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Top E-commerce Communities for Online Merchants: Where to Connect & Learn
A deep dive into the best online business communities for digital entrepreneurs working in the world of e-commerce. 1. r/Ecommerce - 2. DTC FAM - & more...
Table of Contents
Introduction
Running an e-commerce business can be a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.
The challenges of keeping up with market trends, managing an online store, and staying ahead of the competition can be daunting.
This is where the power of community comes into play, and it’s one of the many reasons why I founded Hustlers Outpost - a community where online business owners come together to stay ahead.
With a strong community of e-commerce entrepreneurs and online business owners behind us, I wanted to share with you the best business communities out there to grow, share and learn - all from my own experiences.
What Is A Business Community?
A business community is a group of professionals who come together to share insight, learn and collaborate.
In the realm of e-commerce, such communities act as dynamic forums where entrepreneurs, both new and old, converge.
These online business networks often host an array of talent and experience from supporting industries too, including the likes of seasoned digital marketers and start-up specialists.
These online business networks range from informal social media groups to structured memberships, offering a spectrum of resources including insightful discussions, expert advice, collaborative opportunities, and sometimes, even mentorship.
Connecting with e-commerce experts and mentors online is invaluable in the journey of any successful e-commerce business. Being part of a business community isn’t just about networking; it's about immersing in a supportive environment that fosters growth, innovation, and collective learning.
Why Join a Business Community?
Joining the best online communities for e-commerce start-ups, especially in the fast-moving e-commerce sector, is a strategic move for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.
Here’s why they play such a crucial role:
Expert Insights and Shared Experiences: Whether it’s a discussion on Shopify communities or a deep dive into leaky conversion funnels, these groups are goldmines of real-world insights. Learning from peers who've encountered similar challenges can speed up your learning curve and transform your approach to common issues like customer acquisition and digital marketing.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Business networking groups open doors to collaborations, partnerships, and mentorships. They are platforms where you can connect with like-minded individuals, from fellow small business e-commerce owners to seasoned entrepreneurs, creating opportunities for business growth and expansion.
Staying Ahead of Trends: As you’ll know, if you subscribe to our free email newsletter, e-commerce is an ever-evolving landscape. Staying connected with a community helps you keep up with the latest trends and emerging technologies. This regular exposure ensures you’re always at the forefront of industry advancements.
Inspiration and Motivation: Entrepreneur groups and business communities can keep you inspired and help you stay focused. Hearing success stories, and innovative ideas, and even learning from failures can fuel your motivation and spark new ideas for your own business.
The Top Communities for E-commerce Merchants
Reddit’s r/Ecommerce, r/Shopify & r/WooCommerce
These subreddits are some of the largest online e-commerce forums out there and are arguably my favourite for the diverse, interesting, and occasionally hilarious topics which arise. They offer a broad range of discussions on e-commerce topics, from online store optimisation to operational strategies, suitable for all online merchants at any stage of their journey.
DTC FAM (Slack Community)
Arguably one of the best for the scope of knowledge within the groups, the DTC FAM is arguably the top slack community for DTC brands. This community focuses on direct-to-consumer brands, offering a platform for e-commerce professionals to network, share insights, and collaborate. A quick application must be completed and approved to allow you to join.
Shopify Forums (Website)
If you run your online store on Shopify, then there are many advantages of joining the Shopify forums. This is the official community for platform users, providing a space for merchants to discuss Shopify-related topics, seek advice, and share experiences. The forum has many sub-topics including:
General Discussion - for all things Shopify
Store Feedback - to receive feedback and critique on your store
Shopify Design - for themes, liquid and UX discussion
Shopify Apps - a discussion for Shopify apps, troubleshooting and integrations
…plus plenty more
With dedicated support and specialists on hand, this is the best Shopify forum for entrepreneurs who use the platform.
DigitalMarketer Engage (Facebook Group)
A small digital marketing community with a strong focus on e-commerce, where members can learn and share strategies for online advertising and marketing. Although this group is relatively small compared to the others mentioned, its a great example of leveraging Facebook groups for e-commerce growth and its focus on digital marketing is not one to overlook.
WooCommerce Forum (Facebook Group)
The official WooCommerce group for their platform users, offering discussions on features, functionalities, app integrations and best practices for WooCommerce online stores.
