The top 10 types of Online Communities --

Communities online can be found in a number of shapes and sizes. The kind of online community that you can encounter and be a part of differ greatly.

If you're looking to find out more about the many kinds of communities that exist and the best ones to join, then are you in the right place.

Check out our 10 most popular types of communities on the internet, as well as the main characteristics of each.

What's the difference between the many types of communities available online?

A majority of communities online focus on bringing people together around a common interest and/or cause. People connect, collaborate and share their knowledge with one another. It's all in the primary goal of the community.

The wide variety of community you will find on the internet are due to the broad array of interests, hobbies and interests of people from around the world. Every one of them is tailored to the needs of their members. Plus, it's lots of enjoyment!

Some differences between types of communities include:

• Structure
• Aims and goals
• Values
• Approach
• Management and moderation

When it comes to different types of communities, it's important to keep in mind that a community is categorized into a variety of categories. There aren't any set guidelines that define the various types of communities on the internet and often it is difficult to distinguish between the different types of communities.

If you are an instructor, you can create an online learning community that doubles as a branding and community. When your community on the web grows and gets stronger, it's likely that it'll adopt the form of the social network.

To get a better idea of what each of these communities are and the way they function, let's take a review of the top 10 kinds of online communities, with some of the examples.

The 10 most popular types of online community

There are a variety of types of communities available online, we've broken them down into lists of the most commonly used and pertinent groups. These are the 10 most popular types of communities online along with the top features of each.

     1. Brand communities

One of the most well-known types of communities on the internet are the community-based brands.

The name is enough to describe it. Brand communities are developed around one brand or business. It's because there's an enormous range of brands and communities. The communities for brands focus on building a strong emotional connection between people and brands.

The online community seeks to unite people into an entire community, with the common brand identity. the company's brand. Within the community, users have the opportunity to interact with the brand they prefer as well as other fans of the brand. The online community is intended to create brand loyalty through gathering all the customers with the highest enthusiasm together in one place. One good illustration of a brand's community is the makeup company Sephora's Beauty Insider community in which customers can chat about everything makeup and beauty.

Its key characteristics for the type of community online:

• Brand communities are created to make you feel comfortable. In the end, they're focused on the success of the brand and all that the customers enjoy about it.
• Communities of brands are typically characterized by the presence of a large amount of user-generated content . The approach to engagement with the group is usually focused around encouraging this type of material.
• There is a tendency to come across ideas for community engagement including giveaways, contests and surveys within this kind of community.

     2. Learning communities

There's a wide range of online communities that focus on education and sharing knowledge. Communities for learning are created to link learners and students to a shared space.

Learning communities provide learners with an chance to discuss their concerns, talk about ideas and concepts as they receive advice from their peers. They're not just a place to enhance learners' comprehension and knowledge, but they also serve as an important source of emotional assistance during studying. A great instance of a learning community can be seen in Kate Baker's Veterinary Cytology Coffeehouse Facebook page. The group is a complement to her many courses and learning materials on Cytology.

These are the main characteristics that define the type of online community are:

• Learning communities are characterized by the same goals of gaining knowledge of particular areas.
• Communities for learning are primarily focused on responding and asking questions. They are distinct from other online communities.
• Learning communities allow learners to collaborate on the learning materials and resources, sharing them, and talking about issues and issues.

There are many kinds of community on the web. The type of community that's probably most relevant for course designers. Learning communities are a great basis to create your membership and brand as well.

     3. Networking communities

Like the name implies, networks focus on networking! As opposed to other internet-based communities, networking communities only are focused on helping members discover possibilities to grow their network.

This type of online community tends to be based around an industry or profession. There are some networks which do not have professional or professional their nature. Examples include communities of support, and communities of circumstance can be considered networking communities.

The most important characteristics of this online community type:

• Networking communities are usually discussion-based with users posting requests for advice or support and questions to be discussed.
• Communities that network offer their members the possibility of finding solutions to the common difficulties they confront in the subject they have chosen.
• In comparison to other types of online communities, network communities tend to be more formal in comparison to other communities such as brands or fan' communities.

Networking communities may be defined as a distinct type of community online. Other types of virtual communities may also include activities for networking. Learning communities, such as brand communities, are also networking communities, and it is likely that your online community is based on elements of a networking community.

     4. Social clubs

From the many types of online communities, they are the most popular and easily identifiable. They're the exact same thing - they are communities built on the creation of connections through social networks.

Social communities are places where people gather to discuss about their lives and have fun. Brands can utilize social communities for marketing purposes, especially increasing awareness about their brands. In contrast to other social networks, these aren't locations for endless ads and advertisements. Social networks are about creating connections and sharing information instead of commercial activities.

The most important characteristics of online community:

• Social networks differ greatly in terms of the size. They range from a tiny smaller group of individuals up to large communities that encompass thousands of people.
• You can think of social communities like the online party in your home It's an ensemble of friends who gather to spend time with one others and start conversations.
• You can find social communities on every social media platform that includes Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Most of the time that learning communities contain aspects from social communities and the reverse is not the case. Actually, taking ideas from social media is an effective method of making your group more entertaining and enjoyable for your participants.

     5. Fan communities

The rising popularity of communities online is allowing the most specific type of community to take off the fan community.

The fan communities revolve around similar interests to books, TV or musician. As with social communities they are built on social interaction, however they're really specific to one interest.

