I have created a forum at http://forums.hostshub.com. The logo is getting ready, and I have a few more categories to add in there. But where do I get the first set of members who would start discussing here? At this stage even if someone manages to come, they will find everything blank. What is needed to kick start a forum? Should I write say the first few hundred articles myself with a considerable bit of keyword research so that people would come in automatically? Or are there other ways to bring in users. I am sorry if the question sounds too basic, but Im sure that this thread will be helpful to beginners like me.
When I've started a forum, it is usually because I have a web site on a topic people would want to discuss... for instance - I was working on www.mp2kmag.com years ago and was eventually getting a couple thousand visitors per day so I decided it would be a good idea to install phpBB on a subpage. This eventually became a separate site www.mapforums.com I agree writing a couple hundred articles/posts would be a good idea, but also get in-bound links so the traffic comes... keeping in mind a narrow focus can help. i.e. just concentrate on a few keyphrases you are interested in to generate traffic for your site. Eric
I would change your niche, the only reason is because its over crowded. I am sorry to say but if you want to get hits to your forum you will need to BUY a shit load of links cuz your niche is so overcrowded with seo monsters its not even funny. Overall just keep building links.
Usually forums are started to support a website or blog. So first you create a website/blog and then once you have lots of traffic you can direct the visitors to the forum. Getting people to visit your forum via google search is going to be very hard. Since people do not usually search "Hosting forum"
Start posting like crazy and ask other people to join. Talk to your friends, family and coworkers and ask them to join. I looked at your site and I suggest you add a general discussion section. People that are not interested in host discussions, that general section will give them a place to post. I would be willing to sign up and post some stuff, but your categories are limited. Maybe add a blogging category, or a forum management category. People like me that already have a hosting company they are using, I see no reason to register. but if you had a place on how to promote your sites, then those sections would give people a wider rang of topics. You also need a New Member introduction section, and a site suggestion box.
Starting up a forum is always hard work. You have to be committed to the idea. and able to spend your time doing many different things at once, if you are a one man show - like I am. Without good content and a healthy environment, your site won't attract many people. If it looks unprofessional, it will turn others off. People also have to find it, so you need to work on back linking and other SEO type orientations, and submit to a directory. And you need good members, one that will form a good community that will attract others to join. You don't start a forum to make money, you do it because you are driven by what interests you. Anything you like doing isn't really work, if you think about it. You also have to be a people person, and that's a skill you can learn with time.