Right now my community is running MyBB 1.8x and I have other licenses to commercial licenses. I own a IPB and a vBulletin 5 Suite.
I wanted to start with MyBB because its a good community script to get started with just in case the community doesn't workout I won't waste any cash on it.
I love IPB a lot more then vBulletin 5 just because the supporting community and built in features. On the other hand, vBulletin has a very easy CMS builder, since I'm not much of a coder it would be easier to handle and manage. But vBulletin is known to be very unsportive and buggy for the most part.
Any ideas?
Edit: The reason I posted here instead of Web Management because depending on the software it is also a big part as to attracting people to join the community.
The reason I posted here instead of Web Management because depending on the software it is also a big part as to attracting people to join the community.
In that case, maybe wait a bit and see with IPB 4.2, which they've just started teasing their new features for. The stated focus is on engagement and encouraging registration.
I wanted to start with MyBB because its a good community script to get started with just in case the community doesn't workout I won't waste any cash on it.
You can always transfer members from one forum platform to another or hire someone to do it at a reasonable price.
By the way, free forum software can be used for a serious forum. However, plug-ins and themes have to be installed via FTP or cPanel - unless you have SMF which has self-installers.
I would try out there IPB 30 day demo to see what the back end is like before you get into the software. I seen allot of people in my day go ahead and getting IPB and have no idea how to install or even run it. you will find allot of there website anyway also some good plugins
I went with xenForo since it was cheap and I held a license. I went twith it since its easy to use and I love the structure. However, IPB 4.2 is looking sweet, I love that software.
MyBB is what I personally use, and I think it's definitely the best free forum software. As you said, money is a huge risk on a forum, especially in this age of social media. vBulletin and the like were more necessary about a decade ago, when the market was still alive and well.
For now, just focus on backlinks, exclusive content organization, and maintaining a loyal relationship among your members. Sometimes, just building things from the ground up will do its work for you. Offer something to discuss that people won't find anywhere else.
