An App That Helps Build Community: Nextdoor

Unless you are still using a flip phone like a few people I may be related to; you likely have a smartphone and use its apps.

An app is an application, one that likely has an icon on either your home screen or extended menu. Some apps are small software programs that run on your phone. Other apps are nothing more than a cute shortcut to a mobile site.

Recently I was introduced to a relatively new app by accident. Late one night our new neighbor’s dog escaped. While we were helping him look for his dog, he introduced himself, handed me a piece of paper that had information about signing up for an app called Nextdoor. He briefly explained how it worked in his previous neighborhood in situations just like the one we were in.

I had heard of Next door a couple of times previously and not paid it much mind. A few days past and I pulled out the now crumpled paper and decided to investigate a bit further.

Next door is a social networking app that is all about your local community. Unlike Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or others it is an app that is developed for real relationships. To reach the application’s potential, once you sign up, you need to invite others to join. A caveat to that is you only can invite people that live in your local area, in your neighborhood. You can find the Nextdoor app in either your Google Play store on Android or the App Store for you iPhone.

After downloading the app, you can search your local area for existing communities that contain your neighborhood or create a new one. By creating a network within your community you develop a system of relationships. Nextdoor allows you to post messages that other member can see. Things like needing a pet sitter or notifying the neighbors of a lost pet, suspicious person or an upcoming garage sale.

Since using the app in our neighborhood, we have slowly grown the users to a little over a dozen right now in my area. That is a dozen eyes and ears that I did not necessarily know before. When my neighbor’s dog got out again, he was able to find him in a neighborhood down the street using the app. There is a community barbecue being planned with people I have not met, although we have lived in the same neighborhood for years.

Technology is growing, and much of it is for the greater good. With more apps like Nextdoor coming to the market, we can build a community that would not otherwise be possible. I know some people see technology as evil and a waste of time. Tell that to my neighbor who without it would likely have never found his family pet. Nextdoor’s mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer communities everywhere.

https://vimeo.com/59427424

Do you use Nextdoor in your community?

I would love to hear about how the app has helped you. If not why not sign up today and meet your community that is living right next door. For more information on how to sign up and to be rewarded with a $25 Amazon gift card just for creating your community on Nextdoor, click here for more information and to sign up today!