17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Self Hosted Forum vs. FB Group Help

by Mark Singletary
13 replies
Even though I've run FB groups and run self hosted forums and am familiar with most of the pros and cons of each method, I am in the final decision making process for 2 new setups and would appreciate any feedback, insights, or advice.

Target 1 is a typical consumer/individual group that probably does use FB. Target 2 is small-medium business owners with the focus on helping their business. These are separate products on separate WP based websites and no relation to each other except they are two new things I'm starting up about the same time. Both will be private for paid subscribers only even though I am considering a public type forum/group too or certain sections for public use and certain for paid members only.

Way I see it:

FB Group Biggest Pros

FB handles infrastructure and technical issues which is a big time saver
FB has the traffic and many of the target market are already using FB
Can test whether this target market wants a forum or will use a forum without much up front investment. Fact is most forums are flops.

FB Group Biggest Cons

FB can shut me down on a whim
Subscribers access their content on my site and then have to go elsewhere to talk about it
Privacy, security, and certain formatting (having different forum sections) perhaps isn't granular enough

Self Hosted Forum Biggest Pros

Complete control
Easier navigation/formatting, integration with payments, and ease of use if I can find a forum plugin I like to use with WP

Self Hosted Forum Biggest Cons

Need to get my own traffic if I have the public option
Deal with tech issues, upgrades, speed issues, hosting issues, etc.

Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.
Mark
#forum #group #hosted
  • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
    I am a big believer in utilizing the best of all options. With WP, and some FB plugins (and other social platforms), one can leverage the pros and cons well.

    I would focus on building my own site with full integration with FB groups and other platforms. There should be ways to integrate your FB groups into your website and also integrate your website's updates and comments on FB.

    I would try to create through present plugins (or have some made) that would homogenize user experience and ease of access between the two. Some topics / access can be more heavily populated on FB while others preferred on the website, etc.

    Just my thinking....
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356569].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sammiejoe
      Originally Posted by professorrosado View Post

      I am a big believer in utilizing the best of all options. With WP, and some FB plugins (and other social platforms), one can leverage the pros and cons well.

      I would focus on building my own site with full integration with FB groups and other platforms. There should be ways to integrate your FB groups into your website and also integrate your website's updates and comments on FB.

      I would try to create through present plugins (or have some made) that would homogenize user experience and ease of access between the two. Some topics / access can be more heavily populated on FB while others preferred on the website, etc.

      Just my thinking....
      I was going to suggest something similar to professorrosado's comment.

      From my experience if your customers are already using facebook personally, then you will have much more interaction in a facebook group than in a forum.

      If you can integrate your website with the facebook group, I think this would be the best of both worlds. Please let us know if you find a way to achieve it.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10357183].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Interesting - I've never even thought about the possibility of doing groups that way even though I integrate comments and FB pages with web pages and have for a while.

    Thanks for the quality (at least to me) suggestion. This has opened up a bunch of possibility thoughts. Or maybe I'm just behind the times and people are already integrating groups with website features more than I know about.

    Mark
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356582].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author crunchor
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    Even though I've run FB groups and run self hosted forums and am familiar with most of the pros and cons of each method, I am in the final decision making process for 2 new setups and would appreciate any feedback, insights, or advice.

    Target 1 is a typical consumer/individual group that probably does use FB. Target 2 is small-medium business owners with the focus on helping their business. These are separate products on separate WP based websites and no relation to each other except they are two new things I'm starting up about the same time. Both will be private for paid subscribers only even though I am considering a public type forum/group too or certain sections for public use and certain for paid members only.

    Way I see it:

    FB Group Biggest Pros

    FB handles infrastructure and technical issues which is a big time saver
    FB has the traffic and many of the target market are already using FB
    Can test whether this target market wants a forum or will use a forum without much up front investment. Fact is most forums are flops.

    FB Group Biggest Cons

    FB can shut me down on a whim
    Subscribers access their content on my site and then have to go elsewhere to talk about it
    Privacy, security, and certain formatting (having different forum sections) perhaps isn't granular enough

    Self Hosted Forum Biggest Pros

    Complete control
    Easier navigation/formatting, integration with payments, and ease of use if I can find a forum plugin I like to use with WP

    Self Hosted Forum Biggest Cons

    Need to get my own traffic if I have the public option
    Deal with tech issues, upgrades, speed issues, hosting issues, etc.

