Is it this forum: www.businessideasandopportunities.co.uk
It is very unique. How would you define "off-the-ground", why would I join it?
It is very unique. How would you define "off-the-ground", why would I join it?
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You will probably find that if you do start getting visitors, and the forum gets busy that they will find the forum will slow right down.
It will cope with a few, but if you do get it popular, then people may start to not bother visiting if the forum slows to a crawl.
Im basing this on the hosting, as its on a shared server with over three thousand other sites.
If you do start getting people in, then you may need to get better hosting sorted out before the problems arise.
It will cope with a few, but if you do get it popular, then people may start to not bother visiting if the forum slows to a crawl.
Im basing this on the hosting, as its on a shared server with over three thousand other sites.
If you do start getting people in, then you may need to get better hosting sorted out before the problems arise.
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As my sites got more popular I went to a VPS (virtual private server) then to a dedicated server (stayed with godaddy for both).
However, they were unmanaged ones, meaning I had to be responsible for all software upgrades/security issues etc.
If you are not familiar with server administration then you would have to go for a managed solution which is more expensive. If you are ok with doing that, or you can get someone who is to do it for you then godaddy does good deals on both vps and dedicated, or Im sure a host on this forum could sort you out - there seems to be quite a few hosts on this forum that keep getting good reviews and recommendations.
Or you could go for a shared host that does not have as many sites on the server. When I used to use godaddy shared hosting, my sites also were on servers with over 3 thousand other sites, and eventually I got so sick of the slowness I gave up and upgraded.
However, they were unmanaged ones, meaning I had to be responsible for all software upgrades/security issues etc.
If you are not familiar with server administration then you would have to go for a managed solution which is more expensive. If you are ok with doing that, or you can get someone who is to do it for you then godaddy does good deals on both vps and dedicated, or Im sure a host on this forum could sort you out - there seems to be quite a few hosts on this forum that keep getting good reviews and recommendations.
Or you could go for a shared host that does not have as many sites on the server. When I used to use godaddy shared hosting, my sites also were on servers with over 3 thousand other sites, and eventually I got so sick of the slowness I gave up and upgraded.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #14
Yes Ken, If the site gets popular I will go for a managed solution. I have heard horror stories about people having dedicated servers and not being able to manage the security, then getting hacked. I will invesigate to see if I can gain the server knowledge required, but if I'm not sure then I will pay to get it sorted out - Regards Gina
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Timmo88
- Original Poster
- #17
I'm trying to advertise one of my forums as well (www.rabbit-central.co.uk). Just have links in your sig and post on different forums.
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Ive tried to get a lot of forums off the ground and only managed once, which funnily enough was the first time i tried.
The way i did it and have more recently only just realised is to get a site with content, either something informative, or maybe regular news updates.
For your site i would get a few blogs on the go from a business owner and maybe someone just starting. I would also maybe get some documents up - eg, Letter of Employment/contract etc which members can download for free. This gives something back to your members.
I would also possibly team up with business owners and post their jobs for free on your site or a job agency? I would also look at getting a nicer theme (if you dont have the money then a logo atleast. Maybe have a look for some plugins/mods for your forum which could enhance your site.
Also as someone else mentioned i would look for a new domain personally, yours is too long and unmemorable - ive forgotten it whilst writing this post and ive clicked back on your site during writing it:
BusinessIdeas .co.uk or com
BusinessOpportunities
TheBusinessSite/forum (although id go with site personally)
BusinessBase
BusinessAdvice
Opportunity4Business (or For)
I have no idea if these are available but im just thinking be a bit more punchy and memorable.
I hope this helps and its not having a go. Im trying to think of things that i would do to get ahead of the game. Have a look at other sites (especially ones which you registered on) What made you register? or What do you like and what do you dislike? Impliment them where possible.
The main reason i sign up on a forum is it looks busy and good advice, thats the thing that you dont have so you need to give something that will make people sign up.
Good luck, its hard starting a forum, i would put aside between 6-12 months before it stops feeling like work and starts taking off.
The way i did it and have more recently only just realised is to get a site with content, either something informative, or maybe regular news updates.
For your site i would get a few blogs on the go from a business owner and maybe someone just starting. I would also maybe get some documents up - eg, Letter of Employment/contract etc which members can download for free. This gives something back to your members.
I would also possibly team up with business owners and post their jobs for free on your site or a job agency? I would also look at getting a nicer theme (if you dont have the money then a logo atleast. Maybe have a look for some plugins/mods for your forum which could enhance your site.
