WordPress Finally Has a REAL Community Plugin (FluentCommunity Review)
A hands-on review of FluentCommunity, a new WordPress plugin that combines social networking, online courses, and community features. Find out if this all-in-one solution is ready to compete with standalone platforms like Circle and Mighty Networks.
The WordPress ecosystem has long needed a proper community solution that doesn't require cobbling together multiple plugins or settling for clunky, outdated interfaces. Enter FluentCommunity, a new offering from the WPManageNinja team that aims to change how we build communities on WordPress.
Introduction [00:00]
I'm excited to introduce a brand new WordPress series called "What's Pressing," where I focus on what's new and exciting in the WordPress ecosystem, leaving all the tribalism and drama behind. Today's review spotlights FluentCommunity, from one of my favorite WordPress development teams - WPManageNinja, known for their other successful plugins like Fluent SMTP, Fluent CRM, and Fluent Forms.
Build your own version of Skool, Cirlce, or a Facebook group on a platform you own and control.
Overview of Features [00:32]
FluentCommunity packs an impressive array of features into a single plugin:
- Social media-style feed
- Member management
- Spaces (similar to Facebook Groups)
- Discussion forums
- Live chat capabilities
- Community leaderboard
- Full course platform integration
Feed & Posts [01:30]
The community feed functions similarly to what you'd expect from social platforms like Facebook. Posts can include text, images, videos (supporting embeds from YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia), and polls. The interface is clean and intuitive, with familiar features like reactions (hearts) and threaded comments up to two levels deep.
Some notable features in the posting system:
- Emoji picker integration
- GIF support through Giphy (requires API setup)
- Video embedding from major platforms
- Poll creation capabilities
- Ability to disable specific features if they don't fit your community's needs
Spaces & Groups [04:05]
The organizational structure in FluentCommunity uses "spaces" (essentially groups) that can be further organized into "space groups" (folders). While the terminology might take some getting used to, the system allows for flexible organization of your community content.
One minor drawback is the current limitation in moving content between spaces - you'll need to use the triple-dot menu rather than drag-and-drop functionality. The interface looks polished but could benefit from some quality-of-life improvements in terms of content management.
Course Features [08:01]
The course functionality in FluentCommunity is a pleasant surprise. You can create full online courses with:
- Multiple modules and lessons
- Video integration
- Text content using the Gutenberg editor
- Progress tracking
- Course comments and discussions
- Focus mode for distraction-free learning
The course builder uses a familiar WordPress interface, leveraging Gutenberg for content creation. While functional, there are some limitations - notably the inability to move lessons between modules and no lesson duplication feature. The course platform supports three delivery methods:
- Self-paced courses
- Structured (dripped) content
- Scheduled courses for live cohorts
Member Management [12:42]
The member area provides a clean interface for managing your community members. Each user gets a profile page displaying their:
- Recent activities
- Posts and comments
- Space memberships
- Custom profile images and cover photos
- Badges and verification status
Badges & Leaderboard [15:19]
The badge system allows administrators to create custom recognition for community members. While the default space-themed badges might not suit everyone, they're fully customizable. The leaderboard feature helps track and reward active community members, though the current implementation is fairly basic.
One limitation worth noting is that members can only have one badge at a time, which might be restrictive for communities wanting to recognize multiple roles or achievements.
Dark Mode & Customization [16:19]
The customization options in FluentCommunity are impressive. You can:
- Toggle between light and dark modes
- Set different logos for light/dark modes
- Choose from preset color schemes
- Create custom color palettes
- Customize OG images for social sharing
- Modify menu layouts
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Final Thoughts [18:34]
FluentCommunity represents a significant step forward for WordPress community building. The WPManageNinja team has created a polished, feature-rich platform that feels fast and modern. While there are some areas that need improvement - particularly around content management and monetization workflows - the overall package is impressive.
Key areas for improvement include:
- Simplified monetization process (currently requires multiple plugins)
- More intuitive content organization tools
- Enhanced course management capabilities
- Multiple badge support for members
- Direct preview links for courses and spaces
Despite these limitations, FluentCommunity shows great promise and is worth considering if you're looking to build a WordPress-based community platform. The current pricing through their launch offer makes it an particularly attractive option for getting started.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission if you make a purchase. This helps support the channel at no additional cost to you.
