I Want to Start a Forum Website.

[Darkness.]

I want to start a forum website but i'm not sure where to start. I would like to make it as cheap as possible. Can anyone please help me.

[xxkxx]

wix or webs is a good place to start. They help you step by step to make your website

[TheMatrix]

That's a great idea. However, you will have to ask yourself these things:

What will it be about?
Who is the target audience?
Will it be based on another website? If so, what will your forum feature that the other does not?
Will you be able to manage the stress of running a forum?

I would like to make a few notes on the third and fourth points.
VirtualTeen has seen many "spin-off" forums - ones exactly like it - in the last few years. The sad truth is: they all die eventually, because there's nothing unique about them. Therefore, the existing users just say, "why would I go there?". Or, it starts out good, but then activity declines sharply, and it is a dead site after a while.
Secondly, although it may not seem like it, running a forum is hard work. The staff of most forums try to make it as transparent as possible for their users, because most aren't interested. I can promise you that the number of spambots and creepers will rise exponentially(in most cases) as you get a higher site rank is on search engines. I can guarantee you: it isn't fun. Even from a moderator's perspective, I can see what an admin has to go through.

In addition, you will need to ask yourself the following:

Are you willing to pay for your hosting? Will you use free hosting? A free forum host?
Are you familiar with the many different forum softwares and their differences?
Do you know the basics of programming? The syntax of a particular language(PHP is popular)?
(Skip if you are going to use a free forum host) Does the forum software have a good documentation and support community?
How much time do you have to invest in a forum?


Think about all that. In the end, you may realise that although a very fun idea, it will take a lot before it actually works. If you do decide to do this - well, good luck and have fun! :)

[Darkness.]

First off i knew you would come in and help, your good at these types of things.

Secondly this idea for a forum is not a spin off of VT but more a forum for - For former members of VT that still need help and support or want to stay in contact with other members that have left.
For people that are too old to join VT to get help and support.


Thirdly I know its going to be hard work but its something I want to do. I mean look at some of the most successful sites e.g. VT. They would.ve been hard to set up but look at them now.

Finally I'm learning the basics of HTML and I hope to learn more languages in the future.

[Jufjufjuf]

First off i knew you would come in and help, your good at these types of things.

Secondly this idea for a forum is not a spin off of VT but more a forum for - For former members of VT that still need help and support or want to stay in contact with other members that have left.
For people that are too old to join VT to get help and support.


Thirdly I know its going to be hard work but its something I want to do. I mean look at some of the most successful sites e.g. VT. They would.ve been hard to set up but look at them now.

Finally I'm learning the basics of HTML and I hope to learn more languages in the future.

It's great you're learning new languages but as others are probably going to suggest, use a pre existing forum software. Like V-bulletin, phpBB, SMF, ect.

Then you're going to have to look at hosting costs and reliability, domain names, and more. It'll be hard to get big but who knows.

Best of luck,

Justin

[Roddy15]

I use forumotion personally because you can have a good forum at no cost but I'm on a forum using vbulletin and it has endless possibilities so make sure you pick a forum software that you can add to as forumotion is pretty limited in added features but it's getting better, if you have money though get a good forum software but vbulletin is expensive!

[Jupiter]

Will you be able to manage the stress of running a forum?


he's so right. it's sooo stressful at times.

[Jess]

I recommend not using a free forum host. there're so much limits...you can't install mods (modifications) on your own and there are so many good ones, whether it's SMF or phpBB. But if you go this path, you need to learn more than HTML. It'll be slighter more challenging and you have a greater chance of messing up, however, if you succeed in setting everything up it'll all be worth it in the end, as you have pretty much full control over what features you can add

you don't need to use paid hosting though. I use x10hosting, which offers both paid AND free. I'm using the free package or whatever, and x10 is the best web host - free web host - I've come across.

[Darkness.]

I'm confused about what you said Jess. First you said not to use free hosting than you said that you don't have to use paid hosting.

[TheMatrix]

I'm confused about what you said Jess. First you said not to use free hosting than you said that you don't have to use paid hosting.
No, what she said was that you shouldn't use a free forum host. Not that you shouldn't use free hosting. There's a difference.
A forum host sets everything up for you; all you need to know is the backend of the software they use. Free hosting lets you have your own complete hosting package, but you need to install the forum yourself.
Free hosting, though slightly more difficult, is more allowing than a forum host.

[Darkness.]

Oh i get now, thanks.

[Rayquaza]

You're best bet is to go to omgforums

You can make any styled forum, whether it be phBB2 or phBB3 and there's also a wizard. It's hard work though, You need to devote a LOT of time.

[Silicate Wielder]

I've been Working on the same thing, the best host for beginners is Webnode, it features a nice Drag-n-drop interface, and you can also use custom templates too. This is where i'm currently building my forums, Along with some other features.