When the pandemic forced billions of people indoors back in 2020, engaging online communities suddenly became an essential part of everyday life. In 2025, however, the communication landscape is vastly different. The once-novel shift to virtual experiences has become normalized, and platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, and others dominate the group communication market. So, how do you build and sustain an online community that stands out? How can smaller platforms, independent brands, or niche websites create vibrant community experiences on their own turf?
In this article, we’ll explore the current state of online community engagement, discuss the shifting challenges of user behavior, and offer practical strategies for creating an online community that truly thrives in the post-pandemic digital era.
The Landscape of Online Community Building
In the past five years, online communities have migrated away from traditional, standalone forums and on-site chat rooms. The pandemic accelerated the widespread adoption of all-in-one solutions like Slack, Discord, and Microsoft Teams. Many of these platforms—and the communities that have formed on them—were originally centered around either gaming (Discord), workplace collaboration (Slack, Teams), or large social networks (Facebook Groups).
But with the resurgence of “niche” and interest-based communities, this consolidation poses a challenge for organizations or creators who want to maintain community engagement on their own websites. If everyone is used to Slack or Discord, then why should they sign up for an additional platform?
The first step to building engaging online communities in 2025 is to accept that user behavior has changed. People value convenience, familiarity, and security. They want easy logins, mobile-friendly interfaces, and minimal friction. To stand out, community builders and website owners must offer a clear value proposition for why members should interact on their platform, rather than relying on an external solution.
Key Challenges Facing Community Builders
Because communities are growing, community builders are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.
1. Platform Fatigue
With so many existing tools, users are suffering from “platform fatigue.” Few people want to juggle numerous separate logins, accounts, and chat apps. Familiar, consolidated environments like Slack or Discord are attractive precisely because they let individuals participate in multiple servers or channels without multiple sign-ins.
What to do: If you want to host your own community platform, then minimize friction. Consider single sign-on (SSO) integration if members already have accounts on your site. Then, use an embedded chat or forum solution that doesn’t force people through complicated sign-up steps. Offer clear instructions for newcomers and, if possible, allow social login for quick access.
2. Shifting User Expectations
Modern users want more than just a message board or basic chat. They expect advanced functionality—threaded discussions, rich media, voice/video, and robust moderation tools. A bare-bones text box with little customization or low engagement can quickly turn off visitors.
What to do: Offer depth and interactivity. Implement features like pinned messages, polls, Q&A modes, or live video events to keep your community engaged. For instance, a structured Q&A session with an industry expert can bring a community to life. Moderation tools are also a must, especially if your community spans different time zones or caters to sensitive topics.
3. Content Overload
Social media and 24/7 news cycles have created a noisy digital world. It’s harder than ever for a small community to stand out amid the roar of notifications, newsletters, and Instagram stories.
What to do: Curate quality content that encourages return visits. It can be exclusive insights, educational resources, or unique discussion prompts that members can’t find elsewhere. The more value you provide, the better your community members will filter out the noise to engage in your space.
4. Privacy and Security Concerns
As data breaches and privacy scandals mount, users are more cautious about where they share personal information. They also want confidence that their discussions won’t be exploited or exposed to third parties.
What to do: Communicate your data practices openly. Implement strong moderation policies, encrypt data, and ideally, choose platforms or solutions that let you fully own user data. This can be a differentiator if your audience values privacy or operates in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare or finance).
The Value of On-Site Community Platforms
Despite the convenience and familiarity of mega-platforms, there are compelling reasons to build your own community directly on your website or app:
- Brand Identity & Ownership: With an on-site solution, you maintain full control of branding and user experience. There’s no risk of competing platform notifications or external ads. You can also customize the interface to reflect your community’s culture.
- Monetization Opportunities: It’s easier to introduce paywalled content, paid membership tiers, or exclusive events on your own platform. Embeddable group chats, for example, often come with built-in monetization features like tip jars or pay-to-join chat rooms.
