Developing a Forum using VBulletin

**Raider** · 04-18-2009, 04:48 PM

I own a .net medical related domain, It's a single word generic that receives decent traffic... Since I have some background experience on the subject matter, I thought it would be a great domain for building a online Forum.

I would imagine it takes a lot of time and devotion, which I'm willing to do, but my problem is I never created a Forum before and have no clue what I'll be getting myself into. Before I purchase the license from vBulletin, I would appreciate input from anyone with Forum experience.

I have some HTML experience and already have a Hosting account with Cpanel.

Thanks

**kengreenwood** · 04-18-2009, 05:06 PM

I'm by no means a forum expert but I have hosted and maintained several with various solutions - including vBulletin. I have to give props to ANYONE who manages a forum - IMHO they are a nightmare to maintain... Get some help and good luck.

**Tia Wood** · 04-18-2009, 05:17 PM

vBulletin is one of the best to go with. It has a little learning curve but is pretty much straight forward. I think you'll find it's easier than you expect; just a foreign concept to get used to.

* http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/
* There is also a "vBulletin: A Users Guide" book (didn't realize that, lol).
* http://forum.vbulletinsetup.com/f7/v...uide-2150.html

And of course, PM me if you get stuck.

**Albert Tai** · 04-18-2009, 09:23 PM

I managed one forum before my own so if you need help I'll be happy to help.
Go join some vb mod forums you can get free mods to implement. For vb I think this is the most user friendly site and the best forum software ever IMO.
I love it.
VB SEO is great also to get listed in google well.
~Al

**fab** · 04-26-2009, 04:59 PM

It's quite easy to install & manage both VBulletin and PHPBB3, however, running a forum is very time consuming, and has to be looked after regulaly. Beware of spam. If you need any help let me know.

**Raider** · 04-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Fab, What do you mean by "orum"?

I especially like the manual and the forum.

Thanks to all of you for the input and offering to help.... I greatly appreciate it.

**amcdonald** · 04-26-2009, 06:18 PM

I ran a forum years ago and even back then vbulletin was so popular that any question you had could be answered. the vbulletin.com forum has lots of help, the addon forums vbulletin.org also provides alot of help. Even just googeling the question I had or problem I was having would come up with something. I am glad I didn't use another package.

It has a great admin interface.

for me building and managing the forum wasn't as difficult as managing the team of people involved in the fourm.

Drop me a pm if you have any questions and I will do my best to help.

**fab** · 04-27-2009, 02:56 AM

Eva, my keyboard is a little problematic. orum is forum.

**Carter** · 04-27-2009, 04:13 AM

Go with VBulletin Raider...it's easy to use and you have 3000 options in the management panel...go with VB and you go with the best.

The only issue before buy a VB licence is choose the right Hosting.
Choose a nice template from the start so you can focus on the marketing of the forum for few months.

Good luck for your project!

**fab** · 04-27-2009, 04:22 AM

Go with VBulletin Raider...it's easy to use and you have 3000 options in the management panel...go with VB and you go with the best.

This is true only if you're planning on continuosly plan on developing the site. Blogs, forums, etc., need daily investment. Those with no experience sometimes think they'll start a site, and it dies within a few months.

**Carter** · 04-27-2009, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by fab

This is true only if you're planning on continuosly plan on developing the site. Blogs, forums, etc., need daily investment. Those with no experience sometimes think they'll start a site, and it dies within a few months.

You right.
I think her want start a long time and strong project...is right Raider?

If you want install VB only for monetize a domain and sell it in 3/4 months the forum idea don't work.
Too much time to invest in.

**Albert Tai** · 04-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Carter

You right.
I think her want start a long time and strong project...is right Raider?

If you want install VB only for monetize a domain and sell it in 3/4 months the forum idea don't work.
Too much time to invest in.

There's no way to loose.
If you go on digitalpoint and purchase a vb license for around $100 after your site supposely fail you could sell the license back for around $100 also.
VB licenses are sought after as long as you don't buy it from vbulletin the site (as it cost $180 and if you sell for $100 its a loss of $80) you won't make any losses.
Unless you also get custom template.

I use to run a webmaster forum I think I sold it after for 3 month. I sold it for $500 and its a great price because the leased license did not come with it.
Then again I kind of sold it too fast it could of went up to 2k+ as it had a custom theme, custom directory etc.

