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Forums - Why You Might Want One And How To Get One...
Several people have asked me about setting up a forum on their website recently, so I thought it might be helpful to cover this topic for the benefit of all my readers. But before I explain how to set up a forum, let me cover some of the reasons as to why you might want a forum in the first place... For those that don't know, a forum is simply a web page which allows visitors to interact with each other by leaving messages and responding to messages made by other users. To see a superb :-) example of this, check out my own forum at: http://www.traderonlineforum.com Ok, so why might you want to put a forum on your website? 1. A forum helps to build a sense of community. People, by their very nature, like to be a part of something and if your website makes them feel like this, then they will come back time and time again and of course, the more times someone comes back, the more chance there is that they might buy something from you :-) 2. It can save you time. I get emails everyday asking for advice on many different aspects of running a business and I simply don't have time to answer them all. If I am a bit pushed for time, I often direct the sender of the email to my forum since I know that their question has either been answered before or because I know that another member may be able to help them. 3. A good forum can get your customers/subscribers to love you! Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration BUT if your customers are able to ask questions, get help, build relationships with other people with similar interests and even advertise their own businesses on your forum, it won't do you any harm especially if you offer all of this for free. 4. Free search engine traffic. Search engines love regularly updated websites with relevant content. If you have an active forum with a specific topic of discussion, then you may well find that your forum postings are soon appearing in the free search engine results on Google and other popular engines. 5. An excellent source of new ideas. Forums are a superb resource when you are trying to think of new ideas for products to sell or create or new services to provide. They also give members the opportunity to brainstorm their own ideas with other, like-minded individuals. I have personally obtained numerous ideas for newsletters and other articles from posts made within my forum. 6. Forums can earn you (and your fellow members) money! Forums are like any other web page in that you can advertise products that may be relevant to your visitors, such as your own products or services or those that you are affiliated with. In addition, if you wish, you can allow your members to advertise their products and services either by way of a 'signature file' at the bottom of each post they make or within a specific forum board provided for the purpose of advertising. 7. Finally, owning or participating in a forum is FUN :-) Discussing and debating the topics that are close to your heart with other people that share the same interest is fun and it is amazing how you can pick up on an individual's personality simply by the messages that they write. In the impersonal world of the Internet, forums are an excellent way to get some 'real' human contact. So how do you install a forum on your site? There are countless scripts available that you can simply install on your web hosting server and that will set up and run a forum for you. All have step by step instructions and the scripts are often available free of charge (you can usually upgrade to a more advanced version if you pay a license fee). I will detail a few useful links in a moment. However, if you are not comfortable installing scripts or would just prefer to take the easy option, then you should consider buying an 'all-in-one' hosting and forum package. As I say, there are numerous forum scripts available but here are a few of the more popular ones that you may like to consider: http://www.invisionboard.com, http://www.phpbb.com, http://awsd.com/scripts/webbbs/index.shtml, http://www.vbulletin.com. Copyright 2004 Richard Grady About The Author Richard Grady has been helping ordinary people earn online since 1998. He writes a free newsletter which is published every two weeks. To subscribe (and claim your free gifts), visit: http://www.thetraderonline.com/newsletter.html.
MORE RESOURCES: MacPro 7.1 - bootloader MacRumors League of Women Voters plans public forums on Michigan's expanded voting rights Petoskey News-Review NYT Spelling Bee Answers for May 4, 2024 The New York Times District 5 forum City of Huntsville Blog Meta Staffers Accuse Company Of Censoring Pro-Palestinian Content On Its Forums In New Open Letter To Mark ... Digital Information World NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Save the Date! Fisheries Forum May 16 New Jersey Department of Forums will open process to fill McLennan County Pct. 2 seat Waco Tribune-Herald Florida Foodie Forum: Ask questions; share your favorite restaurants, recipes and more WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando Candidates facing off at forums Bonner County Daily Bee Strange days indeed... Allpar How are crypto regulations changing around the world? 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GovCon Wire Forum for April 30, 2024: Briggs Opera House Valley News World leaders tackle antisemitism at Global Forum in Azerbaijan The Jerusalem Post Forum speakers blast Canton police actions over Frank Tyson's death Canton Repository Center Theatre Group 2024-25 season reopens Mark Taper Forum Los Angeles Times Local forum features expert offering tips to keep kids safe online pinecountynews.com Land Tender Forums | Placer County, CA Placer County Forum Gives School Board Better Community Insight as Superintendent Selection Process Continues TAPinto.net Campus forums announced for University of Nebraska priority presidential candidate • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Examiner Northwest Film Forum Laid Off Nearly Half Its Staff The Stranger Open forums set for Higher Learning Commission site visit April 22-23 - University Letter UND Blogs and E-Newsletters UNO Hosts Forums for University of Nebraska (NU) System Priority Candidate Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. University of Nebraska Omaha Six public forums scheduled for UH president's search | University of Hawaiʻi System News University of Hawaii System Global Security Forum 2024: Gathering Strength in a Gathering Storm CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies Four public forums today for priority candidate Jeffrey P. Gold, MD University of Nebraska Medical Center Superintendent Finalist Public Forums — Albuquerque Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools Two forums at UNMC today for priority candidate Jeffrey P. Gold, MD University of Nebraska Medical Center OHIO to hold open forums with finalists for executive vice president and provost position Ohio University Base M1 Mac Mini in 2024. MacRumors UH Regent provides update on search for new president, upcoming public forums across the state Hawaii News Now The Inaugural Mayors and City Manager's Forum at Vandenberg Vandenberg Space Force Base Newbury Democrats hosting candidate forum | Local News | newburyportnews.com The Daily News of Newburyport The Readers' Forum: The problem with Christian nationalism Winston-Salem Journal Public forums for priority candidate Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, announced University of Nebraska Medical Center POAs hold forum for School Board candidates Garden City News China-Serbia forum highlights community with shared future for mankind - Dailynewsegypt Daily News Egypt OHIO to hold open forums with finalists for vice president for finance and administration, chief financial officer Ohio University Iowa Downtown Forums 2024 | IEDA Iowa Economic Development Authority ASEAN drives cross-strait cooperation East Asia Forum Today's Forum for May 3 | Columns Daily Citizen Biden order expands federal apprenticeships, reestablishes labor-management forums Government Executive IDA21 Replenishment: Global and Regional IDA Forums World Bank Group Missouri State sets dates for presidential finalist forums - News Missouri State News FOLLOWUP: Mayor announces dates, locations for public-safety forums around the city | West Seattle Blog... 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