lariya Building a brand is about community. It’s great to have customers who like your products, but it’s better to have a group of loyal fans who love your brand and talk about it. A community that returns to your site daily is one of the best assets you can have for your brand.
But it takes time to build. Adult entrepreneurs require the right forum software to facilitate this. That’s where Discourse comes in. Discourse says it’s the last forum software you will ever need. It may or may not be the last one, but it’s a modern forum tool for the 21st century.
Made for Mobile
Have you ever tried browsing a forum on your phone? It can be hard. Many forums are not optimised for mobile devices. Some of them stretch out too much, have tiny text, and are hard to use.
Discourse is different. It was designed for touch devices, such as phones. It’s as easy to use as Instagram or TikTok on your phone. Discourse was built to work well on mobile devices. You can browse the forum just as easily as you would using any app.
Discourse also works on desktops, so you’re not stuck using just your phone. You can use Discourse on any device, but it’s particularly well-suited for mobile use. Discourse also offers apps for Android and iOS, allowing you to create a custom app for your forum.
Big brands use Discourse, like Frostbite, Western Digital, Patreon, Docker, GitHub, and even the Bank of New Zealand. These companies utilize Discourse because it effectively supports their communities. Discourse is made to bring your community together in a simple, modern way.
Member Moderation System That Works
If you’ve ever used a forum or run one, you know the look and feel are only part of the job. A forum is no good if it’s filled with rude people who make the community toxic. You can’t have people like this ruining the experience.
One old solution is hiring moderators. But this doesn’t always work well. Discourse has a different idea. It utilises a member moderation system based on trust. This system is similar to self-moderation, but it incorporates rewards that encourage people to behave well.
Discourse rewards users with badges and likes for their good behaviour. These positive things follow them around the forum. If someone posts something bad, other members can flag it and hide it. If members continue to earn rewards, they can gain special privileges, such as editing, pinning, and closing threads.
People who care about the community are granted special privileges. They can help remove unwanted content, such as spam and bad posts, without needing a moderator. Discourse says this system helps create an “immunity” to trolls and harmful content.
Less Forum, More Social Network
What does that mean? It’s simple. Discourse makes your forum feel more like a social network. It’s smooth, easy to use, and fun, just like using social media.
You can also customise your forum to look however you want. You don’t have to use boring templates or bad designs that look the same as everyone else. Discourse lets you make your forum unique. It also integrates with your existing website, allowing users to log in using their usual accounts.
Another notable feature of Discourse is its use of infinite scrolling. You don’t have to click through pages to read new threads. It’s all easy and natural, like using an app.
Final Thoughts
Discourse takes the traditional idea of forums and modernises it for today. With its mobile-first design, easy-to-use system, and community-based moderation, Discourse provides a superior approach to building your community.
Discourse isn’t free—plans start at $100 per month—but it could be the perfect tool for building a strong, loyal community. If it fits your budget, it can help keep your customers loyal and happy.