- Focused Engagement: When members engage on your site, they’re exposed to your content, products, or services. This leads to deeper relationships and can even help with conversion rates if you sell courses, products, or consultations.
- Data & Analytics: Gathering first-party data on community behavior can be invaluable for improving your services, identifying knowledge gaps, or launching new features. Relying solely on external platforms makes that data harder to collect or control.
That said, building a community from scratch requires mindful strategy. People won’t join just because the platform exists—you need a compelling reason for them to participate.
Strategies for Building Engaging Online Communities
To keep up with the trends and demand, here are some strategies that can help you build engaging online communities.
1. Niche Down for Clarity
Focus on a specific audience or use case. Communities that are too broad or generic often struggle to gain traction. For instance, instead of creating a general “marketing professionals” community, consider narrowing down to “digital marketing experts in higher education” or “content marketers using AI tools.” The narrower the focus, the more relevant and valuable discussions become for members.
2. Provide Clear Value
Ask yourself: “Why should someone join my community?” The answer must go beyond “we have a chat room.” Offer exclusive resources, insider tips, behind-the-scenes content, or expert AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions). If your website is for educators, you might provide downloadable lesson plans or hold weekly teaching strategy discussions. If you host a live podcast, you can enable a subscriber-only chat that features direct interactions with guests and free giveaways.
3. Foster a Welcoming Culture
A positive environment encourages repeat visits and word-of-mouth. Set ground rules for respectful communication and swiftly address harassment or spam. Consider implementing moderated Q&A, where all messages get reviewed by a moderator before appearing publicly. This can be especially useful during live streaming events when chat volume can be high.
Providing warm welcomes to newcomers is another way to encourage engagement. Automate greeting messages or have volunteers “buddy up” with new members to help them feel at home. If they have a positive first experience, they’re more likely to stick around.
4. Cultivate Regular Programming
Communities often need scheduled activities or content drops to remain lively. These can include the following:
- Weekly Discussion Threads: Launch a new topic every Monday to spark conversation.
- Live Q&A Sessions: Invite subject-matter experts or internal team members to field community questions in real-time.
- Showcases or Spotlights: Highlight a member’s project or achievement to celebrate progress and inspire others.
- Competitions: Host contests that reward creativity or knowledge-sharing.
Varied programming appeals to different engagement styles—some members like synchronous real-time discussions, others prefer asynchronous threads to catch up on their own time.
5. Integrate Seamlessly
In 2025, frictionless user experiences are non-negotiable. If you opt for an embeddable chat solution, ensure it integrates cleanly with your content management system (e.g., WordPress, Wix), learning management system, or event platform. Single sign-on (SSO) is highly recommended so users can transition from browsing your articles or courses to joining the chat without re-authenticating.
6. Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
UGC is the lifeblood of an active community. Prompt members to share their own stories, solutions, or case studies. Recognize top contributors, either through badges or formal roles (like “Community Ambassador”). This also provides social incentive for people to keep posting and participating.
7. Measure and Adapt
Monitor community health metrics such as:
- Engagement Rate: Number of active users and frequency of posts.
- Retention: How many members keep coming back vs. drop off.
- Qualitative Feedback: Are members satisfied with moderation, features, and content?
Regularly solicit feedback through polls or surveys to see where you can improve. For instance, if users consistently request a forum for asynchronous discussion, consider adding one alongside real-time chat.
Leveraging Technology for a Great Experience
Engaging online communities rely on technology to connect with friends and peers. So, what can you use to create one? The following are options you can choose from.
Embeddable Group Chats
Tools like RumbleTalk, Chatwee, Minnit, and others give you an instant community channel on your website. They often come with customizable themes, moderated modes, user role management, and integration options. Many also allow for monetized chats (e.g., charging attendees for special events or enabling donations).
