5 Best Online Community Examples

For the last few years, we’ve been helping creators, marketers, and even coaches create an online community around their expertise.

One of the few things we’ve learned is that it’s not about the size of the community but how it’s set up. With the right community platform, it’s possible to create a tightly focused group of royal brand fans and monetize it.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most innovative and successful online communities.

We’ll also be sharing tips and best practices for creating and maintaining a thriving online community of your own. Whether you’re a business owner, a marketer, or looking to build a community of loyal brand fans, this guide is for you.

Let’s delve right in.

What Is an Online Community?

An online community is a group of people who come together through the internet to share common interests, goals, and experiences.

These communities can be built around various topics, from hobbies and interests to professional fields and social causes.

Online communities can take many forms, including forums, social media groups, messaging apps, and virtual worlds.

They may be open to the public or restricted to a specific group. Some communities are moderated by a small group of volunteers, while professional organizations or businesses run others.

One of the key features of an online community is that it allows people to interact and engage with one another.

For example, a community focused on a specific hobby may allow its members to share tips and advice, show off their work, and connect with others who share their passion. Similarly, a professional community may provide a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among industry experts.

Online communities can also help build social connections and foster a sense of belonging. They can provide a safe and supportive space for people to discuss sensitive topics, share personal experiences, and offer support to one another.

Types of Online Community

There are several types of online communities, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes. Some examples include:

Learning Communities

A learning community is a group of individuals who come together to learn and grow. The goal of a learning community is to create a supportive environment where members can share their knowledge and experiences, collaborate on projects, and provide feedback to one another.

One of the key benefits of learning communities is that they provide a space for individuals to learn from one another rather than relying solely on traditional forms of instruction.

By sharing their knowledge and experiences, members can gain new perspectives and insights they may not have been exposed to otherwise.

Additionally, the collaborative nature of learning communities allows members to work together to solve problems and achieve common goals, leading to increased motivation and engagement.

Niche communities

A niche community features a group of individuals who share a common interest or passion and come together to learn and share information about that niche.

Niche communities are often more focused and specialized than broader learning communities, as they focus on a specific topic or area of interest.

For example, a niche community might be focused on a particular hobby, such as photography or gardening, or a specific industry, such as technology or finance.

Members of these communities are often highly passionate and knowledgeable about their niche and come together to share resources, tips, and advice, as well as to collaborate on projects and initiatives related to their place.

One benefit of niche communities is that they often have a wealth of specialized knowledge and resources that can be hard to find elsewhere.

Members of these communities are usually experts in their niche and are willing to share their knowledge and experiences with others. This can be especially beneficial for individuals looking to learn more about a specific topic or improve their skills in a particular area.

Branded Communities

The goal of a branded community is to create a space where customers, fans, and enthusiasts of the brand can connect, share their experiences and feedback, and interact with the brand in a meaningful way.

Branded communities are often created and managed by the companies themselves as a way to build stronger relationships with their customers and develop a sense of brand loyalty.

They can also be created by customers and fans independently, but later on, the brand can join and support them.

One of the key benefits of branded communities is that they provide a space for customers to connect and share their experiences and feedback about the brand.

This can be especially valuable for companies, as it allows them to gather valuable insights and customer feedback, which can help inform product development and marketing strategies. Additionally, by engaging with customers in a meaningful way, companies can build stronger relationships with their customers and create a sense of brand loyalty.

Branded communities can also be a powerful marketing tool. Companies can create buzz and excitement around their products and services by creating a space where customers can connect with one another and share their experiences and feedback.

Branded communities can also be an excellent way for companies to build personal and professional networks. By connecting with customers and fans, companies can make valuable connections that can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

Local Communities

Local communities are groups of people who live and work in the same geographic area and come together to share their experiences, support one another, and positively impact their community.

They are often defined by geographic boundaries such as a city, town, or neighborhood and may be composed of diverse groups of people with different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Local communities may also be organized around shared interests or goals, such as a particular hobby, industry, or social cause.