BigCommerce Forum (Website)
A hub for BigCommerce platform users, offering a collaborative space to discuss a range of topics, from technical setup and customisation to marketing strategies. Here you will find other BigCommerce users who can provide expert insight in the platform.
Shopify Expert & Newbies (Facebook Group)
This is another example of leveraging Facebook groups for e-commerce growth, this is a large and active community for Shopify store owners and enthusiasts, covering a wide range of topics from store management to marketing strategies. Just like the Reddit community, this forum offers great insight and collaboration for all Shopify merchants.
Shopify Plus Community (Facebook Group, Shopify Plus merchants only)
An exclusive community for Shopify Plus merchants, offering a space for high-volume retailers to discuss advanced strategies and experiences. A questionnaire must be completed before joining and a Shopify Plus plan is required before being accepted into this executive e-commerce business group.
Lean Luxe Connect (Website, Paid, Invite-only)
Lean Luxe Connect has a private, invite-only community known for high-quality discussions and networking opportunities, focusing on modern luxury brands, and culture. This is a platform for well-established e-commerce entrepreneurs, many with annual turnovers of £1m+.
Ecommerce Fuel (Website, Paid)
A well-known paid community for e-commerce entrepreneurs, particularly valuable for established business owners looking to connect with peers and access advanced e-commerce strategies and insights. With an average member revenue of $5m+, Ecommerce Fuel is a hub for some of the biggest store owners in the industry.
How to Choose the Right Community
When delving into the vast world of e-commerce communities, it’s like walking into an all-you-can-eat buffet. The choices are abundant, but not every dish is to your taste.
Here’s some tips on how to pick the right e-commerce community for you:
Peer Group: Finding the right e-commerce peer group for small businesses is all about aligning with communities that have members at or slightly above your business level. If you’re a start-up, joining a group with mostly high-revenue businesses might feel overwhelming and less relatable. Communities like Shopify Plus Community are great for established businesses, while DTC FAM can be more welcoming for newer, growing brands.
Platform Preference: Whether it’s the ease of scrolling through Facebook groups or the structured format of website forums, the platform matters. Consider where you spend most of your online time. If you’re always on Facebook, Shopify Expert & Newbies might feel more accessible than hopping onto a separate website like Ecommerce Fuel.
Access and Exclusivity: Some online communities require applications, subscriptions, or certain qualifications (like being a Shopify Plus merchant). Assess whether these barriers to entry align with what you’re looking for in terms of exclusivity and networking opportunities.
Trial and Error: Sometimes, you won’t know if a community fits until you try it. This was the approach I took before I found 3-4 groups that were best for me. Don’t hesitate to join multiple groups and spend some time in each. You can always narrow down your choices as you discover where you gain the most value.
Maximising Benefits from E-commerce Communities
To fully leverage the potential of e-commerce communities, it's crucial to engage actively and thoughtfully. Here are some top networking tips for e-commerce entrepreneurs:
Be Active: Regular interaction, such as posting questions, sharing experiences, or responding to others, keeps you engaged and visible within the community.
Share & Absorb Knowledge: Contribute your insights and lessons learned while also absorbing wisdom from others. This reciprocal exchange of knowledge enriches the community experience for everyone.
Seek & Provide Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help when facing challenges and offer assistance to others when you can. This builds a supportive environment that benefits all members
Don’t Promote Your Products Or Services: Remember the people in these forums are your peers, not your clients.
By implementing strategies from this brief guide to e-commerce community engagement, you can turn e-commerce groups into invaluable assets for your business growth and personal development.
Final Thoughts
We know first-hand that in the world of e-commerce, the impact of e-commerce community support on business growth is a game-changer. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, these networks can provide the support, knowledge, and connections you need to grow.
Go ahead and check out these communities to see which one best fits your needs.
If you’re ready to stay ahead of the competition on all things e-commerce and online business, don’t forget to subscribe to Hustlers Outpost. Not only will you get weekly insights into the latest e-commerce and retail trends, but you'll also become part of an active community of driven entrepreneurs just like you.
On the other hand, are you interested in building or monetising your own community or audience? If that’s the case, I highly recommend using a platform called beehiiv. This platform offers a range of features that can help you grow, engage and monetise your audience effectively. To help you make an informed decision, I have written an in-depth beehiiv review.
