What are my options for adding a forum to a website?

[Courtknee]

Hi all!

I have a small membership site that doesn't have a forum right now. If I wanted to add one, what would be the simplest way to do that? I don't want to totally wreck the existing structure of the site...but would like to add the forum as an extension of sorts.

I will definitely be outsourcing this...but I need to figure out what to tell the person I outsource to! :p

I've seen php at the top of many forums that I've visited...what is that type of forum called?

Thanks!

[Kaizoku]

The 2 leading php forums are phpbb/2 and invision power board (ipb). Maybe vbulletin as well.

[Courtknee]

Is this something I'll have to purchase and then have someone install, or are they open source?

[shallowink]

vB is commerical as is InVision. Cost ~150-160 or a per year fee if you opt for that. PHPBB is open source and free. Would have to have it matched up to your site, pay or DIY. Install shouldn't be that big of a deal, believe phpBB is in fantastico so it should be a coupla clicks and its installed.

[walkere]

vB is commerical as is InVision. Cost ~150-160 or a per year fee if you opt for that. PHPBB is open source and free. Would have to have it matched up to your site, pay or DIY. Install shouldn't be that big of a deal, believe phpBB is in fantastico so it should be a coupla clicks and its installed.
phpBB (www.phpbb.com) is great and my personal favorite. Another free option is Simple Machine Forums (http://www.simplemachines.org/).

Both are very easy to install. However integrating them into your site is a little tougher. They each have their own templating systems, so you'll have to modify the style/templates to make it match your site.

Unless you're a big, profitable site (and it sounds like this is a small private affair), there's no reason to get IPB or VB. phpBB and SMF are very functional and flexible - and free.

- Walkere

[funnygirl]

I can't stand phpbb. I installed it on my server and it's a nightmare to change the style, so confusing. I wouldn't recommend it to people who aren't very technical.

Vbulletin is far better in my opinion, especially if you want to customize design.

[AstarothSolutions]

If you are getting someone to do it for you you already know what to say as you have said it here... you want a forum integrated with your membership site.

The only other thing you need to say is target budget for your suppliers to work out if freeware or commercial is the best route

[Courtknee]

Thank you so much for the great advice! I was able to outsource it and get the phpbb all set up in under an hour! woo hoo!!