A closer look at building social networks using BuddyPress

A closer look at building social networks using BuddyPress The ever-increasing count of online social networks has allowed entrepreneurs to render their customers an easy opportunity of getting connected with each other. Entailing a consistent flow of communication between the website members and the general audience, it is a social networking website that ensures maximum customer focus on your product and service offerings. So, if you're a WordPress fan and want to make the most of this software for building an outstanding social networking website, BuddyPress is the plugin you can't afford to miss. Continue reading this post to find more on BuddyPress and its growing use in the development of small social networks. A quick overview on BuddyPress Created by Automattic, BuddyPress is a finest WordPress plugin which allows you to create a fantastic social networking website quickly and efficiently. BuddyPress comes packaged with multiple options that make you easy for you to create a private and intimate social network for your company, sports team, nice interest or anything else. Plus, you are also free to control each and every aspect of the social network as per your specific convenience. Useful insights on installing BuddyPress onto your WordPress website Just search for the BuddyPress plugin in the official WordPress Plugin Directory and click on the 'Install' button. Once you're done with the installation process, you'll be shown the BuddyPress Settings Page wherein you'll be informed about the default components that have been installed along with the plugin. Here, you may opt for removing or using any of the pre-installed components as per your specific preference. It is suggested to leave the default two components as 'active' and proceed with the selection of other components like 'Account Settings' and 'Extended Profiles'. Once the basic setup is completed, you'll be able to view two main tabs viz: Activity and Groups. While the 'Activity' tab offers you an ongoing feed of everything that's taking place on your BuddyPress empowered website; the 'Groups' tab lets you create and manage multiple user groups on your website. You can manage three different types of groups as explained below: Public- This user group is open for every visitor of the website and communications occurring here can be search through and viewed by everyone. Private- These groups are open to every registered member of the website and communications occurring here can be viewed and searched through by every member. Hidden- These user groups are hidden from all visitors and registered members of the website. They can just be accessed by the group admin. Hidden groups are never displayed in the group directory or within the search results. In addition to above, you're also being provided with multiple sidebar widgets to choose from. The one that I'm referring to include the following: (BuddyPress) Members (BuddyPress) Groups (BuddyPress) Members (BuddyPress) Recently Active Members (BuddyPress) Whos Online Members and Friends mark an extended core WordPress user system With BuddyPress installed in your WordPress website, users are now referred to as Members and can perform multiple activities that support your social media marketing efforts. In addition to this, the members can now be friends with other users/members, thereby creating a strong and focused social network. Members can now follow other members' activity feeds and go ahead with participating in varied group discussions etc. Extended Profiles- An impressive feature of BuddyPress WordPress' default user profile doesn't come with tons of customization options. Thanks to BuddyPress, you can enjoy the convenience of adding entirely new fields into the user registration forms. Plus, you can make these fields a must-fill for every visitor who wants to register with your website. BuddyPress- The best option for owning a Private Social Network BuddyPress has indeed emerged as one of the most simple and highly customized solution for building small social networks for companies and individuals. If you want to take full advantage of a social community in addition to retaining the privacy and control of your website; BuddyPress is the WordPress plugin you'd definitely regret missing. That's it for now! Conclusion Choosing BuddyPress for your WordPress web portal is an intelligent decision that will allow your website users/members to stay in touch with each other. This will directly affect the overall time that the members spend on your website, thereby making the visitors stay for longer. I also use buddypress sometimes but in the matter of WordPress when I use to convert PSD to WordPress I usually get hurdles but not like BuddyPress. But this is true that while building a social network it will help you perfectly. Guest Writer Written by Jack Calder Being a enthusiastic geek and technolog lover Jack Calder is a esteemed professional involved in the in-depth process of converting PSD to HTML CSS along with responsive design. Jack has done a lot's of research in the upcoming technology. Write For Us