How to host a forum on your blog

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Like it? Love it? Boost your blog is not only a help for others, but for me too! Why? Because for my Alexa ranking, I am looking for targeted visits, from users that have the Alexa toolbar installed! (Find out why HERE) It is easier than you think to host a forum on your blog too, and it starts with a free forum service, Nabble.

It is simple enough to go through the steps to create your account and the forum itself. Getting it on your blog take a smidgen of effort, and two small edits to your html.

Step 1: Get the embedding code for your new forum

Step 2: Where to paste the code:

• Create a new blank page on your site, for examples sake we will name it....forum :)
• Go to design--->edit html and check Expand Widget Templates
• Control F or Apple F will bring up the search bar.
• Find this bit of code

• <div class='columns fauxcolumns'>

• IMMEDIATELY before it, paste the code from Nabble, PLUS the additional code highlighted in red. (Be sure to replace the blue code with your NEW pages address!)
  

• <b:if cond='data:blog.url == &quot;http://www.cute-ecakes.com/p/forum.html&quot;'> PASTE-CODE-FROM-NABBLE-HERE </b:if>

Step 3: Remove all other content from that page, (sidebars and widgets)

• Save your html template- JUST IN CASE!
• Paste the following code JUST prior to </head>

• <b:if cond='data:blog.url == &quot;http://www.cute-ecakes.com/p/forum.html&quot;'> <style type='text/css'> #content-wrapper { display:none !important; } .columns, .fauxcolumns { display:none !important; } </style> </b:if>

• Be sure to replace my address with yours!
• SAVE your template!

And there you have it! Start publicizing, inviting friends, and have FUN setting up your new forum!