How To Build A Community For Free
Building a community around your content or business doesn’t have to mean expensive platforms or complicated tech.
If you want to create a space where people can connect, learn, and grow together without spending a fortune, there are plenty of free or low-cost options.
WhatsApp or Telegram Groups
Simple, direct, and easy to use. WhatsApp is great for smaller, more personal communities, while Telegram allows larger groups with better moderation tools.
Both let you broadcast messages, hold discussions, and create a sense of connection without any extra cost.
Discord
Originally built for gamers, Discord has become a (slightly confusing!) platform for communities of all kinds.
You can create different channels for specific topics, host live audio discussions, and even automate engagement with bots. It’s free to use, with optional paid upgrades if you ever need them.
Facebook Groups
Facebook may not be the most exciting option, but it remains one of the best free community tools.
If your audience is already active there, a private Facebook Group can be a simple way to build engagement without asking them to join yet another platform.
However don’t expect facebook to show all your posts to all your members.
Reddit (Private Subreddits)
If your audience enjoys open discussions and sharing insights, a private subreddit could be an option.
It’s structured like a forum, making it easy to categorise discussions and maintain long-term conversations.
Mighty Networks
For a more community-focused experience, Mighty Networks offers a free version that allows you to create a private space with discussions, courses, and events.
It’s a step up from chat apps but still budget-friendly. I used Mighty networks for years but left after it started to become way too confusing for most people!
Email-Based Communities
Not every community needs a live chat.
A simple email-based community, where people respond to each other through newsletters or discussion threads, can be just as powerful.
Substack’s Notes feature and ConvertKit’s community tools make this surprisingly easy to manage.
The Key to a Great Community? Engagement, Not Features
No matter which platform you choose, the success of your community comes down to engagement.
People join communities to connect, learn, and get value.
Focus on sparking conversations, answering questions, and making members feel heard. A high-quality, active community on WhatsApp or Discord will always outperform a quiet, expensive membership site.
If you’re just getting started, pick a platform that feels natural for your audience, keep it simple, and start small.
You can always scale up later.
What’s your go-to community platform?
Let me know in the comments.