Running forums and making money...

[hootnholla]

I wish I knew how to use php and run a forum. Honestly, I REALLY know how to monetize websites. I have my own, all built using html and they are all fairly simple. I love the idea of running a community and being able to monetize the site once you get "dedicated" traffic. Just curious,

1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it?

2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0

3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...

3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?

5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?

6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..

Any guidance, assistance would be greatly appreciated...

This may be the motivation to get me and all the other forum "nubs" a kick in the ole keester!

[PromoJunkie]

I use AdSense and Clicksor and they pay me good.

[Jani]

Me too using only adsense on my forum. I tried to get advertisers but I don't like running after advertisers and asking "Do you want ad on my site?" I just reserved all the ad spaces for google ads.

Now if anyone wants advertisement on my forum he will have to ask me, not me going to ask him

[loco]

I've never ran a forum to make money
Maybe that's my problem, but I've ran adsense and some affiliate programs and it all helps pay the hosting

[cldnails]

I have dabbled in a few forums, some that grew fairly large, but none that made a red cent. I think forums are one of the most difficult sites to monetize, possibly because of their community 'feel', interaction, etc.

[gunsuka]

I think the type of site is important as well. I did some work for a major news website, they had a couple million visitors a month to the website & forums.

Problem was the amount generated per click, the CPM rates were just crazy low. I was involved with the site for about 3 years and never saw it make any money... well, it made money just not enough to cover its own costs.

The site is under new ownership now, hopefully they are doing better but I doubt it.

Basically, the CPM/CPC rates for general adverts is too low to make any money. If you ran a forum that was about cancer, or maybe something like plastic surgery then the CPM/CPC would be MUCH higher and you could probably make a profit.

[Musical frog]

I run a forum, it's just a small community, I sell direct links and ads and make about $25 a month. It's not much but it covers hosting and I enjoy doing it so it works out.

[swg]

1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it? Yes, we have a selection of Adsense banners in rotation with private adverts as well as some text links in the sidebar

2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0
For our community it changes a lot from month to month but on average I'd say around $200-$500 dollars (I'm from the UK so exchange rate will influcnce that value)

3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...
We use adsense banners at the top and bottom of the page for all members, plus an extra banner after the first post which is only shown to guests.

In rotation with the adsense banners are other banners which are sold privately at a flat rate per month.

We also sell text links in the sidebar of the layout

3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?
I started the forum originally based on a favourite TV show of mine which was a very small niche and I believe I was the only forum based on that show. From there though the forum has grown to become a large general chat/entertainment forum.

5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?
Traffic was completely organic built up from link building, seo and basic (free) online marketing

6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..
I really couldn't say now, we are only currently PR4 after being open for 3+ years

[GCM]

To start making money you need visitors to your forums. Target a specific niche such as domains and or web hosting. Stick to that and add other stuff. Put some adsense up and companies who operate in that niche will usually want to sponser you.

[barrierstarkrish]

I am also thinking of starting a forum.

[Bogart]

Running a forum is too much work. Usually forums are run to support a product or service.

[drydon]

If you ran a forum that was about cancer, or maybe something like plastic surgery then the CPM/CPC would be MUCH higher and you could probably make a profit.

That's the key. People tend to start forums on a subject they're passionate about and then spend months, years, building it up. Few do it the other way round and base the forum, from the start, on CPM/CPC rates. A forum's not like a static website - you can't just build it then leave it sitting there with a few minor tweaks. A forum's like making a garden, it needs daily weeding! If people are cynical and start a forum based on CPM/CPC rates they're unlikely to go the distance.

[tmnoonan]

1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it?
Yes

2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0
$XXX/mo

3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...
Adsense (~50%), direct ad sales (adpeeps)

3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?
Yes, own hobby, and it was really the only forum for on the subject for a year or so until I was copied a few times.

5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?
Contacted vendors who sold my hobby products.

6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..
PR 3 in a few months, but PR doesn't matter.

The forum can sometimes be a real headache since there always seems to be a ton of drama I get involved with, for example, vendors promoting their products too much, people trolling, etc. Lots of people complaining about "censoring" when we try to implement rules.

The forum makes some decent money, but not as much as some of my other sites which are a lot more fun to maintain.

[Sarahlee]

We're thinking of creating a forum for our hosting site instead since it would be less complex in dealing with browser compatibility and screen resolution issues for visitors. If we do then of course it will be monetized with google ads & normal advertisers from our advertising on forums & the like. Not sure how much would be made as far as the ads go but probably a decent amount because a decent amount of people like to advertising on a hosting site I have come to notice.

I'm sure this would be hard work but it would probably be worth it and give clients & potential clients an easier way to view our site & also be able to help themselves with answers instead of emailing staff etc. We are also thinking of offering free hosting so that might get more visitors which would turnover to clients & advertisers would be more than likely to pay for adspace.

[tmnoonan]

This would be a good idea since you might only be answering the same questions one time. People can look at it as sort of a FAQ and won't have to ask questions or wait for answers.

[Bogart]

I still believe that to make money you should a services and products to sell. If not your own services/products than you should have advertisers and cut out the adsense middleman.

[Elder]

I dont make to much, google adsense.. i used clicksor because I like the popupt ideea but 3 months and 10 dollars isnt to goodd :P (thats for clicksor at adsense I have 100 ) ..

[Asil]

adsense is the best

[kaze]

I don't make much with google adsense, but I do make like 1-2-3 $ / day. Anyway you need alot of visitators to make some money with your site.

[The Leader]

I find the regular users don't click on ads so you'll need to rely on people passing on through to make you money!

[vxdesigns]

Thanks, this is a useful thread

[stephen186]

I think whether it is forum or a normal informative website, you need to make sure your adsense placment and color makes no difference with your regular content if you want to have higher CTR..

[pmogre]

how do we start our own forum? that is PHP based and start revenue sharing on it.

[soccer jerseys]

It is really amazing to know that you can use the forum and make money.. how is that possible..how a social networking website gives you the earnings..

[dealking]

According to me it is easy to use adsence and traffics as per SEO.

[Steve Powers]

I've never built a forum for commercial use.But I think you can determine all the things by
yourself just as your website.Maybe the way of management will be different.But the way
to make it popular and the method of promotion will be the same.If you choose a paid way
to promote it,you should have a budget in your mind.Adwords is a good choice if you can
manage it well.Well,hard work will be inevitable,too.

[Jab]

Humm, i don't make money from adsense i do by selling ad space thats all about $200/month on my forum.