Hey, im intreste din making my own forum i KNOW itll be big, its just a need some advice, basically, what is the best way to do it, iw ould like a separate domain name so nothing like www.Vbulletin.com/forum title (example) please evrything you know please tell me!
If you want your forum to be located at www.YOURDOMAIN.com, just install the forum software under your root. Basically, your forum software WILL be your site - and will run everything from your user database, to static pages.
ok thanks do you have an idea of , hosting costs and software costs and any other costs that may occur, please let me know!
get a host like hostmonster who has cpanel and fantastico. before getting a host ask them whether they have fantastico and simplescripts installed. with fantastico you can install forums and other scripts by just clicking buttons no need to do manual uploading.
there are 2 big free forum softwares... SMF, and phpBB... those are the best. don't waste money on vbulletin or IP board until your site starts to grow i'd say.
yep. go buy a domain name first, then get a hosting plan, then upload the forum software or use fantastico if your host has it for automatic installation.
ok thanks, but with regards to changing when my forum is ''busy'' would i then lose member and will emmebr have to resign up and stuff?
Don't forget myBB. I personally think it's way better than SMF and phpBB. http://www.mybboard.net/ @ LukeG28 : whatever software you decide to use, remember to make regular backups of your database - especially while you're getting it all set up.