I need my own forum
- Thread starter Usahacker
- Start date
I've moved this topic to a more relevant forum.
As for your question, the cost for owning a forum can vary greatly. If you wanted to use a free forum host like ProBoards, you could own a forum without paying a dime. If you wanted to self host and use a forum software like XenForo, you'd definitely see yourself spending hundreds of dollars.
As for your question, the cost for owning a forum can vary greatly. If you wanted to use a free forum host like ProBoards, you could own a forum without paying a dime. If you wanted to self host and use a forum software like XenForo, you'd definitely see yourself spending hundreds of dollars.
If you're new to owning a forum I highly recommend going down the free forum host route first. This will make it free, and you can learn the ropes of how to set up a forum, and get a feel for a forum software too.
Technically you could start for free. Although I would recommend at least paying for a domain name. If you decide to use a free forum software. I recommend SMF.
Avoid sites like forumotion to host your forum, because you will not own the database if you ever want to leave, or use your own domain name.
Avoid sites like forumotion to host your forum, because you will not own the database if you ever want to leave, or use your own domain name.
If you have money, I suggest getting a paid platform such as XenForo or Invision if you need more than just a forum.
XenForo is around $200 a license and Invision is around $500 for a license.
Both XenForo and Invision offer cloud hosting where you can use their resources and upgrade as needed.
Or you can use a shared hosting service but make sure they have the ability to upgrade if you need to later on.
Shared hosting is usually like $100-$200 a year and a domain name is usually $10-$20 a year but some hosting plans will throw in your domain free for a year.
If you can afford hosting but not premium software, phpBB and Simple Machines Forum software is available for free. You can also migrate to a paid platform later on using these free platforms.
If you have no budget, you can use a free forum hosting service, but you'll be stuck with them, without the ability to own your forum. So, if they shut down, you lose your forum, period.
XenForo is around $200 a license and Invision is around $500 for a license.
Both XenForo and Invision offer cloud hosting where you can use their resources and upgrade as needed.
Or you can use a shared hosting service but make sure they have the ability to upgrade if you need to later on.
Shared hosting is usually like $100-$200 a year and a domain name is usually $10-$20 a year but some hosting plans will throw in your domain free for a year.
If you can afford hosting but not premium software, phpBB and Simple Machines Forum software is available for free. You can also migrate to a paid platform later on using these free platforms.
If you have no budget, you can use a free forum hosting service, but you'll be stuck with them, without the ability to own your forum. So, if they shut down, you lose your forum, period.
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