Groups are a powerful way to organize your members into smaller communities. Whether you’re running a professional network, hobby community, or social platform, groups help members connect around shared interests, topics, or goals.
The Ultimate Member Groups extension adds full group functionality to your site. In this guide, I’ll walk you through setting up groups, managing them, and helping your members get the most out of group features. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Groups
Groups in Ultimate Member let you:
- Create smaller communities within your site
- Organize members by interests or topics
- Enable group-specific content and discussions
- Facilitate member networking
- Build engaged sub-communities
Think of groups like Facebook groups or Slack channels – they’re focused communities within your larger membership site.
Installing the Groups Extension
First, let’s install the extension:
Download and Install
If you’ve purchased the Groups extension:
- Log into your Ultimate Member account
- Download the Groups extension
- Go to WordPress → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Upload and activate
Once activated, you’ll see Groups options in Ultimate Member settings.
Basic Group Configuration
Let’s configure basic group settings:
General Settings
Go to Ultimate Member → Settings → Extensions → Groups:
- Enable/disable group creation
- Set who can create groups
- Configure group permissions
- Set moderation options
Decide whether all members can create groups or only specific roles. This depends on your community structure.
Group Types
You can configure different group types:
- Public groups – Anyone can join
- Private groups – Requires approval
- Hidden groups – Invitation only
Different group types serve different purposes. Public groups are great for open communities, while private groups work for exclusive communities.
Creating Your First Group
Let’s create a group to see how it works:
Group Creation Process
To create a group:
- Go to the Groups page (created automatically)
- Click “Create Group”
- Enter group name and description
- Choose group type (public/private/hidden)
- Set group settings
- Save your group
The group creation form is straightforward. Fill in the details that describe your group’s purpose.
Group Settings
Configure group-specific settings:
- Group name and description
- Group cover photo
- Group privacy settings
- Member approval requirements
- Content posting permissions
Good group settings help groups function well and attract the right members.
Group Features
Groups include many features to help members connect:
Group Pages
Each group gets its own page with:
- Group information and description
- Member list
- Group activity feed
- Group content
- Discussion areas
Group pages are the hub for group activity. Make sure they’re well-organized and easy to navigate.
Member Management
Group administrators can:
- Approve or reject join requests
- Invite members
- Remove members
- Assign moderators
- Manage group settings
Good member management keeps groups active and focused.
Group Content and Discussions
Groups can have their own content areas:
Group Posts
Members can post to groups:
- Text posts
- Image posts
- Link sharing
- Discussion topics
Group posts create engagement and keep members active.
Group Discussions
Some setups support threaded discussions:
- Topic-based discussions
- Reply threads
- Discussion organization
Discussions help groups become active communities.
Group Discovery
Help members find relevant groups:
Groups Directory
Create a groups directory page:
- List all public groups
- Search functionality
- Filter by category
- Sort options
A good directory helps members discover groups that match their interests.
Group Recommendations
You can recommend groups to members based on:
- Their profile information
- Their interests
- Similar members
- Popular groups
Recommendations help members find relevant communities.
Group Administration
Managing groups effectively is important:
Group Roles
Groups have different roles:
- Administrator – Full control
- Moderator – Can moderate content
- Member – Standard member
Assign roles carefully to trusted members who can help manage groups.
Group Moderation
Moderate group content:
- Review posts before publishing
- Remove inappropriate content
- Manage member behavior
- Handle reports
Good moderation keeps groups positive and valuable.
Group Integration
Groups integrate with other Ultimate Member features:
Profile Integration
Show groups on member profiles:
- Groups member belongs to
- Group roles
- Group activity
Profile integration helps members discover groups through other members.
Directory Integration
Groups can appear in member directories, helping members find groups through member connections.
Group Notifications
Keep members informed about group activity:
Notification Types
Members can receive notifications for:
- New group posts
- Join requests
- Group invitations
- Group updates
Notifications help members stay engaged with their groups.
Testing Groups
Before going live, test group functionality:
- Create test groups
- Test join/leave process
- Try posting content
- Test moderation features
- Check notifications
- Test on mobile devices
Thorough testing ensures groups work well for all members.
Best Practices
Tips for successful groups:
- Start with a few groups – Don’t create too many initially
- Set clear guidelines – Help group admins understand their role
- Monitor activity – Keep an eye on group health
- Encourage engagement – Help groups stay active
- Provide support – Help group admins when needed
Next Steps
Now that groups are set up, consider:
- Creating initial groups to get started
- Training group administrators
- Promoting groups to members
- Integrating with other features
Groups are powerful tools for building community. Take time to set them up well, and they’ll become valuable spaces where members connect and engage.