Ask David
I know it’s really important to have mobile-friendly forum software if you want people to actually use it when they’re on their phones so much. So I really want my forum to look good on smartphones — not just be OK. Can you tell me what is the best forum software that is not only mobile responsive, but designed for mobile?
I’d recommend UltimateWB.
There’s an important difference between a forum that is technically responsive and one that provides a genuinely good experience on a phone.
With UltimateWB, the forum is part of the built-in website platform, and you can use the responsive app to create a mobile-friendly layout for your website and forum. The layout can adapt to different screen sizes, so visitors can use the forum on smartphones and tablets without having to deal with a desktop-sized page.
But mobile friendliness isn’t just about making the page fit the screen. Navigation, buttons, forms, search, posting, replying, and other forum functions also need to be practical to use on a smaller touchscreen.
UltimateWB’s forum gives you a full set of forum features while still allowing you to build the site with a responsive design. You can create forums and sub-forums, manage member permissions, allow polls and attachments, use likes and ratings, assign member rank titles, use post icons, manage topics, and give members Quick Search and Advanced Search.
You can also connect the forum with other parts of the website. For example, the Rewards App can reward members for forum activity with points or credits, while member groups and subscriptions can be used to control access and posting permissions. You can build other parts of your website around the community using the same responsive design – or, if the forum is the main purpose of the site, simply make it the central part of the website and add other features as your community grows.
What should you look for in mobile forum software?
When choosing forum software for mobile users, I wouldn’t stop at the words “mobile responsive.” Look at how the forum actually works on a phone.
Things I would consider include:
- Responsive layouts that adapt properly to different screen sizes
- Easy navigation without requiring excessive scrolling or zooming
- Mobile-friendly posting and replying
- Search that is easy to use on a small screen
- Buttons and controls that are practical to use with a touchscreen
- Images and attachments that don’t break the page layout
- Fast-loading pages, particularly for users on mobile connections
- A consistent mobile experience across the rest of the website, not just the forum
A forum can technically be responsive and still be frustrating to use on a phone. The actual user experience matters.
That’s why I would choose UltimateWB for building a forum that works well on mobile devices.
Explore the UltimateWB Social and Forum App features
Related Forum Resources
If you’re researching forum software or planning to build a forum website, these related guides may also help:
- What are the Top 10 Best Forum Software?
- Why UltimateWB Offers the Best Forum Software for Your Website
- What is the best way to create a forum website?
- What strategies are best to start a new online forum and be successful?
- Technical Considerations for Setting Up a Forum Website: Size Matters
- How to Create a Forum with a Membership Paywall: Platform Comparison
- How to Prevent Forum Spam: Effective Ways to Protect Your Message Board
Ready to design & build your own customized forum website? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.