Discourse is a popular open-source forum software that is designed to support online communities and discussion boards. By customizing Discourse, you can create a unique and engaging experience for your users that will keep them coming back for more.

Here are some tips for customizing Discourse to improve user engagement:

Choose a theme:

One of the most visible ways to customize Discourse is to choose a different theme. Discourse offers a variety of free and paid themes that you can use to change the look and feel of your forum. Experiment with different themes until you find one that you like and that matches the style of your community.

Customize the header and logo:

The header and logo are the first things that users see when they visit your forum. Make sure they are visually appealing and consistent with your brand. You can customize the header and logo in the Discourse settings, or use a plugin to make further changes.

Add custom CSS:

Custom CSS can be used to change the appearance of your Discourse forum in more significant ways. For example, you can change the font, color scheme, and layout of your forum. Discourse supports custom CSS, and there are many tutorials and examples available online to help you get started.

Enable plugins:

Discourse has a large and active community of developers who have created plugins to add new features and functionality to the platform. You can enable plugins from the Discourse marketplace, or develop your own custom plugins. Some popular plugins for enhancing user engagement include voting and rating systems, gamification features, and custom emotes.

Use categories and tags:

Categorizing your forum content makes it easier for users to find the information they are looking for. Make sure to use relevant categories and tags for each topic, and consider using sub-categories for large or complex forums.

Encourage user participation:

The more users participate in your forum, the more engaged they will be. Encourage participation by creating interesting topics, responding to user questions and comments, and highlighting the best contributions. You can also create special rewards or recognition for the most active users, such as badges or leaderboards.

By customizing Discourse to meet the needs of your community, you can create a forum that is engaging, dynamic, and enjoyable to use. Whether you’re an administrator, developer, or user, these tips can help you create an online community that thrives and grows.