Webupon

Repeat users are incredibly important. These are the people who develop brand loyalty, complete calls to action and regularly purchase. According to data from Web Side Story Inc. repeat users are eight times more likely to make a purchase on an e-commerce site. Repeat users are the lifeblood of most websites.

One of the best ways to keep users coming back is to foster a community. A thriving community also provides a lot more benefits than repeat traffic. An online community can also:

1. Improve your offering: A good community is not just about users speaking to one another through a forum or chat room. It is also a two-way dialogue between you and your users. It is an opportunity for you to hear from your users and discover what they want from your website.
2. Change brand perception: People like to be heard. They like to feel their opinion matters. Engaging with your users and really listening to what they have to say about your products and services is incredibly powerful. It is even more powerful when they see their suggestions acted upon.
3. Promotes your site: A community that is enthusiastic about your site or products can be one of the most powerful promotional tools available. Sites like Digg.com have become popular largely because of their passionate community. Equally, Apple’s success is at least partly reliant on their obsessional ‘fans’ who promote their products with friends and family. Nothing is as valuable as personal recommendation.
4. Reduce your costs: A passionate community can provide free advertising and save money on focus groups and product development. They can also save money in customer support. This is particularly true if your site already provides customer support.