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Free Engine, Domain, and Hosting Recommendations

Started by sarah2002Semi, Sep 27, 2023, 06:39 AM

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sarah2002SemiTopic starter

What are the best options for a free engine, domain, and hosting (with some limitations on being free) for a website dedicated to the residents of a housing complex?
I need help choosing the right tools to create a website. I have no experience, but I know how to use search engines. After researching, I have narrowed down my options to three engines (MODxBB + phpBB, WordPress, Ucoz) and domain + hosting provider 101domains.

The website needs to be simple and free, focusing on dating, communication, sharing experiences, and solving problems for the residents of the housing complex. Here is what I have in mind:

1. A blog for the residents
2. A forum for discussions
3. dоcument storage for important files
4. Registration process with pre-moderation, but easy access through social networks like VK, OK, FB.
5. Strong security measures to prevent attacks from bots and other malicious actors.
6. Search engine optimization to attract new tenants.
7. Verification system for confirmed residents, perhaps using chess symbols.
8. A karma or gratitude system.
9. Some sections accessible only to registered users.

I understand that my expectations may be too high given my limited capabilities, so please feel free to make adjustments if necessary. The first six items on the wishlist are the most important.

Thank you in advance for your recommendations and tips.
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Teeproria

Based on your requirements, here are some recommendations for each aspect:

1. Engine: WordPress is a popular and user-friendly option that will allow you to create a blog section easily. It also has many plugins available to extend its functionality.

2. Forum: phpBB is a reliable and feature-rich forum engine that can be integrated with WordPress using the MODxBB plugin. This will allow you to have both a blog and a forum on the same website.

3. dоcument Storage: For free dоcument storage, you can consider using cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. These services offer sufficient space and allow you to share files easily with residents.

4. Registration Process: WordPress has built-in user registration functionality, and you can further enhance it with plugins like "User Registration" or "Social Login." These plugins will enable easy registration through social networks.

5. Security Measures: To safeguard your website, make sure to choose a secure hosting provider. Additionally, install security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri on WordPress to protect against common threats and enable features like login protection and malware scanning.

6. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): WordPress is known for its SEO capabilities. You can use plugins like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack to optimize your website's content and improve its visibility in search engine results.

7. Verification System: To implement a verification system for confirmed residents, you can consider using a plugin like "User Verification" or "User Email Verification." These plugins allow you to verify users through email confirmation or other methods.

8. Karma or Gratitude System: WordPress has various plugins available that can add a karma or gratitude system to your website. Some popular options include "BuddyPress," which is a comprehensive community plugin, and "BuddyPress Activity Plus," which allows users to express gratitude on activities.

9. Sections for Registered Users: WordPress provides built-in user roles and capabilities, allowing you to restrict access to certain sections of your website for registered users only. You can utilize plugins like "Members" or "User Role Editor" to fine-tune the permissions for different user roles.

10. Design and Theme: WordPress offers a wide range of free themes that you can use to customize the look and feel of your website. Look for a responsive theme that is optimized for mobile devices and provides a clean and user-friendly interface.

11. Community Plugins: Consider using community plugins like "BuddyPress" or "bbPress" to enhance the interactive and social aspects of your website. These plugins will allow residents to connect, communicate, and share experiences more effectively.

12. User Engagement: Encourage user engagement on your website by enabling features like comments on blog posts and forum threads. This will foster discussions and create a sense of community among the residents.

13. Email Newsletters: Implement an email newsletter system to keep residents informed about updates, events, and important announcements. Plugins like "Mailchimp for WordPress" or "Newsletter" can help with managing subscriptions and sending newsletters.

14. Backup and Security: Regularly backup your website's data and files to ensure you have a copy in case of any unforeseen issues. You can use plugins like "UpdraftPlus" or rely on your hosting provider's backup options. Additionally, consider implementing a firewall plugin like "Wordfence" to further enhance the security of your website.

15. Analytics and Optimization: Install a plugin like "Google Analytics Dashboard for WP" to track website traffic, user behavior, and other important metrics. This will help you understand how your website is performing and make informed decisions regarding optimization.

16. Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure that your chosen theme is mobile-friendly and responsive, meaning it will adapt to different screen sizes. This is important as many users access websites from their smartphones or tablets.

17. Social Sharing: Integrate social sharing buttons into your blog posts and other relevant sections of your website. This will allow residents to easily share content they find interesting on their social media platforms, which can help attract new users.

18. User Feedback: Include a feedback form or a dedicated section for residents to provide suggestions, report issues, or give feedback. This will show that you value their input and help improve the overall user experience.

19. Content Moderation: Implement moderation tools or assign moderators to ensure that discussions and user-generated content remain respectful, appropriate, and in line with community guidelines.

20. Regular Updates: Keep your website up to date by regularly publishing fresh content, news, and updates. This will encourage residents to visit frequently and stay engaged.

21. Community Events Calendar: Create a calendar feature that allows you to list upcoming events, activities, or meetings within the housing complex. This will help residents stay informed about what's happening and encourage participation.

22. User Profiles: Implement user profiles where residents can add information about themselves, including their interests, hobbies, and contact details. This can facilitate community building and connections among residents.

23. Notifications and Alerts: Set up notifications or alerts to inform residents about important announcements, such as maintenance schedules, changes in policies, or emergency notifications.

24. Accessibility: Ensure that your website is accessible to users with disabilities. Use plugins or themes that offer accessibility features, such as alternative text for images, keyboard navigation support, and color contrast options.

25. Continuous Improvement: Regularly seek feedback from residents and analyze website analytics to identify areas for improvement. This will help you refine and enhance your website over time.

Regarding the domain and hosting provider, while 101domains offers domain registration, you might need to find a separate hosting provider that offers free hosting with certain limitations. Some options you can consider are 000webhost, InfinityFree, or AwardSpace.

For the remaining items on your wishlist, you may need more advanced development skills or additional plugins to achieve them. As a beginner, it's recommended to start with the core functionality and gradually explore additional features as you gain more experience.


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lamnzxzfd

Use Wordpress. To facilitate communication and personal accounts, install WP-Recall. You'll have support in Russian. This plugin already includes features like chat, private messaging, forums, and communities (also known as groups and blogs). It allows users to publish content and includes a rating system called Karma.

The plugin's design is modern and responsive, making mobile users happy. You have the option to choose from 7 types of personal accounts, similar to a free hosting service like FB. However, I would recommend investing in a reliable web host for better price and quality. To simplify registration, use the uLogin plugin which allows users to sign in with just one click using their social network accounts.
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Sildymas

It is highly recommended to opt for paid hosting as the cost is much lower than expected and the complications are significantly reduced.

In addition, I strongly suggest considering WordPress as it offers various features "out of the box" such as blogs, dоcument management, security, user registration, sections, pre-moderation, and search engine optimization. The remaining functionalities can be easily implemented through plugins.

However, it is important to note that some of your specific requirements may require additional knowledge and experience. Without these, it can be challenging to achieve desired results or the outcome may appear unprofessional.

Alternatively, you may consider hiring a freelance web developer for your website. They usually offer reasonable rates for their services.
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