Hey there! Have you ever joined a Discord server only to feel lost and confused? Without a dedicated system for welcoming new members, it‘s all too easy to disrupt existing conversations or break community rules.
Luckily, creating a tailored welcome channel takes just minutes. These channels not only provide a warmer greeting—they help retain members over the long-haul.
So whether you manage a public gaming server or private friend group, let‘s explore how proper onboarding sets up your community for success!
Why Welcome Channels Matter
Since its launch just seven years ago, over 150 million people now actively use Discord every month.
With so many flocking to Discord, customized welcome channels allow you to:
- Greet new members with a friendly server intro
- Set rules and expectations upfront
- Answer frequently asked questions to prevent confusion
- Direct users to relevant channels for engagement
This curbs disruptions by giving context before they join conversations.
In fact, Discord revealed welcome channels result in 30% higher new member retention during the first 24 hours!
So let‘s explore how to create these game-changing newcomer hubs.
Step 1: Designating Your Welcome Channel
First, you‘ll want to create a dedicated text channel specifically for greeting new members.
On Desktop
- Click the purple plus icon next to your Text Channels list
- Select Create Text Channel from the menu
- Name it something identifiable like #welcome or #start-here
- Click Create Channel
This adds a blank #welcome channel you can now customize.
On Mobile
- Tap the purple plus icon at the bottom of your server‘s Text Channels list
- Enter your preferred name, like #new-members
- Adjust any options like permissions
- Tap Create at the bottom
Easy enough, right? Now let‘s pin this to the top.
Step 2: Pinning Your Welcome Channel
To ensure your welcome channel is the first thing new members see, you‘ll need to move it to the top spot.
On Desktop
Click and drag #welcome above General and other public channels. The order matters!
On Mobile
- Tap the Server Settings icon (⚙️)
- Select Channels from the menu
- Tap Channel Order
- Drag #welcome into the number one spot
There we go—now when a newbie joins, your welcome message shows up automatically!
Step 3: Crafting Your Welcome Message
Next comes customizing the all-important welcome notice itself. This brief yet informative message should cover:
- Quick description of your community
- Rules and guidelines to set expectations
- Onboarding steps like verification
- Links and previews to other public channels
You also have fancy customization options like:
- Enabling Slow Mode to limit spam
- Adding Roles for self-assignment
- Welcome bots to provide mod tools, post resources, run polls, and more! Popular options:
| Bot Name | Key Welcome Features |
|---|---|
| MEE6 | Customizable greetings, server stats |
| Dyno | Server resource hub, new member announcements |
| Carl-bot | Permission syncs, conversation starters |
Take time crafting this initial message—first impressions go a long way!
Step 4: Continuously Optimizing Based on Feedback
Even after setup, keep checking back on your welcome channel‘s effectiveness.
- Are new folks asking the same questions? Pin useful FAQs!
- Do certain guidelines get broken often? Update the reminders!
- Quieter than expected? Liven things up with a conversation starter bot!
Use member feedback and stats tools to constantly improve. Here‘s an example workflow:
See how running an excellent welcome channel takes some ongoing effort? But doing it thoughtfully pays off ten-fold in member satisfaction!
So if you want to boost newcomer onboarding (and retention) in your Discord community, a tailored, welcoming first channel paves the way.
I hope these tips help you provide an more positive server experience. Now get out there and start wowing your new members!