What should we need to start a successful forum?

Discussion in 'vBulletin' started by samlocalguy, May 11, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hey how much cost it if we need a forum same like DP?
    What are the steps to run it successfully?
    Which hosting is best and secure for sites?
    What you think about Yahoo hosting and support??
     
    samlocalguy, May 11, 2007 IP
  2. ThatForumPlace

    ThatForumPlace Peon

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    #2
    Strictly my preferences, I'm not claiming any superiority for the following, but just stuff that's worked for me.


    Hey how much cost it if we need a forum same like DP?
    Go with phpbb.com, it's free, VERY well supported, and extremely moddable. On top of this, phpbb3.0 is just around the corner, and from what I've seen in the beta, it's covered pretty much all the shortcomings of phpbb2 when compared to VBulletin.

    What are the steps to run it successfully? That's enough for a book right there, but here are the fundamentals: Patience, Commitment, Hard Work, a UNIQUE value proposition (why will YOUR forum be better than your competitors'?). If you're lacking ANY of these, don't waste your time. It would be a big help if you have some friends who can help you populate the site.

    Which hosting is best and secure for sites? GoDaddy hands down by ALL measures (price, service, support). If you end up going with someone else, just DO NOT go with 1and1.com

    What you think about Yahoo hosting and support?? Never tried it, but last I checked, they don't specialize in hosting.


    Good luck. PM me if you need a hand or have any questions
     
    ThatForumPlace, May 11, 2007 IP
  3. joeychgo

    joeychgo Notable Member

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    #3
    I wouldnt go with PHPbb. Its free, yes. But you lose out on a number of levels. Go with vBulletin - it costs 160 to own a license, but you can also sell that later should your forum fail and get some of that back.

    As far as hosting -- I have an article on it.. vBulletin Hosting
     
    joeychgo, May 12, 2007 IP
  4. samlocalguy

    samlocalguy Active Member

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    #4
    Thanx for great info..

    I tried phpbb.com..
    But I don't know how to make changes in it. there templates are simlpe.
    I want to add my own permission in it. How it can be possible?

    I heard lots of cases of password or domain cheating by host admin?
    Which one is fully secured in cheating cases.

    I bought space on very cheap rate from one of dp member. Yesterday he need some software which i have. I give permission to him take this download link. But he asked me he is going to directly download from my admin panel which he give me.

    So, I think if he can download software from my account then he can do anything may be database theft, or etc.

    Thats Y I m looking for tottaly secured and valuable hosting servies to avoid all this.
     
    samlocalguy, May 12, 2007 IP
  5. ForgottenCreature

    ForgottenCreature Notable Member

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    #5
    Hey how much cost it if we need a forum same like DP? Go vBulletin, it's worth all the money.

    What are the steps to run it successfully? There's no steps, you just need to work hard, create quality content that users will love to read & respond to. Try to get your friends to help you out, because if you don't have any, then you might have a hard time getting off the ground. Post exchanges also help in the short run.

    Which hosting is best and secure for sites? Valcatohosting is pretty good.

    What you think about Yahoo hosting and support?? I've never tried it.
     
    ForgottenCreature, May 12, 2007 IP
  6. Meistro

    Meistro Peon

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    #6
    Paying a few quality posters to make posts occasionally (dont pay a bunch of people 5 cents or 10 cents to make 50 crappy posts each that costs alot of money and is ineffective, pay someone 30 cents to post once a day and post really well)
     
    Meistro, May 12, 2007 IP
  7. batting

    batting Peon

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    #7
    Don't listen to people saying you should go with VBulletin. As you can notice, there is no one single proof that they can show. Only statements like Vbulletin is better, blah blah... In my opinion, PhpBB is much better, and lets you even delete their mark, making your forum more like "your" forum. There are also lots of mods available to make your forum as original as possible if you go with PhPBB. VBulletin will cost you hundreds of thousands if you wanna do the same. But even then you will perhaps have copyright issues...
     
    batting, May 13, 2007 IP
  8. CodyRo

    CodyRo Peon

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    #8
    VBulletin is far superior on a coding standpoint, as well as support and API / development.

    Though I wouldn't recommend starting out with VBulletin (can always migrate later on), use a free alternative like phpBB, and if you grow move. Also phpBB has had more bugs and vulnerabilities (severity tend to be higher as well). VBulletin patches and such come out fast if something nasty comes out.

    Hundreds of thousands? No comment on that one..
     
