BuddyPressBuddyPress is a suite of plugins for WordPress that transforms into a fully functional social network platform.

When installed on WordPress Multisite it provides features that lets your members socially interact with each other within a multi-blogging platform environment.

It provides all the features that allow you to build a community on your network. BuddyPress enables you to build passionate users around a specific niche.

Check out the 10 of the Latest and Greatest Inspirational BuddyPress Sites for ideas on how others are using BuddyPress!

Installing BuddyPress is as simple as:

Step 1 Install the version of WordPress or WordPress Multisite or greater as specified on BuddyPress Requirements page (for the best BuddyPress experience install WordPress 3.2 or greater)

Step 2 Use a FTP Client to install BuddyPress (same as you would install any plugin)

Step 3 Log into your Site and go to Network Admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins to activate your BuddyPress plugin

Step 4 Now click on the link that appears to run the installation wizard to ensure you get BuddyPress set up correctly

Please Note — When using WordPress Multisite the BuddyPress plugin only runs on one site on your network which is normally your main site.

What’s Included In BuddyPress

BuddyPress is made up of a series of plugins.

Each plugin is used to add a different social feature to your site, and all work independently of each other, so you can choose to use all of them or just use specific plugins to add the desirable features to your site.

The plugins are:

  • Extended Profiles: Allows you to create extra profile files that can be filled out by your members
  • Account Settings: Allows your members control over their account and notification settings
  • Friends: Members can use this to create friends list like they do on sites like Facebook and Ning
  • Private Messaging: Allows members to contact each other directly, and even allows group discussion
  • Activity Stream: Logs any activity for any member or group, as well as site wide activity of all members, across the entire network.  Its a bit like the Facebook News Feed and Latest Activity on Ning
  • User Groups: Allows members to create groups where they can share info on topic areas that interest them
  • Discussion Forums: Allows groups to create and manage their own forums, using a bbPress install.
  • Site Tracking: Tracks sites across the entire network including recently created sites, latest posts and latest comments.

See Next: How BuddyPress Works