How to Create a Forum

Last Updated: June 28, 2024 Tested

At one time, you needed special knowledge about web programming languages in order to create an internet forum online. Things have become a lot easier these days, with great new ways of creating forums for feedback without ever having to learn a new language. Follow these steps and get all the feedback you are looking for, and then some!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Hosting a Forum on Your Own Domain

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Many services provide a place to host your BBS and generally offer guaranteed uptime, easy setup, domain names, and customer support. Many forum hosting providers now include a service that automates forum installation of 2 of the more popular forum software applications, SimpleMachines and phpBB (if so, follow your host's instructions to install and then skip to the login portion of the instructions below).
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Consider free open-source software that's very well supported, both in terms of development and community support.

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Download an FTP client. You will need this to upload your PHP content to your host.
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Set this up on your host through the control panel of your domain.
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Go to example.com/forumdirectory/install.php to install and configure your forums.
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6
If you are using phpBB: In your FTP client, go to config.php > Properties and set the CHMOD settings to 666.
- Follow the instructions on install.php.
- After finishing installation, go to the CHMOD settings of config.php and change them to 644 (if you are using phpBB 2).
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Delete the install and contrib directories.
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8
Login and Customize
- Go to example.com/forumdirectory/index.php.
- Login and go to the admin panel to customize your forum.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

The Hosted Forum on a Sub-domain

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There are many to choose from, just search for "free forum host." Though hosting your forum on your own domain name as described above is preferable as you control the domain (not the forum host company).

Sample Forum Rules

Community Q&A

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Add New Question

Question

Does it cost any money to set up a forum?

Community Answer

If you want to use a normal domain like .com, then yes. If you're not willing to pay, you can go with any of several free forum hosts.

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Question

How can I monetize an online forum?

Community Answer

Some forums have plugins which will allow you to format advertisements toward your Google AdSense account.

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Question

Can we create pikashow apk site by using wikihow?

Toca Boca

Community Answer

No, Wikihow isn't the right resource for creating a Pikashow APK site. Pikashow offers modified apps, which can be risky and violate copyright laws. Wikihow focuses on safe and legal creations. For tocalifesworld.com, you can use your imagination to create fun and safe stories. There's no need for external apps or modifications to enjoy the game!

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Tips

If you are not very technical, you can register at a site that can automatically set up a forum for you.

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If you want to run the forum on your own computer for development reasons, testing, customizing, etc., then see how to Install WAMP .

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If you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, then try fireftp.mozdev.org/ for your FTP add-on.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Strike a balance between monetization and providing a positive user experience for your community. Be transparent about your monetization strategies and ensure that they don't detract from the overall quality of the forum.
You can also get an expired domain rather than a brand-new one. On a formerly-expired domain, your forum may already have some authority in the eyes of Google and rank higher in search engine rankings.

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Warnings

You may be exposed to harsh language, but a lot of forum software allows you to ban certain words which can help.

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All forum software is at some point vulnerable to hacks, but keeping your forum software up to date is a good way to help prevent issues.

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You will be thought less of by the web programming community if you use software as opposed to your own script.

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Things You'll Need

A host that supports PHP
An FTP client

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How to Create a Forum

Steps

Hosting a Forum on Your Own Domain

The Hosted Forum on a Sub-domain

Sample Forum Rules

Community Q&A

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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