Starting Your Own Forum

jogger1949 · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-06, 12:36

Has anyone started their own forum with thier own hosting service? if so was it difficult to get it going?

Jewel · #2 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 03:00

Starting a forum is something that I have been thinking about lately, but I just don't know how to go about doing that. It would be even cooler to host it myself.

shaypcb · #3 (**permalink**) 25-10-07, 06:28

I have a forum, but my fiance did it all for me. I have no clue how to do most of that stuff. I know there are lots of websites out there that can help you learn it though. There are also a lot of free forums and hosting and all if you wanted to just learn the basics before forking out money for some.

Beatrix · #4 (**permalink**) 30-10-07, 00:36

I once created a forum for my school from a free forum hosting site, but it was not successful as I lacked advertising. My schoolmates also weren't into that stuff, which made it difficult. However, I have joined other forums that were set up from free hosting services and they were successful because of the traffic and the membership. So, it all depends on the membership, really.

SageMother · #5 (**permalink**) 31-10-07, 01:56

Building forum participation takes time and lots of patience. If you have good subject matter or know your niche well, it goes a little faster.

ninikins · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-07, 01:23

Good advertising is very important. you really need to get your forum out there and get people linking to it for it to turn up in searches.

SageMother · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-07, 15:10

Contests and giveaways based on the number of posts a member makes can work well to keep participation up. YOu need to be very specific with your rules though.

hurgoll · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-07, 23:47

I would like to start a forum, and I just don't have time. That is the major factor. Hosting, Software, users.. doesn't matter if you don't have the time to do it right.

annerz · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-07, 05:55

i used to run a local forum months ago.
it wasn't that hard, especially that my forum's niche is something i really love doing.
my hosting was sponsored.
the forum software that i used was SMF. phpbb is also a good alternative.
but if you don't mind paying, go for vBulltin

EviesEarth · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-07, 08:51

I have always been interested in running a forum. It would be something fun, although I do see that it is a lot of work, esp in getting the interest out.