Also as someone else mentioned i would look for a new domain personally, yours is too long and unmemorable - ive forgotten it whilst writing this post and ive clicked back on your site during writing it:
BusinessIdeas .co.uk or com
BusinessOpportunities
TheBusinessSite/forum (although id go with site personally)
BusinessBase
BusinessAdvice
Opportunity4Business (or For)
I have no idea if these are available but im just thinking be a bit more punchy and memorable.
I hope this helps and its not having a go. Im trying to think of things that i would do to get ahead of the game. Have a look at other sites (especially ones which you registered on) What made you register? or What do you like and what do you dislike? Impliment them where possible.
The main reason i sign up on a forum is it looks busy and good advice, thats the thing that you dont have so you need to give something that will make people sign up.
Good luck, its hard starting a forum, i would put aside between 6-12 months before it stops feeling like work and starts taking off.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #22
Hi tony84, Yes all good advice, thank you. I am aiming at good content, that is why I am running genuine competitions for cash and prizes. It may not influence people to join just for that reason, but I want to feel that I am giving something back to people who will be posting on my forum anyway. The name I am going to stick with for the present, as I have already had it fairly high on the search engines once. It dropped off when I changed the site to a forum. All the really good tld domains are gone, but I got this one by searching and looking for keywords. There is a site with a similar name that comes up No 1 if you do a google for business ideas or business opportunities ( I have basically turned round his domain name, hoping for similar results) I have looked at other themes and I kinda like plain, but I might go for something other people might find more appealing in the future. For now I am just aiming at increasing membership and posts. Thank you once again for your help - Gina
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tld means nothing. I have a .info 3rd/4th on google for a few good search terms.
Its a bit late now but i would have also invested the prize money into either paid posting (you could have probably 2-3000 paid posts for that money) you could have got 1000 paid posts and maybe 20-30 blog posts (2-3 a week and thats 3 months worth of blogs) it would also keep the value in the site if you got bored or wanted/needed to sell.
But i suppose thats just a different point of view.
Its a bit late now but i would have also invested the prize money into either paid posting (you could have probably 2-3000 paid posts for that money) you could have got 1000 paid posts and maybe 20-30 blog posts (2-3 a week and thats 3 months worth of blogs) it would also keep the value in the site if you got bored or wanted/needed to sell.
But i suppose thats just a different point of view.
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adi_cmi
- Original Poster
- #24
If it's of any interest, I'm trying to build a group on LinkedIn for community management. Given the subject of this thread it may be of interest to some folks (assuming you're LinkedIn members of course 
)
I can't post links yet but if you search for The Community Management Group on LinkedIn you'll hopefully find it.
)I can't post links yet but if you search for The Community Management Group on LinkedIn you'll hopefully find it.
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I've used padi posting firms in the past to boost new / flagging forums. Some are better than others, and some are a complete waste of time. About the best I've used is forumsfirst.com - at least they are English!
Apart from that it's all pretty manual - posting links in other forums, blog comments etc and justr good old making up random users yourself (this can lead to temporary insania, from talking to yourself though!)
Good luck though - there are so many forums out there it's a tough nut to crack
Apart from that it's all pretty manual - posting links in other forums, blog comments etc and justr good old making up random users yourself (this can lead to temporary insania, from talking to yourself though!)
Good luck though - there are so many forums out there it's a tough nut to crack
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #27
I know it's going to be tough, but I really don't want to pay people to post. This is a long term project for me, and one that I think I am going to enjoy. I am thinking of calling on businesses in person - cold calling as it were - to offer them some kind of benefits etc. Any suggestions regarding that idea?I've used padi posting firms in the past to boost new / flagging forums. Some are better than others, and some are a complete waste of time. About the best I've used is forumsfirst.com - at least they are English!
Apart from that it's all pretty manual - posting links in other forums, blog comments etc and justr good old making up random users yourself (this can lead to temporary insania, from talking to yourself though!)
Good luck though - there are so many forums out there it's a tough nut to crack
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Greg_Smith
- Original Poster
- #29
Not wishing to appear negative, but I feel you may have a struggle as there are many such similar forums already in existence, some of which have been around for a long time. What you need is a unique angle - something the others don't have which will be attractive to subscribers.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #30
Hi Greg, Yes I agree with all the above. I am in this for the long haul, and in no real rush. Obviously I would like as many new members as possible, but I am hoping for quality above quantity. I am wondering if approaching businesses offline in person may help, so I will be going out later this month to promote the forum, first of all to local businesses in my area. Not sure what to take with me in the form of literature etc. Any ideas on this will be most welcome, negative or otherwise. - Gina
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Greg_Smith
- Original Poster
- #31
There is nothing on your forum at the moment that explains the purpose of it - no 'mission statement'.
