Starting a Forum

cost would be totally on your budget, range from $500-$100000
more funds should be allotted to maintenance and constant activity, and reward members.

 

Can you get a vb license from someone that has setup another unsuccessful forum and just change the content?

 

Just never use a nulled copy of vBulletin, they will take your forum down before you can snap your fingers. I'd say the costs with a paid forum solution would be around $175-$250 depending on how much you spend on posting, and/or the forum license. If you are looking for a free forum software, SMF is free and nice, and startup would be around $100-$150. to download SMF go to simplemachines.org.

 

I believe the previous owner will have to:

1. Remove the copy of the script from his site.
2. Contact vBulletin and inform them of a domain license change.

PHPBB and IPB are easy to hack. Otherwise, they are good options.

 

How many and how much?

 

I believe there are some free forums (though cannot remember any right now) that might be good for starters if you lack funds. They will display 3rd party ads, so that's a minus.

I've heard people recommending VB (and since DP seems to be using it... so it won't be that bad choice I suppose)

 

Vbulletin
Hosting
Graphics for custom skinning and buttons and post graphics
Paid forum posters
Paid forum promoters

 

well if you want to start good ,you need VB $85 one domain $10, paid posting $20-30
directory submission $10-20 many are offering $10 her at DP and if possible custom skin or can buy $20-30.
so total around $150+ is enough.

 

Try $500-$1000 min for starting.
You'll have to buy software, skin, paid posting, adwords ads while you're waiting to get ranked plus incentives for people to post.

 

I have one more question.

How easy is it to setup a listing fee to start a thread? Like the one in Sitepoint marketplace.

 

It would be good if you had friends that are interested in your forums subject, they could post in your forum for free and your forum wouldn't be empty.... Buy them a beer or something

p.l.u.r.

 

One of the key things I learned in this business is that if you have a lot of time and can put in the necessary effort, these elements are worthy substitutes for a ton of capital.

 

agree, effort from the admin is the main thing needed. use phpbb its free, stable and easy to modify. worlds largest forum uses phpbb so it cant be bad.

 

VB in my opinion is the best out there.
You need to spend a lot of time promoting your forum, and keeping it looking "busy"
Try and make it on a niche subject, but still is interesting to people.

 

Yep. Good point.

Another tip: invite people from an existing network of online friends. Seeding your forum with previously connected people does wonders for a forum's growth.

 

No it's pretty good if you don't mind being hacked every 2 days
phpBB sucks - VBulletin rules!

 

Vbulletin 160,
Few Mods Who Are Die Hard Fans Of The Topic And Will Dedicately Post And Help Users ?
10,000 Paid Posts, 1000
Domain Name 10
Design 300


Add That Up And What You Get? The Paid Posting Is The Hardest Thing. Even If Its Paid, You Need It Spaced Out Accordingly...managing That Will Probably Be A Pain. Unless You Have Some Really Pro Paid Posting Services Out There, And I Dont Think There Are Any Yet Since Paid Posting Is Relatively New.