Ghost said:
A qucik setup on a free host couldnt ever make money, as it is so easy. I could even see someone paying another to install a copy of it onto a paid server, like they pay people to install MODs.
Anywho, good luck with your service JACRadmin.
First let me say, before you take my post as anything else but constructive critisism (if you do there is something wrong as I am ONLY trying to help), I'm 24 and have run my own "Forum Help" website that included Installations of all software from IPB 1.3 (yes I had a copy and was able to get it working on php5) to vBulletin. Along with custom vB skins.
Agreed on that. If you are running a "company" online it isn't the best if it clearly shows that you haven't even taken the effort to providing yourself with a domain not to mention that your forum wasn't even created by you.
Creating a forum involves the following:
1. Creating a domain for the forum (doesn't matter if its got its own sub domain.com/forum usually works better for search engines anyway.. just make sure you get any "zetaboards, ipbfree, proboards etc .com" out of the tld)
2. Downloading the forum software from the forum software company itself
3. Learn to create SQL databases to connect with your forum
4. Upload and Install from scratch yourself
5. Skin it. If not 100% custom then one that matches and has its own header image that suits.
6. Don't put "!" at the end of every forum description.
7. Most importantly... Don't Rush...
I'll give you an example... I'm serious here. Please give me a subject to create a forum on
😉 I'll give you a demo to prove that I know what I'm talking about (not just saying all the above and not being able to do it myself)
If you get all that sorted (it may take a week of messing around etc) you can design your own index page and then really kickstart your "company"
😀