In today’s digital age, an engaged online community is vital for nonprofits, empowering them to mobilize their supporters and further their mission. Whether it's resource hubs for knowledge sharing, membership portals, volunteer management systems, or spaces for interaction, creating a vibrant online space is crucial to organizational success.
As we continue to shift more aspects of our lives online, it’s essential for nonprofits to leverage this opportunity to grow and nurture their communities. Platforms like Heroku and Salesforce Experience Cloud offer unique ways to build online communities tailored to your specific needs.
Why Now Is the Time to Grow Your Online Community
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for virtual spaces, as social distancing measures pushed many organizations to explore new ways to connect with their supporters. Now is an ideal time to rethink how you can develop a thriving online community. With Salesforce Experience Cloud, we have helped numerous organizations enhance their community engagement through custom online portals.
Choosing Between Heroku and Salesforce Experience Cloud
When clients come to us looking to build an online community, the decision often boils down to Heroku or Salesforce Experience Cloud. Each platform offers distinct advantages based on three core factors:
1. Managing Large and Complex Datasets
If your community members require access to data from various sources, Heroku is the go-to solution. Heroku integrates disparate systems into a single, easily accessible platform. It allows you to keep your legacy systems intact while unifying data, making it easier for users to access and manage information. This approach aligns with Salesforce’s vision of breaking down silos to work seamlessly with multiple platforms.
2. User Interface and Customization
For those who predominantly use Salesforce and seek a straightforward tech stack, Salesforce Experience Cloud is ideal. It provides a highly customizable interface that can be managed within Salesforce, ensuring a seamless user experience that reflects your brand.
However, if your organization requires advanced customization or highly creative designs, Heroku shines. It allows for a pixel-perfect UI, essential for organizations looking to offer custom functionality outside of Experience Cloud or unify multiple systems under one platform.
3. Licensing Flexibility
When it comes to licensing, Salesforce Experience Cloud handles most scenarios with ease, especially if you know how many community members to expect and their data consumption. But for organizations with large or fluctuating user bases (think 25K+ users) or significant data storage needs, Heroku provides more flexibility. It enables you to build a scalable, cost-effective custom application where you only pay for what you use.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
While many nonprofits can thrive with Salesforce Experience Cloud, some organizations—particularly those with complex needs like academic institutions, NGOs, or healthcare providers—might benefit more from a custom portal on Heroku. This ensures their platform is tailored to specific requirements, with greater flexibility in customization, data management, and user interface design.
If your nonprofit is looking to build or revamp its online community, reach out to explore which platform fits your needs best.
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