Planet Discussions

When it comes to running a forum, do you like to buy a functional forum or start from scratch? Both has pros and cons, for instance, when you buy functional forum you already have something to work on, there are users and activities. However, when you start a new forum, you will have to begin from zero and it might take a while before you have decent number of users and activities.

Always start from scratch. Buying content just...does nothing for you. Most of the time when you buy into an existing forum the core users leave with the former owner, and while yes you have content to work with, it's pretty useless if there's no one to build it with. Start fresh, build a core of users, and know that what you have is really, truly yours. It's the same as merging a dead forum into your own and calling it "growth." That's not growth, that's just adding dead content for the sake of adding metrics. It does nothing. At all.

I used to want to buy forums in the past, but then someone mentioned to me about how buying content usually doesn't do you much help, and it's best to start from scratch.

I now always start from scratch when creating forums.

Sometimes buying one the members and staff might not like the way the new buyer runs it or leaves because the old owner moves on.

At least starting new people are used to the person who runs it as they've been there the whole time.

Gizmo wrote: ↑October 23rd, 2025, 10:24 am Sometimes buying one the members and staff might not like the way the new buyer runs it or leaves because the old owner moves on.

At least starting new people are used to the person who runs it as they've been there the whole time.

I feel like starting new allows members to get to know the original owner more. Sort of a chance to bond and connect with the original owner more. If you’re taking over after a merge or sale, you have tons to learn: rules and regulations of the forum, adjusting to the way the current staff operates, etc. Starting fresh, you get to decide how you want your forum to turn out.

I've done both.

I bought my competition out several years ago. I spent over $1,000 on their forum. I got a deal, really, because they just wanted an exit, and I was waiting for that.

I bought a general forum several years ago and then discovered that the previous owner would reuse and resell the same database he had sold me. That made me quit buying forums. Too many cheats.

Nowadays, I'd much rather start the forum from scratch and build the first community on it.

I don't like buying other people's forums unless a regular amount of income is coming from it, whether it be a little, midway, or a lot.

And if it's forums that I just want to start, but money is not on my mind at the moment then I like to create my own.

Sometimes buying can give you an edge, but might turn out to be a waste of money. But I would start from fresh, build your own community without strings attached.

Never had the opportunity or even thought of buying a forum. I’ve always just started from scratch. Granted I only had one other forum besides the one I’ve had since like high school and that was the one I had before it very briefly for something completely different.

I think the only time I would try to buy a forum is if I knew the owners were wanting to shut it down and it's been around for a long time. Otherwise I just prefer to start a forum from scratch.