What’s a Tool Stack?

Tool stacks are the different apps, platforms, and programs community builders use to engage their members. Community tool stacks help gain data and insights and support your goals for creating a successful community.

Community builders find success with the help of these tool stacks and a clear use case in mind.

A tool stack includes all of the different digital technologies used to build, run, and manage a particular piece of software or a project. When it comes to community building, the use case will determine what tools will work best for engaging your community.

This includes social media applications, chat forums, community engagement, and business data. Using a variety of tools allows for an integration of community and business tools and internal company data.

Some of the activities a tech stack helps accomplish includes: newsletter, social media, forum and chat platforms, event management, webinar, and community platforms.

See a breakdown of all three community use cases here.

Marketing

Marketing tools focus on brand engagement, awareness, and growth. Tools engage members with community events, meetups, and social media content all geared toward creating a memorable brand experience for your customers.

This also includes subscription-based models, like email marketing, where customers receive updates on new product features, upcoming events, and other announcements from your organization.

The primary goal is to increase customer engagement and retention. Efforts include increased brand awareness, engagement, and growth. This tool stack helps solidify the brand as a go-to for your customers.

Product Innovation

Product innovation tool stacks allow community members to actively contribute to the value the product delivers. It’s also an opportunity to incorporate member feedback into the product.

This use case supports community members who are involved with product development. The tool stack pulls community insights and data analytics to understand how the community wants to engage. These tools are often focused on memberships, collaboration, and learning.

Great ideas come from conversation, so it’s important to have a good mix of chatting and forum-type tools for community members to brainstorm and bounce new ideas around.

Customer Success

Customer support relies on customer relationship management (CRM) tools to connect with their customer base. This use case includes relationship-building and communication tools, often forum-based.

This tool stack supports customers at every step of their journey. Relationship-focused tools help drive customer support and engagement. It creates spaces for people to voice their concerns, address any product issues, and encourage confidence in your brand.

Conversation and communication are of utmost importance. Forum-type tools and groups offer the opportunity for a continuous dialogue and loop of feedback. Customers need to feel involved and supported at every step of the customer journey.

Tool Stacks & Community Growth

The tool stack your organization uses will determine the type of interaction and engagement from your community. Is there a tool community members are already active on? This is a great starting place to start.

The three use cases – marketing, product innovation, and customer success – will help determine the right tool stack for your audience. A well-rounded tool stack creates the space for engagement, growth, and sharing within your community.

To see a full breakdown of common community tool stacks visit our resource below.