What is a Message Board Page?

Message boards let you communicate with your visitors and website members. It allows your visitors to post and read different messages on several different topics. You are also able to edit topic names and messages. Each member gets their own profile including a member name and if you like, you can give them a special title (e.g. CEO, 5 star member). You can also allow members to help you moderate your various message boards.

Recommended Uses

• Allows you to build a community in your website
• A place to offer support to customers
• A place to communicate with staff

Screenshot

Overview

1. Adding a Message Board Page
2. Editing Your Page
3. Posting, Editing, Deleting and Locking a Topic
4. Posting, Editing and Deleting a Message Within a Topic
5. Managing Members
6. Member Login and Logout
7. Member Account
8. Editing Your Title Tag, Meta Tag and Header Info

 

1. Adding a Message Board Page

1. Under the 'Edit Site' tab, click 'Add Page'.
2. Click 'Message Board'.

3. Name your new page. This name is what will be shown in your navigation menu.
4. Enter a 'Page URL'. This creates the individual webpage address for that page. TIP: Use keywords or words that reflect the content that will be on that page.

By default, the 'Check to show this page in your navigation menu' box is checked. If you do not want the page to show in your menu, uncheck the box.

5. Click 'Add Page'.

You'll then be on the editing page.

 

2. Editing Your Page

Any time you want to make changes to your page:

1. Click the 'Edit Site' tab.
2. Click 'Edit' beside the page you want to edit.

Or, if viewing the page you want to edit, click 'Edit Page' on the toolbar.

You'll then be on the 'Header & Footer' section of the editing page.

Text that you put in the Title and Subtitle fields will be displayed at the top of your page, with the Title text also being automatically used as your Title Tag. For more information about Tags, please read Page Title, Meta & Head Tags.

The Header and Footer appear above and below your message board. To edit the header and footer, add and make changes to text using the text editor and click 'Save Changes' when finished.

 

3. Posting, Editing, Deleting and Locking a Topic

Posting a New Topic

1. When viewing the Message Board page, click 'Start New Topic'.
2. Complete the form and click 'Add Topic'.

Editing or Deleting a Topic

When viewing your Message Board page, click 'Edit' or 'Delete' to the right of the topic name you want to edit. If editing, make sure to save your changes. If deleting, confirm or cancel on the next page.

Note that you will only see these links when you are logged in as an administrator. Your visitors will not be able to edit or delete topics.

Locking a Topic

Locking a topic refers to not allowing any new messages to be posted within that topic. The messages are all still viewable.

1. Click 'Edit' beside the topic
2. Check the 'Check to lock topic' box below the topic name.

You will notice after you have locked a topic that a small lock will appear to the left of the topic name.

 

4. Posting, Editing and Deleting a Message Within a Topic

Posting a Message Within a Topic

1. When viewing your Message Board page, click the topic name under which you want to post a message.
2. Complete the form below the last post and click 'Post Message'.

Editing or Deleting a Message

A logged in webmaster can edit any messages and a logged in member can edit his or her own messages only.

1. When viewing your Message Board page, click the topic where the message you want to edit is located.
2. Click 'Edit' or 'Delete' button within the box where the message is located. If editing, make sure to save your changes. If deleting, confirm or cancel deletion on the next page.

Please note that just below the message a note will appear that indicates when the message was last edited.

 

5. Managing Members

By default, your website is set to allow posts from anonymous guests and to accept members automatically. However, you can disallow anonymous posts and/or choose from one of the following membership policies.

Automatic Application Approval
Visitors that apply for membership through the message board are automatically approved.

Manual Application Approval
You must manually approve/reject membership requests submitted through the message board.

Add Members Manually
You must create memberships manually and visitors cannot apply for membership through the message board.

To adjust your membership policy, click 'Membership Policy' on the left of the editing page.

IMPORTANT: Changes to your Membership Options affect all message boards on your site.

To disallow anonymous posts:

1. Within the editing page, click 'Manage Members' on the left.
2. Uncheck the box labeled 'Check to allow anonymous posts' and click 'Save'.

Adding Members

If you've selected 'Automatic Application Approval' or 'Manual Application Approval', visitors can apply for membership by clicking 'Register' at the top of the message board page.

To manually add members:

1. Within the editing page, click 'Manage Members'.
2. Click 'Add Member'.
3. Enter the Member information and click 'Add'.

To Approve/Reject member applications:

1. Within the editing page, click 'Approve Applications'.
2. To see the details of the member application, click the applicant’s name. Click on ‘Approve’ or ‘Reject’ to begin processing the application.
3. You’ll then see the applicant’s details and the email that will be sent to them. You can edit this email or leave it as is.
4. Click ‘Accept’ or ‘Reject’ depending on your decision.

Editing Member Information

1. On the message board editing page, click 'Manage Members' on the left.
2. Click 'Edit' to the right of the member you want to edit and make sure to save your changes. Please note you also have the option of giving the person a special title (e.g. Webmaster, Vice-President).

Adding/Deleting Moderators

Only members of your message board can become moderators of your site.

1. Within the editing page for the Message board, click ‘Manage Members’ on the left.
2. Check the box under 'Moderator' beside the members name and click 'Save'.

To remove moderating priveleges, uncheck the box and click 'Save'.

Deleting Members

1. On the message board editing page, click 'Manage Members' on the left.
2. Click the red 'X' beside the member you want to delete.

 

6. Member Login and Logout

Member Login

1. On the Message Board page, click 'Login'.
2. Enter your member name and password. Click 'Login'.

Please note that if you are the site owner, you can be logged in as a member and be logged in to your site at the same time.

Member Logout

On the Message Board page, click 'Logout'.

 

7. Member Account

The Account section allows members to edit their information, create a signature, and more. To access it, click ‘Account’ once logged in to the message board.

Editing Your Member Profile

Each member has a Member Profile that provides some information about that user. To edit the profile:

1. Click ‘Edit your member info’.
2. Make your changes and click ‘Save’.

Creating a Signature

A signature is text that appears underneath your message each time you post. It can be edited once posted, but saves you time from always typing the same text each time you post. To create a signature:

1. Click ‘Edit your online signature’.
2. Enter what you would like to have as your signature and click on the ‘Save’ button.

Changing Your Email

1. Click ‘Edit your email address’.
2. Enter your new email and click ‘Save'.

Changing Your Password

1. Click ‘Edit your password’.
2. Enter your new password and old password, then click on the ‘Save’ button.

 

8. Editing Your Title Tag, Meta Tag and Header Info

To help with search engine ranking you can customize your title, description, and keyword tags for individual pages. Advanced users can also place code between the <head> tags. This feature is available through the editing page under 'Internet Marketing' on the left of the editing page. To learn more, please read Page Title, Meta & Head Tags.

Alternatively, you can apply the same description and keyword tags site-wide, which is great if you don't yet have time to do them for individual pages. To learn how, please read Marketing Your Site: Meta Keywords and Meta Description.