Interest Communities

Interest communities, also known as hobby communities or affinity groups, come together around a specific interest or hobby.

The goal of an interest community is to create a space where individuals who share the same interest or hobbies can connect, share their experiences and knowledge, and engage in activities related to that interest.

Interest communities can be formed around a wide range of interests, such as hobbies like photography, blogging, or gaming, or specific interests like finance, technology, or health and wellness. They can be formed and joined by anyone with a common interest or hobby.

One of the key benefits of interest communities is that they provide a space for individuals to connect with others who share their specific interests or passions.

This can be especially valuable for individuals who may feel isolated or disconnected from others in their broader community. By joining an interest community, individuals can find like-minded individuals who can provide support, advice, and inspiration.

Fan Communities

Online fan communities are groups of individuals who come together to discuss and share their enthusiasm for a specific topic, such as a TV show, movie, book, musician, or video game.

An online fan community allows fans to connect, share their thoughts and opinions about the topic, and engage with other fans who share their interests.

Online fan communities can be an excellent way for fans to connect with the creators of the content they love. This helps build a deeper connection between the fans and the creators and provides valuable feedback to the creators about the content.

Steps to Building a Successful Online Community

Building a successful online community requires strategy, planning, and execution. Here are some steps that can help you build a thriving online community:

1. Define your community’s purpose and goals: Before you begin building your community, it’s essential to understand why you are creating it and what you hope to achieve. Defining your community’s purpose and goals will help guide your decisions and actions throughout the process.
2. Identify your target audience: Knowing who your target audience is will help you understand their needs, interests, and pain points. This will help you create content and activities that will resonate with them and keep them engaged.
3. Choose the right platform: There are many different platforms you can use to build an online community, such as social media, forums, or dedicated community platforms. Choose the one that best fits your community’s purpose and audience.
4. Develop a content and engagement strategy: Your community’s success will depend on how well you can engage and retain your members. Develop a content and engagement strategy that will keep your members interested and coming back for more.
5. Build your community: Once you have a plan, it’s time to start building your community. Invite members, create and share content, and engage with your members.
6. Monitor and measure your progress: Keep track of your community’s growth and engagement levels. Use data and feedback to make adjustments and improve your community’s performance.
7. Foster a sense of community: Creating a sense of community is essential to building a successful online community. Encourage members to interact with one another, share their stories and experiences, and offer support and encouragement.
8. Be consistent and active: Consistency is vital to building a thriving online community. Ensure you regularly engage with your members and keep your content and engagement strategies fresh and relevant.

5 Best Online Community Examples

With the rise of the internet and social media, online communities have become a vital part of connecting and engaging with others.

In this post, we will share 5 of the best online community examples that have proven successful and engaging for their members.

Wealth Nation Money School

Wealth Nation Money School is a successful financial education community founded by two brilliant finance experts, Darius and Carmen Britt.

Carmen and Darius founded the course to teach ambitious entrepreneurs and high achievers how to run an independent financial system that creates independent wealth, allowing people to take control of their lifestyles.

The Wealth Nation Money Schools community features 10 on-demand financial mastery courses that offer expert strategies on how to get out of debt, invest and achieve financial freedom.

As a community member of Wealth Nation, you also get access to a ton of templates and worksheets that you can use for better results in your course implementation.

In fact, these are the same resources that the creators of the community have used to help their clients grow their wealth to $75 million their past four years.

What’s more, the community offers live group coaching where you get a chance to attend coaching calls.

Perhaps, what makes Wealth Nation as one of the best community examples is the level of interactivity and support you get as a member. You get a chance to connect with other members who’ve already made it big and get the best-case advice.

Their support is also impressive. In case you have any questions or want to clarify something, their team of experts is always there to help via posts, direct messaging, and group chats.

