can anyone help me build and design an internet forum??

[Beedub]

Guys, i need some help or need to be pointed in the direction of some help at least...... i want to build a website forum layout pretty similar to this but its completely unrelated to cars, i dont really want to reveal what im doing just yet until it all goes live, but basically im a complete beginner when it comes to forums and actually making your own, ive researched what i can and to be honest its all like jiberish to me, i was just wondering if anyone, even better if they are local, can kind of baby me through the process of getting my own forum live.....

so far ive registered a domain name and got a hosting company sorted....... and Thats it, im stuck, i do know its going to take some serious blood sweat and tears but im willing to graft at it...... recent events in my life have lead me down and certain path and i really want to pursue this will will eventually lead me a new direction in my life......

so from the very very begining..... can ANYone help me.... my knowledge of all this is literally nothing but i am keen, and a hardworker... anyone that can assist me would be my saviour........ its just such a minefield....

 

[sp3ctre]

Backups backups backups....

That said, choose good software, keep it updated, try to modify it as little as possible (else it breaks when you update it), and choose good moderators.

Happy to help as much as you like, PM me if you like

 

[Beedub]

you have pm

 

[LeeME3]

You can buy software packages that do pretty much what you want. Within my company for an internal forum we use vBulletin (no affiliation etc) and it works well. Even if you want a more 'customised' appearance ultimately it may be a useful low-cost (ish) way of 'prototyping' the idea.

There are a few free forum builder tools out there as well but most (IMHO) are pretty dire and you often end up with no control over the ads that appear on 'your' forum (I'm assuming advertising revenue is something you may be looking at it - but either way you almost certainly don't want ads you can't control appearing on there).

Good luck.

ETA: Link to screenshots of vBulletin https://www.vbulletin.com/index.php?do=screenshots

It also has tablet / mobile integration...no point your forum looking great on a 21.5 inch iMac if it is unuseable on a tablet PC or mobile which represent an increasing % of the media via which folk access forums.

 

[Gazhyde]

You have a pm from me too. Just done this with my own forum which went live in december.

 

[cj_eds]

The Z4 Forum is powered by "phpBB" (http://www.phpbb.com) which is free. One of the mods here (like spectre maybe!) might then be happy to help you set it up and get up and running. Something off the shelf like that is the best way of being up and running quickly and reliably.

 

[Beedub]

i can see this will be a long hard road for me as i have no knowledge on how to even do the basics of getting this up and running, im really going to need to get some help for sure......

hmmmmmm........

 

[sp3ctre]

i can see this will be a long hard road for me as i have no knowledge on how to even do the basics of getting this up and running, im really going to need to get some help for sure......

hmmmmmm........

Replied to your PM... given you the basics but feel free to give me a holler if you want more advice.. happy to assist

 

[LeeME3]

i can see this will be a long hard road for me as i have no knowledge on how to even do the basics of getting this up and running, im really going to need to get some help for sure......

hmmmmmm........

Actually based on the work experience (granted only a small internal forum) getting up and running isn't the hard bit (especailly if you use one of the tools referred to above). The tough bit is keeping it going and moderating it...especially in the early days and during periods of rapid growth.

But I'm sure you'll get lots of friendly and useful advice on here.

 

[Beedub]

i will eventually update this when my forum goes live...... more details will come as i know.....
right now im just baffled by all these technical terms......

 

[LeeME3]

Some useful basic info here: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Start-Your-Own-Internet-Forum&id=4639480

 

[Liam-O]

Biggest piece of advice I can give is stay away from vbulletin. Why? Because the admin panel is the biggest load of #%^* ever.

 

[sars]

Good luck Beedub, creating something is just the best.....

.....and if your forum is a tenth as good as this one, you'll be onto a winner indeed

 

[Beedub]

Good luck Beedub, creating something is just the best.....

.....and if your forum is a tenth as good as this one, you'll be onto a winner indeed

thanks sars, its completely unrelated to cars, more of a personal experience, all will be revealed shortly, i hope to get it live and running within a few months, ive got the forum up now and im just playing with the different features and working ou how to actually add sections, ect ect....

 

[Ewazix]

I had minimal IT skills but did some basic and intermediate web design courses at college a couple of years ago and would recommend giving it a go. I set up a beginners guide on the back of it, although it's not specifically about Forums there is lots of generic advice particularly on domains, hosting and seo etc so it may be of use. I've done quite a bit of small scale web development for family and friends and looking at where to take it next.

Good luck with the project, it's a bit addictive,

http://www.netdragon.co.uk/

 

[WLH]

Beedub, good luck and am looking forward to seeing what you create...

 

[Beedub]

interesting..... ok so making alittle headway now.... within a few months ill have my forum up and running.......

it going to be geared towards single fathers who have no-one to turn to...... no support and just generally feel lost.... i think id be able to really offer some decent help...... so what the hell....

i will however add a motoring section........