Websites using Invisionboard

Okay, let s break down Invision Community (formerly Invision Power Board, IP.Board), covering its overview, revenue information (though limited), alternatives, pricing, and customer care details.

Invision Community Overview

• What it is: Invision Community is a commercial internet forum software platform. It s a comprehensive solution designed to create and manage online communities. It s a mature product with a long history in the forum software space.

• Key Features:

  • Forums: Core forum functionality with categories, topics, posts, permissions, moderation tools, and search.
  • Blogs: Integrated blogging platform.
  • Gallery: Image and media gallery management.
  • Calendar: Event calendar functionality.
  • Downloads: File sharing and download management.
  • Clubs: Private or public groups within the community.
  • Pages: Create custom pages and content.
  • Commerce (Optional): Integrated e-commerce functionality to sell products, subscriptions, or services directly within your community.
  • Rest API: Allows developers to extend and integrate Invision Community with other applications.
  • Mobile Responsive: The interface is designed to work well on different screen sizes (desktops, tablets, and mobile phones).
  • SEO Friendly: Features designed to improve search engine optimization.
  • Customization: Highly customizable through themes, plugins, and modifications.

• Target Audience: Businesses, organizations, and individuals who want to build and manage large, active online communities.

Revenue Information

• Privately Held: Invision Power Services, Inc. (the company behind Invision Community) is a privately held company. This means that they do not publicly disclose their revenue figures.

• Revenue Model: Their revenue is primarily generated through:

  • Software Licenses/Subscriptions: Selling licenses or subscriptions to the Invision Community software.
  • Apps (Marketplace): Invision Community has a marketplace where developers can sell add-ons and plugins. Invision takes a cut of these sales.
  • Services: Offering services such as installation, customization, and support.

• Estimates: While exact figures are unavailable, based on their pricing, market position, and history, their annual revenue is likely in the millions of dollars.

Alternatives to Invision Community

There are many forum software alternatives available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here s a list of some popular options:

• XenForo: A very popular commercial forum software known for its clean design, performance, and strong community support. Considered by many to be the closest competitor to Invision Community.
• vBulletin: A long-standing commercial forum software platform. It s a mature product, but has faced some criticisms in recent years regarding development pace.
• phpBB: A free and open-source forum software. It s a very popular choice for smaller communities and those on a budget.
• MyBB: Another free and open-source forum software.
• Discourse: A modern, open-source forum platform with a focus on simplicity and engagement. It is often preferred for its modern look and feel.
• NodeBB: A Node.js powered, open-source forum platform. Offers real-time features and a more modern architecture.
• Flarum: A free, open-source forum platform with a minimalist design.
• Vanilla Forums: A cloud-based forum platform with a focus on simplicity and user experience.
• Phorum: A simple and lightweight PHP forum software.
• Simple Machines Forum (SMF): A free and open-source forum software.

When choosing an alternative, consider your budget, technical skills, desired features, and community size.

Pricing

• Invision Community uses a subscription-based pricing model. The pricing structure may have changed so you should always check the official website. As of my last knowledge update, it was structured around the number of members in your community.

• Key elements of the pricing structure (subject to change):

  • A monthly or annual subscription fee.
  • Different tiers based on the number of active members. As your community grows, you may need to upgrade to a higher tier.
  • Apps in the Marketplace are purchased separately.
  • Optional services (installation, customization) are extra.

• Important: Always check the Invision Community website (https://invisioncommunity.com/) for the most current and accurate pricing information.

Customer Care Details

• Support Channels: Invision Community typically provides support through the following channels:

  • Support Forums: A dedicated support forum where users can ask questions and get help from other users and Invision Community staff.
  • Documentation: Comprehensive online documentation covering all aspects of the software.
  • Knowledge Base: A collection of articles and tutorials addressing common issues.
  • Support Tickets: Submitting support tickets through their website. This is usually the primary method for getting direct support from Invision Community staff.
  • Community Experts: Invision Community has a community of experienced users who can provide assistance (often for a fee).

• Support Level: The level of support you receive may depend on your subscription level. Higher-tier subscriptions may include priority support or faster response times.

• Response Times: Response times can vary depending on the complexity of the issue and the support volume.

Summary Table

| Feature | Description | |-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Overview | Commercial forum software platform for building and managing online communities. | | Revenue | Privately held; revenue from licenses/subscriptions, marketplace apps, and services. Revenue in the millions. | | Alternatives | XenForo, vBulletin, phpBB, Discourse, NodeBB, Flarum, Vanilla Forums, MyBB, SMF, Phorum. | | Pricing | Subscription-based; tiers based on member count. Check the website for current pricing. | | Customer Care | Support forums, documentation, knowledge base, support tickets. Support level may vary by subscription tier. |

Key Considerations When Evaluating Invision Community:

• Cost: Consider the ongoing subscription costs and any additional expenses for apps, customization, or support.
• Features: Ensure that Invision Community has all the features you need for your community.
• Scalability: The software should be able to handle the growth of your community.
• Customization: Evaluate the customization options to ensure that you can create a unique and branded community experience.
• Support: Assess the quality and availability of customer support.
• Community: The activeness of the third party developer community.

I hope this detailed overview is helpful! Remember to always verify information, especially pricing, directly on the Invision Community website.