Can adding a forum to a site help with relevancy?

I already understand that a good blog can help, but can adding a simple forum help as well?

 

Forums take a helluva lot of work to get started and moving, though.

Yes, forums are a great idea if you're willing to invest your time into it - but be very aware that forums represent a very significant investment of time.

2c.

 

Thanks, appreciate the advice. The time investment is not a problem. Monitor the site 18/7 as it is. Need the other 6 for sleep

 

Won't help with relevancy, will probably even hurt it because you can't control what people post. 100% of the stuff won't always be related (off topic posts, etc).

Will get you more pages indexed though

 

It just something none of my competition has done as of yet that I know of. There are automotive forums for sure, but one focusing on rims would be something different. I thought it might help build the sites credibility as a authority on certain subjects if nothing else.
Not sure how much traffic it could get....
I think I may give is a wirl.
Would you used the URL www.yoursite.com/forum?

 

Either that or create a subdomain like DP.

 

A subdomain would be wise, especially if your going to allow offtopic posting.

 

I used this format, www.yoursite.com/forum.
But my forum is on topic.

 

maybe something like
http:www.//forum/domain.com
Crap, its already up
http://www.hubcaps-wheelcovers.com/forum
Been working on text links from the other pages on the site.
I think I can keep it on target.

 

I think forums are a brilliant tool for marketing purposes. Personally, I think every serious business should have one. That's just me, though.

If you're willing to put the time in, they can be a great natural platform for snaring search traffic.

Just stay away from PHPBB.

vbulletin and SMF are the best for the serious forum builder, IMO.

 

Marketing in what sense -- popularity/ presense or search engine marketing

Why?? I have used it here

Should I change it, What do you think about drupal ?


-

 

The great things about forums for marketing:

- communication tool
- advertising tool
- natural traffic generator
- referral marketing tool

As for choice of software - everyone has their own preference - go whichever you're comfortable with.

EDIT: Just realised, I posted something about using forums for marketing here:
http://www.platinax.co.uk/48-blogs-and-forums-for-marketing-your-business/

 

Thanks all, it up and running we'll see what happens.
That was my thought, for marketing and customer support.

 

drupal is not a forum , it is a CMS.