Is there a point?

[Deleted member 1609]

Is there a point to creating a new forum in 2023?

Obviously, there is a point if it's something you enjoy or you want to experience the nostalgia. However, if what you are seeking is success, is there really a point in starting a new one?

There are some successful forums that are advertised here on Forum Promotion, but most of them do not succeed because there are simply not enough people interested in forums as there once were. There was a time where you could start a forum and get at least a few people to check it out and make some posts. Have those days passed?

 

[Shortie_]

I would say if you have an interest in owning and running a forum then go for it and don't let anything get in your way. Whilst they may not be quite as popular now as they used to be, there are still people that do like using forums over say social media and there will always be a want for forums. It is daunting creating a new forum even now in 2023 but never feel like there is no room for you to start one if you wish to.

 

[Gizmo]

Is there a point to creating a new forum in 2023?

Obviously, there is a point if it's something you enjoy or you want to experience the nostalgia. However, if what you are seeking is success, is there really a point in starting a new one?

There are some successful forums that are advertised here on Forum Promotion, but most of them do not succeed because there are simply not enough people interested in forums as there once were. There was a time where you could start a forum and get at least a few people to check it out and make some posts. Have those days passed?

I'll join any of your forums

 

[Deleted member 4320]

I'm going to start a new forum very soon. I'm not bothered about the activity (although I'd like there to be some). I'm more interested in creating a community for my projects.

 

[zappaDPJ]

Is there a point to creating a new forum in 2023?

There are still good reasons for starting new forums but those reasons having changed somewhat compared to a few years ago.

Forums that provide a service are flourishing, especially those attached to commercial enterprises because they encourage peer support. Forum Promotion is an example of a forum that offers something of value to people, far more than just general chat.

I'd argue that general chat and technology forums have had their day and that it's almost impossible to get one started. Basically a new forum has to offer something pretty unique and something that people want or need to be a success.

 

[Deleted member 1609]

I'll join any of your forums

@zappaDPJ Do you have examples of forums that provide particular services--not because I don't believe you, but because I'm genuinely curious and always looking for new forums? 🙂

 

[Deleted member 1609]

I'm going to start a new forum very soon. I'm not bothered about the activity (although I'd like there to be some). I'm more interested in creating a community for my projects.

What kind of forum are you planning to start?

 

[zappaDPJ]

Do you have examples of forums that provide particular services

Sure. Here are a few that provide product support, mostly official, one privately owned.

Kemper Profiler Forum

The official Kemper Profiler user forum

www.kemper-amps.com

Fractal Audio Systems Forum

Fractal Audio Systems Forum

forum.fractalaudio.com

Avid Pro Audio Community - Powered by vBulletin

Pro Tools User Forums

duc.avid.com

INTERACT FORUM - Index

INTERACT FORUM - Index

yabb.jriver.com

Here's a new forum that is thriving for the reasons I outlined in my previous post.

JustinGuitar Community

A place for guitar players to gather and discuss playing, practicing, gear, and lessons on JustinGuitar.

community.justinguitar.com

 

[Gizmo]

@zappaDPJ Do you have examples of forums that provide particular services--not because I don't believe you, but because I'm genuinely curious and always looking for new forums? 🙂

Wut?

 

[PGen98]

Most people that start forums nowadays start them as passion projects. Of course we'd love to capture that spark and be the next multi-million post forum out there, but we all understand that forums these days are a niche thing, most of us pull from the same base of people to get new members, see similar content spreading on different forums, and that's ok because it mostly about the passion of running a forum. We want to support one another in our efforts, and that's fantastic. If one of us hits a home run and gets a successful community out of it, even better!

 

[meetdilip]

1. You cannot start a successful forum without considerable investment
2. People like social media more
3. You will need to use social media to promote your content - it requires special skills
4. You need to invest heavily in content
5. You need to work a lot on SEO

Running a forum is a challenge unless you have enough to invest.

 

[Deleted member 4320]

What kind of forum are you planning to start?

[...] I'm more interested in creating a community for my projects.

My apps.

 

[Page]

I was into forums back in 2009 and became active on mostly gaming-related I really got into things when I joined FP and at the time I was studying I.C.T and at the time that I was joining forums, it's a good crazy year, not like now. But I find even back then it was hard to get a website off the ground and repeatedly it's, even more, deeper and harder now in 2023. But for me seven years later that my site (BaysideGamers) is still running, even though active and members are not there and the content is very slow, I'm able to keep on spending so much money to keep it afloat

End of the day it's a hobby and those that do have a forum that they run, it's since they enjoy it and love that they have one going.

 

[Nomad]

I think there is an audience for forums but you need to work on the right niche and promote among the right people.

 

[Cory]

A hobby is a hobby regardless of how large of a success it is or not. As long as you can find enough members to even create a small community to attend to your hobby then you're committing to something you enjoy. As for other uses, not sure since I've only ever used forums as a hobby.

 

[Page]

Some are very lucky to able to make money on or from their forums and yet not much as you end up paying for higher expenses on hosting. Larger the site more you need to be able to run it.

 

[Orion Corvus]

Is there a point to creating a new forum in 2023?

Obviously, there is a point if it's something you enjoy or you want to experience the nostalgia. However, if what you are seeking is success, is there really a point in starting a new one?

There are some successful forums that are advertised here on Forum Promotion, but most of them do not succeed because there are simply not enough people interested in forums as there once were. There was a time where you could start a forum and get at least a few people to check it out and make some posts. Have those days passed?

Depends on what you're willing to put into it. I'd argue most forums don't fail for that reason, but fail because, like a person who gets a dog on a whim and has to re-home it, they aren't ready for the responsibilities and effort required.