Online Community: 10 Different Types You Should Know About

Different types of online communities exist in the world.

Most of them conveyed almost similar mechanisms and personalities— but varied on their objectives. Every community is trying to stand ahead of the competition.

Online communities are usually hosted on a wide array of platforms. Each one carries a specific purpose. But the goal of every community is finding solutions to specific issues. When planning to build an online community, the specific purpose and selected platform are the most critical parameters.
10 Different Types Of Online Community You Should Know About
Communities are usually based on five common purposes including:
⦁Interest: Communities where individuals share same interest or passion.
⦁ Action: Communities that come together to make change.
⦁ Place: Communities that shared same geographical boundaries.
⦁Practice: Group of people who come from same profession or undertake the same activities.
⦁ Circumstance: Communities that bring people together by external events/circumstances.
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Interest communities
Interest communities are common and easily accessible. Such types of community are usually based on hobby, passion or interest. These communities team up engaging content and entertain the members. For a successful interest community, you must consider video content for a powerful impact. However, you must encourage fellow members to upload videos.
Brand communities
The success of a brand depends on how it effectively builds trust and authentic relationships with the customers. To make it even more sustainable and leader of the niche, you need to continuously focus on what customers need, concern and challenges. Building a brand community helps you to boost customer engagement and showcasing brand’s authority.
Local communities
Local communities are usually limited within geographic barriers. These communities often include members of local areas where they can freely exchange Information and news with neighbours. These communities are often led by local leaders. Such types of community provide grassroots support without any shortage of communication.
Support communities
Support communities are immensely increasing among businesses. It helps them to reduce the cost of the customer support team. These online communities allow users to share tips freely with other members. Such types of communities are excellent for collecting structured data from respective customers— through its seamless communication routes. According to a study, 80% of firms have support communities.
Social communities
Social communities are most common with its existence among social media platforms. Every business prefers social media networks for running marketing campaigns, creating brand awareness and expanding organic reach to potential customers. Social communities are best for tracking competitors— their motive, unique selling proposition and latest market trends.
Professional communities
Professional communities are suitable for those who share similar work experience or expertise. It is seen that professional communities are strict with their rules and goals. They are often welcoming for newbies too. If you are planning to create a professional community, make sure the content and details are provoking for experienced professionals to be a member of it.
Insight communities
Insight communities are limited among companies. Insight communities comprise customers who maintain a long-lasting relationship with the brands. These communities aimed to collect quality feedback consistently from engaged members, which may include employees, partners and customers. These communities often work as mainstream market research tools which can contribute to customer experience, marketing and innovation.
Circumstance-based communities
These online communities aspire to bring people together for specific situations like pandemic, addiction to drugs and motherhood. The basic aim of the members is gathering information as much as possible. These members are usually highly motivated to share their experiences freely with the members.
Knowledge or learning communities
Brands that are centred on knowledge-sharing and learning, such kinds of communities are best for reaching a wider audience and boost brand’s voice and authority. By these communities, brands can share insights, access to behind-the-scenes and other exclusive content. However, such communities allow students to connect with classmates and enhance active learning experience.
Event communities
For the urge to go digital, recently, event communities are growing exponentially— especially during lockdown. It helps to build resilience and continue internal operations. Sometimes, in-person events may not be convenient due to volume and available format. The right alternative is to run virtual events at comfort, cost-effectively.
Anybody can create their specific community according to their needs. Few brands prefer various social media networks to boost their online presence. In contrast, a few of them focus on one of two platforms where they can represent them best, achieve what they are striving for. Some of the brands have corporate blogs for latest news, updates and industry-related tips.