: Forum vs Q&A system I would like to know what are the parameters that I have to take into consideration before deciding whether I should incorporate to a website a "Q&A system" or a traditional

@Odierno851

Here are the answers I found online:

On Q&A systems:

From "David Givoni,bCofounder of Answerbase.com, a Q&A platform service. "
Extracted from his answer on (quora.com) (you need to register to see the full post)


Q&A system:


are focused on problem solving
motivates through a point system
more user friendly


Focused on problem solving Where a normal forum lends itself to long discussions and exchange of opinions the Q&A system is more
focused on solving problems.

On social Q&A sites the user who asks a question has a problem that
needs a solution and the users who responds are other users with an
expertise to help solve that problem. The answers are rated, the best
get rewarded and for future users it’s easy to see what the solution
to the problem was, since the best answer is highlighted. And when the
solution has been reached the question is closed. There is also a race
to get first with the right answer, since the first correct solution
is normally the one rewarded.

So for users that are looking to solve an issue, Q&A systems are an
excellent tool for doing that.

Motivates through a point system An expert on a Q&A site is able to earn points by answering questions quickly and correctly and since
the questions are associated with specific categories, so the expert
gains category specific points that can be used as a measurement of
the experts knowledge and ability to share it.

Q&A software is more user friendly And since best answers are highlighted, the question has a status that indicates whether it’s
been solved or not and since there is no paging or threaded
discussions, it’s easier especially for future users to reuse the
information given.


On Traditional Forums

From: "Sanjay Sabnani,I run a public company that owns, acquires, and operates forums. I also have over 75,000 forum posts across several forums since 1999"
Extracted from his answer on the same post as above (quora.com). Also extracted from his answer


Forums on the other hand allow for a much greater degree of interaction because the members can not only ask questions, but share experiences as well. Asking and sharing are terms that pretty much sum up the entirety of experiences we encounter on the Internet so in this way forums are a much more ubiquitous platform for reaching out to your stakeholders. Levels of engagement is much higher because members are allowed a voice even when they do not have something that critical to add.


And about SEO being boosted by Q&A systems here is an in-depth analysis on their impact on a website --> seomoz.org: 6 Reasons Why Q&A Sites Can Boost Your SEO in 2011



Bottom line, Q&A is what I need

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@Ogunnowo487

I would have thought that your main decision as to whether you should host a Q&A site or a forum is really down to your content and what you are trying to achieve.

Q&A - Are questions being asked that can be answered with a single correct answer?

Forum - Are you open to extended discussion and peoples opinions?


I think forums allow better search capabilities (you can easily dig out old posts) over the "Q&A system"


I'm not convinced. Stack Exchange has a pretty decent search and I have had problems in the past trying to "dig out" old posts on some forums.

As for SEO, Christofian's linked question appears to cover that nicely.

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