Top 50 things to do when you start a new forum

please contribute to this list or point to threads that answers this post.

thanks
:)

Create "stickiness" by creating compelling content that differentiates you from the other forums already established in your market niche. You have to give the visitors a reason to stick around and come back frequently.

Make your forum visually attractive and inviting.

Stats show that if someone lands on a forum that they don't like the looks of, they're more likely to leave within 25 seconds of arriving. Visual is one of our greatest senses, and we need to cater to it.

What do most visitors look for first, whether consciously or subconsciously? Content? NOT -

Nice, neat, attractive skin and colors.
What is this site about? The header image should give that up almost immediately. Don't make your forum's theme (subject) a mystery.
An organized, easy to browse layout.
As few as possible empty forums. IMPORTANT! Don't add a bunch of forums in anticipation of what members might want. Make your basic forums, plus a few niche forums dealing precisely with your forums theme, fill the forums with enough content so as not to look empty, then wait til your new members request certain forums before adding more. OR if you do add them, make them invisible until asked for. Empty forums are a major turn-off, as is an unorganized, difficult-to-browse layout.I'm sure I'll have more tips later, but that's just off the top of my head. :)

On vBulletin-FAQ homepage (http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/) - I'd work through every one of those steps from the menu on the left hand side.

Actually, I think these are all things that should be done prior to ever lighting the forum up -

Identify your forum's central topic
Develop some means of recording what you plan to do and what you have done with your forum, so you can refer to those notes when necessary
Lay out the forum in a way that will encourage visitors to keep moving through the forum
Establish what the forum's style or appearance will be and get it in place
Look at the long lists of add-ons that are available and install only those you think will be necessary
Spend some time 'seeding' the forum with posts in each forum, to give your visitors and new members something to read
Write a comprehensive list of guidelines or rules that you will expect your members to follow
Establish a plan for adding staff members and prepare a list of expectations for them

I try not to single people out, but I think julia44 is doing a really good job in setting up her Wrapper's Corner forum. When she throws the doors open, everything will be in place and in working order. I know, I know, most of us get that license in our hands and we want to rush to the starting gate with it. But I think a careful and systematic approach is the best route to take, as it eliminates all the potential trouble spots before your visitors and guests find them.

:blush:

Thank you it's 4 months of hard work and I keep a notebook with me at all times so that I can jot anything down I think of no matter where I am.

I started planning this forum before I had even 100% decided I was going to add a forum to my business.

It's a never ending job going over things and double checking them. I read new articles every day of how to better my sites.

Tomorrow I will be reworking my home page because I've decided to go another route. But it's all trial and error and a lot of research.

Not that I blame anyone here of doing this. But, I've never understood anyone who goes oh cool a way I can make lots of money and just opens and doesn't do anything to make it the best it can be.

I'll quit babbling, lots of great advice here!

First thing I do is make the forums, then add some posts. Then I find a nice skin or two. Then I start looking for some good mods to add.:)