Does it actually matter?

**Daniel** · **Daniel** Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:28 pm

Proper domain name (not a sub domain)
self hosted forum

Some would say that in order to be successful you shouldn't go for a free forum host or that before you start you should pay money for a domain that isn't a subdomain of another domain.

From my experience in the end these two things matter very little if you have no community to begin with. If you aren't passionate about your project the magic fairy dust definitely isn't a domain name and a self hosted forum but what do I know? I've only been around forums for over 10 years.

**Sonikku1011** · **Sonikku1011** Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:37 pm

I don't think it matters. I know quite a few forums that are quite huge, and are run on free hosting such as Forumotion and or Zetaboards. I've seen quite a few other forums that are popular, which still use the sub domain from their free host too. I think hard work and dedication to a project matters. Smile

**Daniel** · **Daniel** Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:42 pm

I agree @Sonikku1011 I think you do lose some members when you don't have a domain but if that's why they're leaving then that's their problem really...especially if you already have such a large following.

**SLGray** · **SLGray** Thu Jun 23, 2016 8:28 pm

I have seen many forum through my time online in different communities. It really depends on the subject of your forum. The only issue with paid services is that it is paid. Many features have to purchased more than once.

**Elementar** · **Elementar** Thu Jun 23, 2016 9:18 pm

I agree with @SLGray. I've seen some really popular forums that have that popularity because of their subject.

**Daniel** · **Daniel** Thu Jun 23, 2016 9:52 pm

Elementar wrote:I agree with @SLGray. I've seen some really popular forums that have that popularity because of their subject.

There is one forum I can think of off the top of my head that was some sort of RPG forum that had it's start on ProBoards but got really large so they needed to move to a host of their own and go through the challenge of moving ProBoards data over to SMF. This board had A LOT of posts. So yeah niche is a big thing but you also have to do it right.

Zephyr · Zephyr Sat Jul 02, 2016 12:34 am

I think both having a domain and self hosting is important. However, the extent of importance can vary depending on the forum and it's community.

alakazam · alakazam Sun Jul 03, 2016 3:40 am

Personally, I tend to avoid forums hosted on subdomains, unless they are incredibly active and/or have something that I am interested in (information, support, download links etc.).

**Daniel** · **Daniel** Sun Jul 03, 2016 1:54 pm

alakazam wrote:Personally, I tend to avoid forums hosted on subdomains, unless they are incredibly active and/or have something that I am interested in (information, support, download links etc.).

Ah I see, so you are willing to join a well established forum that is on a subdomain but if it isn't already well established you don't really give it the light of day? Why would this be?

Robbie626 · Robbie626 Thu Jul 07, 2016 4:22 am

I think having a TLD is important because you are actually investing in a internet location. If you think about it, would you go to disneyland or a cheap amusement park. More people would go to disneyland because the branding seems more trusting and better quality. Investing in hosting works the same people demand better and quality service. Investment means you are putting more care and effort. It doesn't matter I started in free services, but society wants webmasters to be sugar daddies and buy them better stuff than stuff you get from the 99 cent store. Remeber, It's the users wants at the end. Again it is there lost by judging services and domains the webmaster uses.

Tornado · Tornado Thu Jul 07, 2016 1:35 pm

A proper server or VPS would do the job better but a free host is good to start or even take you all the way through your milestones! I usually make forums on free hosts and then if needed I would get better forum software, servers, etc... But there's nothing wrong with a free host Smile

Baymax · Baymax Sun Jul 17, 2016 2:42 am

I have seen many forums that are successful without the two enumerated above. It is through the content and the creativity of the forum masters that makes a successful forum.

Allenafaith · Allenafaith Sun Jul 17, 2016 3:19 am

It isn't necessary I don't think, but if you're like me, you like to have the best of the best. I would feel much better with a domain that isn't a sub domain than one that is and I'd prefer to use a host that isn't free mostly because they are way better.

alakazam · alakazam Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:26 am

Daniel wrote:
alakazam wrote:Personally, I tend to avoid forums hosted on subdomains, unless they are incredibly active and/or have something that I am interested in (information, support, download links etc.).

Ah I see, so you are willing to join a well established forum that is on a subdomain but if it isn't already well established you don't really give it the light of day? Why would this be?

Because many new forums started on subdomains tend to disappear overnight, as they are started by teenagers who quickly get bored of administrating forums and abandon them.

**Poser** · **Poser** Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:05 pm

alakazam wrote:
Daniel wrote:
alakazam wrote:Personally, I tend to avoid forums hosted on subdomains, unless they are incredibly active and/or have something that I am interested in (information, support, download links etc.).

Ah I see, so you are willing to join a well established forum that is on a subdomain but if it isn't already well established you don't really give it the light of day? Why would this be?
Because many new forums started on subdomains tend to disappear overnight, as they are started by teenagers who quickly get bored of administrating forums and abandon them.

I laugh on this. I remember myself in this post.

Sponsored content · Sponsored content

Does it actually matter?

Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Re: Does it actually matter?

Create an account or log in to leave a reply

Create an account

Log in