Can my members have a forum on my site?
A community forum is a real discussion space on your own site where your members talk to each other and to you. It replaces a single chat room with proper categories, threads and moderation - and it looks like your site, not like a separate platform.
The prompt
“I would like a community forum on my site for my members.”
Signed in, Get my prompt fills in your site for you. Otherwise press Copy and fill in the [bracketed] parts. First time? Connect your AI to bernard once: Use your own AI (opens in a new tab).
How to ask
Tell Bernard you would like a forum. You can suggest the categories you want (the areas members will talk in) and add any notes. Bernard records the request and sends it to the team.
What happens next
A person at bernard sets the forum up. They match it to your site - your fonts, your colours, your address - and tell you when it is ready. The setup is not something the AI does on its own; it is done by a person so the result looks right.
What to think about before you ask
The main thing to decide is your categories - the areas members will post in. A few are enough to start:
- Something general (Studio Talk, The Common Room)
- Something for sharing work (Show Your Work, Critique Corner)
- Something for news from you (News from Lewis, Announcements)
You can add, rename or disable categories later by asking Bernard. See How do I add, rename or tidy the areas in my forum?.
What you get
- A forum on your own site address, matching your look
- Members sign in with a link - no passwords
- You run it by asking Bernard: who gets in, what was said, moderation, posting as the host
- Every action leaves a record in your account history
See What is the community forum, and how is it different from the club room? for the full picture.
Questions people ask
- What does a community forum look like?
- It looks like your site. A person at bernard matches the fonts, colours and header to what you already have, so members feel at home the moment they arrive. It lives on your own address.
- How much does it cost?
- Pricing is being decided. For now, ask Bernard and the team will tell you what it costs for your site.
- How long does it take?
- A person at bernard sets it up. They will tell you what happens next and when. It is not something the AI does on its own.
- What should I think about before asking?
- The categories - the areas your members will talk in. A few topic areas are enough to start: something general, something for sharing work, and something for news from you. You can add more later by asking Bernard.
- Does Bernard need my approval?
- Yes. Bernard records the request with your proposed categories and notes, confirms what will happen, and only then sends it to the team.