How many forums are too many forums?

[Shawn Gossman]

I run nine forums.

Six of them are serious; the others are more for playing with other forum software than anything else.

Some people will find running nine or even just six forums to be a lot, maybe even too much. But I do make sure I have a passion for the forums I run.

How many forums do you run? How many could you run at a time? How many forums are too many forums?

 

[~ True Legend ~]

More than 1 especially if they’re within the same niche LOL. i tend to struggle making decisions - “which forum should i post this thread in todsy?”

 

[AWS]

If you enjoy creating them then no amount is too many. I think I have 11 right now. The original xTreme .Net Talk isn't what it used to be. I keep it online anyway.

I am in the process of merging my tech sites, I have 5, into 1. When done I will be doing the same with my 3 off topic forums. Then I will merge my 3 admin forums into Forum Squared.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

If you enjoy creating them then no amount is too many. I think I have 11 right now. The original xTreme .Net Talk isn't what it used to be. I keep it online anyway.

I am in the process of merging my tech sites, I have 5, into 1. When done I will be doing the same with my 3 off topic forums. Then I will merge my 3 admin forums into Forum Squared.

What forum software do you intend to go with?

 

[AWS]

IPB. Test site is Extreme Tech Support

 

[~ True Legend ~]

Nice

How comes you prefer IPVB over XF out of curiousity?

 

[Mike30]

More than 1 especially if they’re within the same niche LOL. i tend to struggle making decisions - “which forum should i post this thread in todsy?”

Right?
I had the same thoughts when I put a blog with the forum, I found myself "where to post this?"
So, I removed the blog.

About how many forums is too much?
Well, if the purpose is to test and learn about different software, then there is no limit.

But to run a real community, 1 or max 2 if in different niche. Three forums would be too much.
Each forum requires a lot of attention, time, resources to make something serious.
Otherwise, you will just have many forum software installed, but not communities.

If put all your efforts and resources in just one, it grows because it grows.
Now, if you have resources to pay for help, paying well to people that bring results, then you can have as many as you want.

 

[AWS]

Nice

How comes you prefer IPVB over XF out of curiousity?

I always prefered IPB. Moved off vbulletin after IB bought it. I switched to xenforo after an IPB support person told me they don't support my server config. I didn't want to. I didn't want to blown off either. They later apologized. I was already in process of moving the sites. Now I'm going back home. It's nice beng back on a platform where the devs communicate and respond in the company forums. They also keep the user base up to date with what is happening.

 

[Tracy]

Any more than you can actively contribute content to is to many. And I don't refer to fluff content, but actual meat and potatoes.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Any more than you can actively contribute content to is to many. And I don't refer to fluff content, but actual meat and potatoes.

I totally agree with that.

If it's overwhelming you and you're not contributing, then you have too many forums.