How To Start A Forum?

[Chef Patrick]

Hey everyone, I need some help.

I have a gorgeous sports forum but do not know how to build traffic. I really don't want to pay for posts, not because of money because once you stop paying they will stop posting.

Oh and just a budget guideline, I would probably be willing to spend up to $200 to get this site running. I already have a couple hundred into development.

If everyone can please give some input on how to start and run a successful forum I would great appreciate it.

 

[mplswifi]

I just started subnotebookforum.com using a forum template and paid $14 to have the url submitted manually to 1000+ directories. We will see what traffic that brings and if it can be sustained . I paid reg fee for the domain+$49 for 6months of hosting (baby croc) from Hostgator and about 4 hours of my time this weekend.

 

[weblord]

incentivizing the post at first works wonders, then inside the forum itself offer something creative or something that can incentivize their post can be exchange for something and let it take off from there.

 

[ddaybofb]

i have the same problem with my forum, dont know how to get people to my website, i do have auto posting bots but thats it.

 

[Sabre]

It's so hard to find a "niche" nowadays, you just need to play to your strengths and take an active part in your forum, if you're starting from stratch.

You need to advertise first of all, try to do so on some related sites, other forums are particularly helpful to advertise on. You need to go for your target audience. Aim to advertise on other entertainment sites if you have an entertainment forum, for example.
You can also advertise locally, most places don't mind you giving out flyers, and they are cheap to produce!

In terms of making your forum appealing, make some topics for people to post in straight away, and make sure you reply back. You need to make the forum seem active and interesting or people won't stick around. Don't overcomplicate things and most loads of sections, a few is more than enough. NamePros can have a lot simply because it's so popular, you don't want anywhere near as many to start off.

I'll post more if it comes to me, I'm a bit tired out after a long weekend. I'm sure others can fill in the gaps I've missed. If you want any help/advice, feel free to PM me. If I can help out with a couple of threads to help start you off, feel free to ask. Happy to help any NPers. :loveyou:

 

[MicroGuy]

If you have a sports forum, make it local and consider finding a niche like High School sports or maybe one specific team. Go to the games and post information only available on your forum like scores and behind the scenes stuff.

 

[Zona]

I would encourage you to look these two posts which have some great suggestions for getting a forum off the ground.

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name...et-forum-off-its-feet.html?highlight=bbakes25

http://www.namepros.com/website-development/488184-how-to-kick-start-a-forum.html

Good luck!

 

[Bill]

Moved to website development.

-Bill