How to Start a Forum Website
Forums are used for many different purposes including posting information about latest products and services, latest news and developments on various topics of interest, and allowing forum members to share ideas with each other in special interest groups. Forums are essential for building online communities. Forums are also known as bulletin boards, message boards and discussion groups. There are several different options when deciding how to host a forum.
FREE Forum Services
There are FREE forum hosting services where you can signup. Like blogs, you don't have control over the software or the domain name on which the forum software is installed. FREE forum hosting services is great way to test the water before making a commitment to run your own forum. The downside of FREE forum hosting is that your forum will typically be blasted with ads that are also not under your control. However, the upside is that you don't have to worry about keeping the service running as that is an issue handled by the FREE forum hosting service. Another consideration is that you have no control over the specific forum software and have to use whatever the service provides. Some FREE forum services include FreeForums.org and ForumHoster.com.
Host Your Own Forum
Practically all business hosting accounts allow you to install essential services such as blogging and hosting software. If you chose a cheaper hosting solution, the option to install blogs and forums may not be an option because they typically require backend database support. At a minimum your hosting account should have an sql database system available such as MySQL, MS SQL Server, Oracle, etc.
Assuming your hosting account does provide software installation, setting up a forum is quick and easy. Just follow the installation directions from within your site manager and you'll have a forum running within minutes. A typical business account will also provide FTP support so if you don't like the forum software provided on your hosting account you can download and install any forum software. You are not limited to what your hosting service provides.
PhpBB is a standard application that can be installed from your site manager when you signup for a hosting plan from Orangetree Internet Service.