Some online communities are closed and secret, fan groups generally are open to anyone. All you need is to be a lover of the thing you're in love with! If you're an avid admirer of one particular comic, you are able to be part of an online fan-based community. The social media website Reddit can be the home of numerous communities of fans, like the one dedicated to Marvel comics. The community has 1.6 million people.

Some creators and artists have begun utilizing fan groups for the purpose of generating income, making use of platforms such as Patreon to build their business and personal brand.

These are the main characteristics that define the online community type are:

• Fan communities are typically founded by fans or creators so that they can build community with a shared desire.
• The interactions in this kind of community online are nearly solely about the fan-based group.
• Fan communities often involve specific forms of user-generated content, like fanfiction, art, videos, and other forms of content that aren't normally found in other forms of online communities.

Certain brands aren't suited for creating fan-based communities. If you're a creator, or musician, fan-based communities could be a great tool for building brand loyalty and along with recognition for your brand.

     6. Communities with insights

There are many kinds of communities online, this one is a community that was designed for the sole purpose of marketing - an insight community allows users to collect information from customers.

Insight communities are aimed at making use of customer interaction to formulate tests and improve marketing strategies. They are generally drawn from the company's prior client base. That means that they have a good understanding of the company's products and products or.

Some of the key characteristics of this online community type:

• Insight communities generally adhere to a planned research plan that covers topics, topics and the tasks assigned by the community moderator.
• In contrast to other kinds of communities on the internet, insight communities might be scarce - some only last several weeks. They could, however, remain in operation for years. The duration depends on the needs of the research team.
• The very nature of these communities is that they're never secretive. Likewise, the information shared by the members of the community could be confidential, especially when it comes to names with more heft.

Insight communities could be beneficial for business who want to get a better understanding of their clients. They're typically connected with community-based businesses, functioning in smaller, invitation-only communities, which are invitation-only.

     7. Communities of members

Membership communities are designed so that members have access details, resources that are exclusive and support.

In terms of the various types of online communities those with memberships are more exclusive than others. They are typically required to ask users to sign-up at a particular site and pay a cost to become a part of the community. Members are granted access to specific details and other tools.

The most important aspects of this type of community online:

• The majority of membership communities are invite-only. After you've signed up for a membership, you're welcomed into the membership community.
• Since members pay to gain access to these types of communities, they are also more demanding than users of other online communities. Members expect certain levels of service. This is why an extensive community engagement strategy is needed for ensuring that membership communities flourish.

     8. Local communities

There are many kinds of online communities only exist in the online world Local communities are based on a physical space or geographic location. They typically are smaller in terms of size, and they have particular focus when compared to the other communities on the internet.

If you have the Facebook page for the building you live in, then it's a part of your local community! Local communities could also be communities that suggest places to eat or things to do in cities or a community organization centered around an area such as the high school or national park.

Key characteristics of this kind of online community:

• Local communities may be restricted in size because they're primarily focused on people who reside in certain areas.
• The online community usually revolves around discussions that relate to local issues such as local news or recommendations.
• As with many internet-based communities local communities can be controlled by commercial websites. To prevent this from happening, community guidelines are necessary and moderators often are required.

Communities that are based on community in the local area are relevant to brands with a local following or a brick and mortar shop. They could also be sub-groups within the brand community or a group of learners where members that are like you are able to connect and get together.

     9. Communities that take actions

In joining a group of action, you are committed to a cause. Community of action brings together people who want to change things in their lives. They are typically managed by non-profit organizations or volunteer groups that are enthusiastic.

The community online is defined by common goals as well as specific actions to promote the cause. The focus is usually upon the accomplishment of specific goals, and the members work together to achieve these goals in a group.

The most important characteristics of this online kind of community:

• While there are many diverse groups of action, they are all united by determination to make the world an improved environment.
• In a group of activity include organising events, looking for ways to volunteer, raise funds as well as a little debate.
• Communities of action are typically comprised from people who volunteer and are leaders of the local community of NGO personnel and the general public.

Community of Action can also be learning communities or communities of conditions, dependent on the reason for the community and the issues that form the core of the organisation.

     10. The community of conditions

Communities of circumstance offer individuals an opportunity to meet other members who share similar experiences in life to theirs.

Communities of circumstance typically focus on helping members who are who are facing difficulties or issues they face because of their circumstances, for instance mothers, chronic illness, or physical impairments. They are a space to share advice, personal experiences and important information.

Examples of communities of circumstance include:

• Groups of support
• Organizations that provide health care
• Government Proposals

Community of circumstances are highly customized to meet the specific needs of members.

The most important features of this kind of community on the internet:

• The types of organizations, the members could include people from the general public as well as medical professionals and doctors as well as counsellors, volunteers as well as others.
• Communities of circumstance might consist of planned events, on the internet or in person, designed to bring participants to other members and professionals.
• In contrast to other kinds of communities online, the communities of particular circumstances tend to be built around friendly interaction rather than discussion.

Communities are a kind of group that is known to place safety for the members of their community, as well as helping and sharing on the top of their list which makes them distinct from other online communities.

Communities of all kinds online might be ideal for your company

If you are aware of the main types of online communities, you can choose the most suitable one for your brand. Most course creators will find their ideal form of community on the internet to be education or brand-related community. You may want to establish the concept of a community founded on membership, or perhaps a community of circumstance too.

For the first step in creating your own online community start by signing up to Pro Plus! Join our community on the internet composed of Course Creators too.

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