Online forums and message boards have been around for nearly as long as the Internet itself. Forums allow users (and sometimes anonymous guests) to post questions in relevant sub forums so people with specific knowledge can answer the question and discuss the issue. Being web based, online forums allow users from across the globe to interact with likeminded members and learn from one another.
What does a forum look like?
This is a typical forum, with a selection of sub forums for specific issues, such as “Classic Car Chat”, “Classic Car Reviews” and “My Car Space”.
And here is a sub forum.
Sub Forum With Threads/Topics (www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk)
Displayed are the most recent “threads” or “topics”. A thread is started by a member, and allows themselves and other members to post within the thread to discuss the topic.
Which web sites would benefit from a forum?
Not all web sites would benefit from adding a forum to their existing web site. You also must take into consideration the moderation of the forum, i.e. the need for someone to regularly check the forum to ensure it is running smoothly and there are no members misbehaving or spamming the forum.
Web sites which sell specialised items may benefit from a forum. A fishing shop in Salisbury (which has an online shop) may find it very useful to have a forum on their web site so people can discuss fishing related topics. People new to fishing may find it helpful to post a question, and if they are satisfied with the answers, they may be more drawn to buy items from the online fishing shop.
Information based web sites which make money from advertisement may also find a forum a great addition to their web site. The forum can be integrated into the existing web site design, and would provide a great platform for user generated content which is specific to the topic of the web site.
Benefits of a forum
• Greater user engagement on your web site. Great forums have many thousands of repeat visitors who like to regularly post on the forum. Members with a strong emotional connection with the web site may be more likely to buy items from the web site, and be repeat customers. New visitors may also find the forum very useful for finding answers for questions they have, which may in turn lead them to trust and use the web site when purchasing items.
• Increase page views and visitor numbers. A forum can be a great addition to a web site from a SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) point of view. The user generated content (new threads created) is usually rich in content and very useful. Useful and interested threads attract links from other web sites, get emailed to friends, and perform well on web sites such as Digg. This can result in the web site performing better organically in search engines.
• Reach customers in a cost effective manner. If you are a web based business and have an online forum on your web site, you will have access to all the forum members’ email addresses so you can compose a cost effective email newsletter. You must remember not to break SPAM laws however; you must allow the user to opt out from receiving the newsletter.
Adding an online forum to your web site
Webbed Feet UK Ltd is a successful web design company in Salisbury, Wiltshire. If you would like to discuss the possibility of adding an online forum to your web site, or any other web design related work, please do not hesitate to contact us.