Does anyone know of a good web hosting company that offers forums?

[William769]

I want to start a website & have a forum for AIDS related topics.

I've been searching google, I guess I'm just not typing in the right words.

Not worried about the pricing.

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Forums aren't something that the host would offer.

You want a host that allows PHP, and then you would have to install forum software, such as Simple Machines, yourself.

[William769]

3. Thank you.

[Kellanved]

2. You can install your own forum software with most hosting companies

A forum is just a piece of software. Basically all you need is support for a scripting language and access to a database server; You should ask the hoster, but usually it's fine by them.

The easiest way is to look for hosting solutions with PHP support and at least one MySQL database; an entry solution with an established company should cost you between five and ten dollars per month (at least that's the price in Europe). If you have that, you'll be able to install a forum software.

There are pretty good free forum software solutions around, for instance phpBB( www.phpBB.com ) or SMF (www.simplemachines.org). Upgrading to other (commercial) forums is generally very easy, although a big(>10 people online at any given time) community might require a server.

[William769]

4. Thank you.