Why Organisations Are Saying ‘Ka kite’ to Facebook Groups

In today’s digital landscape, organisations need more than just a place to post updates – they need purpose-built platforms that foster meaningful engagement, align with brand values, and provide control over community interactions. For many, Facebook Groups fill that gap.

But increasingly, businesses, membership organisations, and educational institutions are turning to alternatives for a more flexible, branded, and feature-rich solution.

The Limitations of Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups are easy to set up, familiar to users, and free to use, but they come with trade-offs:

Lack of control over branding and experience
Your organisation’s group is hosted in Facebook’s ecosystem, complete with its interface, ads, and distractions.
Limited customisation and structure
Content is organised chronologically, with limited tools to create structured learning, events, or knowledgebases.
Audience fatigue and distraction
Users are usually on Facebook to socialise with their connections – not necessarily to engage deeply with your organisation. It’s easy for your content to get lost in a noisy feed that is often full of ads and ‘suggested content’.
Data ownership and analytics
Facebook controls the user data and offers limited insight into how your community is engaging. You can’t easily download a list of your group members to communicate with outside the Meta environment.
Loss of followers from Meta
Increasingly people are turning away from Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, for a number of reasons. You may find that your group engagement is dropping or your group numbers are reducing as more people disable their Facebook accounts.

Standalone Community Platforms are a Stronger Fit for Growing Communities

There are a growing number of options available as all-in-one platforms built for businesses and organisations that want full control over their community experience.

Here’s why they are becoming a popular choice:

Brand Alignment and Customisation

The best of these platforms will allow you to create a fully white-labelled community experience that looks and feels like an extension of your own website or product.

You can customise layouts, apply brand colours, and even host the community under your domain.

Rich Community Features

Beyond forums and discussions, community platforms should offer functionality for:

Events and live sessions
Structured spaces for different topics or teams
Member profiles and gamification
Built-in analytics and moderation tools

This makes them ideal for everything from member-driven Q&A forums to training hubs and product communities.

Integrated and Scalable

With a growing list of integrations (like Slack, Zapier, and HubSpot), the more sophisticated platforms will fit into your existing tech stack. They should also scale with your organisation, supporting small teams through to large, multi-tiered communities.

Privacy, Control, and Data Ownership

You decide who can access what, and you own your community’s data. This is especially valuable for organisations that need to comply with privacy standards or manage sensitive internal discussions.

Use Cases That Make Sense

Member-based organisations who want to deliver exclusive content and engagement without relying on a public platform
Education providers creating structured learning communities or support forums
Non-profits looking for a focused space for volunteers or stakeholder communication
Product-led companies building customer success and feedback communities

Is It Time to Move Your Community?

While Facebook Groups and similar platforms may still serve casual or temporary needs, organisations serious about community-building are increasingly choosing purpose-built platforms.

If you’re ready to build a focused, branded, and sustainable online community, get in touch with us to explore the best platform options we have come across.

Tags: 27/05/2025/byKaren

Tags: Social Media, alternatives to Facebook Groups, building online communities