Should I add a forum?

[bgray]

I'm on the fence with a site I recently rolled out and want a forum admin's opinion if I should add a forum to my site.

My site is a customized bulletin board database. While most of the submissions will be from forum owners the goal of the site is a reference for forum users to find a community that fits their needs.

I love vb and have been running forums since 2002 so I am leaning towards creating a board for this site (not to mention I have an unused license).

The problem is that the forum would have to trend towards a genre for forum admins which somewhat deviates from a good portion of the general audience (of course it could give some motivation for someone to become a forum admin).

Anyway, for what it's worth I figured I'd get a good opinion from this crew.
Should I add a forum to my site or just leave it as a reference directory/databse?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[kash2k]

I'd say to this one. You have a site that is informative and has a point. This I feel would be a underused feature that really wouldn't add anything to your site

K

[bgray]

Thanks for the reply kash2K.

By default I want to set up a forum but when I think about it I feel like it might not be the right direction.....so it is good to hear some confirmation of that.

[Talisman]

I'd say I have to agree. The purpose of having a forum would be to cultivate interaction and communications between a group of site visitors to develop a community for these people. Don't add a forum if that's not the purpose you want your site to serve.

Adding the dynamic of a forum just because you can and you have a license handy aren't good enough reasons. And, yes, it could detract from your site or set your efforts at cross-purposes if that's not the direction you really want for them.