research, 71 %of corporations have an excessive priority in creating online groups.
- With a 16% compound annual growth price from 2019, the global content advertising and marketing marketplace is projected to reach $460 billion by 2024.
Business Opportunities For Entrepreneurs in Online Community Website Development
Before we dive further into this blog, we should note some fantastic opportunities for entrepreneurs who invest in social media website development. So, we have it all covered for you. Why not read by yourself?
1. Customized Online Community Platforms
Grand View Research projects that the global online network software program market will increase at a compound annual increase fee (CAGR) of 13.8% from 2020 to 2027, reaching $3.2 billion. It offers marketers a vast chance to create a website from scratch for community systems.
Entrepreneurs may additionally stand out in the marketplace and make the most of the social networking website choice for individualized community experiences by providing organizations with a bespoke solution that perfectly fits their brand and meets their precise demands.
2. Managed Community Services
With more agencies realizing the advantages of online communities, there may be an extra call for thorough management and moderation services. The global social networking website development marketplace is anticipated to expand at a compound annual boom price (CAGR) of 16.8% from 2020 to 2025, reaching $2.1 billion.
If you want to know how to start an online community, you should begin by providing controlled network services, together with content material curation, user interaction, analytics reporting, and community moderating. Entrepreneurs can also use social networking website development to provide agencies with a solution to concentrate on their middle abilities.
3. Community Consulting and Strategy
According to a Forrester Research survey, growing CMS web development for communities is an excessive or essential priority for 71% of businesses, which shows that there may be a growing need for strategic consulting offerings. There must be more than knowing how to build an online community website.
If you don’t know that creating an online community to assist agencies in defining their network dreams, pinpointing their target market, and making a radical method for community participation and growth, entrepreneurs might also benefit from this trend.
4. Integration and Automation Solutions
The worldwide enterprise procedure automation marketplace is projected to expand at a compound annual boom fee (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2020 to 2025, achieving $15.8 billion.
Create a community website that makes it simpler for online network structures to integrate with different software; marketers may also benefit from this possibility to streamline operations and deliver businesses a more effective and less costly solution.
5. Community-Driven Content and Engagement
According to Research and Markets, the global content material marketing enterprise is projected to develop at a compound annual growth price (CAGR) of 16 % from 2019 to 2024, reaching $460 billion.
By providing offerings that help groups use their online groups’ ability to supply and curate exciting clothes, encourage idea-scary conversations, and increase user engagement, entrepreneurs can also take advantage of this trend.
Hence, if you have developed a community website, connect with custom web development services providers for practical ideas and knowledge.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
– Steve Jobs
6 Steps to Build an Online Community Website for Small Business
Now, the time has come for you to know how to build an online community website. This section of our blog covers a step-by-step guide to buildan an online community website. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Define Objectives and Audience:
It is the first stage to build an online community website in which you must establish your online community’s goal, and determining who your audience is must come first. Verify the benefits your network will offer for its individuals and the way it helps your corporate objectives.
Be sure to connect with leading business app development companies, as they will guide you with the aid of your knowledge of the needs and choices of your target audience.
2. Research and Select a Mobile App Development Company:
This is a critical stage to build an online community website in which you must find a reliable mobile app development company with an understanding of developing community-targeted apps by doing massive studies and hiring a website development company who have a track record of experience, happy customers, and knowledge of creating captivating and easy-to-use mobile applications.
3. Collaborative Planning and Strategy:
It is another crucial stage to build an online community website. It would help if you established your challenge needs, consisting of functions, functionality, design possibilities, and price range, in close collaboration with the online community website development company.
Working with a business intelligence development company is beneficial to building an online community website with a feasible timetable to guarantee coordination and clarity via the development technique.
4. Design and Development:
Use the e-commerce web development companies experience to build an online community website that embodies your brand’s identification and appeals to your intended user base.
Your e-commerce web development company will ensure that the program has the functions—like user profiles, messaging, forums, content sharing, and notification systems—necessary for growing and jogging a web community.
5. Testing and Iteration:
Your hired web portal development company will put the community-building websites through a thorough checking out manner to discover and connect any bugs, glitches, or usability troubles.
To build an online community website that works well and is well matched with a variety of monitors and running structures, test the app on these devices. Before launch, get input from stakeholders and beta testers to improve and varnish the app.
6. Launch and Promotion:
Last but not least, the stage to build an online community website is when the best online community platforms are released onto the app store after passing through huge testing. Working with a website development company allows you to navigate the submission and approval process for app shops like the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Create an advertising and marketing plan to raise consciousness and encourage app downloads. Use social media and your current advertising channels to launch your app and draw people to your online community.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss
Key Features of Online Community Website for Small Business
There needs to be more than just knowing the process to build an online community website. If you want to create one for a massive audience, you must also learn about its practical features.
1. Member Profiles and Networking:
Permit users to install profiles, establish connections with other network participants, and track pertinent hobbies.
