Salesforce Community Cloud vs Experience Cloud: Why Salesforce Rebranded and What It Means for You

Outgrowing Community Cloud? Discover why Experience Cloud powers today’s most engaging customer journeys.
Fatima
August 4, 2025
Salesforce Community Cloud vs Experience Cloud

Wondering if Salesforce Community Cloud vs Experience Cloud are really the same thing? You’re not the only one. However, many businesses are still getting used to the name change and the updated platform.

That confusion can slow your team down. You might waste time sifting through old docs, hold off on upgrades, or overlook new features that could improve your customers’ experiences.

In this blog, we’ll break down what changed, what hasn’t, and how Salesforce Experience Cloud vs Community Cloud impacts your business, whether you’re launching a customer portal, a help centre, a partner hub, or an employee site. Knowing the difference lets you make quicker, smarter choices that drive better results.

Why Salesforce Renamed Community Cloud and Why You Should Care  

Salesforce renamed Community Cloud to Experience Cloud because the new name does a better job of capturing what the platform really does. Once limited to basic online communities, Experience Cloud can now power customer support portals, partner hubs, employee onboarding sites, and more, all while pulling the right data from the Salesforce CRM.  

This name change is more than cosmetic. Moreover, it shows that companies are moving from basic, static portals to richer, smarter digital experiences. Experience Cloud helps you create journeys that are fully branded, responsive, and personalized, whether the user is a customer, partner, or employee.  

As digital expectations keep growing, companies using Experience Cloud can keep pace with the competition, boost user engagement, and improve satisfaction at every interaction. So, if you want to meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s needs, now is the time to dig into what the new Experience Cloud can do for you.

What Was Salesforce Community Cloud?  

When Community Cloud first came out, it let companies create online spots where customers and partners could meet, picture support discussion boards, deal registration hubs, or employee onboarding centres. Moreover, these tools helped lower support costs, boost communication, and let people find answers on their own.  

Some popular ways companies used it were:  

  • Customer support portals  
  • Partner collaboration sites  
  • Internal employee hubs  

The focus was on building friendly, helpful community areas. However, as people started wanting smarter, more mobile-friendly, and personalized digital experiences, it became obvious that something more flexible was needed.

Meet Experience Cloud - Your Next-Level Platform  

Experience Cloud takes Community Cloud to the next level, more power, more flexibility, more control. However, with Experience Cloud, you’re not just creating a community. You’re building complete, branded digital journeys that feel like a natural part of your company, not a separate tool.  

So, what can you create?  

  • Campaign microsites  
  • Customer self-service portals  
  • Partner deal registration tools  
  • Knowledge centres  
  • Custom apps and dashboards  
  • Internal intranets and onboarding flows  

Every one of these experiences works perfectly on mobile, is a breeze to design, and stays in sync with your Salesforce data. Whether you’re serving customers or employees, you can deliver smarter, smoother experiences on any device.

A Quick Comparison Table on Salesforce Community Cloud vs Experience Cloud

Here’s an easy side-by-side look at both platforms:  

Feature Community Cloud Experience Cloud
Purpose Made for simple community interaction Built for complete digital experience
Customization Few layout and branding choices Fully customizable with design tools
Content Management Basic tools for sharing content Advanced CMS with templates and workflows
Personalization Little personalization per user Adaptive, tailored content for everyone
Integration Links to core Salesforce data only Seamless connections to Salesforce and third-party apps
Mobile Support Basic mobile-friendly view Mobile first and 100% responsive
Design Control Fixed templates with no flexibility Drag and drop builder for full freedom
Branding Options Very limited visual adjustments Complete freedom to style your brand
User Experience Simple and functional Engaging and modern

Why Moving to Experience Cloud Can Boost Your Business  

Still running on Community Cloud? Upgrading to Experience Cloud gives you access to features that Community Cloud simply can’t match. Furthermore, if you’re launching something new, Experience Cloud offers a stronger foundation right from the start.  

The platform highlights three key areas:  

  • Branded, consistent content everywhere.
  • Next-level self-service options
  • Tools that let your team personalize for every individual, at any scale.  

This isn’t just a new name. Experience Cloud is a smarter, more adaptable tool for controlling your entire digital presence.

6 Reasons to Check Out Experience Cloud

If your business is on the rise, Experience Cloud could be a game-changer. Here’s why:

  1. Build Sites Faster: Use drag-and-drop tools to create custom portals and pages, no coding needed.   
  2. Mobile-First Design: Every experience looks great on phones, tablets, and desktop screens. You won’t need a separate mobile version. 
  3. Easy Content Management: The built-in content management system lets your team add, update, and organize material without IT delays.  
  4. Personalized Experiences: Display the right content to the right user by tracking profiles and behavior.  
  5. Live CRM Sync: Experience Cloud connects in real time to your Salesforce data, so your team always has the latest customer info.  
  6. Unlimited Growth: Add new portals, apps, and experiences without a complete project restart. Just scale what you need, when you need it.  

From new startups to global enterprises, Experience Cloud gives you the tools to expand without the hassle of rebuilding.

Who Should Use Experience Cloud and When

Experience Cloud is designed to be flexible, not rigid. Here’s how various teams can make it work for them:  

  • Support teams can set up sleek, branded help centers and searchable knowledge bases.  
  • Sales and partner teams can create collaboration hubs that simplify deal registration and partner communication.  
  • HR teams can keep onboarding, benefits guides, and internal newsletters in one spot for easy access.  
  • Marketing teams can quickly spin up microsites, lead-gen landing pages, and campaign hubs that look polished and consistent.  

No matter what industry you’re in or how large your organization is, Experience Cloud can help you simplify tasks and boost customer and employee engagement.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re still on Community Cloud or just diving into Salesforce for the first time, Experience Cloud takes your digital experiences to a whole new level. Moreover, it’s not just about forums or portals anymore; you can now craft personalized, on-brand, data-rich touchpoints for customers, partners, and employees.

Additionally, with user expectations climbing higher every day, choosing the right platform matters. Experience Cloud lets you bring together CRM data, automation, and a polished design into one seamless solution.

If you want to boost engagement, supercharge self-service, and create experiences that grow with your business, Experience Cloud is the smart move for your digital future.

Need Help Figuring Out How It Fits into Your Business?

Connect with PixelConsulting for expert guidance. We’ll help you plan, design, and launch an Experience Cloud solution that works for your goals, your team, and your customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Salesforce Community Cloud?  

It was Salesforce’s platform for building branded spaces like online forums, help centers, and customer portals.

What’s different about Experience Cloud?

Experience Cloud adds tools for design, content management, and personalization, allowing you to create complete digital experiences, not just standalone communities.

Do I have to migrate an old Community Cloud site?

You don’t have to migrate right away, but moving to Experience Cloud gives you faster performance and access to new features.

Is Experience Cloud included with Salesforce licenses?

It depends on your Salesforce edition. Some Experience Cloud features may need extra licensing.

Can small businesses use Experience Cloud?

Absolutely! Experience Cloud is designed to grow with you, so small businesses and large enterprises can both benefit.


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Author Insights:
Fatima
Hi! I’m an SEO Content Writer and Brand Copywriter who turns complex ideas into engaging and easy-to-understand content. Lately, I’ve been simplifying Salesforce, helping businesses navigate their CRM systems with confidence. My goal? To make tech and marketing feel simple, clear, and impactful.
August 4, 2025

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