How to setup Forum to your WordPress Blog
Online Forum is a discussion area on a website where readers with common interest can exchange open massages. Online forum often called a discussion group, web forum, message or bulletin board.
Online forum is different than a blog. Blog ‘post’ is usually written by one user and allows the readers to comment only to that specific post. But online forum allows all the members/users to create new posts and participate in others’ posts too. You will come across the term “thread” very often which is actually grouping of post conversation among users.
Online forum is a very powerful communication tool. Having a forum setup on your website offers you many benefits to your online business. Probably the most obvious benefit is to get a specific question answered or find a solution for a specific problem. For an example you are selling a product online and if a user comes across any issue regarding the product, they can put up a post on your forum site to ask for help. You or other readers can leave comments or solution to that issue and in future if other users have the same issue with the product they can always check the forum and find the previous solution.
Participating in forums regularly can help you to create a social network and a better relationship with your readers.
It’s pretty easy to setup a forum on your WordPress blog. There are couple of options I am going to share with you.
phpbb
Millions of websites use phpbb for forum solution. The latest version out there is version3.0.
- User friendly interface
- Easy to use administration panel
- Open source bulletin board package
- Supports all the major database systems
Visit the official site for phpbb download and instructions.
Video tutorial “How to install phpbb”
bbpress
bbpress is a forum software. It is very easy to use and also easy to integrate with your blog.
Other features are:
- Simple interface
- Very fast and light
- All the templates can be easily customizable
- Open source code
- Built in spam protection
Visit the official site for bbpress download and instructions.
MyBB
Mybb is a forum package with full of useful features. It is very easy to use for both you and your readers.
Other features:
- Secure
- Speed
- Uses AJAX technology
Visit the official site for MyBB download and instructions.
Video tutorial “How to install MyBB”
PHORUM
PHORUM is PHP and MySQL based forum software.
Features:
- Open source Code
- High performance
- Total control over the message board setup
- Better customization options
- Ability to redesign the forum
Visit the official site for PHORUM download and instructions.
Video tutorial “How to install PHORUM”
VBulletin:
It is a premium forum software. That means you got to pay for the software. But the software comes with a lot of features, support and updates.
4.0 Forum License will cost you $195.00
Visit the official site for vBulletin download and instructions.
Video tutorial “How to install VBulletin”
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