Do you launch a forum right away or build it then release it

[Delirious]

As the title says. Do you build a forum complete with features and then release it or do you install the forum and build as you go?

From personal experience I install and build as I go along. That way the forum gets indexed right away and has the possibility to attract people quicker. Also the basic functions of the forum are there anyways. Having the domain and forum together from the beginning is also better for me. That way I can decide on a logo easier. Having the domain from the start helps IMO, mostly because the domain has aged some and might have a higher PR.

What are some of your thoughts?

 

[Red Herring]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

It depends on the forum, really. For more discussion-based forums, I'll simply install and build as I go.

However, whenever I decide to develop a forum with a concept I feel warrants thought and care, then I'll build and develop it first on a local XAMPP setup, then I'll purchase hosting and a domain and release it.

 

[Violetstar]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

Build as I go, running a forum is a journey not a destination

 

[Tecca]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I always have a plan before making a forum. Domain name, custom coded and designed theme, and starter posts by myself. Build-as-you-go may work for some people, but there are far too many forums and websites out there for most people to care about yours when you first start. So what I do is give them a valid reason to join -- a nice design and vision of where the forum's going, and what it can do for them, not just for me.

Content is king, so part of launching is having content that people can reply to. Not content purely on opinions, but stuff that's targeted toward your niche and is actually helpful to those that visit your site. Pure fluff really only works after an established forum's niche has been filling up nicely; not the other way around, as some tend to believe.

 

[Nebulous]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

Build as I go, running a forum is a journey not a destination

This, forums are ever changing and you are never finished working on them, at least in my experience.

 

[Venom]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I always have a plan before making a forum. Domain name, custom coded and designed theme, and starter posts by myself. Build-as-you-go may work for some people, but there are far too many forums and websites out there for most people to care about yours when you first start. So what I do is give them a valid reason to join -- a nice design and vision of where the forum's going, and what it can do for them, not just for me.

Content is king, so part of launching is having content that people can reply to. Not content purely on opinions, but stuff that's targeted toward your niche and is actually helpful to those that visit your site. Pure fluff really only works after an established forum's niche has been filling up nicely; not the other way around, as some tend to believe.

Tecca got it in one I think.

 

[Migi]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

Aside from basic preparations and some start-up threads, I agree with the posts above that you can build content along the way. However, launching a forum with no posts at all may discourage some visitors from joining, so try to invite one or two 'testers' first to get some content in before officially launching it. Technical details such as adding modifications or plugins can be done along the way based on the need of the community.

 

[karateninja]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I used to launch it right away years ago, but now I put some work into it before I launch it.

 

[Delirious]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I've read some good replies. Seems like it is really 50/50. I think upon initial launch you won't attract at many people anyways. Once you start putting content into it, then it will attract more. As Tecca said "content is king" this is true. The more content your forum has the more it can be indexed and show up in searches.

 

[CM30]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

Build it, because I (unfortunately) tend to like developing websites more than actually running them.

And because hey, trying to promote a blatantly unfinished forum is hard as hell.

 

[Impulse]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I build a test site with a bunch of features and then launch a brand new site and over time add the features from the test site to the live one.

I actually enjoy building a site more than running it.

 

[Eclipse]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

For any of my forums, I usually build it and hire a few testers to test permissions, plugins, and give feedback on the theme/layout. I never like releasing a forum with a piece missing from it, I love to give a great first impression, and I need a 100% built forum to do so 🙂

 

[mav3n]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I mean you should always build on a forum and have a good base BEFORE opening. Make sure everything works perms wise, settings and what not and always make sure you have content already posted before opening. No one like going to an empty forum.

 

[Elenitsa]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I mean you should always build on a forum and have a good base BEFORE opening. Make sure everything works perms wise, settings and what not and always make sure you have content already posted before opening. No one like going to an empty forum.

This so much. I built two forums; when I considered they had all the documentation needed written and posted, I started inviting friends to join. Only after having staff, a few members, a few approved characters and open and ongoing topics I do the official opening.

 

[Chadook]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I used to launch it right away, then i have decided to make content before launching them to public.

 

[Oxycide]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

I Install the forum software (vBulletin) and then i do 1 - 2 week(s) of development work to get it ready for inital testing where i get a few mates to sign up and test everything then if it passes i do a full release with updates along the way

 

[Soapbox]

Re: Do you launch a forum right away or build it then releas

1 Concept & planning
2 Building & Testing
3 Beta testing
4 General Market & advertising.

It's an old strategy, but a very good one.