Quick Answer
What does Community Chat do?
Community Chat allows members of a BizStackPro community to communicate privately through one-on-one messages. Members can share photos, files, GIFs, and emojis, receive notifications, and use controls such as View Profile, Delete Chat, and Block User. Chat can also be turned off for selected community groups.
Allowing Members to Connect Without Leaving the Community
Public posts and comments are useful for group discussions, but some conversations are better handled privately.
Community Chat gives members a built-in way to message one another directly without moving the conversation to another platform.
Members can use one-on-one chat to ask follow-up questions, share files, continue networking conversations, or provide personal support.
Keeping these interactions inside the community can make the group experience feel more connected and reduce the need for outside messaging tools.
Community Chat is private one-on-one messaging
Chat messages are separate from public channel posts and comments. Members communicate directly with the selected person.
Community Chat at a Glance
Before You Begin
Decide how private member messaging should be used before enabling it across the community.
- Confirm which community groups should allow chat.
- Decide whether members should be encouraged to use public channels first.
- Review any community safety or privacy rules.
- Confirm where members can find their profile or account settings.
- Decide whether any sensitive groups should have chat disabled.
- Confirm that members know how to block unwanted interactions.
- Review how chat notifications appear on desktop and mobile.
- Prepare two non-admin member accounts for testing.
Community Chat Features
One-on-One Messaging
Members can send private messages directly to another member inside the community.
Media Sharing
Chats can include photos, files, GIFs, and emojis when those options are available.
Real-Time Notifications
Members can receive alerts when a new message or reply arrives.
Member Profiles
A chat can be started from the Members list or an individual member profile.
Delete Chat
Members can use the available chat options to remove a conversation from their chat view.
Block User
Members can block another user when they no longer want to receive messages from that person.
Enable or Disable Community Chat
Open the Community
Enter the applicable BizStackPro community.
Open Your Profile or Account
Open the member profile, account menu, or profile controls inside the community experience.
Open Account Settings
Select Account Settings or the equivalent settings option.
Find Community Chat
Scroll to or locate the Community Chat section.
Turn Chat On or Off
Toggle the chat setting according to the member’s preference.
Save the Setting
Save the account or profile settings when required.
Chat availability may depend on group settings
A member-level preference cannot enable chat inside a group where the community administrator has disabled the feature.
Start a Chat with Another Member
Join the Community Group
The member must belong to the group before using its member chat features.
Open the Community
Enter the group containing the member you want to message.
Open Members
Select the Members area.
Find the Member
Search or browse for the person you want to contact.
Open the Member Profile
Select the member to view their profile.
Select Chat
Click or tap Chat to begin a private one-on-one conversation.
Use Community Chat on Desktop
Enter the Community Group
Open the group where the conversation should take place.
Open Members
Use the Members area to find an individual person.
Open the Chat Icon
Use the chat or messages icon to view existing conversations.
Select a Conversation
Open an existing thread or select a member profile and click Chat.
Write and Send the Message
Enter the message, add any supported media, and send it.
Use the Chat Options
Open the conversation menu to view the profile, delete the chat, or block the user.
Use Community Chat on Mobile
Open the BizStackPro Mobile App
Sign in to the mobile app using the applicable member account.
Open Community
Go to the Community area.
Tap the Message Icon
Use the message icon, commonly shown near the top-right area, to view all chats.
Search for a Member
Search by member name when starting a new conversation.
Open an Unread Conversation
Select an unread thread to review and reply.
Add Media When Needed
Use the attachment or media controls to add photos, files, or GIFs.
Share Media in Community Chats
Photos
Share screenshots, images, examples, or other visual information.
Files
Send supported documents or resources directly in the conversation.
GIFs
Use supported GIF options for informal reactions or conversation.
Emojis
Add quick reactions and emotional context to short messages.
Review files before sharing
Confirm that the file is intended for the selected person and does not contain private information that should not be shared.
Manage Chat Interactions
Blocking is a member safety control
Members should know where to find the block option and how to contact a community administrator when an interaction requires additional review.
Disable Chat for Specific Community Groups
Community Chat can be restricted on a group-by-group basis.
Open the Community
Enter the group whose chat availability should be changed.
Open Profile or Account Settings
Open the available profile, account, or community chat settings.
Find Community Chat
Locate the group-level Community Chat controls.
Select the Group
Choose the group where chat should be restricted.
Turn Chat Off
Disable Community Chat for that group.
Save and Test
Save the setting and confirm with a normal member account that chat is unavailable in the restricted group.
Use public channels when visibility is important
Disabling private chat can be useful in sensitive or moderated groups where conversations should remain visible to community administrators.
Review Chat Notifications
Community Chat can provide real-time alerts so members know when a new message or reply arrives.
Send a Test Message
Use one test member account to message another.
Review the Desktop Alert
Confirm whether the new chat appears in the expected desktop notification or unread-message area.
Review the Mobile Alert
Confirm whether the mobile app displays the expected unread message or notification.
Open the Conversation
Select the alert and confirm that it opens the correct thread.
Reply to the Message
Send a reply and confirm the second member receives the expected notification.
Test the Complete Community Chat Experience
Create Two Test Members
Use separate non-admin member accounts.
Join the Same Group
Confirm that both members have access to the community.
Start a Chat from Members
Open the Members list and begin a conversation from a profile.
Send Text and Media
Test a normal message, photo, file, GIF, and emoji when supported.
Review Notifications
Confirm that unread messages appear on desktop and mobile.
Test the Options Menu
Confirm that View Profile, Delete Chat, and Block User are available as expected.
Test a Restricted Group
Disable chat for a test group and confirm that members cannot begin a conversation there.
Community Chat Best Practices
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Chat feature?
How do I start chatting with other members in a group?
How do I enable or disable the chat feature?
How can I access chat on desktop?
How do I access chat on mobile?
Can I share media in chats?
How do I manage my chat interactions?
Can I disable chats for specific groups?
Continue Learning
Continue learning how to organize community discussions, improve engagement, manage private areas, and support members.
