Cost of running a forum!

[Garala]

The cost of running a forum can get a bit expensive. Like for me, I just began and I am on a reseller and it's costing me $20/month and $160 for a vBulletin license and the plugins, skins, and other goodies that might run you a lot too.

But to get started, you should have $200 or more, so you can get a license, month of hosting, and a nice skin for your board. But not to worry, the cost will pay off itself as you get traffic and collect from ads, adspots, forum memberships, etc.

So, if your starting - having at least $200 is a must, that's if your going with vBulletin. If your going to go with any free forum software, you'll probably be better off starting with $20.

[Ikki]

Nice tips Garala! Running a forum isn't something that I want to do right now. However, sometime in the future I might start and run my own place and is then when your advice will come in handy! :D Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Has anybody got something else to add? I'd like to get some more tips about it.

[Kael]

How much do custom made skins usually cost?

I have a IPB forum system and I will be looking for a custom made skin to be created once I have my site opened - however, I am unsure as to around how much it will cost. I have seen some places, it costing $200. Is there any cheaper?

[Garala]

Originally Posted by Kael

How much do custom made skins usually cost?

I have a IPB forum system and I will be looking for a custom made skin to be created once I have my site opened - however, I am unsure as to around how much it will cost. I have seen some places, it costing $200. Is there any cheaper?

$200 is very low price tag on a custom skin. Is it full out-of-box custom skin or just few edits here and there?

I was looking into custom skin for this forum and I was looking at around $350-$600 price tag.

Is IPB custom skin cheaper then vBulletin? I mean does IPB require more coding/designing than vBulletin?

[Swastik]

A full blown theme for a vBulletin with lots of thinking and creativity won't be less than 500$.

[Garala]

MinerSkinz charges $600-$100 for out-of-box design, skin and Miner got great portfolio.

Complete VB charges $950.

xeonext charges $950.

So to get the out-of-box, totally custom skin made - you'll be looking at anywhere from $600-$1000 price tag.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Garala

So to get the out-of-box, totally custom skin made - you'll be looking at anywhere from $600-$1000 price tag.

:shocked:

That's darn expensive! You can just go with their cheaper packages and you could design or your friend design the forum icons instead of getting the 'out-of-box' package if you want to save money.

But if you want it done by same person and get it over with - I guess its worth it.

[Ikki]

Way too expensive :S I could use that money to give more exposure to my blog

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Ikki

Way too expensive :S I could use that money to give more exposure to my blog

oh hell ya!

I can do a whole lot of advertising/promoting with that chunk of money! :biggrin:

[ItzMeDan]

You sure can do a good amount of promoting but skin would give it a good look so then after you can invest some money in promoting and members would appreciate the custom skin you've got for them.

A lot of people do hate seeing default skin over and over, or some popular paid skins used over and over on ton of online forums.