Do you feel the forum software used has an effect on your forum?

[Shortie]

One of the most important things to consider when thinking about starting a new forum is what forum software you are going to use. There are free and paid options and depending on the niche of your forum and the reason for you creating the forum, your choice of forum software will be different.

When it comes to creating a new forum, does the forum software you choose have an effect on the forum based on the niche of the forum?

 

[Tracy]

For me as an admin/site owner, no. For users, the general answer I have gotten from some of my new users is yes.
Both of the major sites that they normally visit use IPS for their script. Needless to say, XenForo is different in its operation and interface. Those users have a harder time getting around the site as they are used to where IPS has everything.
Once they have gotten used to it, a few have commented that they do like the way I have it laid out better.

 

[JoshB]

I Would have to say that it does affect the members and people who visit your site in some way. As many are probably used to using or visiting one particular style of forum software, going to one that uses something different may put them off for a bit. Ultimately, they would have to adapt or just stay in their siloed approach to communities that use their preferred forum software.

 

[Nomad]

I use open source and a lot of users do not take my communities seriously for not using premium software. However, my communities receive traffic and revenue. Well, software you use affect user engagement on your site but if you have managed to build a good community, you can still receive traffic