Creating a website

[inkytinkyboo]

Hey everyone, I have a direct question to people with experience in creating and managing websites.

First off, I'd like to create a community 'forum-based' website, nothing like this though. Don't get me wrong sythe, you're an amazing community (at times) but I want something that hasn't got to do with computer games and would attract... say a more mature crowd. I want something that wouldn't interfere with cheating/online-black markets. Or game related actually. It could be a GFX forum or a Black Metal/Melodeath underground bands forum. I don't really care at the moment, but here are my questions:

1) How difficult is it to attract a large international userbase? What kind of advertisement should I use?

2) I'm not very good when it comes to programming, does creating a forum require a lot of programing? What about hosting? What's the average payment per year for a GOOD hosting site? When it comes to security, do I need to be aware about hackers? What do I need to do/use?

3) Are there any legal issues when creating an online forum that I should be aware of?

4) Do I need to be 18 to create a website?

5) Lastly, but not least. This is actually not of big importance to me, but I'll ask it anyway. How does one make money off a forum? I'm guessing by using ads. Google ads are the most common, but I never click those, and I doubt others do. How does sythe make money other than donations? This could be a little treat for the hard work I'd put into creating and managing an online community.

6) EDIT: Forgot to ask this question , what's the best forum 'program' to use? vBulletin? Or....?
Come to think of it, I think I WILL create a black metal/Melodeath metal forum! I know that there is a shitload of competition for it out there, but I'm sure it's better (and more entertaining) than creating a website mostly for cheating, I wouldn't worry as much about banning members.

I know I'm not a computer wizz, so some of my questions might sound stupid. I don't need your troll remarks. If you're here to help, I'd gladly listen. If you're here to flame and spam, I'm not interested.

If anybody needs to contact me, or If you've got a really smart/neat idea and want to share it with me, my msn is [email protected] .

Thanks everyone.

 

[Eluveitie]

You can make one for free also to start off and see how it goes, and then move on and host it on a paying website.

Ways to make money is mainly with Adsense (Google Ads) and other things like Adclick and Clicksters (not sure about those names but I think that's what they are called). I haven't been doing such things for about 2 years now so I forgot some.

I'd be happy to help you out as I really like music and particularly black metal and I have a large knowledge of metal music. I'll be your first member.

If I can help you manage the forum, I'd be pleased to do so. I've never made forums using paying hosters as I never made real long-term projects but I might be able to help you on free ones. I'd just need to get back into it a little it.

As for your other questions, you don't need to be 18 to create a forum and I don't think there are any legal isssues.

How to attract people? Try to affiliate with other music-based websites. The more affiliates you get, the more you'll be seen on other websites and then it will create a community and go on and on with word-to-mouth.

Hope it helps. I'd be really happy to help you out on the creation of the forum.

 

[inkytinkyboo]

Thanks a lot.

'The Devil Got Owned' Added me as well, told me a lot about this. I'm very excited, looks like I'm going to do it.

This community is friendlier than I've thought

 

[.Pot Head.]

get a *** there free

 

[dark law 9]

Or a co.nr, co.cc, they are better because they dont put ads on your webste.

 

[inkytinkyboo]

Ah, well I'm thinking that I might just buy a .com of my own. So I could have full control over it. I've downloaded VB, well a cracked version. Anyway, I want to upload it. Do I use an FTP program?

 

[~XS]

yeah. Use filezilla. Your host should give you the logon details. Also, I use 1&1 hosting, and I really like it. What you use is up to you though

 

[deathbal sam]

buy ur domain from godaddy cheapest around and also wer u find cracked version and did it have viruses

 

[Golem of Heaven]

I personally use CoreFTP, I could help you put all the information to login to the server if you need any help.

My MSN is : [email protected]

 

[dark law 9]

Thanks for link, i didnt know where to find it.