~Al

Btw i got vb now...yes!

**Carter** · 04-27-2009, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Albert Tai

There's no way to loose.
If you go on digitalpoint and purchase a vb license for around $100 after your site supposely fail you could sell the license back for around $100 also.
VB licenses are sought after as long as you don't buy it from vbulletin the site (as it cost $180 and if you sell for $100 its a loss of $80) you won't make any losses.
Unless you also get custom template.

I use to run a webmaster forum I think I sold it after for 3 month. I sold it for $500 and its a great price because the leased license did not come with it.
Then again I kind of sold it too fast it could of went up to 2k+ as it had a custom theme, custom directory etc.

~Al

Btw i got vb now...yes!

Digital what? lol

**Dale Hubbard** · 04-27-2009, 03:46 PM

Eva, vB is not THAT easy to set up as a newcomer. It also doesn't monetise very well. For you my advice is not to go there. You will need vBSEO also, so it gets quite technical and I don't think it's for you. Just saying it as I know you a little.

**Albert Tai** · 04-27-2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Carter

Digital what? lol

Digitalpoint (webmaster forum)
Its easy to buy legal preowned vb license for cheaper. If you fail at your site then you could resell it back for almost the same price.

Originally Posted by aZooZa

Eva, vB is not THAT easy to set up as a newcomer. It also doesn't monetise very well. For you my advice is not to go there. You will need vBSEO also, so it gets quite technical and I don't think it's for you. Just saying it as I know you a little.

Its quite a easy script if you play around with it unless you want to create your own mods. If you want to install other mods like from vbulletin.org its quite easy.
I personally value VB over SMF and phpbb anyday of the day. It is just a amazing script though. Nothing compares to it. I dislike posting at any forum which is phpbb or vb that is why almost all the bid forums run on vb.
The mods are easier to install also.

~Al

**Carter** · 04-27-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Albert Tai

Digitalpoint (webmaster forum)
Its easy to buy legal preowned vb license for cheaper. If you fail at your site then you could resell it back for almost the same price.

Its quite a easy script if you play around with it unless you want to create your own mods. If you want to install other mods like from vbulletin.org its quite easy.
I personally value VB over SMF and phpbb anyday of the day. It is just a amazing script though. Nothing compares to it. I dislike posting at any forum which is phpbb or vb that is why almost all the bid forums run on vb.
The mods are easier to install also.

~Al

I know the name of that forum but I can't pronunciate it...too much crap peoples on that board

Agree VB is the best.

**Dale Hubbard** · 04-27-2009, 03:55 PM

Al, yes it is an easy script for an experienced installer. Given the fact that you have to have vBSeo for the SEO-friendly URLs and the rewrites, it still remains a daunting task for a non-programmer and I think it may be more than Eva wants to take on. I'd install it all for her (Eva - PM me) but I think it's overkill for her.

phpBB has a history of masssive security flaws (php exploits) -- you get what you pay for.

**Albert Tai** · 04-27-2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Carter

I know the name of that forum but I can't pronunciate it...too much crap peoples on that board

Agree VB is the best.

Ahaha I know but its the fastest ways to get rid of my domain.
As because You know I don't have premium names but I still get offers 15+ for domains I buy for 0.99-6.
So its a great profit for me cause I do it alot...<3
Doesn't work at dnforum though.

Originally Posted by aZooZa

Al, yes it is an easy script for an experienced installer. Given the fact that you have to have vBSeo for the SEO-friendly URLs and the rewrites, it still remains a daunting task for a non-programmer and I think it may be more than Eva wants to take on. I'd install it all for her (Eva - PM me) but I think it's overkill for her.

phpBB has a history of masssive security flaws (php exploits) -- you get what you pay for.

I bought vbseo before mine expired damn. Its a great thing you need for your forum to get listed on google's thing. Its also pretty expensive and when you install it later on you will have alot of 404s (google searches)

**Dale Hubbard** · 04-27-2009, 04:17 PM

Maybe we await Eva's answer...

**bwhhisc** · 05-05-2009, 07:25 PM

vBulletin is favored by most forum goers for ease of use and many people that frequent forums are "used" to its style and operation. I have seen people switch from vB to others forums, take flack from the membership and in the end come back to vB. Just my 2 cents.