I have started my own technical support forum and I really want to get it's name out there. I have had sites before and had many links exchanged and the promotion never worked. Is there a good way to go about doing this? Any help is appreciated. http://s8.invisionfree.com/computerhelper

Well first thing's first. You may be driving targeted traffic to your site, but not making conversions because of the site, itself. Here is my first opinion when I go to your site:

- default Invision theme - no style customization - not even a logo
- most forums are empty and there is no active discussion ... why bother posting if no one is going to see what I have to say?

First thing's first - get yourself a nice looking style - at the very least, a logo and a color scheme. Second thing - recruit your friends, and have everyone post in all of the forums as much as possible, just to stir debate and conversation and talk. Even register a few member names yourself, and have conversations with yourself under different usernames. i.e. post a question as one member that you know the answer to, then log in as an admin and reply to the question. Anything you can to make the forum look busy, even if it isn't Because if it looks busy, other people will post! Guaranteed

Once that is done - only then should you promote the site.

If your really dedicated to having a website that is out there to help people, dont bother with "Invision Free". Shell out a few bucks a month for a hosting account and setup your own Invision board which you will have more control over.

fori have to agree with dani on this as you need to have members and activity to get people to join and start talking i have read so many places where they recommend you create a few users on your own and start chatting between them. this may sound stupid but it works. i havent personally tried it on my forums but if my site doesnt keep growing i mite have to but i also recommend getting a link exchange cause having content also means nothing if you dont have anyone coming to your site in the first place so you need to do some sort of advertising atleast alittle bit and also try to get more content. i know how hard it is to get a site up and goin. my programming forum has been online for just about 3 months and have 109 members but no really talks all that much so its difficult i know good luck with your site

edit: i also agree that you need to get a hosting company and a domain name to get your site really good but you could stick with what you have till you have more members and active members

Yes indeed, it is no harm in having IPB, but purchase an domain which now just costs $6.99 and go for free hosting if u r not able to pay for the domain,


that can make u r site good and get u some members/

I agree, the default skin for IPB just makes me want to close the window on most forums.

Tornshadow. Consider what was mentioned above, and when you do get a host, consider building a site with a small amount of content that you can add as well as having a link to your forums. Think about what you might want to add as content. Maybe follow microsoft...maybe follow the video card industry... You can also "partner" with smaller tech sites that are start ups - you'll notice they have their affiliates listed on thier starting page as well. You can get "tech feeds" with info you need, and headlines from around the tech/OS world, or coding world you want to "headline". Ask moderators on a popular site about hosting, and about tech feeds. You can start small and add a content person later that doubles as a mod or something. Or, if it's small enough mod and add small content yourself. Just be as accurate as you can. You can have someone build a site for you as well if you don't know how, and get the lowdown on how to "manage it". Phbb is a good forum software (much better than invision) to start with, and is easy to admin and add protocols to. Looks more professional even with the default skin. Several very well respected tech sites still use only the default skin on forum entrance. Like techreport (they have some extremely technical and accurate reviews and articles). Here is the link for Phpbb . Later when and if your site is really popular you can go with Vbulletin. It's paid software (phpbb is free) but it's alot more configurable and less hassle with code. But if you read the tutorial with phpbb you'll be fine. They have an online tutorial that's 'not bad - pretty accurate. VB_3.0 is where it's at for the top forums but nothing wrong with phbb. TechReport is one of the very top tech sites and they still use phpbb (for now ).


*get a domain name and register it.
*Make your site nice looking using nice colors easy on the eyes.
*start out with fwewr forum categories to start with until you get some regs.
*Use better forum software.
*Use a host with fairly good speed on the servers.
*Have some articles or press clippings.
*Learn how to backup your forums once they get popular.
*Like above said post in your own forums to yourself.
*Invite friends.
*Use other forums besides just this one (not too many) and get in good with the mods (not to obvious) and ask for help with some things when the time comes if they would be so nice as to help you get started.