In the digital era, brands are more than just products or services—they’re communities. And the truth is, without a dedicated platform where your audience can interact, your brand may struggle to truly thrive.
If you’re serious about building a loyal and engaged following, having the best online community platforms to house your tribe is non-negotiable.
But which platform is the best fit for your brand in 2024? Having explored various options myself, I’ll take you through my personal experience with some of the top platforms.
Trust me—picking the right one can transform your audience into a loyal brand community.
Why You Need an Online Community Platform
From my personal experience, I’ve seen that social media alone isn’t enough. Sure, platforms like Facebook or Instagram are great for reach, but they don’t provide a centralized place for meaningful, ongoing conversations.
This is where online community platforms come in—they’re the secret sauce for creating engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, brand advocacy.
Here are the best online community platforms I’ve tested out in 2024 that helped me (and can help you) grow your brand.
1. Circle.so: The Go-To for Content Creators
Why I Love It:
After using Circle.so for a few months, I’ve found it to be the perfect solution for creating a community around content. Whether you’re hosting courses, live streams, or discussions, Circle lets you organize everything neatly, and the user experience is seamless. Plus, I’ve integrated it with my website without any tech headaches!
Key Features:
- Customizable spaces for courses, memberships, and discussions
- Easy integration with your existing site
- Interactive events, polls, and more
- Robust analytics
Best For: Creators, entrepreneurs, and coaches looking to foster deeper connections with their audience.
2. Mighty Networks: A Complete Brand Ecosystem
Why I Love It:
When I tested Mighty Networks, it felt like I had my social network. The platform allows you to not only host a community but also offer paid courses, membership subscriptions, and live events—all in one place. It’s one of the best online community platforms if you want a powerful, all-in-one solution to grow your brand.
Key Features:
- Create your own branded mobile app
- Offer memberships, paid groups, and courses
- Customizable design
- Event hosting, including live video chats
Best For: Brands looking to build a full-blown community that goes beyond just discussions. It’s ideal for membership-based models.
3. Discourse: Best for Discussion-Based Communities
Why I Love It:
If your brand thrives on deep, meaningful discussions, Discourse should be on your radar. I personally used it to create a forum-based community, and the level of engagement I saw was unparalleled. It’s designed for robust discussions and offers an open-source platform with tons of customization options.
Key Features:
- Open-source with endless customization
- Gamification features (like badges)
- Easy moderation tools
- Integration with Slack, WordPress, and more
Best For: Brands looking for a clean, discussion-focused community, especially if you have tech-savvy members.
4. Tribe: AI-Powered Community Building
Why I Love It:
Using Tribe felt like stepping into the future of community platforms. It offers AI-powered recommendations to boost engagement and integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Zapier, and HubSpot. With Tribe, I was able to create a super-engaging, branded community, all while leveraging automation.
Key Features:
- AI-powered engagement tools
- Embeddable into your existing website
- Customizable layout and branding
- Supports both private and public communities
Best For: Growing brands that want an intelligent, AI-driven platform to engage users and automate processes.
5. Slack: Best for Internal Brand Communities
Why I Love It:
I originally thought of Slack as just a work communication tool, but I’ve used it to create private communities for high-touch clients and teams. The ability to create channels based on specific topics or projects makes it easy to manage conversations.
Key Features:
- Real-time messaging
- Customizable channels for different topics
- Integrates with thousands of apps (Trello, Google Drive, etc.)
- Strong privacy and security features
Best For: Brands that need a professional, real-time communication platform for employees or smaller, more intimate client communities.
6. Facebook Groups: Familiar but Limited
Why I Use It Sparingly:
Best For: Brands with a younger, tech-savvy audience or those looking for a real-time engagement platform.
How to Choose
I’ve used Facebook Groups primarily for clients with established audiences on Facebook, but it lacks the depth of the other platforms on this list. It’s easy to start, but long term, it doesn’t provide the level of control or engagement tracking that paid platforms offer.
Key Features:
- Easy setup and free
- Familiar interface
- Built-in tools for moderation
- Facebook’s algorithm can help boost visibility
Best For: Beginners or brands with an existing Facebook following. It’s limited if you need more control over your community.
7. Kajabi: Perfect for Course Creators
Why I Love It:
I integrated Kajabi into my digital products, and it’s a game-changer for anyone selling courses, memberships, or digital products. It’s expensive compared to other platforms, but the all-in-one functionality (including email marketing) makes it worth it for serious entrepreneurs.
Key Features:
- Built-in tools for course creation and email marketing
- Customizable community spaces
- Great for digital products and services
- Analytics to track member activity
Best For: Entrepreneurs and brands focusing on selling courses and digital products. If you want everything in one place, Kajabi is gold.
8. Discord: Gamers to Brand Communities
Why I Love It:
I initially explored Discord for its popularity in gaming, but soon realized its potential for building non-gaming communities. Discord allows for both voice and text channels, making it a versatile platform for fostering real-time conversations.
Key Features:
- Free with customizable permissions
- Real-time voice and video chats
- Moderation tools and bots
- Tons of integration options
The Right Platform for Your Brand
When I evaluated these platforms for my own brand, I considered the following:
- Type of interaction: Do I need real-time chats or forum-style discussions?
- Features: Am I selling products, offering courses, or just building a community space?
- Cost: Does the platform offer enough value for its price?
- Customization: Can I align the look and feel with my brand identity?
Think about these aspects as you weigh your options.
FAQ’s
Which online community platform is best for my brand?
It depends on your goals. For creators, Circle.so is fantastic. If you’re offering courses, Kajabi or Mighty Networks are great. For discussions, Discourse or Tribe is ideal.
Is it worth investing in a paid community platform?
Absolutely. Free options like Facebook Groups are easy to start, but paid platforms offer better control, customization, and features that can enhance engagement.
Can I switch community platforms later?
Yes, but it can be tricky, especially if your community is large. It’s best to choose a platform that you can grow into, rather than outgrow.
How do online community platforms help my brand grow?
These platforms foster deeper connections with your audience, encourage user-generated content, and can even help create brand advocates who promote your business organically.
Are online community platforms difficult to manage?
Most platforms, like Tribe and Mighty Networks, offer intuitive dashboards and management tools, making them easy to handle even for non-techies.
Final Thoughts
Growing a brand isn’t just about sales; it’s about creating connections. Using one of these best online community platforms has made all the difference in how I engage with my audience. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, the right platform can elevate your brand in 2024.
Take the time to experiment with these platforms, and see which one resonates with your audience the most. Building a strong, engaged community will not only increase brand loyalty but will also drive your business growth.
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments or additional details!
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