Are Forums Still Important?
With so many upcoming trends and changes in the marketing field, social media marketing by far has been the best way to connect to people. Today, each person has accounts on all leading social networks like Facebook, Twitter etc. However, one question people often encounter is are forums still relevant to connect, communicate and have discussions. The truth is forums are the unique social networks. People can connect to any individual from all over the world over a single platform. Forums permit members to post discussions in concrete categories. You can find organized information and can be searched easily. Social networks have many options to communicate however, one cannot find organized information. Forums are always advantageous of being great platform of categorical discussions among members. Forums are still relevant and organizations should focus on forums for creating energetic and dynamic communities.
Forums are an impeccable implement for your already existing website where your visitors can interact with other members of the forum. It also aids in creating a communal website supporting a theme. Many people are intrigued with having their own online forum however; to opt for the best software forum suiting your needs is difficult.
Different forums have different features and packages. However, the top most wanted features are:
•Stability
•Security
•Usability
•Flexibility
•Customization
What are the advantages of forums?
Forums being unique social networks, one can reap a lot of advantages by deploying a forum and stand differentiated. It enables discussions to take place in a care free environment where individuals can read about the topics which are of their interests and can also get involved in the discussion if they feel they can make certain value additions to it. Since, people discuss there’s generation of free and new content thereby improving the SEO. Users are stimulated to visit your website regularly and are eager for new discussions or to make additions in the existing discussion and promoting the forum by word of mouth. On forums, you can get correct people providing correct information which can take the idea and execution to a next level. The information and discussions can be referred for future purpose as these discussions are present on the forum always and you don’t have to recreate the information again and again. One can always get free guidance and assistance for your proposals, improvements that can be done and to reach out to new visions.
Before that, clearly analyze your needs as to what kind of forum you exactly want to start an online community for your services or brand. Whether you want easy to use, free and open source platform or some big forum platforms, which are usually paid platforms. To help you get commenced, below is the list of top best forum software.
1. phpBB
phpBB is a free and open source forum software that can be used to connect to a group of people. You can create a forum within no time with its extensive database and user created modifications including a lot of style and image packages through which you can customize your forum board. If your focus is on a start-up community then, you shouldn’t think of anything else. It is the most popular forum software; however, the construction of the database is a little compromised on admin usability, which is one of its drawbacks.
2. Simple Machines Forum
If your major concern is security then SMF is one among the foremost well-liked forum software package in terms of security and easy installation making it the most effective forum software. SMF is written in the most popular language and uses a MySQL database. It helps you to make high quality discussion forum which can be customized easily. However, it just has few plugins related to SEO which becomes a hitch when it comes to SEO.
3. Vanilla Forums
This forum package is free open source which is best looking, very flexible and versatile with best installation systems. It is a cloud based solution. If you are a SME, vanilla forums are best for you. It is simple and easy to use however, backed with multiple premium features. They provide you full flexibility for your forum style, single-sign-on capability for external sites and applications and versatile design that permits custom made plugins.
4. MyBB
MyBB is again an open PHP and MySQL supported software. It uses an intuitive admin panel, making it easy for the customers to start and reply to the discussions. The forum moderators can use MyBB’s inline piece of writing and moderation options to manage discussion and keep the forum tidy.
5. vBulletin
This forum is one of the most preferred paid forum software on the internet. Many of the prominent websites and large organizations have vBulletin as their first choice. It has some great in-built features like, photo albums, discussion and forum, calendar, events management, polls, blogs etc. Depending upon your needs you have option to choose from its three different versions: publishing suite, forum classic and mobile suite which varies in costing as well.
6. IP Board
It is considered as the most powerful and engaging forum platform to enable discussion on your website. It is a paid platform offering all inclusive tools that help users to have a discussion in a stress free environment. Users get an added advantage of sharing and promoting their content form their website. It leaves you worry less as you don’t have to take care and handle the installations and upgrades
7. XenForo
XenForo is a compelling community experience bringing a fresh outlook to forum software. It is paid software using PHP language. If your main objective is SEO, then you should choose XenForo as it has some pretty good inbuilt SEO features. Moreover, some great add - ons, social engagement, easy styling etc. will give you an intuitive and fast experience.
8. bbPress
bbPress is installed by the users having WordPress websites created by WordPress makers. One can easily set up discussions on his website using bbPress. It is easy to use and administrate and promises speed and easy integration. Its simplicity and well implemented features makes it different from others
9. Phorum
Phorum is a PHP and MySQL supported open source forum software. Here you have the freedom to make your message board do what you desire to do. You also have the autonomy to rearrange your data in any form as per your wish. Its versatile hook and module system permit a webmaster to form modules for using external authentication; sterilizing message knowledge before it’s stored, adding custom data regarding users or messages and much more.
10. FluxBB
If you don’t need those extra and fancy forum features, then this software is apt for you. It is promised as lighter, faster and user-friendly forum software for your website. It is simple and has a proven record of stability and security making it a perfect forum selection for your website.
Now you know which software fits your needs and specifications. Implement and manage forums with these highly commended forum software. Choose wisely because with a proper start you can achieve something big. However, your forums will function properly when hosted on a right platform. eUKhost provides powerful Linux VPS hosting with enterprise - class SSD storage providing superior performance in any application backed with latest technology and fully managed support services.