    CodyRo, May 13, 2007 IP
  9. ThatForumPlace

    ThatForumPlace Peon

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    #9
    Seems sensible to me. Start out with phpBB, and only once you have yourself a succesful forum should you evaluate if you want to put billions and billions of dollars :)D :D :D ) into a vBulletin license.

    I do hear a lot about phpBB bugs and vulnerabilities from vBulletin users, but almost never hear from phpBB users that either of these have grossly affected them. (*crosses fingers, and knocks on wood*)
     
    ThatForumPlace, May 13, 2007 IP
  10. sparckyz

    sparckyz Peon

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    #10
    What about if your forum was to become big, really big where even dedicated server hosting from say hostgator, godaddy or whoever your with is not enough?
     
    sparckyz, May 13, 2007 IP
  11. pappybro

    pappybro Banned

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    #11
    Hey how much cost it if we need a forum same like DP? Go for vbulletin because , users dont pay attention on free boards , vbulletin leased license for 1 year cost $85 , owned $160 lifetime 1 year support.

    What are the steps to run it successfully? Go for good content , post qualiy threads , advertise your board url on other sites , blogs forums and if you dont get users to post hire them.

    Which hosting is best and secure for sites? Opt hostgator , when you got big site like DP get your own vps or dedicated hosting from rackspace.

    What you think about Yahoo hosting and support?? Havent tried yet but its too much costly.
     
    pappybro, May 13, 2007 IP
  12. ThatForumPlace

    ThatForumPlace Peon

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    #12
    Strictly playing the odds here, but I wouldn't bet on it right out of the gate. If and when it does get that big, congratulations, and just move to something bigger.


    Pappybro: What do you mean when you say that users don't pay attention on free boards? I don't see a correlation between a software application and attention span.
     
    ThatForumPlace, May 13, 2007 IP
  13. ForgottenCreature

    ForgottenCreature Notable Member

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    #13
    Then you try your luck on trying to get corporate sponsors.
     
    ForgottenCreature, May 13, 2007 IP
  14. inworx

    inworx Peon

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    #14
    For forum software, I would recommend vBulletin.

    and for hosting, what can I suggest except me:D
     
    inworx, May 15, 2007 IP
  15. batting

    batting Peon

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    #15
    Go with PhpBB. That's the best I have ever used. It is much better than VBulletin, and plus it is free. Why would I pay for something that is worse than something that is free. It is like paying for toilet in the middle of the street when you could do it for free and comfortably at home.
     
    batting, Jun 1, 2007 IP
  16. YourSiteKindaBlows

    YourSiteKindaBlows Peon

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    #16
    Offer paid to post and pay people to become your forum regulars, but do not let anyone know you are doing this.

    Why do this?

    It shows that people want to be at your forum because of the forum itself and not to collect a payment.

    Get content.
    Get members, even if you have to create the first few thousand screen names.
    Get posting, no one posts in an empty forum.
    Fill it up with post to at least a few hundred per forum.

    Make it look nice and easy on the eyes.
    Make it load easy, some people still have 56k connections.
    Make it appear to be free and not heavily regulated.

    Do not concern yourself with immediate success.
    Visualize your forum as a permanent long term and stable project.

    Take your forum everywhere you go.

    Offer incentives to your friends or people, but do it privately so that it appears that people love your forum for the forum and not for incentives.

    Offer fake incentives to your forum friends and have them make fake replies that they love the "gifts."

    In short, get a cheerleading team and "Rah, Rah, Sis, Boom Bah."


    Offer paid to post, if things get bad, but remember, you get what you pay for and eventually, the money runs out.

    Also, find a way for your members to benefit.
     
    YourSiteKindaBlows, Jun 1, 2007 IP
  17. YourSiteKindaBlows

    YourSiteKindaBlows Peon

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    #17
    Oh yes and what everyone else claims....... "Work hard and don't quit!"

    You have to be a self-starter even if you get friends to help you.
     
    YourSiteKindaBlows, Jun 1, 2007 IP
  18. YourSiteKindaBlows

    YourSiteKindaBlows Peon

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    #18
    Oh yes, before I forget, get vbulletin.
     
    YourSiteKindaBlows, Jun 1, 2007 IP
  19. internetster

    internetster Peon

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    #19
    I have a forum that uses vbulletin and is a webmaster site and I need help moving it to another server and helping me tweak it.. Does anyone here offer these services and if so please PM me. My site is
    http://www. webbusinessforum.com and I want to get it rolling along
    Thanks!
     
    internetster, Jun 1, 2007 IP
  20. panerai

    panerai Active Member

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    #20
    content I would think is the most important. and a good moderator team
     
    panerai, Jun 1, 2007 IP