Building Web Communities

Long before "community" was a hot buzzword, Dooley Direct was growing successful web communities.  While a community isn't necessary or appropriate for every business or website, many will find it is the logical next step in breaking down barriers and converting prospects into customers, and customers into "fans".  An online community allows management to see directly what product owners and service users are saying without the information being filtered through layers of management.  It also allows managers to directly address problems, rumors, and the like in a forthright way.  In the long run, a busy community can create a real allegiance between the company and its customers, turning those customers into evangelists themselves.