An online community or virtual community is where a group of people with common interests or purposes use the internet as a means of forming bonds and increasing communication. The ideas and the groups sometimes might feel all over the place, but members have been able to find more comfort in it.

Most online communities and platforms have their own set of guidelines or rules that help with better management, engagement, and moderation. There are usually volunteers who set up the organization and ensure it runs smoothly. Branded online communities are typically run by organizations.

Where and for what online communities are made

Online communities can be created for many different purposes. They are usually classified into different broad topics. These include:

  • Brand community: brand communities are created with the idea of sharing a passion for a company and what it offers. They take the form of social media platforms where the company shares content that helps engage communication and connection.

  • Learning community: these communities help explore certain subjects or specific topics. They provide a platform to exchange knowledge, discuss ideas, and inspire others.

  • Local community: local communities gather and share information about a particular area, valuable resources, or common activities happening in the area.

  • Event community: event communities are specifically for sharing events, either online or in person. They help spread information quickly and connect attendees with each other.

  • Support community: these communities focus on shared challenges that people face together, offering an opportunity for growth. Support communities help users form connections, whether for emotional support, advice, or a listening ear when needed.

  • Fan community: fan communities are for people with shared interests in books, movies, comics, TV shows, or any other form of entertainment.

  • Networking communities: these are created specifically for online forums where professionals can meet, connect, build relationships, offer support for interview preparations, job opportunities, or anything related to their industry.

Some communities are created based on the specific needs of individuals who want to interact about particular topics or seek advice on certain circumstances.

Are they useful?

Online communities are a great platform for building social relationships. They provide numerous benefits. Social media, despite its advantages, can sometimes feel overwhelming with its options. Online communities help narrow these choices down.

One way online communities are useful is through the combination of knowledge, influence, and experiences, which come together to offer advice or solutions. This fosters creativity, encourages peer support, and helps members acquire new skills.

Additionally, online communities offer great communication opportunities. You can find someone online at any time, which is helpful when you need instant feedback or a quick brainstorming session. They also allow for constructive criticism and can lead to collaboration with different people to create something new. This connection can open up networking opportunities, potentially leading to a dream job.

One of the biggest advantages is user-generated content. A lot of content is created within the community. These communities can also help build customer loyalty and offer cost-effective support.

Are there any disadvantages?

It is also known that online communities, no matter how good, are not purely known to substitute the benefits that face-to-face communication brings. One of the biggest disadvantages is that there is no reliance on nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication becomes an important part of any discussion to make sure that the idea or the thoughts are more believable. It helps us in understanding others and making it empathetic. With online communities, it is difficult to engage with the same as it is harder to share feelings and emotions with typed words.

Another disadvantage is definitely technology obstruction. There are places where the internet is not that readily available. Time lag between messages is also a possibility. Along with that, you could be facing an online community with hundreds of people in it. In this case, the multitude of messages coming at the same time can become very overwhelming. But it can also render it useless at times because there could possibly be no outcome. Too much information at the same time can let the comment section be filled with ideas. The lack of time in these cases and the need to make fast decisions become very difficult.