The Top 10 Community Apps to Engage and Monetize your Community

We will explore the best community apps of 2023 and provide insights on how to choose the perfect one for your thriving community. If you’re tired of endless scrolling and crave authentic online interaction, look no further than these community apps.

Get ready to connect, engage and discover a whole new world of online communities!

The 10 best community apps platforms

What are community apps?

Community apps are mobile or web-based applications that allow users to interact with each other around shared interests, causes, or goals. These apps are designed to create virtual communities that enable users to connect, collaborate, and share information.

Community apps are used in a wide range of industries and areas, including gaming, social media, education, and business. These apps enable users to join or create communities based on their interests, hobbies, or work. They can be used to share content, organize events, ask questions, and offer support.

Overall, community apps are a powerful tool for building connections and engagement among individuals who share common interests or goals. Whether you are a business looking to engage with customers or an individual looking to connect with like-minded individuals, community apps offer a powerful way to build meaningful relationships and achieve your goals.

How these apps can help boost your community engagement

The different community apps listed in this blog offer organizations and individuals a powerful way to engage with their customers or audience and build lasting relationships. These apps provide a range of features and tools, such as chat rooms, voice chat, and video conferencing, making it easy for users to communicate and collaborate with each other.

Here are some of the key ways community apps can boost engagement:

Communication: 

Community apps provide a convenient and centralized platform for users to communicate with each other, share ideas, and ask questions. This fosters a sense of community and encourages users to engage with each other on a regular basis.

Collaboration:

Many community apps offer collaboration features, such as file sharing, project management tools, and whiteboards. These features enable users to work together on projects, share resources, and provide feedback to each other.

Gamification: 

Some community apps offer gamification features, such as badges, points, and leaderboards, to incentivize engagement and participation within the community. This can make the community experience more fun and engaging for users.

Personalization: 

Community apps often offer personalization features, such as custom profiles and tailored content recommendations. This makes the community experience more relevant and engaging for users.

What makes a good community app?

Developing an online community can be challenging, but don’t worry – we’re here to help! When looking for the best community platforms, there are a few key factors to consider, lets summarize them:

1. Usability 

Usability is paramount. Your community members will have varying levels of digital proficiency, so your app should be easy to use and navigate for everyone. It should also be compatible with all current iOS and Android mobile devices (a web app is a bonus!).

2. Content 

Your app should provide fresh content every time someone signs in, and users should be able to filter new and existing content based on their specific interests. To keep users engaged, your app should enable a variety of content types, including photos, videos, live streaming, and community-centric events. Allowing users to continue their own content will boost engagement in your community app. 

3. Personalization 

Personalization is an essential feature of a good community app because it allows users to tailor their experience to their specific interests and preferences. When users feel like their needs are being met, they are more likely to engage with the community and remain active members over time.

Here are some ways you can make your community app more personalized to your community member:

• Filter feature: Users can filter content to see only what interests them, such as specific topics or types of content.
• Notifications: Users can receive notifications that are relevant to them, such as alerts for new content in their favorite groups or when someone has interacted with one of their posts. This helps users stay engaged and connected to the community.
• Search feature:  By providing a personalized search experience, community apps can create a more engaging and relevant environment for their users.

Overall, these features are essential for personalizing the community app experience, enabling users to communicate, provide feedback, and find content that is relevant to their interests and needs. By providing personalized features, community apps can create a more engaging and satisfying experience for their users, leading to increased engagement and retention.

4. White-label app

A white label community app can tremendously boost engagement by providing complete branding control, enabling community managers to build an app around their brand and needs and by improving the user experience. By fostering a stronger sense of community ownership, providing greater control and customization options, and enhancing the user experience, white label community apps can help create a more engaging and dynamic community that members will want to be a part of.

By considering these factors, organizations or individuals can create a successful and vibrant online community that fosters growth, collaboration, and engagement. However, another important factor to consider is mobile. Let’s delve a bit deeper into this!

Why is a good community app mobile?

Picture this; A member of your community waiting for the bus, scrolling through their phone, and suddenly, they see a notification pop up from their favorite community app. They click on it, and suddenly, They’re transported to a world of like-minded people sharing ideas, collaborating, and supporting one another. This is the power of a good community app, and why it’s essential that it be mobile.

In today’s fast-paced world, people are always on the go, and they want to be able to access their favorite communities wherever they are. Whether they’re waiting in line at the grocery store, commuting to work, or taking a break between classes, people want to be able to engage with their communities on their mobile devices.

But it’s not just about convenience. A good community app should also be mobile because it enables deeper engagement and connection. When people have easy access to their communities on their phones, they are more likely to engage with them on a regular basis. This, in turn, leads to a stronger sense of community, greater collaboration, and a deeper connection between members.

