So why should you create a community? What rewards can you reap from doing so, and how will your community serve you?
Here are some of the top benefits:
1. Building a community adds value to your customers
Whether you’re a large business, creator, or entrepreneur, a community can act as a valuable resource for customers. It’s a place they can easily find information and answers to their most pressing questions. Customers can share their thoughts or educate one another on how to make the most of your product or service, and they can connect with others who are equally passionate about specific topics. People go to communities to feel accepted and geek out over shared interests – your community makes this possible for them.
2. A focus group for upcoming products or services
One of the best things about a community is that you get a chance to get inside the heads of your customers. You’re able to see their needs and interests. You can see what they’re talking about, what they think about your product or service, and quickly spot any gaps in your offering. You get to see your customers as real people rather than stats on a spreadsheet.
This provides you with a valuable opportunity to consider how to improve your customer experience and get real insights into your products and services.
3. Create a community of raving fans
Your community is a great space to leverage relationships with your customers. When you take the time out to really get to know and connect with your audience on a deeper level, you’ll turn them from someone who simply liked your offering to someone who is a raving fan. Some customers will be so excited by your community that they’ll want to share it with their friends and they’ll talk about you to their wider network too. They may even be willing to get more involved with answering questions from others in your community, being a part of user testing, or joining an affiliate scheme for your business.
Having a customer wanting to shout from the rooftops about you is priceless.
4. Communities drive retention
Your customers are more likely to stick around and remain loyal if they have a community they feel connected to. If there’s any doubt whether a community will generate a return on your investment, check out these stats from a recent study we conducted:
- 55% of branded communities say that the community has contributed to an increase in sales.
- 58% of online communities say that their customers are more loyal to them because of their community.
- 72% of those with a branded community say that their community has led to an increase in website traffic.
- 68% of branded communities say that the community has helped create new leads.