Forum Portals

[Shawn Gossman]

Are forum portals still a thing?

When they were, did you use to have one?

 

[Cpvr]

I don't remember when they were a thing, tbh. I think some forum owners used it and some choose not to. It served as a portal if they offered more than just a forum like resources, guides and more. I've seen them used on more gaming forums, traveling forums, but they weren't a major trending forum feature.

It's been a long time since I've actually seen them in use.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

The first AAF used them. I feel like TAZ had one once, too.

I mainly seen them showcase articles and resources. But at the end of the day, even a portal takes away from your forum being the main feature.

 

[Tracy]

The first AAF used them. I feel like TAZ had one once, too.

I mainly seen them showcase articles and resources. But at the end of the day, even a portal takes away from your forum being the main feature.

That's why I use a link directory add-on now but niche related for vendors, forums and such similar to what is in use here.
I never found a lot of use for those sites that had them. I find a directory structure friendlier.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

That's why I use a link directory add-on now but niche related for vendors, forums and such similar to what is in use here.
I never found a lot of use for those sites that had them. I find a directory structure friendlier.

A directory is fine as long as it isn't the front page or the homepage. As I said, that just takes away from the forum as the main product.

Now, I've considered using a XF license for a forum to go with a blog I run. The blog is the main product that I am promoting as it's monetized. So, that would remain the homepage and the forum would be a directory of it.

 

[Tracy]

Now, I've considered using a XF license for a forum to go with a blog I run. The blog is the main product that I am promoting as it's monetized.

You might want to look into a product that is more closely integrated if you have users that sign up on the blog if that blog is WordPress or similar.

 

[Cpvr]

That's why I use a link directory add-on now but niche related for vendors, forums and such similar to what is in use here.
I never found a lot of use for those sites that had them. I find a directory structure friendlier.

I use it as well. The directory works quite well for my site. It’s a good way to keep the content flowing on the forum side and resource side. Which enables your forum to have an advantage over others.

It’s serves as a knowledge base portal as well. Especially when your visitors are linking back to your directory.