Top 5 Community Platforms for Product/Customer Communities

Ever wondered why some brands have customers who stick around like bees to honey? The secret isn’t just in their products. It’s in their communities. Yes, we’re talking about those buzzing hubs where customers turn into superfans and superfans turn into unofficial brand ambassadors (for free!).

If you’re looking to transform your customer base into a vibrant, interactive community, you’re in the right place. This post dives into the best community platforms for product and customer communities featuring Wylo, Circle, Discourse, Bettermode, and Mighty Networks.

What Are Community Platforms?

Community platforms are digital spaces where like-minded individuals gather to discuss, share, and engage around a common interest. Well, in your case, it’s your product. Think of them as the virtual equivalent of a town square, minus the pigeons and the folks making some clickbait reels and shorts.

Why Community Platforms Matter

Having a great product is only half the battle. The real magic happens when your customers don’t just buy from you but actively engage, advocate, and contribute to your brand’s growth. A strong community:

✔️ Boosts customer satisfaction

✔️ Fosters brand loyalty

✔️ Leads to peer-to-peer support

✔️ Creates an endless stream of user-generated content (hello, free marketing!)

The right platform makes all of this easier. Before we dive into the best ones out there, let’s dig into the main features of community platforms so you can have a better understanding of what makes a great community platform for your product.

Exploring Features of Community Platforms

Not all community platforms are created equal. Here are a few aspects that separate the best from the rest:

User-Friendly Interface

If your users need a map, a compass, and sheer determination just to navigate your community, they won’t stick around. A seamless interface is key.

Customization Options

Your community should feel like your brand, not a generic chatroom from the early 2000s. Look for platforms that let you tweak everything from colors to layouts. Oh, by the way, don’t fall for “all-in-one platform” propagandas. You don’t need a tool with all the features in the world but just the features that you truly want. That’s all it takes to build a great community.

Engagement Tools

Polls, live chats, gamification, etc - if they keep your community members engaged, it’s a win.

Analytics and Insights

Guesswork is for board games, not community management. A good platform should offer data-driven insights to track what’s working (and what’s flopping).

Integration Capabilities

Your community shouldn’t be an isolated island. The best platforms integrate smoothly with CRM systems, marketing tools, and social media.

Top Community Platforms for Product/Customer Communities

Wylo

Wylo is designed to make community-building feel effortless. With a sleek interface, deep customization, and a treasure trove of engagement tools, it’s a comprehensive solution for brands serious about fostering vibrant, interactive communities. It supports forums, live chats, multimedia sharing, and even virtual events. Basically, it’s like giving your brand a VIP lounge, minus the bouncers. When we said deep customization, we meant - only with Wylo, you can run a community with the exact features you want. And the best part - you pay only for those features.

Circle

Circle is a well-known community platform with clean and simple design, making it easy to manage and navigate. It integrates well with other tools and is great for creating private spaces for exclusive discussions. Suitable for established brands (with good budget) looking to build a strong community.

Discourse

An open-source tool, Discourse offers a customizable, modern design with powerful moderation tools. Yet it lacks a few advanced features that other platforms provide. Threaded discussions along with the open-source aspect make it a good choice for brands.

Better Mode (formerly Tribe)

Better Mode as a cloud-based platform is all about versatility like Wylo minus a few feature capabilities. It offers a modular approach, letting brands pick and choose features like Q&A, ideation boards, and gamification. It’s kind of like building your own community LEGO set in a way.

Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks, another well-known player in the community space, makes community-building simpler by integrating courses, events, and monetization tools. It’s suitable for brands (with deep pocket) looking to build a powerful community.

Finding the Right Community Platform

Building a thriving product or customer community isn’t just about choosing any platform. It’s about choosing the right one that fits your needs and bills. The best platforms offer seamless user experiences, robust engagement tools, and valuable insights to help you cultivate a loyal and active community.

And with Wylo, you get all this and more.

Ready to turn your customers into a thriving, engaged community? Start a free trial with Wylo and take the first step toward making your brand’s community an absolute powerhouse.