9 Timeless Principles For Building Community
Erecting The Social Scaffolding
By Amy Jo Kim
Web communities come in all shapes and sizes. Some are cozy and intimate; others are large and impersonal. Some are hidden behind firewalls; others are open to everyone. Some are extensions of real-world communities; others take place exclusively in cyberspace.
Regardless of how they start, all Web communities need "social scaffolding" to grow and thrive. Social scaffolding refers to those aspects of a site -- roles, rituals, features, events, leadership -- that facilitate community development. Much like a trellis enables an plant to grow, social scaffolding enables members to become progressively more involved in the community.
As Jonathan Steuer points out in "Tools for Building a Web Community," on page 44, the tools for community building are becoming easier to use and more widely available. Consequently, a growing number of online businesses are adding elements of community to their Web sites. But opening a chat room doesn't automatically launch a community, no more than purchasing land will automatically result in a beautiful garden. You have to know what you're trying to accomplish, sow the seeds at the right time, manage the growth, defend against attacks, and (most importantly) be prepared to improvise.
Most Web developers are familiar with the technical and design aspects of creating a great site. This article builds on that knowledge, and provides an overview of the social aspects of a thriving, successful Web community.
