This is an interesting thread. I would have to agree with the mentions that the vast majority of forums die before reaching critical mass.

I think we can assume the following factors all contribute to the lifespan of a forum and I'd like to see other bullet points added. Seems to me these become the same bullet points we all work for when striving to create vibrant communities.

• Staff Involvement
• Welcoming Culture
• Interesting or Unique Discussion
• Attractive Design
• Content, Content, Content

I know there are other factors, but these are the ones that come to mind for me right off the bat that contribute to the success or decline of a community (each in their own ways).

What I wonder is if the average lifespan of a successful forum would be increased if the rewards for admins/owners were greater for the amount of work required.

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Thanks so much for all the great responses. Very thought provoking stuff.

I think it certainly could. When it comes to successful forums, what makes them close down? Lack of time or lack of money I would imagine. That or maybe the owner simply looses interest after running the forum for years.

If they were getting more ou of it in the long run perhaps that would combat the lack of interest, etc.

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Well the only "real" reward I suppose of having an active forum would be the revenue you make. Hoewever if you pay alot for hosting all the money might go there. Although forums can turn into money making machines I've still seen forums shut down despite the money they make it return.

You may be making money but what's the point if you're not happy?

I know also some owners, once they lose interest, refuse to hand over their forum to anyone else, even a trusted fellow staff member. I was at fairly active forum a few weeks ago that shut down, the staff members wanted to keep it going but the two administrators felt it should be forgotten and shut it down. They were making steady revenue but that's just how it went.

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Depends.
YOu have to see if the owner will still run it and is patient waitig for the new members and sort. Maybe the owner is a bit busy and closed it but if I owned it i would probably sell it.

Very interesting question and i dont think anyone can really answer it as you can never guarentee what turn your forum may take.

I personally would like to see Anonimo go on for as long as possible. Even if i cant find the time myself, if i was making enough money i would like to pay people to work the board for me and still be around as much as i can, but know i dont need to worry about things needing done.

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Interesting thread . I have a niche forum that is going on 2 years ( including the PHBB version ) with very low membership and less than half of the membership active . I have done all of it myself , with technical help from friends with large forums . I worried for a long time about the slowness of growth , but never considered closing it . Dedication is the key to life span of a forum like mine . There is no money to be made in it due to the niche , and it is a labor of love for the subject . I guess my forum is bucking the trend by remaining small and not trying to make money . I hope it will last years and years .

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Al lot of the owners that just shut down large forums don't really have much business sense or the desire to acquire any. They don't realize that the forum is worth money because they don't look at it that way.

If they did it would be like saying hey I have this 20k engagement ring but I'm seperated now so I'm gonna just throw it away. That's basically what they are doing. Throwing away a valuable object.

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My forum has had a small growth spurt lately and I still hope it lasts a long time . The niche I am in doesn't have many forums for collectors of wrenches to join .
Someday I might even make a dollar or two with it , but I won't hold my breath .

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Papawswrench

Excellent thread. I'll be handing out some rep in this one for sure.

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My forum started with no direction, planning, or budget. It's been up for a year. Just all depends on the people running it. I was lurking at rival forums that were about the same age. Please to see I out lived them, even if I have less posts, activity, and members. Then again, it's annoying to show people my forum and have them say they won't join small forums because they die...

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