How to setup an internet forum
Internet forums can be fun, educational, and owning one can potentially make you some extra cash with advertisements-but only if it’s active enough. How do you make an active internet forum though? Most people only join in the first place if they already know its active, and they know they won’t have to wait 10 days for an answer to a post. Others however are always on the look out to share opinions, ideas, and to be in one more social community. Here are some tips to make a forum active, fun, and popular.
The topic
You’ll need to know the general topic of your forum before you create it. What kind of audience are you trying to get? Teen forum, web design forum, writing forum? Try to use a common hobby or interest, and then when creating the boards cover every sub-topic within that interest.
Creating sub-topics
Within your main forum topic, create sub-topics that are interesting and cover every aspect. Create sub-topics that are easy to discuss and that your visitors will want to keep coming back. For example, if you’re creating a web design forum, cover sub-topics within the business aspect of website design and the designing process. Have a help section or an advertisement section to help promote interaction among your visitors.
The design
Create your forum with the script of your choice, but then make the design appropriate and functional. The easier your visitors can look around at the topics, the more interested they will be in joining and posting. Have it appropriate too. A teen forum can have a more laid back and creative design, while a business forum will need to be more professional.
Advertise
Forums are one of those things that you need to advertise for people to know about. You probably have topics that are covered in tons of other forums across the net, but making yours more visible is key. You will have to invest a bit of money, but you don’t have to go over board. Advertise on other forums with similar interests. Many board-goers have accounts to more than one forum. Advertise on popular websites that cover your topic. Whenever possible, advertise for free, even if its not a specific audience-when its free it can’t hurt!
When advertising, create banners or text links that make your visitors want to click on the ad. Include your more interactive elements on a banner. For our ‘web design’ forum, instead of an ad simply saying “Talk about web design with other designers!”, say something like “Plug your site, get help with designing your site, and post and receive new designing opportunities!”
Maintenance
Have good security on your forum. When I opened my first forum, within the first month it was riddled with spam selling erotic products. Most people don’t want to join when every post leads them to a dirty website. Have anti-spam blockers, and to avoid your members from breaking the rules have an appropriate amount of responsible moderators.
Creating an internet forum can be fun and a great online social experience. It’s only fun though when it’s active and you can get the most opinions out of your members. Listen to your member’s suggestions and opinions about the setup of your forum, and keep building upon the criticisms.
Written by webitect