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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!
Steps
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Register a domain at a host who supports PHP. 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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Download forum software. Consider free open-source software that's very well supported, both in terms of development and community support.Advertisement
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Create a MySQL database. Set this up on your host through the control panel of your domain.
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Set up your forums. Go to example.com/forumdirectory/install.php to install and configure your forums.
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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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Clean up time. Delete the install and contrib directories.
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Login and Customize
- Go to example.com/forumdirectory/index.php.
- Login and go to the admin panel to customize your forum.
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Sample Forum Rules
Community Q&A
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QuestionDoes it cost any money to set up a forum?Community AnswerIf 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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QuestionHow can I monetize an online forum?Community AnswerSome forums have plugins which will allow you to format advertisements toward your Google AdSense account.
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QuestionCan we create a forum without any knowloedge of coding languages?Peter KleinCommunity Answer"Yes, by using website builders or forum-hosting platforms that provide a user-friendly interface. These platforms, including options like Wix, WordPress with plugins such as bbPress and BuddyPress and forum-hosting services like ProBoards, FreeForums or Forumotion, typically offer drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built templates, allowing you to create a forum without writing any code. More advanced options like Discourse, which may require a bit more familiarity, can also be explored for those seeking additional features in an AI Test Generator forum setup.
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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.Thanks
- If you want to run the forum on your own computer for development reasons, testing, customizing, etc., then see how to Install WAMP .Thanks
- If you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, then try fireftp.mozdev.org/ for your FTP add-on.Thanks
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.Thanks
- 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.Thanks
- You will be thought less of by the web programming community if you use software as opposed to your own script.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- A host that supports PHP
- An FTP client
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Sign up for a web host that supports PHP.
2. Download forum software.
3. Download an FTP program.
4. Create a MySQL database.
5. Install your forum software.
6. Set up your forums.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 537,394 times.
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