We could build a list together, so please post one or more tips to build a successful forum.

Unique/Worthwhile content/services
A steady flow of relevent content
Slow site? Add an article or write some new threads

most commonly mentioned: Unique/Worthwhile content/services

something every site/forum requires to stay alive

need steady flow of content more than just content otherwise you get dead periods when there is no new content

Thanks for the feedback, first post updated.

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1) Content is KING, but useless if people can't see it.
2) Speed, especially if you're trying to build a forum. If it takes 5 seconds to load a page on a fast ADSL connection then what will it be like on a slow one or worse, dial-up. Unfortunately this can be a problem as speed costs money and that's most likely to be the thing you don't have at the start.
3) Reliability, goes hand in hand with 2) but is essential and also costs money. No point in having the worlds greatest forum if it's down 6 days out of 7.
4) "Sticky" posters, Once people have posted 500 times to a forum you can be pretty sure they'll stay there!!!! REWARD people that post frequently, even if it's a custom user title or something to make them feel special. Want to make them REALLY stay? Get enamel badges made up with your site logo, they cost about $2 in bulk. Send one to people when they hit 500 posts or 1000 posts or something.
5) Good moderators, they have to have knowledge in their field and be able to articulate this. Don't just have your mates as moderators.

That's all I can think of now, more later if I come up with anything.

Royalridge - you are well versed in forums, aren't you! Those are some excellent tips.

A good rapport with the users is also a plus.

thanks for the thread floris

unique ness isnt everything.. theres prob about 20 decent vbulletin forums out there...but its the content on these top ones that keep people coming back...

obviouse the main one...

vbulletin.org - if someone was going to copy this site, good luck to them.. lol

i my self was going to make a service where people could sign up, and get help, on this service, there would be serval different vbulletin people... people with experiance..

i m currently doing a trial and error on a style, trying to code it css style, copying the vbseo look! i have a nice domain for it aswell...

www.vbtechnician.com

my input on this subject :)

first I very much agree with the following

most commonly mentioned: Unique/Worthwhile content/services
although I am not so sure that the worthwile part is so critical... the most important is that it is intresting content... a joke isnt really a worthwile bit of content but you might be likely to come back to a thread to re-read it to a friend later

REWARD people that post frequently, even if it's a custom user title or something to make them feel special.

this one is huuuuge! always set up your user titles! you wouldnt think it would be that big of a deal but people tend to really pay attention to those... then perhaps at the top of the chain instead of having something like "ultimate member" or whatever... just give them the ability to customize it.

things like bigger pm boxes and access to secret forums can be rather huge too! :)

but dont make things out of reach. if your typical regular has a couple hundred posts... make it so that users get access to a secret forum at 500 posts

A good rapport with the users is also a plus.

here is another great one! your users see you as a leader. while they are the ones making up the social aspect and adding to the social content you are there to set the mood... if you constantly fight with members or talk bad about them then they wont follow... as a result they will be lost and not stick around.

a couple more I would like to add:

get your users involved in what changes are made to the site... if you are thinking about installing a new skin, go find a few options and have the members vote... if you have considered installing a new plugin ask the members if they would be likely to use it... you may already know what they are going to say but still ask them. users need to feel involved. the more invested a user feels the harder it is for them to walk away from your community.

dont overdo the special features...

the more mod's and things installed on a board the more that can go wrong. vbulletin is a well made bit of program mods are usually what go wrong. so only install mods that you feel are essential... the ones that you think gelsoft should have programmed into the board in the first place... it should feel like a default board, yet should have the features you need... no more no less... :)

anyway that's my imput :) hope I have helped some

I would add six-some:

Never let any post go un-answered.
Always involve people in the introduction. Not just 'welcome to website', but trying to sincerely know your members. If the user has obscure name jps_30, then asking them their full name is a good idea. Also try to remember the user real name and try to address in the post, by his real name, rather than aka.
Do not ask many things during registration. Try to make it minimal, this will help members to feel comfortable and slowly motivate them.
Make good labels, stars and user titles to change more frequently during their initial posts.
Always have some awards, incentive to members to participate in activity.
Make your forum targeted and not let it be a place to discuss wider variety of themes.

You should always consult your members before significantly altering your community website. Make your members an integral part of your community’s development and you will encourage them to remain loyal members well into the future.

Here is one good article I read about forum success:
http://www.communityspark.com/the-wrong-way-to-redesign-a-community-website/