Orchard Core is an open-source, modular CMS and application framework built on ASP.NET Core. It gives developers and site owners a flexible platform for building content-rich websites, from simple blogs to complex enterprise applications. But like most CMS platforms, 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 an Orchard Core page, 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:
- SaaS product communities
- Online course discussions
- Customer support forums
- Documentation and developer communities
- Feedback and feature request boards
- Member and partner portals
- Private member groups
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process:
Step-by-Step: Add Your Forum
Option A: Embed the Forum
- Visit orchardcore.net and log in to your Orchard Core admin dashboard.
- Open the content type where you want to add the forum. Go to Content and then Content Types, and click Edit next to the content type you want to use (for example, a Page), or create a new content type.
- Add an HTML field to hold the forum embed code. In the content type editor, click Add Field, choose HTML Field, give it a name (for example, Forum), and click Save.
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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.
- Create or edit a content item of that type. Go to Content and then Content Items, and click New to create a new page, or open an existing one.
- Scroll to the HTML field you added and paste your Website Toolbox embed code into it.
- Click Publish to publish your page.
- Copy the URL of your published Forum page.
- Configure the embed in Website Toolbox settings: go to Integrate → Embed → Embed Your Forum, and paste your Orchard Core page URL into the Where is the forum embedded? field.
Option B: Link to the Forum
- Visit orchardcore.net and log in to your Orchard Core admin dashboard.
- Open your site's Navigation menu where you want to add the link.
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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.
- Add a menu item to your navigation with the label Forum and paste your Website Toolbox forum URL as the link target.
- Click Publish to save your changes.
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 Orchard Core have a built-in forum feature?
No, Orchard Core does not include a native forum or community 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 Orchard Core 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 Orchard Core 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 Orchard Core user system with the forum.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Adding an HTML field and pasting an embed code is all it takes, and Orchard Core's visual content editor handles the rest. If you use Website Toolbox's embed code, you don't need to write any custom code to get your forum running.
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.