Vbulletin vs PHPBB vs Other ?? (Bulleting Board Software)

17 replies
I need to setup a country specific forum and want advice on which script to use. I have never used any forum scripts before , so I thought I would pick my fellow Warriors brains regarding the script. Information regarding the following points will be very helpful

  1. PHPBB, Vbulletin are the famous ones. Any more worth considering ?
  2. Advantages / Disadvantages of each
  3. Any specific server requirements that should be kept in mind
  4. Future additions to software i.e. addons/plugins/etc. whether they are freely available or have to be custom developed.
  5. Which are the ones (addons/plugins)worth having ?
  6. Integration with adsense
  7. How to check spamming on forums ?
  8. Effect under load i.e. how many users do the scripts support concurrent and otherwise
  9. Monetisation tactics after getting traffic e.g. banners /signature/paid forums/donate
  10. Anyting else apart from the above that I should consider ?



I will greatly appreciate members stopping by my thread and sparing their valuable time.
Thanks
#board #bulleting #phpbb #software #vbulletin
  • Profile picture of the author aaron_nimocks
    Without answering any of the other questions I will tell you that forums are very difficult to get started and not the easiest to monetize.

    That said I would go with the free PHPBB version. If your forum gets going I would upgrade to vBulletin.
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  • vBulleting is probably the most powerful of the two. But forums are a difficult thing to get going so first go for a free PHPBB, and upgrade to vBulleting if the forum kicks off.
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    • Profile picture of the author bwar001
      Thanks aaron_nimocks & Anonymous Affiliate for the advice.


      I actually have quite a bit of social traffic (facebook: 160,000 users +) already. The trick i presume will be to get the traffic to register and move over to the forums.

      I am wondering whether changing scripts a couple of months down the line would be feasible . Is there a import tab/ procedure to import everything from phpbb in vbulletin?

      I have also just been adviced to get some fake posts filled initially to get the ball rolling. What is your take on that ?

      Also , some people were mentioning that ther are people who would be selling of their vbulletin licenses . Any one know where I may be able to get a good deal ??


      Thanks again.

      Originally Posted by aaron_nimocks View Post

      Without answering any of the other questions I will tell you that forums are very difficult to get started and not the easiest to monetize.

      That said I would go with the free PHPBB version. If your forum gets going I would upgrade to vBulletin.
      Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate View Post

      vBulleting is probably the most powerful of the two. But forums are a difficult thing to get going so first go for a free PHPBB, and upgrade to vBulleting if the forum kicks off.
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      • Profile picture of the author aaron_nimocks
        I am wondering whether changing scripts a couple of months down the line would be feasible . Is there a import tab/ procedure to import everything from phpbb in vbulletin?

        Yes you can import.

        I have also just been adviced to get some fake posts filled initially to get the ball rolling. What is your take on that ?

        Would you post on forums that are empty? I would recommend it before you push your 160,000 people to go to the site.

        Also , some people were mentioning that ther are people who would be selling of their vbulletin licenses . Any one know where I may be able to get a good deal ??

        You can buy used ones and its cheaper. But beware of scammers!
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        • Profile picture of the author bwar001
          Thanks aaron for the tips. A few more questions come to mind:

          1. Any recommendations for websites where I can get people selling their licenses.
          2. With regards to filling up the forum:
          a. Is there any importer script which can scrape of other forums ?
          b. Is manually a better option.

          I will of course spin the text that we scrape to ensure unique content.

          Thanks


          Originally Posted by aaron_nimocks View Post

          I have also just been adviced to get some fake posts filled initially to get the ball rolling. What is your take on that ?

          Would you post on forums that are empty? I would recommend it before you push your 160,000 people to go to the site.

          Also , some people were mentioning that ther are people who would be selling of their vbulletin licenses . Any one know where I may be able to get a good deal ??

          You can buy used ones and its cheaper. But beware of scammers!
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
            Originally Posted by bwar001 View Post

            I have also just been adviced to get some fake posts filled initially to get the ball rolling. What is your take on that ?
            No.

