ExpressionEngine is a flexible, open-source content management system built on PHP and MySQL. It's a developer-friendly CMS that lets you model your content with channels and custom fields, then output it through templates. But like most CMS platforms, it doesn't include a built-in community forum or discussion feature.
That's where Website Toolbox comes in. You can embed a fully featured discussion forum directly into your ExpressionEngine site, or simply link to your forum from your site's navigation. Either way, you get user accounts, moderation tools, and real-time conversations.
This works really well for:
- Custom and developer-built websites
- Content-heavy sites and publications
- Member communities and intranets
- Online course and learning platforms
- Corporate and company websites
- Nonprofit and association sites
- Support and knowledge bases
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process:
Step-by-Step: Add Your Forum
Option A: Embed the Forum
- Log in to your ExpressionEngine Control Panel. You can reach it by adding admin.php (or your configured admin URL) to your domain, for example yourdomain.com/admin.php.
- In the sidebar, go to Developer > Templates to open the Template Manager.
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Get your Website Toolbox embed code:
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account or create a new forum if you don't already have one.
- Go to Integrate Embed → Embed your forum and copy the embed code.
- In the Template Manager, click New Template to create a template for your forum page, or open the existing template where you want the forum to appear. You may want to create a new Template Group named forum to keep your pages organized.
- Paste your Website Toolbox embed code into the template where you want the forum to appear.
- Click Save and Finish Editing.
- Copy the URL of your forum template. ExpressionEngine builds the URL from your template group and template names, for example yourdomain.com/index.php/forum.
- Go back to the Website Toolbox Integrate → Embed → Embed Your Forum and paste your ExpressionEngine forum page URL into the Where is the forum embedded? field.
Option B: Link to the Forum
- Log in to your ExpressionEngine Control Panel.
- In the sidebar, go to Developer > Templates to open the Template Manager.
-
Get your Website Toolbox forum URL:
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account or create a new forum if you don't already have one.
- Copy your forum URL.
- Open the template that contains your site's navigation or the page where you want the forum link to appear.
- Add a link that points to your Website Toolbox forum URL, for example with an anchor tag or a navigation menu item.
- Click Save and Finish Editing.
Single Sign On
ExpressionEngine includes a built-in member management system for user accounts and roles. Website Toolbox offers a custom SSO integration service starting at $199 to connect your ExpressionEngine members with your forum.
How to purchase custom SSO integration:
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account.
- Go to Integrate → Single Sign On.
- Under Your Website Builder, select Other from the dropdown.
- Follow the prompts to complete your purchase.
What Your Members Can Do
Once your forum is connected, your members get a full-featured community experience. Website Toolbox includes many more features beyond what's listed here. Visit the Features Tour to see everything that's available.
💬 For Members
- Create and reply to discussion threads
- Like posts
- Upload images and files
- Receive email notifications
- Customize their profile
🛡️ For Admins
- Moderate posts and comments
- Ban users
- Create categories and pin topics
- Customize the forum's appearance
- Manage member permissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ExpressionEngine have a built-in forum feature?
No, ExpressionEngine does not include a native forum feature. However, you can easily add a forum to your site using Website Toolbox, either by embedding it directly into a page or by linking to it from your navigation.
Should I embed the forum or link to it?
Both work well. Embedding keeps users on your ExpressionEngine site and integrates the forum seamlessly into your page layout. Linking is simpler to set up and opens the forum in its own page, which can be a better experience on mobile devices. Choose whichever fits your workflow.
Can I customize the look of my embedded forum?
Yes. Website Toolbox provides a theme editor with a variety of themes you can choose from to match your ExpressionEngine site's design. You can customize colors, fonts, layout settings, and more to create a seamless look.
Can I make the forum private or members-only?
Absolutely. You can restrict forum access to logged-in users, create invite-only communities, or charge for access with subscription plans. Website Toolbox also offers custom SSO integration to seamlessly connect your ExpressionEngine member system with the forum.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not really. You paste a single block of embed code into your ExpressionEngine template, and Website Toolbox handles the rest. If you use the linking approach, you don't even need to add any code to your site.
Will the forum work on mobile devices?
Yes. Website Toolbox forums are fully responsive and work great on phones, tablets, and desktops. If you embed the forum, the iframe adapts to the container size automatically. Website Toolbox also offers a mobile app so your members can participate from their phones.