Membership sites
Membership sites is a class of online systems where users can register and have their profiles on sites. Sometimes they can connect to other registered users and make social networks(facebook is a good example), sometimes they just have their profile listed on site so others can find it(for example service providers), or local online community site. Membership can be free or paid, or even have different subscription levels providing different sets of functionality available depending on level.
Here are some examples of possible site purposes:
-niche social network(for doctors, musicians, lawyers, kids)
-online community/forum(for some geographic area or speciality)
-service providers directory(plumbers, teachers)
-dating/matchmaking/job seeking sites
-directory of classified information with protected(paid) access
Often such sites may have ecommerce functionality, like marketplace, service orders/reservations, paid services and membership.
In Codussoft we usualy use Joomla, WordPress and Vbulletin as platforms for such websites. Joomla membership sites can be created using Joomla membership components such as Community Builder and Joomsocial and can leverage all power of Joomla platform and available components to provide rich functionality such as ecommerce, directory listings, events, forums, matchmaking etc.
WordPress is one of the most favorable choices for membership sites thanks to such plugins as Buddypress, S2Member and Wishlist Member which allow to make a WordPress membership site with great social networking capabilities easily. This is our default platforms for such solutions as niche social networks, online communities with marketplace, service providers directories, sites with paid membership and protected content.
Vbulletin is an ultimate forum solution, the most advanced forum platform with CMS capabilities. It serves great as online community site, discussion board/forum.
Somes systems need out-of-box functionality and high performance and scalability requirements. The best solution in this case would be a bespoke platform, created using Yii framework. In this case any kind of functionality can be implemented, and usually much faster and cheaper than it could be for a CMS-based site.
Please take a look at our portfolio to see some samples of wordpress membership sites, Joomla directory sites and Vbulletin online communities.