Search engine optimization first! - Before you choose a discussion forum software package, make sure that all the posts within the forum can be found and ranked by the search engines.
You'd think that all discussion forum software would be search engine optimized - but unfortunately, the reverse is true. Most discussion forum software hide messages posts in such a way that they simply can not be found by the search engines.
Since 85%+ of new traffic to your web site will come from the search engines, having your discussion forum posts found by the search engines is an absolute must. Else your forum will be invisible to potential visitors who are looking for you.
One way to find out if message posts within a specific forum software package are search engine optimized is to visit a site using that software, copy a recent forum headline and paste it into google and do a search (surround the search headline with quotes so google knows exactly what to look for).
If the message headline comes up within the first 50 pages found by google, you know the forum is search engine optimized.
If the headline doesn't show, you might want to look for a different forum software package.
Seed the forum with "hot button" questions and answers - The first step to having your discussion forum found in the search engines is to start filling your forum with messages asking the kinds questions that people in your niche are likely to search for.
For example, there are probably ten questions about any topic that are asked about that topic by everyone interested. If you know those ten questions, post them as questions in your discussion forum. (Then post brief answers to each question).
Post using multiple identities - To avoid looking like you are the only member of your discussion forum, post questions and answers using different forum user names (identities). Have at least 4 different identities and use them all.
When you reply to a message you posted, be sure to use a different user ID - that way it won't look like you are the only member of the forum.
Reply to every message promptly - When visitors see that message questions are answered, they are more likely to post their own messages in the forum.
But if they see that messages are rarely or never answered, they have no reason to post their own message.
So don't leave a poster hanging. Reply to all messages promptly.
(Look for discussion forum software that notifies you by email each time a new message or reply is posted. This helps you know when to visit your site so you can reply to messages.)
Show recent message posts on the front page of your site - Let visitors to your site see that there is an active discussion forum by showing headlines from recent posts on the front page of your site.
These headlines can intrigue and cause visitors to want to read and participate in the discussion forum.
The discussion forum software we use automatically creates a javascript with updated forum headlines, which we place on our front page. This way, when a new message is posted, it is instantly shown on our front page.
Post at least three new messages each day - To keep the forum alive, make sure at least three new messages are posted each day. And make sure all the messages have replies.
If visitors don't see new messages, they will view the forum as 'dead', and they aren't likely to post any new messages.
But if they see that the forum is active, with current messages and replies, they are much more likely to participate. So make sure that visitors find current messages (and replies) when they visit.
Keep it entertaining - Discussion forums are social gatherings and should reflect the entertainment value of being around people with a wide variety of opinions, interests, and expertise.
For that reason encourage different points of view, avoid ridiculing any message poster, and let the forum become a meeting place to discuss different subjects.
Just don't let it get out of hand. Step in if flame wars break out - don't let members abuse others in posts, and make sure everyone knows the rules.
You'd think that all discussion forum software would be search engine optimized - but unfortunately, the reverse is true. Most discussion forum software hide messages posts in such a way that they simply can not be found by the search engines.
Since 85%+ of new traffic to your web site will come from the search engines, having your discussion forum posts found by the search engines is an absolute must. Else your forum will be invisible to potential visitors who are looking for you.
One way to find out if message posts within a specific forum software package are search engine optimized is to visit a site using that software, copy a recent forum headline and paste it into google and do a search (surround the search headline with quotes so google knows exactly what to look for).
If the message headline comes up within the first 50 pages found by google, you know the forum is search engine optimized.
If the headline doesn't show, you might want to look for a different forum software package.
Seed the forum with "hot button" questions and answers - The first step to having your discussion forum found in the search engines is to start filling your forum with messages asking the kinds questions that people in your niche are likely to search for.
For example, there are probably ten questions about any topic that are asked about that topic by everyone interested. If you know those ten questions, post them as questions in your discussion forum. (Then post brief answers to each question).
Post using multiple identities - To avoid looking like you are the only member of your discussion forum, post questions and answers using different forum user names (identities). Have at least 4 different identities and use them all.
When you reply to a message you posted, be sure to use a different user ID - that way it won't look like you are the only member of the forum.
Reply to every message promptly - When visitors see that message questions are answered, they are more likely to post their own messages in the forum.
But if they see that messages are rarely or never answered, they have no reason to post their own message.
So don't leave a poster hanging. Reply to all messages promptly.
(Look for discussion forum software that notifies you by email each time a new message or reply is posted. This helps you know when to visit your site so you can reply to messages.)
Show recent message posts on the front page of your site - Let visitors to your site see that there is an active discussion forum by showing headlines from recent posts on the front page of your site.
These headlines can intrigue and cause visitors to want to read and participate in the discussion forum.
The discussion forum software we use automatically creates a javascript with updated forum headlines, which we place on our front page. This way, when a new message is posted, it is instantly shown on our front page.
Post at least three new messages each day - To keep the forum alive, make sure at least three new messages are posted each day. And make sure all the messages have replies.
If visitors don't see new messages, they will view the forum as 'dead', and they aren't likely to post any new messages.
But if they see that the forum is active, with current messages and replies, they are much more likely to participate. So make sure that visitors find current messages (and replies) when they visit.
Keep it entertaining - Discussion forums are social gatherings and should reflect the entertainment value of being around people with a wide variety of opinions, interests, and expertise.
For that reason encourage different points of view, avoid ridiculing any message poster, and let the forum become a meeting place to discuss different subjects.
Just don't let it get out of hand. Step in if flame wars break out - don't let members abuse others in posts, and make sure everyone knows the rules.
