The success of any web site is due primarily to the amount of content
it provides and how often it is updated. A web site that constantly
provides new and interesting content will give people reason to
return.
In recent years sites that have grown to huge popularity are video
clip posting sites like Ebaumsworld.com and Big-Boys.com. These sites
primarily make all their income through high traffic volume and
advertising. They offer chat and the ability to post. I however do not
feel much sense of community with these sites. Typically the users of
these sites are 20 some things with attitude problems. That's been my
experience anyway but the sites content keeps me returning day after
day. The more frequently a site updates it's content the more often I
go back.
Dating services are such sites because people get hooked into chat,
forums, and instant messaging. Some sites even offer the ability to
voice chat, making it even more personable.
A great social networking site I like is EveryonesConnected.com. The
whole premise of this site's growth is through invites from peoples
friends. I invite my friends, they invite their friends, and their
friends invite their friends. Then before long you have a huge site
and what really brings the community aspect is the virtual newspaper
that people within 2 links of you can post articles in. They as well
have a virtual paper for the whole site. I found that site to be fun
and it allowed me to meet a lot of new people. It also gave me a real
feeling of community.
The Fool.com is a great community. The Fool offers a paid membership
only forum. It was $29.95 for a year when I joined and it was worth
it. I have found much of the members there to be very intelligent and
have alike interests as mine. There is never any spam because the
community wouldn't stand for it. That site is just a great place to go
and meet people with similar interests and taste which is financial
and investing.
Another site I feel is a real online community is Leoville. This is a
site created by none other then Leo Lapporte, The Tech Guy. His site
has a great deal of information as well as a community message board.
It's a very nice place for computer geeks to go. I enjoy the site
because it's a very friendly atomosphere.
The real success of a online community is dependent upon the quality
of it's members. I run a paid site and there is a loyal following.
Those members who frequently interact on the site really develop bonds
with other members. Spending any amount of time in the private chat
room, you can see the depth of friendships that have been created.
People begin to share, laugh, and really communicate as they do with
friends in normal everyday life. They may not have ever met before,
they could live thousands of miles apart but through interaction and
communication life long bonds and friendships have formed.
I have members who've been with the site for over a year and they
visit daily. They often are found in the chatroom every evening. They
have lives and are in their 30 to mid 40's. They often are
professionals in some area. I mention this because it's evidence of
their chosing to be there. They are busy people but my site meets a
social need for them.
To begin with you'll need to answer these questions. Do you want your
online presence to be an extension of your brick and mortar operation?
Would you rather have a very distinct difference between the two? You
could allow your regular members free access to the web site but allow
others to purchase a membership as well.
I don't know what your membership business is. But if say it was a
health club. Having a global presence might allow you to determine
potential areas grow into. If that's something you'd like to do.
I hope this helps.
Gary
moneytheory.com |
