How to Add a Forum to Your Own Web Site Practically for Free

Author: J Camerlin

| Posted: 28-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 18 | Rating: (52)

(?)

First a little background.

I want to make it perfectly clear that I "do not" work for any of the sites mentioned in this article. I have been helped by others with regards to web site creation and I am writing this article as a way of returning the favor. One other thing, it would be beneficial if you have a little bit of knowledge relating the HTML but it is not absolute necessary.

Ok, let's get a domain name, assuming you do not have one yet.

If you are new to this, a domain name is your "dot com" name. For example, "www.companyname.com", "companyname" is your domain name. This can be the name of your store, your name, the name of something of interest, whatever you wish as long as some else is not using it. Domain names are not limited to ".com" either, it can be ".org", ".net" or ".edu" to name a few.

There a many sites on the web that advertise FREE DOMAIN NAME, that is until you read the fine print. Sure they will give you a free domain name, but you have to sign up with a one or two years hosting agreement and possibly pay a setup fee. There is one site that offers a free domain name of your choice for the first year, with no setup or monthly hosting fee. After the first year it is $14.95 per year which works out to about $1.25 a month.

Here are the steps to get a domain name:

1) Goto: smallbusiness.officelive.com
2) Click on the button: Sign Up Free
3) Fill out the form and following the directions from OfficeLive

That's all there is to it. Once you sign up and create an account, your will have a custom domain name and lots of tools to help build and promote your web site. Remember, the first year is FREE.

For those of you out there that don't like Microsoft, what can I say? I don't work for them and I get nothing out of this at all from them. The service the provide is good, the tools easy to use and there are lots of resources to help you build and promote your web site. In fact, after I signed up, a representative actually called me on the phone twice so far to see how I was doing and if there was anyway they could help. That was a surprise to me!

You got your domain name now let's go get a forum.

If you are new to forums, a forum is also called a "message board", "activeboard", "discussion board", or "bulletin board." It is a place on the Internet where people can hold and post discussions on a particular topic.

Setting up and configuring a forum from scratch is complicated and you need specific hardware and software. So the next best thing is to find a hosting service that has done the work for you.

Here are my issues with these services. They also advertise FREE FORUM but guess what, the forums for free are cluttered with ads and pop ups that you have no control over, you are limited to how much you can customize the forum and you cannot place your own ads in it. Another thing that really bothers me are these companies that advertise ONLY $4.95 A MONTH. Don't fall for it because I checked practically all of them and the catch is that you have to sign up for TWO years in advance to receive the $4.95 price.

I was willing to spend the $4.95 a month for an ad free forum, but I was not going to sign up for 2 years. Luckily for me I finally found a forum hosting site that you can sign up for on a monthly basis for $4.95 a month and with a 30 day free trial. If you want, you can also sign up for free and they has only one banner ad.

Here are the steps I went through to get a forum:

1) Goto: www.sparklit.com
2) Click on the Activeboard link.
3) Sign up for either the free or paid forum.
4) Fill out the form and following the directions from Sparklit.
5) You can configure your forum to your particular requirements.

You have a domain name and a forum, let's put them together now.

I am going to assume you have an OfficeLive web site and a Sparklit forum with the following instructions.

1) Log in to your OfficeLive account.
2) Click on the Web Site link to access your web site Page Manager.
3) Click on the Edit link of the page you want to insert the forum.
4) Within the Page Editor tab, click on the Layout menu and select Single Area.
5) Click on the Site Designer tab and click on the Settings menu.
6) Within the Settings dialog box, set the Page Width to 100%.
7) Go back to the Page Editor tab and click on the Module menu.
8) Select HTML from the Module menu.
9) Copy the following code in the Add and edit HTML window. Make sure you change the "put_your_forum_name_here" to the name of your forum.

Note: make sure you add the

10) Save your work and that's it!

Final note.

This worked flawlessly for me and I hope the same for you. Both OfficeLive and Sparklit have great support so if you need additional help, don't hesitate to contact them.

Enjoy your new domain and your forum and have many happy discussions!

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Blog, Blogs, Forum, Forums, Add Forum To Web Site

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/forums-articles/how-to-add-a-forum-to-your-own-web-site-practically-for-free-371995.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Visit MyWebStory and see for yourself how this worked for me. For more forum information visit, Sparklit - Easily create your own activeboard forum.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Forums Vs Blogs - Same or Different?
By: Lynn McArthur | 02/08/2008 | MLM
Let’s take a look at two popular tools you can use to generate traffic. How are they similar, and how are they different.

Spoofed Cnn Newsletter New Spam and Virus Trends
By: ghing | 12/08/2008 | Blogging
Spoofed emails and viruses are spreading to almost 14 million business users

3 POWERFUL Ways To Profit From Your BLOG... Starting TODAY!
By: Cory Threlfall | 29/12/2005 | Online Promotion
This article outlines 3 Powerful Profit Tactics you can use to $Profit$ from your Blog... Starting TODAY!

Ideas to Keep Visitors Coming Back to Your Website
By: Don Fletchinger | 19/10/2007 | Online Promotion
Keeping visitors and customers coming back to your website is the key to running a successful business.

Three Blogging Tips
By: Peter Nisbet | 18/12/2007 | Internet
This article is not intended to provide you with a host of blogging tips, but simply to guide those of you who have either just started or have been blogging for a while but have some bad habits. Bad blogging habits are easy to get into, and one of the worst...

Blogging to the Bank 2.0 Does it Really Work?
By: Andre | 12/04/2008 | Home Business
Is Blogging To The Bank A Scam or Does It Really Work, Is The Question Many Seek An Answer to....

