What do I need to look out for in a community platform?

How to find the right solution for your community

If you want to build or professionalize a community, you are faced with an important decision: Which platform is the right one? The choice has a direct impact on engagement, monetization, data protection and long-term growth. This article will help you understand the most important criteria and choose the right platform for your goals.

 

1. 

Own platform vs.
Third-party networks

Two smartphones with the branded community app "Branded". One shows the home screen with branding, the other a content page with member profiles, a post image and navigation elements at the bottom of the screen.

Many communities start on social networks such as WhatsApp, Slack, Facebook or LinkedIn. The disadvantage: you don't own the data or the environment there. The platform determines visibility, advertising and access.

Watch out for:

  • Full control over content and members

  • Own domain and branding (white labeling)

  • No dependence on algorithms

coapp tip: With coapp, you run your community under your own brand - with complete control over content, communication and data.

 

2. 

Range of functions for real interaction

A community thrives on exchange and collaboration. That's why your platform should be able to do more than just publish posts.

Important Features are e.g:

coapp offers you:

Events, groups, messaging, booking, payments, API integrations and even a white label app - all on one platform .

 

3. 

Data protection & security

GDPR compliance is mandatory, especially in Europe. Therefore, make sure you have clear statements on data storage, processing and encryption.

Important:

  • Hosting in the EU

  • Data encryption (in transfer & at rest)

  • Available AV contracts (Data Processing Agreements)

coapp meets all data protection requirements according to GDPR - hosted in certified EU data centers .

 

4. 

Payment function

Four booking cards with prices and buttons: "Membership" (€120/month), "Event" (€0), "Coaching" (€80/hour) and "Workshop" (€60) - each with VAT and action buttons such as "Sign up" or "Book now".

With an integrated payment function, memberships, coaching sessions, events and workshops can be booked and billed directly via the community platform - transparently, mobile and automatically.

If you want to generate revenue through your community, the platform should actively support you.

Examples of sources of income:

  • Memberships

  • Event tickets

  • Bookings of resources

coapp allows all this with integrated payment functions via Stripe and customizable platform fees. Learn more

 

5. 

Scalability & price structure

Plan not only for the start, but also for growth. Make sure that the platform can grow with your community - in terms of functionality and price.

coapp models at a glance:

 

6. 

A dedicated app - making the community a mobile experience

App Store preview of a white-label community app called "Branded". The screenshots show Features such as events, member profiles, news and content pages in a modern, branded design.

With your own white label app, your community can be experienced on mobile - completely in the look of your brand, with Features for events, member profiles, chats and content.

A modern community is not only active on the desktop. Younger target groups in particular expect a seamless mobile experience - preferably as a dedicated app in the App Store. This not only boosts engagement, but also your brand perception.

Advantages of your own community app:

  • Mobile use anytime & anywhere

  • Push notifications for direct interaction

  • Brand loyalty through own logo and app name

  • Seamless user experience for members

coapp gives you a fully white-label-capable app:

  • Your logo, your name, your app

  • Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store

  • Technically maintained and regularly updated - without additional effort for you

  • GDPR-compliant, EU-hosted, secure

Costs:

  • One-off set-up fee: €3,999

  • Monthly maintenance: €399

(plus VAT, subject to change)

This makes your community not only a digital but also a mobile-native experience - under your own brand. Learn more

 

Conclusion

The right platform is individual - but can be planned

The best community platform is the one that suits your goals, your target group and your business model. Pay attention to control, interaction, data protection, monetization and scalability - then nothing will stand in the way of your community success. 🚀

 
Hardy Seiler

Hardy is Co-Founder and CXO of coapp - a community platform for the age of hybrid work and the B2B sharing economy. The award-winning designer is responsible for the coapp brand design, the user interface design and user experience.

https://linkedin.com/in/hardy-seiler
Next
Next

Who is coapp for?