BuddyBoss is the place to go if you are looking to create an online community, have private message capabilities, or even use it as a plug-in for your WordPress site to promote your brand’s products.
However, is it worth it?
If you have been taking a look at BuddyBoss but aren’t quite sure whether to take the plunge, then read on to find out all you need to know in this BuddyBoss review.
What Is BuddyBoss?
BuddyBoss is essentially a plugin platform and a theme that you can use via your own WordPress website. (Check out ‘How To Upgrade Your Buddyboss Themes‘)
It can help to create and sell courses, memberships, as well as train employees and launch a mobile app.
There are a lot of things included within BuddyBoss which often makes it difficult to really understand what it is and what it is used for.
Even so, it has a plethora of uses that can help your business grow online.
They also have customer service that is available 24/7.
This means that you can get in touch with the company whenever you need them.
What Are The Features Of BuddyBoss?
There are many BuddyBoss features that you can use, so let’s take a look at them:
Learning
One of the biggest factors when it comes to BuddyBoss is the ability to create online courses.
eLearning courses are a great way to earn money as you share your knowledge and skills.
With BuddyBoss, you have the ability to create the course, have a platform to share it, as well as use the features available such as the app and achievements option.
BuddyBoss can work alongside LearnDash and your WordPress Dashboard. (See ‘How To Use LearnDash With BuddyBoss?’)
Other reasons the eLearning feature is useful on BuddyBoss are because:
- You can customize your own course.
- There is the ability to do quizzes.
- You can add certificates and give members reports.
- You can also drip-feed the course content.
Achievements
If you are a gamer, you will already understand the concept of achievements.
Having them built into a platform allows people to feel recognition for doing well.
It means that people will come back, again and again, to keep on achieving.
For example, you can add a point system or rewards.
You may even want to implement a ranking system.
It also adds some fun and engagement too.
Making Money
BuddyBoss integrates with the likes of WooCommerce which can help you to monetize your platform.
This means you can manage online courses, sell courses for a one-time fee, or have a subscription or monthly membership.
Some of the features included with BuddyBoss are:
- The ability to integrate with WooCommerce.
- Plugin integration for membership sites.
- Subscription abilities.
- One-time purchase options.
Building A Community
BuddyBoss is all about promoting and creating an online community through the social networking site.
The ethos behind BuddyBoss includes teamwork, and using the spirit of community to grow your brand.
Using BuddyBoss’s own social network allows you to see how users engage with your platform, but also ways to track the feedback you receive.
Here are some of the features that BuddyBoss can offer you:
- Private messages – it means individuals can message each other on the platform.
- Profiles – all members get to create and customize a profile.
- Groups – private and social groups can be created by members, as well as joined.
- Forums – members can communicate in open forum discussions.
- Events – you can use inbuilt event systems to add events, calendars, and so much more.
An App
These days the majority of people access content through their phones.
For that reason, BuddyBoss can provide you with an app. In doing so, it means members can access content on the go.
Having an app provides a great way to keep followers loyal too, as they will feel like you have thought about ways they can stay connected to the community or course.
Customization
Because you are a brand, you will want to customize your platform to suit your company’s branding.
Fortunately, BuddyBoss offers you an intuitive and seamless solution: the ability for you to fully customize your community or course.
The initial design is clear to allow you to do just that.
It means you can flexibly design something that creates something that you want.
Some of the features included are:
- Customization of footer and header.
- RTL and multi-lingual support.
- Layouts.
- Integrations for building pages.
What Are The BuddyBoss Plans?
Here are the different price plans at BuddyBoss and what features you get (all prices correct at the time):
Starter Plan ($228 annually)
- BuddyBoss theme
- BuddyBoss platform pro
- 1-year priority support
- License for 1 site
- 1-year update
Pro Plan ($288 annually)
All of the above plus:
- Full-priority support available
- License of 5 sites
Advance Plan ($328 annually)
All of the above plus:
- a pro BuddyBoss theme
- Updates for a whole year
- License of 10 sites
Can You Get A Refund At BuddyBoss?
If the platform isn’t working for you, then BuddyBoss does provide a 14-day refund policy on all plans.
All you have to do is get in touch with them and let them know that the platform isn’t right for you.
Should You Use BuddyBoss?
Pros
- Works alongside WordPress plugin to create a website that offers a community feel. This is because you can have members and create online communities.
- You have the option to create an online course or promote and sell something else entirely.
- Members can create their own profiles and post messages on the website, as well as privately to other members.
- You have the option of creating a fully customized phone app.
Cons
- Some of the plans are expensive. If you are a business and would like a fully customized or VIP plan, then you may have to pay thousands per year.
- If you are looking to dynamically add content, then you may run into issues.
- Works best with WordPress theme which not everybody uses.
Can You Use BuddyBoss Without WordPress?
You can potentially use BuddyBoss without WordPress, however, it is much easier to use the WordPress platform to add the plug-in to your website.
Even if you do not use WordPress plugins, if you want to use BuddyBoss, then you will need a WordPress installation anyway.
Final Thoughts On BuddyBoss
BuddyBoss is a great plug-in platform to use to create a place to grow a community online for your business.
BuddyBoss has all the community features you could want in order to grow your brand through the online community method.
If you are looking to create an eLearning platform, then BuddyBoss is certainly something you should check out.
You will have the ability to add a forum, private messaging, rewards, certificates, subscriptions and so much more.
While BuddyBoss is a great platform to use – and is something you most certainly can monetize from – you may want to consider trying a different platform if you do not use WordPress.
This is because the plug-in mainly works with WordPress, and seemingly so too.
It adds an extra dimension to your website, as well as gives you the option to create a phone app.
This is handy if you want build an online community.
Your members will feel valued and happy that they can access the content no matter where they are.
Even so, you may just be converted to using WordPress after seeing all of the great things that BuddyBoss can offer your company.
