Set-up planner
Plan your forum set-up in three questions
Tell us where you’re starting from and you’ll get a step-by-step plan, with the right guides linked at each step and a checklist to tick off as you go. It takes most people an afternoon from start to finish.
Your starting point
Three quick questions. Your answers stay in your browser.
The interactive planner needs JavaScript. The standard route is written out in full below, and it works for everyone.
The standard route, written out
The same plan the planner builds for a brand-new forum on a domain you already own.
Start your free account
Order in the Traxio client area with your domain. No card details. Your welcome email has your DirectAdmin login and nameservers. Start free
Point your domain at Traxio
Change the nameservers at your registrar and wait, usually a few hours. How to change nameservers
Install MyBB, phpBB or SMF
DirectAdmin › Softaculous › Forums. Choose https://, your domain and your admin details. Installing forum software
Check email and lock out spam
Test registration email, then turn on verification, a CAPTCHA and first-post moderation. Preventing forum spam
Create three or four boards
Set who can see each one before anyone joins. Boards and permissions
Write guidelines and seed discussions
Short rules, then eight to twelve real threads. Guidelines template
Take your first backup
Traxio keeps daily offsite backups, but keep your own too. Backing up your forum
Invite your first twenty members
Personally, with a specific thread to answer. Your first 100 members
Ready for step one?
The account takes two minutes and needs no card. Everything else can happen at your own pace during the free 30 days.
Start your forum free Read the guides first
Free for 30 days with no card details required. Then £0.99/month if you choose to continue.