The Easiest Method for Launching a User-Generated Article Platform

Is your nonprofit, community, or enthusiast group looking to create a platform where members can share their ideas and experiences through short articles? Building such a platform can be straightforward with the right tools and steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up a website that enables individuals to publish short articles using content management systems (CMS) or website builders that support user-generated content.

Tools and Platforms for User-Generated Content

To get started, you'll need a tool that supports user-generated content. Here are two beginner-friendly options to consider:

WordPress Your Way

Does not require a developer Easy to set up and manage Less customizable compared to self-hosted WordPress Premium plans offer more control

This platform is known for its simplicity and user-friendliness, making it ideal for beginners. You can easily create a blog and allow multiple contributors to submit articles. The built-in user roles feature ensures content goes through moderation before being published.

Wix

Drag-and-drop interface Very user-friendly Can be easily automated with built-in tools Provides a blog feature

Wix offers a visual editor that lets you create and customize your website without any coding knowledge. It comes with a built-in blog section where you can enable user submissions and manually review the content. Wix also offers a range of pre-designed templates and plugins to enhance your blog.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

After selecting your platform, it’s time to configure it for user-generated content. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 2: Set Up a Basic Site Structure

No matter which platform you choose, you will need to:

Install a blog theme that supports multiple contributors Configure user roles for easy content management

For WordPress, you can use themes like Astra or Kadence to facilitate multi-contributor setup. For Wix, simply use the built-in blog feature and add a submission section to your site.

Step 3: Install or Enable a User Submission Tool

To allow users to submit their content, you will need to:

For WordPress plugins like User Submitted Posts or WPForms, you can create a simple form where users can submit articles For Wix, use the blog page as the submission hub or set up a Google Form to collect content

Tools like Wix Code with Velo can be used for more advanced customization, although this might require some coding knowledge.

Step 4: Set Permissions and Moderation

Ensure that:

Users can submit articles without full publishing rights Submitted content goes through moderation before being published

For WordPress, you can assign users as Contributors. For Wix, manually review and publish submissions or use Wix Velo for more complex automation.

Step 5: Optimize for Usability and Design

Make the user submission area intuitive by:

Adding clear submission guidelines Using tags or categories to organize articles Ensuring simple and mobile-friendly design

This will make your platform more user-friendly and attract more contributors. Additionally, make sure to feature the site's most engaging content to keep users coming back.

Step 6: Encourage Interaction

Engage your community by:

Placing comments sections on articles Adding social sharing buttons Including like/dislike features

These features will make users feel more connected and motivated to contribute more content.

Summary

With the right tools and a step-by-step approach, setting up a user-generated article platform is straightforward and accessible for beginners. Whether you choose WordPress Your Way or Wix, this guide will help you create a comprehensive and engaging content management system. Happy building!