sumi
Rest in Peace 1980-2020
If I were to start a brand new forum…Backyardchickens etc.. use https://xenforo.com/ but I don't want to pay, and yes, I've recently noticed that because when I do a google search, the forums are like 2010-2012 area. What would you advise sumi?
1- Do a Google search to see what is out there on the topic forum-wise first. I.e. who will you be competing against for participation, traffic etc.
2- If you find there is a space for a forum on your topic of interest, do another Google search and check out what free platforms are available, but do not dismiss paid for platforms. Some can offer you a MUCH better package with room for future expansion without issues, at a competitive rate.
3- Research some more on the aspects of forum management, maintaining a forum etc, etc. It's a LOT of work and it's not easy… Especially now with FB competing against forums with their groups, which is keeping people in their site, where in the past they'd be visiting different forums, they now have everything in one place, which is making things difficult for forums.