Which one....

[mstrlucky74]

Hello all and thanks in advance. Looking to start forum similar to Reddit. Is that even a forum? What program/software is used to create that site?
I like the feel of a "city data" site....the part with the forums.

I'm thinking of using Xenforo.

 

[Nabix]

Looking to start forum similar to Reddit. Is that even a forum?

forum​

noun
[ fawr-uhm, fohr-uhm ]

• a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

What program/software is used to create that site?

Reddit, to my knowledge is custom coded. However, there are many clone scripts like Reddit.

I'm thinking of using Xenforo.

Xenforo is a great software. My advice is don't focus to much on the software. Pick one that has great features and is very well supported (which Xenforo has both). Pick the software and focus more on content.

Let me ask you this. . . What can you offer differently that Reddit can not?

 

[Oh!]

Try the 'Design & Technology' section on the Wikipedia page:

Reddit - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Reddit was originally an open source project, but the code is no longer available. There are, however, forks listed in that section from Wiki.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Reddit, to my knowledge is custom coded. However, there are many clone scripts like Reddit.

Be careful with clone scripts.

Unless it is widely used and known, I wouldn't trust it.

I can't tell you how many times I was "hacked" back in the day when I used those turn-key "clone" scripts.

 

[mstrlucky74]

forum​

noun
[ fawr-uhm, fohr-uhm ]

• a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.

Reddit, to my knowledge is custom coded. However, there are many clone scripts like Reddit.



Xenforo is a great software. My advice is don't focus to much on the software. Pick one that has great features and is very well supported (which Xenforo has both). Pick the software and focus more on content.

Let me ask you this. . . What can you offer differently that Reddit can not?

I'm going to offer something pretty specific. Rather not elaborate.

 

[mstrlucky74]

First, let me say I'm not in it for the money. Truly have a passion about my subject matter but I'm just curious.
If someone wanted to make say $30-40k year from being owner of a "forum" site how difficult is that to do through ads? I guessing it all depends on how many visitors you have on a regular basis that would drive advertisers wanting to place ads on the site. Thank you

 

[Shawn Gossman]

First, let me say I'm not in it for the money. Truly have a passion about my subject matter but I'm just curious.
If someone wanted to make say $30-40k year from being owner of a "forum" site how difficult is that to do through ads? I guessing it all depends on how many visitors you have on a regular basis that would drive advertisers wanting to place ads on the site. Thank you

It will take a lot and a long time to reach that goal. Views, engagement and of course-the will to click those ads is going to play a roll. Everyone is mobile nowadays and mobile is changing for the "bad" when it comes to ads. iOS for example is changing the way it allows other apps to serve you ads and its hurting some of these apps including the giant, Facebook. Plus people still widely use ad blocking software.

I wouldn't start a forum with that number goal tbh. I'd start it dramatically lower, like the cost of your domain each year and hosting per month. If you profit beyond that, then you can see what is working and move your goal up.

I have enough views on my YouTube channel to easily make a few hundred dollars a month. That's not a lot but it would be like a part time job on top of my decent full time job. However, because I film on public land managed by the state and federal government, I cannot legally earn revenue without getting commercial-use permits which cost way more than I will earn. I'd be paying rather than profiting. So I learned long ago not to put a monetary goal too high.

After 4 years of having this channel, I'm starting to profit from review videos that I film on my property or private property that I have been given permission to film with the intent to earn ad revenue. I'm also selling merch on a weekly basis and getting a steady flow of Patreon money but not a lot of people are Patreons at the moment. So it really sort of took 3 years to earn money for me but I did have that permit-issue.

For you, to make 30-40K, it will have to be a full time job. You'll have to work to earn that money and you get what you pay for.

I hope that isn't too discouraging but I don't want to see you let yourself down, either.

 

[mstrlucky74]

It will take a lot and a long time to reach that goal. Views, engagement and of course-the will to click those ads is going to play a roll. Everyone is mobile nowadays and mobile is changing for the "bad" when it comes to ads. iOS for example is changing the way it allows other apps to serve you ads and its hurting some of these apps including the giant, Facebook. Plus people still widely use ad blocking software.

I wouldn't start a forum with that number goal tbh. I'd start it dramatically lower, like the cost of your domain each year and hosting per month. If you profit beyond that, then you can see what is working and move your goal up.

I have enough views on my YouTube channel to easily make a few hundred dollars a month. That's not a lot but it would be like a part time job on top of my decent full time job. However, because I film on public land managed by the state and federal government, I cannot legally earn revenue without getting commercial-use permits which cost way more than I will earn. I'd be paying rather than profiting. So I learned long ago not to put a monetary goal too high.

After 4 years of having this channel, I'm starting to profit from review videos that I film on my property or private property that I have been given permission to film with the intent to earn ad revenue. I'm also selling merch on a weekly basis and getting a steady flow of Patreon money but not a lot of people are Patreons at the moment. So it really sort of took 3 years to earn money for me but I did have that permit-issue.

For you, to make 30-40K, it will have to be a full time job. You'll have to work to earn that money and you get what you pay for.

I hope that isn't too discouraging but I don't want to see you let yourself down, either.

Not at all...I appreciate it and no matter the response I would not change a thing regarding getting started. Thanks

 

[HTML]

If you like City-Data's feel, they're using vBulletin 3.

 

[cornnfedd]

if you want to make $30-40k per year from ads in a forum you will need to be willing to spend 20 hours a week minimum for probably 10 years to get it there... its almost mission impossible nowdays..

 

[mstrlucky74]

If you like City-Data's feel, they're using vBulletin 3.

Heard xenforo was better

 

[Jeremy8]

vB 3 hasn't even been sold or supported for years.

 

[Study Force]

You could try MyBB, personally I think it's the best free software forum out there.

 

[borbole]

Heard xenforo was better

Anything is better than vb. vB 3 was a very good and solid product, but as mentioned above is not supported anymore.

Reading your posts, it looks to me that your goal with your forum is going to be business like rather than hobby/fun etc. In that case, have a look at Ipb. It will suit your model perfectly.

 

[borbole]

You could try MyBB, personally I think it's the best free software forum out there.

I agree. But from what I have seen, it appears to be dead. I hope I am wrong though as it is a very good software.

 

[DigNap15]

I would keep your day job, and start slowly as see how it goes
It all depends on your niche and how you will attract members
My site relies on donations
Adverising can mean you are tied to them or influenced by them.
Not only that its a lot of work getting them
And I'm sure many people use ad blockers these days
But good luck