how expensive is it to make a forum using Vbulletin

**Entre_man** · 12-30-2009 12:58 PM

????

I am thinking about creating a forum website, but I would have to contact someone to help me do it all.

**ikjosh** · 12-30-2009 01:06 PM

Just depends - I don't think the install & configuration should cost very much, try posting on ScriptLance.com Custom Freelance Programming. Outsource web projects to programmers and designers. to get some ideas

The one thing to be aware of with forums - And I should know, I built and sold one years ago - Is that if you don't have many users, the forum looks stale, because there is a lack of threads, a lack of activity, and thus people don't want to post there. It's hard to get traction. I would set it up and create one central area to post, don't create 10 different discussion areas, that just spreads everything out. The other is that they're hard to make money with nowadays - If you decide to put ads up to earn money, you won't, because your site is consisted of regular users who quickly recognize the ads, and don't bother clicking, this depreciates the value to prospective buyers as well. I am getting ahead of myself here.

What is the value your forum would provide? Why would I want to post there? Why would I register, bookmark and visit on a regular basis? Are you solving an existing problem or filling a niche? Just some questions to consider..

**Entre_man** · 12-30-2009 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by ikjosh

Just depends - I don't think the install & configuration should cost very much, try posting on ScriptLance.com Custom Freelance Programming. Outsource web projects to programmers and designers. to get some ideas

The one thing to be aware of with forums - And I should know, I built and sold one years ago - Is that if you don't have many users, the forum looks stale, because there is a lack of threads, a lack of activity, and thus people don't want to post there. It's hard to get traction. I would set it up and create one central area to post, don't create 10 different discussion areas, that just spreads everything out. The other is that they're hard to make money with nowadays - If you decide to put ads up to earn money, you won't, because your site is consisted of regular users who quickly recognize the ads, and don't bother clicking, this depreciates the value to prospective buyers as well. I am getting ahead of myself here.

What is the value your forum would provide? Why would I want to post there? Why would I register, bookmark and visit on a regular basis? Are you solving an existing problem or filling a niche? Just some questions to consider..

the forum would be set-up as a general MISC forum. People can just be idiots on.

**Lukas** · 12-30-2009 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Entre_man

the forum would be set-up as a general MISC forum. People can just be idiots on.

In this internet these days, there are WAY to many of those. How would yours be different?

~Lukas

**Entre_man** · 12-30-2009 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Lukas

In this internet these days, there are WAY to many of those. How would yours be different?

~Lukas

because I already know people in this field and lots of people who do this kind of thing.

**azance** · 12-30-2009 02:52 PM

Vbulletin costs $200 a year. I have a vbulletin forum if you have any questions or want to check it out you can PM me.

**Entre_man** · 12-30-2009 06:21 PM

wow so im looking at about $300 start up cost for something like this huh?

**Encrypted** · 12-30-2009 06:22 PM

Pretty much, or you can use PHPBB or I can make one for you.. for a price.

**myfayt** · 12-30-2009 10:28 PM

It's free, but to hire someone to custom it, would be about $10 an hour.

**Encrypted** · 12-31-2009 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by myfayt

It's free, but to hire someone to custom it, would be about $10 an hour.

If you plan on hiring someone from India. Good help would cost about $15-20 / hour minimum.

**JBSurfs** · 12-31-2009 12:48 PM

Just go with phpBB. Typically if you go through a hosting company, they have them for free. I've used a few, for something like that, you can probably get a forum set up through cookiehost pretty cheap. I think they are $40 for a year and $10 for the domain. Sometimes they run a sale if you catch it right, then hosting is $5. I've also used hostgator, who is good, but more expensive for something that you are wanting. Don't remember about cookiehost, but hostgator has the one click installation for plenty of programs, and at least one forum program. Then it's up to you to customize after that.

There are several phpbb forums that have the ads stuck around that that can be a pretty quick set up.

**azance** · 12-31-2009 01:58 PM

If he's planning on making a huge site phpbb will not suffice. If you go with free forum software, at least use MyBB. You can eventually transfer it, but that isn't an easy task and it's still risky. If you're serious about this forum I'd go vbulletin.