So, why is a good community app mobile? Because it enables convenience and deeper engagement and fosters creativity and innovation. By providing a mobile app, community builders can create a thriving and engaging community that members can access whenever and wherever they are. So, whether you’re on the bus, at the coffee shop, or waiting in line, you can stay connected to your community and continue to learn, grow, and collaborate with like-minded people around the world.

Community Engagement Software Key Features

Build a thriving online community, it’s essential to use community engagement software that can help you foster a deeper sense of community, encourage participation and facilitate meaningful interactions.

Let’s explore some of the key features  of community engagement software and how they can help you create a more engaging and vibrant online community:

Gamification

By adding elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards, community apps can motivate users to engage with the community more frequently and consistently. Gamification can also help to build a sense of community and friendly competition among members. A community app with gamification features can increase engagement levels, making it a vital component for a community app.

Polls

Polls can be used to gather feedback and opinions from members, which can help community managers make informed decisions and tailor their content to the preferences of their members. By enabling members to share their opinions and vote on topics of interest, community apps can create a more participatory environment and encourage members to engage with one another.

Surveys 

By conducting surveys, community managers can better understand the needs of their members and create more personalized content and experiences for them. This feature can also help to foster a sense of community ownership, as members feel that their feedback is valued and taken into account.

Newsfeeds 

Newsfeeds are an essential feature of community apps as they keep members updated on the latest news, events, and updates from the community. By providing a centralized hub for community news, members can stay engaged and informed, which can lead to increased participation and retention rates.

Live chat 

This can help to foster more meaningful connections among members, leading to a stronger sense of community and collaboration. Live chat can also be used to provide instant support to members, which can improve their overall experience with the community app.

Recognition 

Recognition is a powerful motivator for community engagement. By recognizing members for their contributions, community managers can create a more positive and inclusive environment. This can also encourage members to continue to participate and contribute to the community.

Notifications 

Notifications keep members informed about community events, updates, and other important news. This feature can help to keep members engaged and connected, even when they are not actively using the app. Notifications can also be personalized based on member preferences, increasing their relevance and value.

Use on multiple devices

With the proliferation of mobile devices, it’s essential that community apps are accessible on multiple devices. By enabling members to access the community app from their desktop, tablet, or mobile device, community managers can ensure that members can engage with the community on their own terms and at their own convenience. This can lead to increased engagement and participation rates.

Overall, these key features are critical for boosting community engagement and ensuring the success of a community app. Lets take a look at some statistics on what.

Infographic: Key Features Summarized

The benefits of having a community app

Community building has become increasingly important for organizations, individuals, and communities. Community apps provide a centralized location for members to interact, share information, and engage with each other in a more personalized and meaningful way.

Let’s explore the benefits of having a community app and how it can help organizations, individuals, and communities connect and thrive in the digital age.

For Organizations

1. Improved customer engagement: Community apps provide organizations with a direct line of communication to their customers, enabling them to build stronger relationships and gain valuable feedback.

2. Increased brand awareness: A community app allows organizations to showcase their brand and connect with customers in a more personalized and engaging way, leading to increased brand recognition and loyalty.

3. Enhanced customer support: By providing a platform for customers to interact with each other and with customer support teams, community apps can improve response times and increase customer satisfaction.

For Individuals

1. Sense of belonging: Community apps provide a sense of belonging and connection to like-minded individuals, which can lead to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.

2. Knowledge sharing: Community apps allow individuals to share knowledge and skills with others, leading to personal and professional growth.

3. Networking: Community apps provide opportunities for individuals to network with others in their field or with similar interests, which can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

4. Personalization: Community apps allow individuals to customize their experience by filtering content based on their interests and preferences.

For Communities

1. Increased communication: Community apps provide a platform for communities to communicate and collaborate with each other, leading to increased engagement and sense of community.

2. Increased participation: Community apps can encourage participation by providing incentives, such as gamification and recognition features, to increase engagement and motivation.

3. Increased awareness: Community apps can help raise awareness about community issues and events, leading to increased participation and support.

Head-to-Head Comparison:
Choosing where to host your community

Option A: Building your own community app:

Pros

• Full control over the design, features, and functionality of the app
• Custom branding and messaging that aligns with your organization’s brand
• Ability to integrate with existing systems and databases

Cons

• Higher upfront costs and ongoing maintenance and development expenses
• Longer time to market compared to pre-built solutions
• Requires technical expertise and resources for development and maintenance

Option B: Hosting your community on a Social Media Platform

Pros

• Large existing user base and potential for increased visibility and reach
• Minimal upfront costs or technical expertise required
• Access to built-in features such as groups, events, and messaging

Cons

• You have to abide by the social media platforms algorithm. When you post in your community not everyone will see it.
• There are very very limited features. For example, using Facebook Groups you  basically just have a shared Facebook wall. You can post content, create polls, and even live stream. But compared to major community platforms, that isn’t much.
• Notifications – getting the right balance for notifications can be challenging as it is linked to facebook app not just the community. Therefore, people may receive to many notifications and some may not receive enough.
• Limited control over branding and design
• Changes in Facebook’s policies or algorithms can impact the visibility and reach of the community

