In the past, you needed special knowledge about web programming languages in order to create an online forum. This process has become a lot easier these days because of great new ways of creating forums for feedback without having to learn a new language. Follow these steps and get all the feedback you are looking for, and then some!
Steps
-
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).
-
Download forum software. Consider free open-source software that's very well supported, both in terms of development and community support.Advertisement
-
Create a MySQL database. Set this up on your host through the control panel of your domain.
-
Set up your forums. Go to example.com/forumdirectory/install.php to install and configure your forums.
-
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).
-
Clean up the installation. Delete the install and contrib directories.
-
Login and customize your installation.
- Go to example.com/forumdirectory/index.php.
- Login and go to the admin panel to customize your forum.
Sample Forum Rules
Community Q&A
-
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.
-
QuestionHow can I monetize an online forum?Community AnswerSome forums have plugins which will allow you to format advertisements toward your Google AdSense account.
-
QuestionHow can I create a simple forum on my site?whitney wrightCommunity AnswerChoose a forum platform like phpBB or Discourse. Be sure that the computer(s) hosting it supports the chosen platform. Install the forum software and customize it to match your site. Set up categories and permissions, and promote the forum. Moderate discussions and maintain the forum regularly.
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
- 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.
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
Things You'll Need
- A host that supports PHP
- An FTP client
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about digital marketing, check out our in-depth interview with Anar Kazimov .
About This Article
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.