The sort of questions you'll be asked, assuming you get past the front door, are things like 'Why should I subscribe?', 'What's in it for me?', etc.
Most small businesses (unlike many of those in here ) don't have a lot of time to spend in forums and the like, and exist to sell products or services to consumers or other businesses.
They will want to see the benefits of joining your forum and how they relate to improving their businesses.
Therefore, you will need to prepare yourself with answers to all the potential questions and objections, and have ready, a compelling reason for them to join.
I wish you the best of luck.
The sort of questions you'll be asked, assuming you get past the front door, are things like 'Why should I subscribe?', 'What's in it for me?', etc.
Most small businesses (unlike many of those in here
) don't have a lot of time to spend in forums and the like, and exist to sell products or services to consumers or other businesses.They will want to see the benefits of joining your forum and how they relate to improving their businesses.
Therefore, you will need to prepare yourself with answers to all the potential questions and objections, and have ready, a compelling reason for them to join.
I wish you the best of luck.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #32
I was thinking of something along he lines of: Join our forum to gain higher visibility for your business etc. I am thinking of first approaching businesses offering B2B services such as accountants, mortgage advisors, insurance brokers etc, who would hopefully offer assistance to other members in the hope of gaining more clients. If I can get some of these people on board then I would have thought that the forum could grow from there. I think that a personal approach is always going to attract more members than posting in other forums or blogs etc. Anyway all it will cost is my time, so I will give it a go and see Gina
Gina
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Hi Gina,
Some time spent customising your theme on the forum would be well spent before promoting it to hard - the default theme doesn't bode well. Also get some content on there - even if you have to make it up yourself!
How about offering some member-only content, to encourage people to sign up rather than just browsing as guests?
Good luck
Stu
Some time spent customising your theme on the forum would be well spent before promoting it to hard - the default theme doesn't bode well. Also get some content on there - even if you have to make it up yourself!
How about offering some member-only content, to encourage people to sign up rather than just browsing as guests?
Good luck
Stu
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I don't know if you have spotted this website but it comes up first on Google when you type in 'business ideas' www.businessopportunitiesandideas.co.uk/forums, although very cheeky you could try and entice people to your forum.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #36
Thank you Stu, I dont doubt your advice, This is my first foray into operating a forum, I just dont see why the default theme is an issue. I wonder if you wouldnt mind explaining the significance of this, as I quite like the default theme. Themes I have seen from other forums using smf can appear messy, to me anyway. Looking forward to your further advice on this - Gina
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Good for you. Using bots and false accounts is pretty lame in my book.
I'd scrub that. I don't think they'll respond too kindly to being phoned to join a forum. You'd also need to make sure they're online - otherwise you'll be wasting your time!
But they all say that. You need a niche.
Buy all means try, but I truly think you'll only get a 5% uptake at the very most.I am thinking of first approaching businesses offering B2B services such as accountants, mortgage advisors, insurance brokers etc, who would hopefully offer assistance to other members in the hope of gaining more clients. If I can get some of these people on board then I would have thought that the forum could grow from there. I think that a personal approach is always going to attract more members than posting in other forums or blogs etc. Anyway all it will cost is my time, so I will give it a go and see
Two words:
Boring: If someone goes to a new forum they've 'seen before' they'll be even less inspired to join up.
Branding: Get your forum looking different and unique to the rest!
Regarding promotion of the board, out of interest, how many forums are you a member of? Take a look at the first post here: 299 Steps to Business Forum Heaven (about backlinks).
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #38
I am still enjoying running my new forum and all the suggestions have been really useful. Some people have contacted me and have told me that they went through the process of starting a forum only for it to fail. I dont really see how it could fail if you are in it for the long haul and prepared to build slowly without using silly tricks like lots of false id's and paying people to post. I will endeavour to build slowly and conscientiously, as I reallly think this is the way forward.
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BusinessIdeas
- Original Poster
- #40
Hi Cash, Yes I am really enjoying running the [urlno="http://www.businessideasandopportunities.co.uk"]business ideas forum[/urlno]. It is a pleasant distraction from the more serious businesses that I run. It is all part of the ongoing learning experience for me and I have never owned a forum before. As I believe most people do, I tend to learn better by doing something hands on and practical than by reading the theory etc. I am not trying to make money from this project, there will never be any advertising on the forum, and it will always be free for memebers to use - Gina
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