about Forums!

[K36]

Ok guys so I figured I may be able to help and add value here with my forum expertise.

Feel free to ask me anything related to forums here and i'll do my best to answer.

Let's go!

 

[Solamon H]

Whats the best forum software?
Is vBulletin still good?

 

[T J Tutor]

What are the most important elements in choosing your advertisers?

 

[K36]

Whats the best forum software?
Is vBulletin still good?

xenForo 100%, vBulletin is dead.

What are the most important elements in choosing your advertisers?

Making sure they are established, trustworthy and always try and commit them to a longer package deal.

 

[Solamon H]

What are the costs of starting a forum?

 

[terryse]

Why did you choose running a forum from other online ventures, and how many months before this venture becomes profitable?

 

[K36]

What are the costs of starting a forum?

The essential costs are:

• Forum software license
• Hosting
• Domain

You can of course use free versions of all the above but i'd say around $300 would do it on a shoe string.

Why did you choose running a forum from other online ventures, and how many months before this venture becomes profitable?

I've ALWAYS been around forums since the day I came online.

I just love the communities.

The best thing about them is they are "user generated content" meaning when you get them to a certain stage (usually 4-5 years old) they will generate their own content easily.

They are VERY hard work tho.

 

[Padsall]

Whats your offer for advertisement on your forum?

 

[Cavalier0754]

How do you get people posting?, I have run many support forums for my websites but I'm the only person who posts.

 

[K36]

Whats your offer for advertisement on your forum?

I don't understand your question?

How do you get people posting?, I have run many support forums for my websites but I'm the only person who posts.

You need two things to create a successful forum, time and patience.

• run competitions
• start viral threads that are engaging (who can post last etc)
• put yourself on social media
• ask peers to join and contribute
• pay a forum poster
• recruit from similar forums
• be consistent

It takes time and patience.

 

[Padsall]

I don't understand your question?

You need two things to create a successful forum, time and patience.

• run competitions
• start viral threads that are engaging (who can post last etc)
• put yourself on social media
• ask peers to join and contribute
• pay a forum poster
• recruit from similar forums
• be consistent

It takes time and patience.

I wanna Advertise on your forum want to know whats Price time period etc..

 

[Sally33]

What can make your forum special??

 

[Cavalier0754]

How to do get your forum to stand out in an already crowded market?

 

[K36]

What can make your forum special??

How to do get your forum to stand out in an already crowded market?

These are both the same type of question and in all honesty the answer is "be consistent and be unique"

SO for example we were the first EVER forum company and first ever webmaster forum to have resources like this Resources | Webmaster Forum | WebsiteFix, this will be a HUGE source of engagement and interaction. Again when we intro the "business centre" we have on our other forums here it will be the first of its kind and its innovative and useful.

The other is being consistent, you need to make sure you keep the forums active, moderate every thread and be consistent with everything from moderation to posting.

 

[Big Steve]

how do you maintain so many forums?

 

[K36]

how do you maintain so many forums?

Good time management and good staff.

People like @WSF-Roger and @T J Tutor have been an amazing help along with the other forum mods we have.

I personally check every single post on all of my forums which takes the first hour or two of my day.

 

[Maximum]

Where would you place advertisements at on your forums (if you was to do it)?

 

[K36]

Where would you place advertisements at on your forums (if you was to do it)?

Display banners work but don't overdo it.

I would also look at more intuitive ways to monetise my forums besides your standard advertisements.

 

[Maximum]

Display banners work but don't overdo it.

I would also look at more intuitive ways to monetise my forums besides your standard advertisements.

What intuitive ways would you monetize a forum?

 

[K36]

What intuitive ways would you monetize a forum?

• Competitions
• Referral Programs
• Affiliate Programs
• Partnerships
• Sponsored content
• Viglink

and many more, just think beyond adsense and banners.