How to Build a Customer Community Forum

By Brittany Lyons

Community forums have proven themselves an effective way to foster good customer relations and cultivate new business, which has put a lot of companies under pressure to utilize social media to reach their customers. While some companies accomplish this by simply establishing a Facebook business page and Twitter account, often that is not enough. Every social media vehicle has a specific purpose and target market, whether it's aimed at fry cooks or PhDs. While Facebook offers a forum for discussing any and all topics, there are many people who dismiss it as a purely social tool. By establishing a community forum, businesses can reach these people. Plus, the forum allows customers to discuss the company's products and services openly in a place where the company can benefit from their insights.