What is an Online Community?
An online community is a group of people who interact with each other on an online platform. These communities can range from the 1+ billion-person Instagram community to a 10-person community of coffee lovers that rates artisan cafes in their city through a private Facebook group.
There’s a huge range in how an online community can scale, and understanding what type of online community is the most beneficial for your brand is the first step in building your own community.
Types of Online Communities
The type of online community that you choose to create is going to be the answer to the above question, what community does your customer want? Your artisan coffee community doesn’t want to share their coffee tasting experiences with 1+ billion people. They want an intimate group of coffee lovers who know what they’re talking about and have a similar palette.
On the flip side, bloggers making a full-time living sharing their lifestyle are more than happy to try to grow their brand’s community as large as possible within the massive Instagram community of 1+ billion users.
There are two types of online communities:
1. Public social networks.
Think Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok—even Vine (RIP) was a massive online community. Public social networks are online communities that only require someone to have an account to be part of the community. There aren’t many guidelines or restrictions when it comes to who gets to be part of this type of community.
2. Branded communities.
This type of community is the opposite of a public social network. You’ll need to provide more than an email address and password to get inside of the community. Imagine SOHO house, or a private members club, but online. You’ll need the right credentials (experience, common interests, location, etc.) to have access to the community—even if it’s on a public social media platform.
There’s a huge range in how an online community can scale, and understanding what type of online community is the most beneficial for your brand is the first step in building your own community.
On the flip side, bloggers making a full-time living sharing their lifestyle are more than happy to try to grow their brand’s community as large as possible within the massive Instagram community of 1+ billion users.
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Online communities can also come in various types, each serving different purposes and catering to specific interests, such as
1)Discussion forums: e.g., Reddit, Quora, and specialized forums for specific interests.
2)Social Media Networks: – Platforms that connect users through profiles, allowing them to share updates, photos, and interact with others. Examples include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
3)Professional Networks: Platforms designed for networking and professional interactions. LinkedIn is a prime example, focused on connecting professionals for career-related discussions and opportunities.
4)Blogs and Blogging Communities: WordPress and Medium are examples, and some niche communities form around shared blogging interests.
5)Question and Answer Communities: Stack Exchange is a popular network for Q&A communities.
6)Online Gaming Communities: – Examples include Steam, Xbox Live, and PlayStation Network.
7)Educational Communities: Platforms designed for learning and knowledge-sharing. This can include forums for students, online courses, or collaborative learning environments.
8)Support Groups: Online spaces where individuals facing similar challenges or experiences can find support and share advice. Health-related forums, mental health support groups, and recovery communities fall into this category.
9) Marketplace Communities: Platforms where users buy, sell, or trade goods and services. Examples include Etsy for handmade crafts or eBay for a wide range of products.
10) Geographical Communities: Online spaces that connect people based on their location, allowing them to discuss local events, news, and interests.