How do you start a forum?

Actually, that's one thing i'd like to know about webmaster-forums too because there isn't any other sites partnering with it, is there?

I think webmaster-forums is popular because it was one of the first forums about web design, but it's not as busy as it was when I first came across it.

Anyway, back to the topic. I think you need to have another site aswell as the forums and have good info on that, to get plenty of traffic. Once you have good traffic there's more of a chance that people will participate in the forums. It's also an idea to get friends and work colleagues to register on the forums and post regularly. Post informative posts on the forums and ones with good topics that will help intice people to reply to them.

There are a few good articles on building a community here.
You might also want to read this thread on SPF.

Hope this helps

Yeah, we had some downtime problems awhile back (a year ago maybe - forget when that was) that lost a whole bunch of users (the URL changed, so bookmarks wouldn't work, which I think made a lot of people think that this site was dead...) It's funny that you brought this up because there's been a lot of discussion among the mod team lately about how we can make this place more active. It is hard when you're not attached to a content site, and the chicken and the egg problem that serun mentioned is definitely something that challenges every forum.

I think that what makes TWF successful is our attitude. At least I hope so anyway - I don't think we get as much traffic as other forums (like Sitepoint for example), but I do think that people stay because we're friendly and more close-knit than other, more active forums

Another important thing to have is a dedicated mod team and admins. You need these people to do what it takes to keep the forums active in a good way. You also have to work to spread the word about your forum and how great it is. Get your members and mod team to promote the forums as much as they can.

Maybe someone who has been around here for longer than I have could give you a little more insight into how TWF evolved. I wonder if JP is around.... (JP Stones - TWF Founder)...

Once your message board does begin to chat, you need to work on keeping them there. Any basic promotion techniques would help with this.

For example, a simple bi-weekly or monthly newsletter would work wonders. Write a fresh article and post a link to a thread about the given topic. If your members want more information about the article, they'll simply click the thread link, and wham! A new poster.

Participating in other forums can help out too. Include your website address and a little information in your signature file. All interested parties will click through, possibly leading to another member.

Post often. If it's your message board, make sure to answer all questions as quickly as possible. This will show your members that you are both knowledgeable and speedy. Plus, next time they have a question they'll be eager to tap into your knowledge base.

Create an incentive. Give your visitors an extra reason to register. Possibly offer an exclusive newsletter that only members can receive.

If you don't have a content site, pair up with one. Ask them to refer visitors to you, and in return you'll do the same.

Good question, sersun!

1. If you need to spark conversation and don't have regulars yet, start by getting your friends and even family to participate. These people will be more than willing to help you out when you first start and it will make your forums look busy.

2. Participate in forums like TWF and promote your message boards in your sigature. Be care not to spam, though.

3. Trade links with similar message boards so you can potentially gain a few members who are interested in your site's topic.