Managing an online community can be a complex task, involving engagement, moderation, analytics, and growth strategies. Fortunately, there are a variety of paid community management tools available to help community managers effectively oversee their platforms. Whether you're at the helm of a bustling online forum, an active social media group, or any other kind of digital gathering space, this list of top management tools is designed to cater to various needs and requirements.
What is a Community Management Tool?
Before diving into our list, let's address a common question: What exactly is a community management tool? In essence, it's software designed to help with the organization, moderation, and engagement of online communities. It covers the gamut from monitoring conversations and analyzing sentiment to scheduling content and managing member interactions.
Community management typically revolves around four pillars:
- engagement
- moderation
- measurement
- growth
The tools listed here help community managers excel in these key areas, ensuring that their communities are well-organized, active, and constantly evolving.
Top 10 Community Management Tools
1. Sprout Social
Coming in at number one, Sprout Social is known for its robust social media management features. It helps you schedule content, respond to messages, and build meaningful relationships with your community members. Its analytics features are second to none, giving insights that can inform your community growth strategy.
2. Hootsuite
Hootsuite offers a complete oversight of your social media channels. It provides tools for scheduling posts, monitoring mentions, and participating in conversations. Their analytics component is in-depth, and their ability to manage teams is a must-have for larger organizations.
3. Zoho Connect
Zoho Connect isn't just a social management tool; it's a comprehensive team collaboration software that includes community management features. It excels at fostering internal communities, integrating smoothly with other Zoho apps for efficiency and productivity.
4. Khoros
Khoros, formerly known as Spredfast, is another excellent option for those looking to integrate various aspects of social media management. It offers powerful analytics, content management, and customer service capabilities, which is pivotal for maintaining a positive digital ecosystem for your brand.
5. Vanilla Forums
Designed to cater specifically to forum-based communities, Vanilla Forums is a leader in helping brands build and manage online forums. It offers a suite of powerful tools including gamification, customizability, and integration with other platforms, making it a versatile choice.
6. Discourse
Discourse is a more modern approach to forum software, designed for the next decade of the internet. It's a great tool for building, managing, and growing vibrant communities.
7. Mighty Networks
A platform that's quickly gaining popularity, Mighty Networks provides community builders with the tools they need to bring people together. It supports community engagement, subscription models, and content sharing all in one place.
8. Higher Logic
Higher Logic specializes in community management for professional associations, nonprofits, and businesses. It offers comprehensive engagement, networking, and automation tools to maintain a tight-knit community.
9. Salesforce Experience Cloud
Salesforce Experience Cloud (formerly Community Cloud) provides a richly featured platform for crafting customized digital experiences. It facilitates deeper connections with prospects, customers, and partners.
10. PeerBoard
Concluding our list is PeerBoard, a plug-and-play community platform that offers a sleek design and smart features that support community growth. It's highly adaptable and can be integrated with your existing website or used as a standalone platform.
Wrapping Up
Real-life examples of successful community management are abundant. Thriving online communities like Adobe's Creative Cloud or the fitness app MyFitnessPal are testaments to good community management.
Choosing the right community management tool can be daunting but extremely rewarding. The right software can enhance member experience, streamline management tasks, and foster an environment conducive to growth.
Before making your decision, consider your own community's specific needs and combine these tools with effective community management strategies, which you can read more about at Community Management Strategies. With the right approach and tools, your community can reach its full potential.
