Can you go anywhere without a domain?

[Enter Username Here]

Can your forum make it big on the free host's server?

Do you think you need a .com, .net , etc domain to get more publicity?

 

[+paradox]

there's been big forums without domain names, but they do help a lot...

 

[Enter Username Here]

there's been big forums without domain names, but they do help a lot...

I notice it's people running on Zetaboard's that have the most fight to make it big without a domain.

ProPhPbb which offers free hosting, you hardly see.

I personally think domain names really help you in the long run.  It's all about professionalism , if you ask me.

 

[Darth-Apple]

I don't want to talk about specifics, but I was involved in a forum a while back that was founded by someone with no prior knowledge whatsoever on a free forum host. It's no longer something I'm involved in as I've moved on personally, but it's now at 30,000 posts and is an active small community with its own hosting and a domain it did not obtain until last year. Not all forums are quite so lucky, but I don't think free hosts kill the chances. A lot of people don't really care and just want a friendly community to be a part of, so in a lot of ways, it's really just about finding the right niche and the right places to promote. For a lot of forums, not having a domain can hurt though.

 

[Enter Username Here]

I don't want to talk about specifics, but I was involved in a forum a while back that was founded by someone with no prior knowledge whatsoever on a free forum host. It's no longer something I'm involved in as I've moved on personally, but it's now at 30,000 posts and is an active small community with its own hosting and a domain it did not obtain until last year. Not all forums are quite so lucky, but I don't think free hosts kill the chances. A lot of people don't really  care and just want a friendly community to be a part of, so in a lot of ways, it's really just about finding the right niche and the right places to promote. For a lot of forums, not having a domain can hurt though.

See, you hit that right on the spot.

Back in early 00's when forums were the "fab" , before social media sites.. I had no clue how to do anything but would build forums, mainly RPG's on Invisionfree. But I would get 100-200 member's easy. That's because it was about Community.

 But I find these days some administrators neglect the wants and needs of members or don't even notice the new member introducing themselves and I believe those things are what can keep your forum thriving.

 

[Gizmo]

Zetaboard users have a big fight anyway for not using proper software. It's a war between something youdownload than something you sign up for.

I always have a domain name just to add that extra dedication.

 

[Enter Username Here]

Zetaboard users have a big fight anyway for not using proper software. It's a war between something youdownload than something you sign up for.

I always have a domain name just to add that extra dedication.

 Well, they have ZetaDynamo now...Which gets close to software. Lol.

 

[jacktheking]

Not having a paid hosting is alright. However, having a top-level domain is important especially for forums.

 

[Enter Username Here]

I believe in the end if you want to pass a couple hundred members, you need paid hosting.

 

[Gizmo]

Zetaboard users have a big fight anyway for not using proper software. It's a war between something youdownload than something you sign up for.

I always have a domain name just to add that extra dedication.

 Well, they have ZetaDynamo now...Which gets close to software. Lol.

No clue what that is.

 

[Enter Username Here]

It's like a hyped up version.

 

[Flurry]

Well a domain can at least provide a shorter website link instead of something long like wwwdotwrecksineffectproboardsdotcom for example. But if that doesn't bother you and you aren't necessarily concerned about looking professional, then well you can still go pretty far if you have the drive to do so.

 

[Excommunicado]

To reply to this thread. I just saw a forum with nearly 900k posts without a domain and I've seen others too. It's how dedicated the forum owner is, domain is just adding to the professionalism.

 

[fantanoice]

I don't give any ounce of an ef about the domain name because in the long run, what's gonna make you stick around? The URL which you pretty much don't even need to think about because browser history, bookmarks, and Google search exist; or the people that you have to interact with because, you know, it's a forum.

Frankly, if the people are awesome I'll stick around, if they suck then I'll leave. The domain name isn't even a factor.

 

[Nebulous]

Can your forum make it big on the free host's server?

Of course, I'd say the chances are slimmer but if you put in the work, it just might pay off.

Forums are a gamble. You could buy all the bells & whistles and still fail.

 

[Nebulous]

Forums are a gamble.  You could buy all the bells & whistles and still fail.

Yep very true my last one failed although I took the trouble to create a one of time custom skin for it.
Or maybe I'm just a bad Admin  

Maybe you give up to easily?

 

[Nebulous]

Forums are a gamble.  You could buy all the bells & whistles and still fail.

Yep very true my last one failed although I took the trouble to create a one of time custom skin for it.
Or maybe I'm just a bad Admin  

Maybe you give up to easily?

Nah we tried everything.......me and my partner it seems forums are quickly dying these days.
It is still online today....but we basically use it to stay in touch  

I could have closed this forum down a hundred times if I closed it every time it had an inactive spell.

 

[Nebulous]

You take a risk when you use any type of "free" hosting or domains. Because you don't really own anything, its like you are borrowing it. The company can go under/offline without warning, delete your projects or revoke access whenever they want and you can't do a thing about it.

You have a lot more rights and options when you shell out a few bucks and become the rightful owner of your projects.