2. Discussion Forums and Groups:
Encourage conversations on pertinent topics on discussion boards and agencies so that users can alternate reports and advice from one another.
3. Q&A Sections with Experts:
Organize in-individual Q&A events or specialized forums where clients can ask questions of enterprise specialists or your users.
4. Idea Exchange & Feedback Forums:
Promote tips from customers for brand-new or progressed products. Hence, it reasonably affects the web application development cost and time.
5. Knowledge Base and FAQs:
To empower clients and reduce down on support inquiries, create a searchable information base with articles, tutorials, and FAQs.
6. Events Calendar and Registration:
To foster closer ties, create and oversee digital or bodily events, including meetings, webinars, or meetups. Contact the CRM development company if you want to add such a feature to your community website.
7. Gamification and Rewards:
Include leader boards, badges, or factors for participation in discussions or pal referrals among exciting sports.
8. User-Generated Content and Galleries:
Inspire customers to publish photographs, movies, or testimonials about their interactions and your goods and offerings.
9. Private Messaging & Groups:
Allow customers to set up non-public groups primarily based on shared pursuits or to attach without delay for one-on-one chats using personal messaging.
10. Social Media Integration:
Connect your social media profiles to expand your target market and sell pass-platform dialogue. This integration can also affect the cost of a small business’s website.
11. Analytics and Reporting:
Monitor crucial indicators of your network’s effectiveness, such as sentiment analysis, popular topics, and user participation, and make any necessary modifications.
“Because the Internet connects us to so many people and because it gives us the opportunity to learn about so many things, it has the potential to make us smarter.”
—Stephen Hawking.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an Online Community Website for Small Business?
The cost of website development for your small business can vary appreciably depending on several variables. Here’s a breakdown of the cost to build an online community website.
Look at these top web development costs and factors:
1. Complexity:
Essential network services, such as boards and profiles, are much less expensive to apply for than extra complex ones, such as live chat or app connections.
2. Customization:
Extensive customization increases cost to build an online community website because it takes longer to custom logo designs, construct features and designs overall.
3. Content Management System (CMS):
While proprietary CMS solutions may be more excellent and steeply priced, open-source systems like WordPress are more affordable. Connect with a CRM development company for a more detailed overview.
4. Development Team:
Although hiring a business app development company may be less expensive than working with an in-house team, their experience has an impact on the cost to build an online community website.
Complexity |
Cost Range |
| Simple | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Average | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Complex | $25,000+ |
You can collaborate with a business intelligence development company to find a less expensive solution that satisfies your demands by outlining the targets and capabilities your network requires.
Cost to Maintain Online Community Website for Small Business
Mobile app maintenance and support services commonly vary from 15% to 20% of the entire cost to build an online community website. Maintenance might cost $1,200 to $5,000 yearly, with online community website development costs ranging from $8,000 to $25,000.
This covers the cost for software updates, safety precautions, hosting, and non-stop aid. To acquire a custom-designed consultation and complete evaluation, please get in touch with our web portal development company.
The internet has been a powerful tool for bringing people together, giving them a voice, and helping them connect across borders and cultures.”
– Obama.
My Journey With Online Community Website Like Reddit
As a content writer, I just discovered Reddit would become my research BFF. Reddit wasn’t just a time sink for me – it became a goldmine for my content writing. Diving into niche subreddits on my topics exposed me to real user questions, experiences, and frustrations.
This insider knowledge helped me craft content that resonated with audiences and avoided fluffy marketing speak. From there, discussions with passionate Redditors gave me fresh angles and unique content ideas I wouldn’t have found elsewhere. It’s safe to say Reddit became my secret weapon for authentic, audience-driven content.
In a Nutshell!
Hopefully, you liked this blog and now know how to create an online community for small business. This blog covered how building an online community website can give a dynamic platform for marketers to interact with their target audience, foster logo loyalty, and pressure growth.
So what are you waiting for? If you learn how to make an online community with experts, would connecting with our custom web development services providers be the best choice for cost-effective solutions? Hurry up & connect!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Does It Cost To Develop An Online Community Website?
The cost of creating a website depends on its complexity and the level of customization required. The cost to build an online community website could range from $8,000 to $25,000.
2. How Long Does It Take To Create An Online Community Website?
The development length for custom, feature-rich solutions may range from many months to a few weeks for a basic platform.
3. What Are The Benefits To Develop A Online Community Website?
Some of the principal blessings are increased user engagement, emblem loyalty, user insights, and new revenue streams.
4. Why You Should Choose Us To Create An Online Community Website?
Hire dedicated web developers from us, as we can lay out a custom designed platform that meets your objectives and offers a beautiful user experience.
5. How Can You Monetize An Online Community Website?
Examples of feasible tactics include membership costs, premium functions, subsidized content, e-trade integrations, advertising, and partnerships.