Custom-Branded Platforms
If you need advanced functionality like member directories, course integrations, or robust analytics, consider platforms like Mighty Networks, Circle, or an open-source forum software like Discourse. These can be embedded or operated as standalone portals, but typically require more setup and investment.
Third-Party Integrations
For live events, you may embed a YouTube or Vimeo livestream alongside a dedicated chat widget. If you run a learning community, then you could also integrate Zoom or Microsoft Teams for scheduled group calls and record them for members who can’t attend live. Use webhooks or APIs to connect your community platform with email marketing tools so new content or events get automatically announced.
Case Study: Engaging Communities in Education
Consider a university that wants to boost student engagement in 2025. Rather than relying on old-school forum discussions, the university opts for an embeddable chat solution within its learning management system (LMS). Here’s how they maximize engagement:
- Single Sign-On: Students access the chat with their existing university credentials.
- Scheduled Weekly Q&As: Professors hold real-time discussion sessions on different topics each week.
- Moderated Chat: Teaching assistants review messages to ensure respectful dialogue.
- Resource Sharing: Students share relevant research links and study tips, which remain pinned for easy reference.
- Feedback Polls: The chat widget includes a live polling feature, allowing professors to gauge student comprehension instantly.
By making the chat an integral part of the course experience, the university saw student participation rates climb. Students felt a sense of community and continuity, more like a virtual classroom than a random chat on an external platform.
Case Study: Member-Only Events for Content Creators
Imagine a content creator who hosts live podcasts and wants to give their audience something special. They decide to embed a private chat on their subscription-based website. Subscribers gain access to the live chat whenever the creator is streaming—plus they can ask questions, submit song requests, or just chat with fellow fans in real time.
The result? A sense of exclusivity and camaraderie that fosters brand loyalty. Fans are more willing to pay for a subscription if it includes direct interaction with the creator. Meanwhile, the creator benefits from deeper engagement, immediate feedback, and a more predictable revenue stream.
Forward-Looking Trends
Since engaging online communities are first this 2025, here are some trends you can look forward to.
AI and Machine Learning
In 2025, AI-driven features are making a splash in online communities. Automated moderation systems can flag inappropriate content and free up moderators to handle nuanced discussions. Recommendation engines suggest relevant discussions or members with shared interests, enhancing network building. If your community is large, then adopting these tools can save time and keep conversations more inclusive and constructive.
Micro-Communities
As large social networks become more saturated, there’s a growing trend toward smaller, higher-value communities. These so-called “micro-communities” are self-contained spaces of dedicated, like-minded individuals. Building one requires careful curation and quality control, but the payoff is a loyal, highly engaged user base.
Hybrid Virtual Events
Finally, virtual events have evolved with better technology and less friction. Many organizations are hosting hybrid events—live, in-person gatherings that simultaneously stream to online participants. A well-integrated chat solution can bridge the gap, enabling remote attendees to interact with on-site speakers and other virtual participants. This inclusivity can significantly expand reach.
Conclusion
In 2025, community is still king. People crave meaningful connections, specialized knowledge, and shared experiences—especially when they can’t find them in the increasingly generic social media feeds. By using powerful tools, fostering a welcoming environment, and focusing on the unique value of your community, you can stand out in a crowded digital universe.
Remember to:
- Define a niche and build resources tailored to those interests.
- Offer a frictionless experience through streamlined logins and integrations.
- Use structured programming (live events, Q&A sessions, etc.) to keep members interested.
- Moderate effectively to maintain a positive, inclusive culture.
- Experiment with monetization and exclusive perks that reward member loyalty.
- Adapt to changing technology, including AI-driven moderation or analytics.
If you nail these fundamentals, then your online community can flourish—no matter how crowded the marketplace becomes. Focus on genuine value, consistent engagement, and thoughtful platform choices, and you’ll create a vibrant digital home that members return to day after day.
Building engaging online communities in 2025 might be challenging, but with the right approach, your community can be the place everyone wants to be.