To help you expand your personal finance expertise, Wealth Nation hosts weekly interviews with other successful financial experts. This gives you a chance to broaden your finance and wealth-building knowledge beyond our community resources.

The community successfully made over $100,000 in the first year. You can read the whole story here, the steps they took and the ups and downs when launching the community membership.

Wealth Nation Money School is a wonderful place to start if you’re searching for a no-nonsense personal finance course to master the secrets of wealth building.

Little Flower Yoga Online Learning Community

Little Flower Yoga is another online community example and one of the most successful ones—thanks to GroupApp’s extensive community-building tools. This community was able to earn a massive $200000 in just six months.

The Little Flower Yoga community was built to help yoga teachers, classroom educators, parents, coaches, mental health care providers, and anyone else who wants to learn how to bring practices of self-awareness, embodiment, and personal power among young people into their lives.

The community features 8 training and certification courses, 7 stand-alone webinars, and 2 self-paced courses. The courses are packed with value-packed lessons on yoga and mindfulness.

As a community member, you also get access to live-streaming events and get a chance to engage with other members.

National Business Education Association (NBEA)

The National Business Education Association (NBEA) is a professional organization for educators and others interested in business education.

The organization’s mission is to promote and improve business education by providing professional development opportunities, resources, and advocacy for its members.

The NBEA provides a wide range of services to its members, including:

• Professional development opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and webinars
• Resources and materials, such as lesson plans, curriculum guides, and research publications
• Advocacy efforts to promote business education at the national level
• Networking opportunities with other business education professionals
• Awards and recognition programs for outstanding business education educators and programs.

The NBEA also publishes a journal called “Business Education Forum,” which is published quarterly. The organization is open to educators, business professionals, and students.

The NBEA is dedicated to advancing the quality of business education and preparing students for the workforce; the organization’s primary focus is teaching and learning business, marketing, and information technology.

Prepared Marketers

Prepared Marketers is a membership community that David Baer and Ken Cook started to share their three decades’ worth of marketing knowledge.

The two marketers noticed that most businesses fail because they focus on selling tactics instead of strategies and emphasize platforms instead of solving problems.

Based on proven practices they’ve used on the world’s most successful companies, the two community founders have developed a proprietary Predictable Revenue Framework, a step-by-step system designed to help you take advantage of revenue opportunities sitting right in front of you.

Stream Like a Boss

Steam Like a Boss is another online community example created by Tanya Smith, the founder of Get Noticed with Video.

The community is focused on helping online coaches, consultants, and course creators learn how to create live video content to reach more audiences.

The community has loads of content materials showing the members how to leverage live-streaming video content in their marketing strategy.

As a community member, you get access to:

• Themed group coaching calls
• On-trend video training
• Business advise and resources
• Creator co-working days
• Recorded call replays
• Bonus resource library

What’s interesting is that Tanya invites special guests to the community to speak on various topics related to her industry or organizes a training day where members learn something new.

Outside of traditional lectures, Tanya also organizes challenges, live shows, and other events that engage the audience and keep them active.

Now, if you’re looking for a community with value-packed resources to help you in your live-streaming journey, Tanya’s Stream Like a Boss is your best bet. Not only will you like the one-on-one coaching, but you’ll also love how active the community is and how easy it is to navigate the platform.

Build Your Own Online Community Today

Creating an online community is the best way to engage with your fans and customers on a deeper level. It allows for direct communication with your audience or customers.

This can help gather feedback, gain insight into their needs and preferences, and build brand loyalty.

It allows you to build a relationship with your audience and helps you establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry. You can establish yourself as a trusted source of information and thought leadership by fostering engagement and providing valuable content.

At GroupApp, we help you create an online community quickly, engage your members, and scale it at startup speed. Not only will you enjoy our easy-to-use interface, but you’ll also love our robust set of tools that allow you to bring your community and online courses together.

Use our 14-day trial and get a chance to experience GroupApp’s premium community-building tools.