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How can I improve this forum?

NB Nicholas Brindisi
Nicholas Brindisi
Member
Member since Dec 2013
6 posts
Dec 6, 2013 · 3:14 pm · Edited

I’m referring to the basic forum that’s on my site.  I’m currently using the latest version of Simple:Press for WordPress. I love the back end where I can easily configure the permissions and etc.

I signed up for the Silver and I’d like to quickly get going on the forum. I don’t want it to drag on.  I do need help in better structuring the forum both forum wise and skin wise. :) Here are my goals for Inspiration Point Forum:

First, I want to create two distinct group forums. The first is a private group called tentatively Shore Classified. This group is directed at the churches in my region, Jersey Shore. The group will consists of multiple forums catering to different need.

I’m using the classified section of the newspaper as a model of what I’d like to do. One forum is for businesses who’d like to post an advertisement for their business. I really don’t want to do free advertisment. I do have a goal of earning some money with my site.  Any ideas?

The second forum is a “Help Wanted” and this is the forum that needs to be private. I am imagining someone will need to post either a phone # or address in this section. I don’t want this exposed to the public. I’d like to limit this to members of that forum.  Any ideas of how?

As a blogger, I know and understand the need to share about your latest blog updates. I’m also supportive of many local Christian bloggers. I’d like to create a forum where they can talk about blogging, writing or related items. It’s only in the Shore Classified because I know some of them. This can be expanded.

The second group forum is open to the public.  Right now, I want to use this as a way to draw traffic. I’m not sure of what to put.  My site is spiritual and about encouraging people.  I’m considering adding topics like a gaming forum, politics, Christianity and etc. I’m only vague because I’m not clear.

Ideas please??

Here are my more technical questions. How do I keep one or more forums, private? How do I encourage guests to participates, as they don’t seem to be in a hurry for membership? I did tweak the guest permission to allow replies to existing topics. 

I’d also like to track down a good theme for the forum on my site: http://inspiration-point.org  I didn’t put this at the top; as I didn’t want to appear to be spamming. I’m serious about my questions.

7 Answers

New Answer
MP Mr Papa
Mr Papa
Member
Member since Dec 2006
19,448 posts
Dec 6, 2013 · 4:52 pm

you can create groups (and forums) on forum – forums – manage groups and forums…  you control access and permissions with permission sets and usergroups….  would suggest reading:  http://codex.simple-press.com/codex/getting-started/controlling-access/

Any ideas on how to make money???  drive traffic to site and give them a reason to stay…  could be product or info…

for you help wanted, see first paragraph… do it with permissions…

As to forum theme, like a wp theme, its easily (relative I guess) modified by changing template files and css…  If thats beyond your skill, we do offer a custom theme service (see sidebar)…   our stock default theme does have a dozen or so different color options that might be able to match your wp theme… you can try them on forum – themes – theme list and changing the overlay…

NB Nicholas Brindisi
Nicholas Brindisi
Member
Member since Dec 2013
6 posts
Dec 7, 2013 · 11:52 am

Thanks for the information in the Codex.

I was able to create two user groups: SVC Members & SVC Moderators. The next step is assigning the unique role to appropriate individuals.  How do I accomplish this? 

MP Mr Papa
Mr Papa
Member
Member since Dec 2006
19,448 posts
Dec 7, 2013 · 12:05 pm

that same link has the details..  the user access and permissions page…

then on forum – usergroups – manage usergroups, you can assign users to the user groups you want…

NB Nicholas Brindisi
Nicholas Brindisi
Member
Member since Dec 2013
6 posts
Dec 7, 2013 · 2:54 pm

Mr Papa said
that same link has the details..  the user access and permissions page…

then on forum – usergroups – manage usergroups, you can assign users to the user groups you want…

Thanks.

It looks like I’m on a roll! :) As far as the private group forum, I just need to populate them with needed posts.

The next step is the public forum.  To help, I downloaded most of the plugins.  Are there plugins that I can get via WordPress.org? I’m using WP 3.7.1  I did install BuddyPress 1.8.1. I’d love to get some input on this.

 

YS Yellow Swordfish
Yellow Swordfish
Member
Member since Nov 2008
16,437 posts
Dec 7, 2013 · 3:17 pm

Are there plugins that I can get via WordPress.org? I’m using WP 3.7.1
 

If you mean extra plugins for the forum then no – they are only available from our site.

NB Nicholas Brindisi
Nicholas Brindisi
Member
Member since Dec 2013
6 posts
Dec 7, 2013 · 4:53 pm

Yellow Swordfish said

Are there plugins that I can get via WordPress.org? I’m using WP 3.7.1
 

If you mean extra plugins for the forum then no – they are only available from our site.

That is what I meant. Thanks. 

Right now, I populating the public group forum with forums that may be of interest to the general public.  I have given Guests “Limited Access”. I do want to encourage some level of participation.  For safety, I disallowed the posting of links.