OctoberCMS is a self-hosted content management system built on Laravel. It offers a flexible, developer-friendly platform with a Static Pages plugin that lets you create and edit pages using a WYSIWYG editor or raw HTML. However, it does not 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 OctoberCMS 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:
- Developer and open source communities
- Technical documentation discussions
- Customer support forums
- Project collaboration boards
- Membership and subscription sites
- Plugin and extension marketplaces
- Feedback and feature request boards
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 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.
- Log in to your OctoberCMS backend administration area.
- Go to CMS → Pages in the sidebar and click Add.
- Enter Forum in the Title field and set the URL slug (e.g.,
/forum). - In the page markup editor, paste the embed code where you want the forum to appear.
- Click Save.
- Add a link to the Forum page in your site's navigation menu or layout.
- Copy the URL of your published Forum page.
- Go back to the Website Toolbox Integrate → Embed → Embed Your Forum and paste your OctoberCMS Forum page URL into the Where is the forum embedded? field.
Option B: Link to the forum:
- Log in to your Website Toolbox account or create a new forum if you don't already have one.
- Copy your forum URL.
- Log in to your OctoberCMS backend administration area.
- Go to CMS → Partials or Layouts in the sidebar, depending on where your navigation menu is defined.
- Add a link to your forum URL in the navigation menu markup. For example:
<a href="YOUR_FORUM_URL" target="_blank">Forum</a> - Click Save.
Single Sign On
Website Toolbox offers a custom SSO integration service starting at $199.
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 OctoberCMS have a built-in forum feature?
No, OctoberCMS does not currently have 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 OctoberCMS 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 OctoberCMS 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. Combined with the SSO integration, you can seamlessly connect your OctoberCMS user system with the forum.
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.