What is the best theme to use for people to contribute?

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  susannemoore · Member · Aug 19, 2011 at 2:51 am

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  I am not sure if I need to build a separate website, but I have created a FORUM using WordPress and I would like people to be able to “join” the forum easily so that they can contribute and discuss the articles. Here is an example of a website that is similar to what I want to do http://www.momnbaby.com/. My question is: can I do this type of thing with WordPress (maybe a custom theme using my own hosted domain) or do I need to get the whole thing built and hosted and just have the blog as an extra?

  I really appreciate any assistance – I am hoping to attract many thousands of users in the future so I need to get it right and I have so far found WordPress very easy to use.

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  justjennifer · Member · Aug 19, 2011 at 7:35 am

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  The only forum-like theme we have available for use on WordPress.com is the P2 theme, which allows inline, realtime comments from the front page as well as the only theme allowing *any* WordPress.com user to post, if you select that option under theme options. P2 is a rather eccentric theme in terms of media. But, P2 is not the same as a full forum.

  Some people host a forum outside of WordPress.com entirely and then link to it from their navbar using a Custom Menu.

  For full functionality and integration of a full forum in a website (like your example), your best option is to indeed host independently of WordPress.com.

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  susannemoore · Member · Aug 20, 2011 at 2:15 am

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  Hi justjennifer, thanks so much for that fantastic advice! You have given me some valuable information to add to my design and communication strategy. thanks again!

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  auxclass · Member · Aug 20, 2011 at 3:27 am

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  Here is a bit more on Forums:

  https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/question-about-inserting-a-poll-and-possibly-forums-and-a-podcast-archives-page?replies=7#post-572068

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  susannemoore · Member · Aug 20, 2011 at 4:53 am

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  Thanks auxclass, fantastic!! Now to work out if I should host the new site straight up (which would be http://www.changingwomen.com.au) and create one of the forum’s you suggested and rebuild my current blog in wordpress.org.

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  raincoaster · Member · Aug 20, 2011 at 5:00 am

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  I think so. If you truly want thousands of contributors, you will quickly outgrow the basic WP.com parameters, and the VIP program here like ICanHasCheezburger has start at $600 per month.