When Lanching New Forum what main thing you Do !

**marcel** · Feb 2, 2006 07:49

Originally Posted by mPeror

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you change the default theme of your forum software ASAP !!! default themes are a HUGE turn-offs (for people like me at least). It gives me the impression of "yet another forum" and make me leave the site.

Where can I get "free" or paid VB/phpbb templates.

**shellspeare** · Feb 2, 2006 08:19

Check my sig

**GTAce** · Feb 2, 2006 11:27

You can also get a lot of free skins at www.vbulletin.org and www.phpbb.com

**Musicbox** · Feb 2, 2006 14:20

add forum to yahoo or google !

**dennytang** · Feb 2, 2006 14:33

There's this post exchanging website:
thepostswap.com

**theGWS** · Feb 2, 2006 18:47

Originally Posted by Cutter

The first one was a flop, the second one was a flop, and the newest one has over 1,000 members and thousands of posts within less than two months.

Can you post a link to this 'newest' one? I recently purchased a highly-targeted domain and would like to build a community with it, but don't know where to start.

**markblair** · Feb 2, 2006 22:05

Originally Posted by Lira

Make your forums as simple as possible - really, a small forum with 21 boards is confusing, and has little connection between the boards. You want people to discuss, don't you? Don't put them in different rooms: have them all talking in the living room and, if they become too loud, then you send some of them to the kitchen... or to the backyard.

Good point Lira.

I've been to many new sites that have 30+ forums on them with practically no posts made. It doesn't look good when the posts column says "No Posts".

I've done post exchanges before but the best method for me was to start some topics and then invite everyone I know to join and respond to those topics. Most people that I know offline don't get into forums like I do. It's the people I meet online that are the most dedicated and helpful... Sorry mom!

**SneakyOne** · Feb 3, 2006 12:15

Going through the same thing buddy!

Trying to get a forum going is a challenge to say the least, but a few ppl are posting, far enough its linked to a dating site so in theory more members more ppl chatting, more ppl chatting more members (thats the plan anyways). Starting a forum reminds me of a school party when your 13, everyone standing around the edge too shy to start dancing, though when you get older throw in a bit of the old dutch courage (booze) a couple of guys willing to dance and the party erupts, a little push in the right direction is all thats needed! But of course ppl like cutter, any advice from you experienced guys would also greatly help my cause.

**mcsolas** · Feb 3, 2006 12:25

Originally Posted by GTAce

You need to cherish any new member you can get...so when they come, make sure you dont lose them because they are bored.

I think this is a particularly good point. No matter how fast or slow its growing - a community grows 1 member at a time.

**SneakyOne** · Feb 3, 2006 12:35

couldnt agree more with MCsolas, every new member I get, im very active with and involved, to me they mean everything, please one member they tell there friends, please their friends and before you know it, you've got a forum more packed than hugh hefner's pad on a saturday night!

**GTAce** · Feb 3, 2006 13:06

Originally Posted by SneakyOne

couldnt agree more with MCsolas, every new member I get, im very active with and involved, to me they mean everything, please one member they tell there friends, please their friends and before you know it, you've got a forum more packed than hugh hefner's pad on a saturday night!

You've got it.

I really liked your party analogy too, almost a direct parallel

**mcsolas** · Feb 3, 2006 13:12

Yeah, last saturday over there was *so* fun

**Mr. B** · Feb 3, 2006 13:36

I'm finding that meeting people with similar interests on myspace is a great way to get new members.

**falco85** · Feb 3, 2006 13:45

You should consider professional paid posting forum service, like this one www.forumboosting.com

cheers

**mcsolas** · Feb 3, 2006 14:03

Originally Posted by falco85

You should consider professional paid posting forum service, like this one www.forumboosting.com

cheers

That looks good, but I would try the link in your sig first. Oh its the same.

I guess shameless self-promotion is another method of starting forums.

Call me a purist, but I want the people posting in my forums to be geniunely interested in the topics at hand.

**piper24k** · Feb 3, 2006 15:22

Originally Posted by nida_pakistani

When you lanch new forum what main things you do to make it active?

Read SitePoint

**Mr. B** · Feb 3, 2006 15:23

Originally Posted by MCsolas

That looks good, but I would try the link in your sig first. Oh its the same.

I guess shameless self-promotion is another method of starting forums.

Call me a purist, but I want the people posting in my forums to be geniunely interested in the topics at hand.

I agree with you - I don't know if that post belongs here

**JordanTW** · Feb 3, 2006 16:15

Originally Posted by marcel

What articles did you use ? Free or Unique articles ?

FREE. That is what amazed me. These articles are available all over the place on free article sites yet they really helped my serps.

**theGWS** · Feb 3, 2006 16:36

Originally Posted by JordanTW

FREE. That is what amazed me. These articles are available all over the place on free article sites yet they really helped my serps.

Dude, you took my avatar!

**markblair** · Feb 4, 2006 00:53

You need to also be active in your community as well - even if you are the administrator. It means nothing if you have the right amount of staff if they don't return on a daily basis to kick start the forum. Administrators and moderators should be highly visible to all new visitors that come across your forum.

**mcsolas** · Feb 4, 2006 08:54

Originally Posted by piper24k

Read SitePoint

That build forums blog is a good read. I am surprised at their response to the paid posting options, as he said it seemed the first one he tried, the guys actually researched the subject matter in order to write good posts.

The idea in general still rubs me the wrong way, but I know that starting a forum can often be bringing you into a very competitive, saturated marketplace.

Not saying there isnt room for more forums, with excellent content .. but you have to admit, its a bit hard to get someone excited about 'another' gaming forum.

**GTAce** · Feb 4, 2006 10:45

Originally Posted by MCsolas

Not saying there isnt room for more forums, with excellent content .. but you have to admit, its a bit hard to get someone excited about 'another' gaming forum.

No doubt about that. I've been there, done that, before with gaming forums. I'm pretty confident that gaming is the most saturated topic out there when it comes to forums. If you're going to start up some gaming forums, you better be sure that you have something extremely unique to offer.