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Building A Forum

A detailed account of a Fastlane process...

TonyStark

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I have found a community I'm passionate about and see an opportunity to build a forum around.

This is pretty new to me, I've only build websites before (basic Wordpress, HTML, etc) so this should be a learning experience.

I will try to update this every week to keep myself accountable to motivated.

Right now my biggest question is whether I want to self-host, or pay a service to host it for me.

For example, Xenforo.com vs vBulletin.com; can anyone chime in on this? I'd greatly appreciate it.

The biggest factor for making my decision is whether I'd be able to handle a self-hosting forum, seeing how I'm still a beginner, whereas vBulletin might make the process a lot smoother.
 
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Andy Black

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MJ has mentioned a few times what software he'd use if he'd start again. It's not Xenforo. I think he mentioned Discourse and something else. You could Google it to see what he said (I tried but couldn't find where he's mentioned it).
 

TonyStark

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MJ has mentioned a few times what software he'd use if he'd start again. It's not Xenforo. I think he mentioned Discourse and something else. You could Google it to see what he said (I tried but couldn't find where he's mentioned it).
Fabulous, Andy! Thanks!

I can maybe see why he would.
 

TonyStark

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MJ has mentioned a few times what software he'd use if he'd start again. It's not Xenforo. I think he mentioned Discourse and something else. You could Google it to see what he said (I tried but couldn't find where he's mentioned it).
I found it, thanks Andy! Superb value as usual.
 
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Andy Black

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TonyStark

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Ravens_Shadow

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I use discourse for my businesses forum. Just note that my forum is NOT my business. Extremely hard to get users onboard when starting out. And I mean it's easier to build my entire business than it is to get an active forum going haha.
 
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TonyStark

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I use discourse for my businesses forum. Just note that my forum is NOT my business. Extremely hard to get users onboard when starting out. And I mean it's easier to build my entire business than it is to get an active forum going haha.
Does discourse have a professional look to it? I want to add my domain to the forum and have it look like business, not a slack channel.
 

TonyStark

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I think I'm going to go with vBulletin.com because of the pricing structure. I like to invest as little money as possible when starting an online venture.

Just ordered 2 logo concepts off of fiver for $20 + $2 tax.

And I bought the domain name from GoDaddy for a year for about $13.

vBulletin's lowest month-to-month package is $20.

I'm excited to get started on this. I'm aware of the work it'll take to get this community going, but I can smell the potential in the air...
 

Andy Black

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Could you start with a Facebook book because they're good for engagement when numbers are low, and then switch to a forum later?
 
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TonyStark

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Could you start with a Facebook book because they're good for engagement when numbers are low, and then switch to a forum later?
Yes, I'm doing that as well. I also started an Instagram page.

I feel like Facebook pages aren't really well suited for civil discussions. I've never been engaged or taken people seriously on Facebook.

I love this forum because the information here is real and useful, as well as the people.

Part of my forum will include travel tips and plans, so it needs to be well vetted and revered.

I've never gone to a Facebook page or group to make any serious decisions in my life haha.
 

Andy Black

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My bad. I wrote “Facebook book” when I meant “Facebook group”.

I’m in some good Facebook groups where I get great advice on technical things. The Thinkific Facebook group is great.

Remember, it’s not the platform, it’s the people. Find good people and it doesn’t matter the platform.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. Facebook groups are free, simple to start, simple to join, and can get good engagement because the platform tries to keep people on it.
 

TonyStark

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My bad. I wrote “Facebook book” when I meant “Facebook group”.

I’m in some good Facebook groups where I get great advice on technical things. The Thinkific Facebook group is great.

Remember, it’s not the platform, it’s the people. Find good people and it doesn’t matter the platform.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. Facebook groups are free, simple to start, simple to join, and can get good engagement because the platform tries to keep people on it.
Yes! I'm definitely going this route as well. I'll try to leave no stone unturned.
 
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Ravens_Shadow

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TonyStark

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Jul 20, 2015
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Okay so starting out with a forum was the wrong approach...

I'm starting out with a website full of product information, resources, etc; and then integrating a forum into it.

As well as Facebook groups, Instagram, etc.
 
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