Running an ecommerce business can often feel like a solitary journey. While you’re busy managing inventory, optimizing your store, and handling customer service, it’s easy to miss out on valuable insights and connections that could help your business grow. This is where ecommerce communities come in – they’re the secret weapon of successful store owners who understand that collective knowledge and support can accelerate their growth.
Whether you’re just starting your first store or managing a thriving ecommerce business, being part of the right communities can provide invaluable resources, connections, and support. In this guide, we’ll explore the top ecommerce communities that can help take your store to the next level.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Join an Ecommerce Community
1. Get Real-World Insights & Advice
Nothing beats learning from those who’ve already walked the path you’re on. In ecommerce communities, you’ll find store owners sharing their successes, failures, and everything in between. These real-world experiences provide practical insights that you won’t find in any course or guidebook. From marketing strategies that actually work to honest vendor reviews, community members share knowledge that can save you time, money, and frustration.
2. Stay Updated on Trends & Platform Changes
The ecommerce landscape changes rapidly, with new technologies, marketing channels, and consumer behaviors emerging constantly. Active communities serve as early warning systems for important platform updates, emerging trends, and shifts in the market. Members often share their experiences with new tools and strategies before they become mainstream, giving you a competitive edge.
3. Troubleshoot Problems Faster
When you encounter technical issues or strategic challenges, having access to a community of experienced store owners can be invaluable. Instead of spending hours searching for solutions or waiting for platform support, you can get quick answers from people who’ve faced similar challenges. This peer-to-peer support can dramatically reduce downtime and help you solve problems more effectively.
4. Networking & Collaboration Opportunities
Communities often lead to meaningful business relationships. Whether it’s finding potential partners for cross-promotion, sourcing reliable suppliers, or connecting with industry experts, these relationships can open new doors for your business. Many successful collaborations and partnerships start with casual conversations in community spaces.
5. Motivation & Support
Running an ecommerce business has its ups and downs. Having a community to celebrate your wins and support you through challenges can help maintain your momentum and motivation. Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone in facing certain challenges can make a significant difference in your entrepreneurial journey.
the Top Ecommerce Communities
EcomPod Community
EcomPod Community has evolved from an ecommerce podcast by our CEO Kal Wiggins, into a vibrant community of store owners focused on actionable growth strategies and peer learning. (We might be a little biased)
- Best For: Store owners who prefer learning through audio, video and community content and want actionable strategies they can implement immediately.
- Join Here: https://ecompod.com/
Shopify Community
The official Shopify Community is a massive forum where store owners, developers, and experts collaborate on building and growing successful Shopify stores.
- Best For: Any Shopify store owner seeking platform-specific support and ecosystem updates.
- Join Here: Access through your Shopify admin panel
BigCommerce Community
The official BigCommerce Community is a dedicated space for store owners to get platform-specific support, connect with experts, and maximize their store’s potential.
- Best For: BigCommerce store owners looking for platform-specific support and ecosystem insights.
- Join Here: https://support.bigcommerce.com/s/community
Reddit’s r/Ecommerce
With over 200,000 members, r/Ecommerce is known for its no-nonsense approach to ecommerce discussions and brutally honest feedback on store critiques and strategies.
- Best For: Store owners who appreciate direct, honest feedback and enjoy community-driven discussions.
- Join Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ecommerce/
EcommerceFuel
EcommerceFuel is an exclusive community for established ecommerce store owners, focusing on sophisticated strategies for scaling successful stores. It’s build around a Shopify podcast that has been going for years.
- Best For: Store owners with significant annual revenue looking to connect with peers at their level.
- Join Here: https://www.ecommercefuel.com/
Indie Hackers
While not exclusively focused on ecommerce, Indie Hackers has a strong ecommerce presence and provides valuable insights for bootstrapped store owners.
- Best For: Solo founders and bootstrapped store owners building sustainable businesses without external funding.
- Join Here: https://www.indiehackers.com/
Additional Communities to Consider
Reddit’s BigCommerce
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/bigcommerce/
Reddit’s Shopify
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/shopify/
BigCommerce Community Facebook Group
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigcommercecommunity
Shopify Entrepreneurs Facebook Group
Shopify Entrepreneurs is a Facebook group created for Shopify store owners, store managers, and expert service providers, including developers, designers, and marketers.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ELyJBLdkM/
Which Online Community is Right for YOU?
The journey of building and growing an ecommerce business doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. By joining these communities, you can tap into collective wisdom, find support when you need it, and build valuable relationships that can help your business thrive.
Remember, the key to getting value from these communities is active participation. Don’t just lurk – introduce yourself, share your experiences, and engage with others. The more you contribute, the more you’ll benefit from these powerful networks.
When you need more help with your store than an a community can provide, contact us and we can discuss how we might help.
