By implementing groups in the community, you then need to make them discoverable to the relevant users and build a simple, logical, and effective access path.
Before you start
Groups are used to segment the community and target relevant activations. They can be used in missions, contests, product testing, channels, and communications. Discover how they work here.
Groups don't create a separate sub-community. They help structure members' journeys within the same community, with content and access adapted to their profile.
The goal is therefore to choose the right entry points to guide a member toward a group (from the profile, the homepage, a channel, a welcome message, a mission, or a communication). Depending on the use case, you can combine several of them to create a smoother journey and increase the chances that the member joins the right group at the right time.
Choose the right path
The right user journey depends first on your objective and the group's configuration. For example:
- If you want to introduce a group from the start (possibly a Visible & Self-join group), choose a visible entry point that is easy for new members to access.
- If you prefer to reserve the group for a more selective audience (possibly a Visible & On application or Visible & Automatically assigned on condition group), use a more direct and guided journey.
A strategy that can be effective is to combine a discovery entry point with an activation entry point. For example, a welcome message can introduce the group, then a mission or a channel can encourage the member to join, apply, or meet the required conditions.
Possible entry points
The manual homecard is a good entry point when you want to make the group visible with quick and clear access from the start. It works well to catch the member's attention and guide them toward a first action.
This entry point is not ideal for highlighting several groups addressing the same segmentation need (for example, regional segmentation): this would require highlighting all of them, which can create confusion.
You can create a manual homecard that redirects to the member profile's Activity tab (where they can join or apply for a group), or to a Custom Page that presents the different available groups and their benefits (specific missions, extra points, and rewards).
A pinned post in a channel is useful to present a group. The member discovers the group and its benefits (specific missions, extra points, and rewards) when browsing an area they already know. To do this, an admin must post in the relevant channel and pin the message so it is visible as soon as the member enters the channel.
This option works well if the group is linked to a theme or a recurring engagement space.
The welcome message is a good entry point to launch the journey as soon as the member arrives in the community. It makes it easy to explain why the group exists and what it brings, to encourage members to join them.
You can use it in the welcome inbox, the welcome page, or the welcome email. It is often the best choice for groups you want to introduce very early in the member journey.
A mission is an excellent lever to connect the group to a concrete action. The member immediately understands the value of the group, because access is tied to a visible and engaging experience.
For example, you can create a manually validated mission (condition Screenshot/picture validated) by asking the member to join the group matching their interests. Then, the missions specific to that group will appear as soon as the member joins, with an "Exclusive" label.
This approach is useful if you want to create a progression logic: the user discovers the group, joins it, then unlocks an exclusive or targeted mission.
The Activity tab of the member profile on the community side can be used as a central entry point to discover and join new groups. It is a good option for a more autonomous journey, where the member explores groups according to their interests.
This path is especially suited if you want to let the member choose their groups themselves, while keeping navigation simple and consistent.
Recommended combinations
Use a welcome message, then a manual homecard. This combination is ideal for presenting the group quickly and guiding the user toward a first discovery.
It is the simplest choice for a clear journey, without multiplying touchpoints.
Combine a pinned post in a channel, then a targeted mission. The member first discovers the group, then understands they can access it through a specific action.
This logic works well to increase engagement.
Use a welcome message, an exclusive mission, and access to a restricted channel. This combination can be adapted to Automatically assigned on condition groups, when you want to encourage members to meet the required conditions to access them.
It is well suited to premium, VIP, or confidential use cases, where the group must remain discreet and reserved for a specific audience.
Let the user discover groups from their profile, then complement it with a homecard and a pinned post. This journey is useful when you want to give more autonomy to the member while keeping several entry points.
It is a good option if the community offers several groups and the member should be able to choose the one that best fits them.
Journey examples
Here are a few journey examples to adapt to your needs:
- Broad onboarding: welcome email + homecard + introductory mission.
- Thematic activation: pinned post + dedicated channel + targeted mission.
- Premium group: private message + exclusive mission + restricted channel.
- Autonomous journey: welcome page + profile + homecard.
Best practices
In practice, depending on the group's configuration, you can adjust the user journey:
Broad public group |
Prioritize the homecard, the pinned post, and the welcome message. |
More selective group |
Prioritize the mission, the targeted message, and restricted access to a channel. |
Goal: guide the member progressively |
Combine several entry points in a logical order: discover, understand, join, then activate. |
To help you, you can follow these best practices:
- Focus first on the member's point of view to keep the journey simple, clear, and understandable.
- Use simple, direct, and motivating messages when presenting the benefits linked to groups.
- Adapt the journey to the group's visibility level: Visible or Hidden.
- Reserve Hidden groups for use cases that require discretion or manual selection.