            2. With regards to filling up the forum:
            a. Is there any importer script which can scrape of other forums ?
            b. Is manually a better option.

            I will of course spin the text that we scrape to ensure unique content.
            You want to steal content from other forums in order to build your own?
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            • Profile picture of the author bwar001
              Dear Marvin,

              I broadly agree with what you say. However, in this case valid transferable licenses are available with people who have purchased the script. In case I can lay my hands on one of them my return on investment would be much better. Also, one of the golden rules of any startup business would be to curt costs wherever possible.


              Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post

              Everytime I see people looking for "good deals", my first thought is are they thinking about this in terms of a business or a hobby? A "good deal" may be very important if there is little to no income. On the other hand, a business will be looking at ROI as opposed to a "good deal."

              Marvin

              Well the general consensus seems to be fabricating content to get rolling. Any other ideas ???

              Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

              No.

              You want to steal content from other forums in order to build your own?
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              • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
                Originally Posted by bwar001 View Post

                Well the general consensus seems to be fabricating content to get rolling. Any other ideas ???
                1) Create your own original content.
                2) Post discussion starters.
                3) Recruit chatty people to get the ball rolling.
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        • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
          Originally Posted by aaron_nimocks View Post

          Also , some people were mentioning that ther are people who would be selling of their vbulletin licenses . Any one know where I may be able to get a good deal ??
          Everytime I see people looking for "good deals", my first thought is are they thinking about this in terms of a business or a hobby? A "good deal" may be very important if there is little to no income. On the other hand, a business will be looking at ROI as opposed to a "good deal."

          Marvin
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  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    AdminAddict Marketplace

    you may be lucky and find a used vb lisence here, as for posters there are some on fiverr and other forum posting services that may be able to help, as for apps also look at Community & Forum Software - Invision Power Services, Inc. as an option
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  • Profile picture of the author ru
    Originally Posted by bwar001 View Post

    PHPBB, Vbulletin are the famous ones. Any more worth considering ?
    MyBB is perhaps the best free one.

    Regarding getting started - there are paid posting services, eg paidforumposting.com which seems to get recommended but I haven't used them myself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joey Tribbiani
    I wouldn't bother using vB. There are awesome free forum softwares like phpbb 3 and Mybb. Depends on what you need but for sure, you don't need a vB. Most people claim that vB is the most powerful software out there. Technically speaking it is the most powerful. HOWEVER, Mybb and phpbb 3 have tons of plugins that are free and easy to install. They both have great support and forum is newbie friendly and I can't say that for vB.

    If you're a beginner go with a free software (phpbb 3 or mybb) and you'll get the ropes much faster than using the vB. Also, you must buy vB license which is very expensive and for that money, you can have THE BLASTING FREE FORUM SOFTWARE!

    How?

    Simple. You can pay to some graphic designer to make you an awesome theme which totally owns pretty much all themes of vB. Under the hood, you can have a bomb of plugins that are easy to manage and again, own the vB. (All of them are free)

    All themes and plugins for vB must be paid (not all plugins). So lets do the math:

    vB license: $195
    Theme: $50-$150 (depends and it can be higher)
    Extra plugins (I don't know what type of forum you'll need so I'll say you need 2 plugins): $10


    For phpbb 3 or Mybb
    Software: Free
    Theme: $50-$150
    Plugins: FREE!

    You get my point. Don't think I'm forcing you or anything, just I'm saying from experienced webmaster's perspective.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shoot
    I would go with VBulletin. I have made plenty of both phpBB and VB sites and I will tell you VB is without a doubt the more powerful solution. phpBB will suffice for most users though.

    Vbulletin.org (not .com) has all the mod's/plugins/hack/themes you can ever want for free.

    Do not "scrap and spin" your content. If your not planning of having ORG content do not even waste your time on a forum.
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  • Profile picture of the author Praney Behl
    HAHA I see a spam tried to hack this thread LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Praney Behl
    I personally like IP-Boards although it sometimes drives me insane due to restrictions and limitations but just love the ease and the interface to be frank.
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