I've been a part of the forum scene for about 6 years now. Running 200k member forums built from the ground up, thousands active at a time. My original site was built with the sole intention of providing a fun and friendly atmosphere. The members all acted and worked together like family. There was elitism involved of course, there always is but the best thing was that they all loved the site. They loved how the skin was a part of the site, we had the same one for years. They loved the logo and the name, and called themselves cubers (site being named EverCube).
There was never any ads on the site for the first 2 years and we never made a request for money. When an ad was put up, it was a small footer ad.
I strongly believe the success of the site was from our true concern and care for the members and not because we had the intent to go out and try to get what ever money we could from people. The community was open to share their thoughts and work without being fined like many of the sites you see today.
If you are looking to start a new site, and you are looking to start it with a couple friends or even by yourself. Start by picking a topic you love to talk about and you will want to talk about far down the road. Know you will be spending your own time and money on this site and don't think what is in it for you. If this is something you are doing, you may be surprised when it doesn't pay off the way you hoped.
Members can detect quite quickly if you are just in it for the money or if the site is a well growing community that they would like to be a part of.
Anyways, hope this was enlightening. Goodluck
There was never any ads on the site for the first 2 years and we never made a request for money. When an ad was put up, it was a small footer ad.
I strongly believe the success of the site was from our true concern and care for the members and not because we had the intent to go out and try to get what ever money we could from people. The community was open to share their thoughts and work without being fined like many of the sites you see today.
If you are looking to start a new site, and you are looking to start it with a couple friends or even by yourself. Start by picking a topic you love to talk about and you will want to talk about far down the road. Know you will be spending your own time and money on this site and don't think what is in it for you. If this is something you are doing, you may be surprised when it doesn't pay off the way you hoped.
Members can detect quite quickly if you are just in it for the money or if the site is a well growing community that they would like to be a part of.
Anyways, hope this was enlightening. Goodluck