How to Sell Your Ebooks
By: Angela Meyers | 10/07/2008 | Internet
eBooks are very easy to sell and can be purchased over the internet. Selling eBooks is hassle free, does not involve dealing directly with anybody and does not involve shipping and handling (unless they are on a CD or DVD) or printing charges.

Surf the Web and Market Your Business at the Same Time!
By: Peggy Champlin | 22/07/2008 | Internet Marketing
Did you know that you can browse blogs and forums your target market reads for about an hour a week and be marketing your business? You can!

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Has anybody had over cab seal problems on BT ...
By: Jeri Harwell | 22-07-2008
has anybody had over cab seal problems on BT crusiers,or trailer hitch getting lower.

How to estimate Social Security benefits
By: Max peizner | 22-07-2008
How to estimate Social Security benefits

Coiled wire on wings
By: nita44 | 21-07-2008
I see items like butterflies with coiled wire on the wings and wonder how you attach the wire to the glass. I live so far away from a city where I might take a class that I am trying to teach myself by practice, practice, practice. lol I love the look of the coils of wire on wings and stuff. dtt333@aol.com

Irish dance blog with videos
By: will duane | 21-07-2008
There is a blog about irish dancing. It includes videos of dancers,etc. I think its irish name is something like didlio or didlyi.

How do I clean the litter box on Catz 2 video game
By: Calliesmom | 20-07-2008
Please help me. My daughter got a DS yesterday. She got the Catz 2 game. We cannot clean out the litter box. The cat "thinks" about the fact that it needs done while I am trying to do it! Three times now we have been able to get it cleaned after trying about 20-30 times each time and then suddenly it works only to have it say oh sorry you dont have enough ribbons to get to the playroom anymore, go back and clean the litter box. This is really frustrating. I'm sorry that we bought this game. Thanks if anyone can help.

Viking resort
By: shane | 20-07-2008
where can I find reviews of the Viking Exotic Resort?

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Forums Articles

Chicago - the New Way to Communicate
By: Jeff | 05/09/2008
Finding an online community where you can get in touch with people who live in your area can prove to be quite hard. These days information is just a few mouse clicks away but getting...

Tips for Marketing Your Product on Ebay
By: jaspal | 03/09/2008
When you own an eBay store, you have the luxury of listing items in your store inventory that essentially do not expire like regular auctions. This feature opens the doors for you to carefully think about and design a process for promoting your items.

Page Ranking These Very Linking Exercises Do not Help Your Page Ranking Popularity
By: Wazir Singh | 30/08/2008
After getting to +now that link popularity is the most importanT factor that seabch enginEs cnnsider when deciding your Page rank, almost everyone has taken to posting pheir back links alL over the int%rnet.

Make Money With Forum Marketing
By: Roger Haisley | 27/08/2008
Forum marketing tends to be one of the less used online marketing methods employed by beginners to internet marketing. Most inexperienced internet marketers who claims to be having a hard time promoting their business don't have a stuctured program of forum marketing.

How to Choose the Right Online Forum Coaching Program & Master Online Niche Marketing
By: Yoshiko Choy | 26/08/2008
3 Key Factors to consider when choosing a suitable Online Forum Coaching Program for your Online Niche Marketing activities. Read on for full details..

Make Money by Making New Friends! Free to Join!
By: Valeri Tkatchenko | 21/08/2008
There Is a new way you can make money by making friends! It's called Zenzuu, its a new social network that helps you make money by making new friends, it is 100% Free And Easy To Join! Don't Waste Your Time On Myspace and Facebook, Join Zenzuu And Get Paid For Making New Friends!

The Working Culture of Stock Trading Community
By: David Jose | 06/08/2008
There is much learning in the working culture of Stock Trading Community and the consequences made by this community is commendable. Let's witness from the following observations.

Seek Help From an Online Trading Community
By: David Jose | 06/08/2008
most businesses these days are opting for the effervescent online marketing to boost their business. Online trading communities, come as a handy tool, in enabling success on these the web find out.

More from J Camerlin

Why You Should Have Your Own Domain Name
By: J Camerlin | 19/04/2008 | Domain Names
There are many services on the web where you can create your own web site and host it for free. That may be fine for a personal page, but if you have a business or service that you want to provide, a free web site just may not be the way you want to go for a multitude of reasons. We are going to take a look at why you should have your own domain name.

Losing Weight is not Rocket Science
By: J Camerlin | 04/01/2008 | Health
The ability to lose weight is not a difficult thing to do. A person can lose weight and keep it off by simply knowing and controlling what they put into their mouth.

5 Tips on How to Make a Better Cup of Coffee
By: J Camerlin | 22/10/2007 | Home and Family
To make yourself a great cup of coffee follow these 5 simple steps and enjoy.

6 Tips About Extended Warranties for your Automobile
By: J Camerlin | 18/10/2007 | Automotive
Extended warranties are an "extension" of an automobile's service plan. They are very similar to automobile insurance and are there to help protect your investment. That is way many people are turning to extended warranties for that peace of mind in the event your investment needs a costly repair.

6 Things you Should Know About Psychics
By: J Camerlin | 14/10/2007 | Advice
Before you spend your time and money for a psychic reading, there are some things your need to know first to help identify "fake" psychics and bad readings.

Lead Poisoning: What you and your Family Should Know and Do
By: J Camerlin | 11/10/2007 | Wellness
Lead is a highly toxic substance which can produce a wide range of adverse health effects in both adults and children where children are more likely to suffer from exposure to lead.

You or your Family Could be Living With a Silent Killer
By: J Camerlin | 04/10/2007 | Health
Radon is radioactive gas that forms when radium decays. You can't see, smell, or taste it, but if you have radon in your home, it may be a problem for you.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Follow ArticlesBase at http://twitter.com

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.08, 3)

How to Add a Forum to Your Own Web Site Practically for Free

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Forums Articles

More from J Camerlin

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter