It became popular because of the free SEO tools. Many using the tools found the forum. Additionally, due to DP owning the google serps, it was only a matter of time before this place got really popular. You create your own luck mate.
I think Dp is popular because of it's idea and content..everyone wants to earn money..and DP is telling how to earn..that's why it has got such a huge traffic
here's my take on them growing - services - They had services and products, so the forum was used for support among them. - Webmaster tools - Organization - they were organized for a webmaster - Lots of word of mouth - one saw it and thought hey this place may help me out and then suddenly a ton did it. - Luck - he was in the right market at the right time, during the second .com boom.
I read through this thread twice because even though the OP asked specifically about how this forum became popular as a way to see how to make a popular forum, I think there is really a lot more in this thread than just the answer to his question. There seems to be a few themes that are recurring throughout the various posts. I want to summarize here as much for my own understanding as anything else, and I hope other folks find this useful. Good Management - this would have to include the hard work by the owner and the mods, their patience in giving it time to grow, and what would appear to be a solid plan for achieving that growth Good Marketing - we've all heard that just because you build it, doesn't mean they will come, so you have to get the word out somehow. Initially the DP webmaster tools gave people a reason to come to the site, and since support was in the forum, it gave them a reason to go to the forum. Post counts grow with more questions and answers about the tools, and people who are already here are more likely to look around and maybe post in other sections. This provides some social proof - people want to go where other people have gone. If they like it, then it can go viral, with them telling their friends, etc. Then the number of quality posts begin to show up in the top of the SERPS, which brings more people, and so on. Unsaturated Market - it is easier to get to the top of the SERPS for a less competitive phrase, and if it is something new that people are just beginning to search for, being first can mean a lot. Reason to return - marketing, etc, can only get a visitor to visit when they recieve the message, but to grow a forum, people have to keep coming back and being active. DP offers revenue sharing and the BST section, which gives people a way to make money, which is a definite incentive to return. There is also a lot of very good, high quality content - another reason to return. Additionally is the community of people with similar interests who are willing to share and help - powerful reason to return. Luck - this showed up so many times I couldn't not mention it, but I have to say I really like dcristo's response to this the best: I would think if you can manage to have all five of these (including luck for those who believe they need it) for any type of site, or any business for that matter, you can be very successful.
haha that is funny, and true in my case but hey I dont think its because of that though this thread has got long Alot of people saying its because of luck, i feel its more to do with the interaction
The excellent webmaster knowledge (that dp offers to the users) makes it unique in its category along with the hardwork of the owner and mods and dedication of the dp members to keep it alive always.