Option C: Creating a community app a community platform like Circle

Pros

• Faster time to market compared to building your own app
• Pre-built features and functionality designed specifically for community building
• Lower upfront costs and reduced technical expertise required
• Potential for integration with existing systems and databases

Cons

• Limited control over the design and branding
• Pre-built solutions often have fixed templates and structures that can be difficult to adjust. This may result in limitations when it comes to adding or removing certain features
• Limited scalability: As your community grows, you may find that a pre-built solution cannot accommodate your needs
• You are dependent on that platform, you have to rely on them to do updates, add new features etc and therefore you lack control

The option that wins: Fliplet

With Fliplet, you get a mixture of both worlds. You can build your own custom community app while using an app on a pre-built solution! Fliplet offers a custom Community solution that enables anyone to build and customize their community apps without the need for coding or development skills.

Fliplet’s Community app comes with a huge selection of features that are customizable to meet your needs. This solution is designed to provide a starting point for anyone that wants to create a community app quickly and efficiently without the need to start from scratch.

Compared to competitors, Fliplet is very reasonably priced for all the features you can access, PLUS you can start building your app for free. You can create engaging and effective community experiences tailored to the community’s needs.

On top of that, Fliplet’s extensive list of pre-built solutions allows you to copy functionality from each solution to your community app, extending the functionalities of your app.

Fliplet templates include:

1. Learning (Want to start building your learning app? Read this blog to see how you can build one on a budget)
2. Directory (Check out 15 HR apps that will change the way you work)
3. Marketing
4. Innovation/idea management
5. Approval workflow
6. Portal app
7. Sales Enablement
8. Communications (Take a look at this blog where we compared the top 10 community apps to engage and monetize your community or you can check out the 15 best team communication apps of 2023)
9. Data capture
10. Emergency Management (Take a look at the 5 steps to take to prepare for a dawn raid)
11. Events (To compare our Event solution to other solutions read the 25 best mobile event apps you need in 2023)
12. Food ordering
13. Multilingual
14. Remote and office management
15. Task management
16. Reporting App
17. Blank solution to build from scratch

Ultimately, the decision to build your own community app, host on Facebook, or use a pre-built solution will depend on your organization’s specific goals, resources, and technical expertise.

How to build your own community app on a budget?

If you’re looking to build a community app on a budget, there are several factors to consider before selecting a platform.

Step 1: Select a platform

First things first, do some research and select a platform, we recommend using a no-code platform to save yourself time and money. Select a no-code app builder that fits your business needs, which includes factors such as reputation, user interface, cost, customization options, integration, security, and support.

We recommend using Fliplet which is an award-winning app building platform that offers customizable templates, drag-and-drop interface, cost-effective pricing, and a plethora of advanced features, making it an excellent choice for businesses of any size or industry.

Step 2: Choose the Plan that fits your app development needs

The second step is to choose the plan that fits your app development needs, assessing the features you want in the app and how much they might cost. Fliplet offers a range of subscription plans tailored to different stages or sizes of businesses, making it easy to select a plan that fits your budget, plus you can try it for free!

Step 3: Decide on a Template

The third step is to pick a template that meets your community’s requirements. When building a community app, selecting a suitable template can save you valuable time and resources. With Fliplet, you can choose a pre-built communication solution or start from scratch and build it yourself with no code.

We recommend selecting the communication solution as it comes with all the critical features needed for a community app, and is fully customizable so you can add or delete anything you want. This saves you time and gives you a good starting point, especially if you are new to app building.

Step 4: Brand your app and add your content in

The fourth step is to brand your app and add your content in, customizing it to suit your organization’s needs. Fliplet makes it easy to change colors, logos, fonts, and layouts, allowing you to create something unique that resonates with your community.

Step 5: Publish 

The fifth step is to publish your app on any supported publishing channels, such as the web, Apple App Store, or Google Play. Fliplet also allows you to publish mobile, tablet, and web apps and distribute apps internally by publishing them as enterprise apps for Android and iOS devices.

Remember to increase engagement and usability of your app; we recommend you publish it on as many platforms and devices as possible so that your community members can access it when it is convenient for them.

Step 6: App analytics  

Analytics can play a crucial role in measuring the success and engagement of a community app. By analyzing user behavior within the app, community managers can gain valuable insights into how users are interacting with the app, which features are being used the most, and which areas may need improvement.

Want to know more about how to develop a mobile app without coding? Check out this blog. 

Visit this case study to see how Saul Ewing created an innovation challenge app that has collected innovative staff ideas, helped build a community, driven innovation and improved collaboration.

For more on the best app builders, read our blog.

How to use apps to engage your community

Conclusion