    Any other ideas?

    Thanks in advance.
    Mark
    I think it depent on what is your final goal, is it for selling stuff, promote something, or just build a forum?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356587].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Originally Posted by crunchor View Post

      I think it depent on what is your final goal, is it for selling stuff, promote something, or just build a forum?
      Main goal is to sell my own membership site on each domain.

      Mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356596].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    As you know doubt know, getting people to use a forum can be like pulling teeth. Those same people are using FB to post pictures of their cat or whatever so getting them to use a group isn't that hard.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356856].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Originally Posted by Rich Struck View Post

      As you know doubt know, getting people to use a forum can be like pulling teeth.
      Which is why I don't currently have any forums - shut down for one reason or another but mostly more trouble than they were worth. And also why I'm making this move deliberately and slowly and thinking through the whole process - to make sure this time it all works.

      I'm looking for ways to actively determine the viability of a forum type atmosphere, for these 2 new sets of customers. A dead FB group is almost, but not quite, as bad as a dead forum.

      An FB group could help eliminate much of the risk at least in the testing period - no forum script setup, etc. while determining the need. But then when the FB group got busy, you'd run into other risks such as being shut down by FB.

      Thanks for all the responses - they have been very helpful.

      Mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10358034].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
        Both

        Personally FB gets laborious for me with multiple subjects and discussions. For longer and deeper discussion I have always liked forums. Use the facebook to drive such engagement to the forum and to build up your property rather than one Facebook controls

        Go with IPB hosted with as little as $30/month and you have almost zero headaches

        https://www.invisionpower.com/buy

        If you need full integration with your site (you can theme the hosted version as well) down the road then you can buy it outright you will never get full with facebook.
        Signature

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10358153].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Popche
    Forum all the way, you can make better money and also you can get more traffic.
    Signature
    Stoner Academy "Academy for Lazy People" / Affiliates ($3000 - Contest)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10356925].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author san2hnl
    Never build a business on someone else's property. As you said, FB could shut you down on a whim (or change the rules somehow, or whatever), and that's all the reason you need to have your own site that you control 100%. Use FB to send people to your site, but don't depend on them 100%.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10357839].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 0xFF
    I have both and I think it's better to only put in social networks what you can loose. Recently (two weeks ago), an FB group of mine has been deleted without notice and no message to support helped (no real reply unless general acknowledgment). This group was a link point between me and my crew and fortunately we are also gathered in a forum (outside of FB), but I can't imagine the impact if it was our sole place ;s For me, Facebook is a place to communicate toward the public, but keeping in memory that it's unstable and can disappear at every moment.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10357906].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sammiejoe
      Originally Posted by 0xFF View Post

      I have both and I think it's better to only put in social networks what you can loose. Recently (two weeks ago), an FB group of mine has been deleted without notice and no message to support helped (no real reply unless general acknowledgment). This group was a link point between me and my crew and fortunately we are also gathered in a forum (outside of FB), but I can't imagine the impact if it was our sole place ;s For me, Facebook is a place to communicate toward the public, but keeping in memory that it's unstable and can disappear at every moment.
      This is also true. Having your valuable data on a platform you are not fully in control of can be risky. Obviously, you want to take precautions about keeping the data of the group backed up (discussions etc). You said you will have your own membership website, so I gather you will have customer details, signups etc.

      It is tricky to backup facebook group discussion, I know, but it is possible (used to be easier!).

      Wallflux is a service that will make your facebook group into an RSS feed. Once you have an RSS feed, you can do anything you like with the data. Just throwing around some ideas. Hope it helps
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10358353].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    I see a lot of marketers who are using FB groups for the forum element of their
    membership site. After you buy the product you are referred to a closed group.
    The big advantage is that people go there for other reasons and they will get
    your notice popups to remind them to visit your group. There is no similar
    reminders outside of FB, so the customer will have to come directly to
    your site.

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10358390].message }}

Trending Topics