Ok, I have just created a website and need to create a forum.

The forum needs to be able to have a members only section, smilies and basic text editing stuff (e.g. Font, justification...) It also needs to be able to have pictures. I would also like to allow private messages to be able to be sent by members only. Also Administrator access would be required so I can move Threads around if they are posted in the wrong place, remove inapropiate Threads and even close Threads. A nice little touch would be a mail sent to people who are "watching" the thread so they know when some one has added to it.

Problems...

I have absoultly no knowledge of creating forums.
My website does not have a domain and its not hosted yet (If anyone could recommend anyone for this I would be very greatful)

I know its a lot to ask I wouldn't mind having a go myself but not sure if I can put the time into learning it.

Lastly I have heard that some hosting companies will create forums for you is this true? and does it cost much?

companies out there do make custom made forums but they are most likely very expensive. creating your own is very time consuming. you would be better off if this being your first forum to buy a premade such as vbulleti or download a free forum such as phpbb.

kinda related note, but look at the forums on em411.com

completely custom-made, and ultra-sleek

I'd suggest phpBB2 . It worked fine for me straight out of the (errr) box. Of course you'll need some sort of database hosting (most likely MySQL) for any of these to work.

For you hosting, may I suggest migisnethost.com? They host Uncreative Labs, and also my personal website, and there's been only one time the site was unavailable.

I am also trying to find out how to build my own forum from scratch. I know it is easier to go and download one, but if you are anything like me, I need to know the code behind them that makes them work. I have found that FrontPage is a good starting point, because you can see the code that is behind building the forum. Be aware though if you use FrontPage, you need to publish the forum before you can test it.

I hope this helps as a starting point.

With regards to WebHosting, I have used my ISP for the moment. A good site to look at for ideas of webhosting is 100bestfree-web-space.com. This identifies web hosts as either free or paid, which includes the low-budget, low-cost, pricey and high-end hosts. If you aren’t sure which price range of hosts you will need, start with one of the top 3 recommended hosts, which are low-cost web hosts. If you decide you need more attention switch to a pricier host, and if you need less features and support go for the free hosts.

I know www.doreo.com make a point of specialising in hosting phpbb's - they host phpbb.com itself.

hi all, I am starting a teen chat site called Cyber Space Café. Now I need help on two things, a long time ago I found a few sites where there were just libraries of html. codes, codes that you could just copy and paste to your site, I used it to copy code for a chat room and such, so I was just wondering if you guys new any sites like this where they let you copy the code and it makes things like a chat room and a forum. I really need a chat room and a forum. But I have a very low budget of $0 if you know I mean, and if you don't I mean it needs to be free. So if anyone could help me out e-mail me at youngster531@hotmail.com. E-mail me because I doubt I will remember to come back to this page. But if anyone could help that would be great cuz I need it baaaad!! TY

Youngtster,

I can host you for free and install a phpBB forum for free. 1 thing I cannot give you is a domain which you will need to purchase. We sell domains for $7.95 a year. I would request a ad display to our hosting company for this service, let me know.

Before you make your final desicision about this, check out this link.. it is to get a FREE Invision power board.. its all set up for you already and only takes a few minutes to get!(and its already hosted!) once you have it it will need configuring in the admin section.. thats it!! your board will already be up and running and you can change the skins real easy too.. check out my forum on my site.. you will see what you could get for FREE!! and its easy to admin too...

and here is the link to get your forum..
Click here to get your free forum