A forum can be described as an organized event or meeting at which people discuss something. Having a forum for your WordPress site can be beneficial for many different reasons. Let’s explore why you may want to consider a forum plugin and some of the best ones to download.
Pros
An online forum is essentially a message board where individuals have the opportunity to ask questions or create a topic of discussion. If you sell products a forum is a great way for your consumers to leave reviews or ask questions. It’s also great customer service. If there are lots of people, for example, asking the same question you can create a discussion topic and then write the answer. If you are looking for ways to boost your SEO then forums may be the key. Because search engines like when websites offer detailed and relevant information about their product or service, this will help to improve your SEO.
BuddyPress
This plugin is very popular because it gives you the ability to build your own social network. With features like online profiles, user groups, activity streams, and messaging this plugin keeping up with the online world. Just like Facebook, you can create groups, send messages, add friends and get notifications. BuddyPress is easily integrated with WordPress plugin and theme and is free as well. There are hundreds of third party plugins and extensions that help with functionality.
bbPress
bbPress is one of the most popular and easy to use forum plugins because it’s a sister project of WordPress.org. This means that because it’s built the way WordPress is it uses the same core creating an easy setup. One of the best things about this plugin is that it has the ability to create multisite forums but maintained with one dashboard. This free plugin has amazing themes that are all easy to use, fast, and clean.
CM Answers
If what you are searching for is a powerful Q&A forum then CM Answers may be the plugin for you. Users have the ability to vote on questions and answers, upload files, post questions, send private messages and more. As the admin you can filter out unwanted content, customize questions and answers, and manage users. The basic plugin for CM Answers is free but you can add additional features like social media login, anonymous posting and payments, and the ability to choose the best profiles, comments and answers.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get your forum up and running, establish rules, manage the forum and prevent spamming TrulyWP can help. We are WordPress experts that are here to help with all your website hosting needs.