I need to make a forum like forums.paddling.com. Yes, I checked they are using Discourse. Actually, I have a WordPress site which has shared hosting from Hostinger. I need to know how I can integrate it with Discourse as non-tech beginner. Secondly, is it $100 is a lifetime package to run a forum plus blog? What about auto-updates? If you have any guide please share.
Secondly, I also want to run a blog area where the only admin would able to make posts. Share your views.
The best way to get started is with the wp-discourse plugin that allows you to connect Discourse and WordPress and a lot of functional integrations e.g.:
Single Sign on
Display Discourse comments on wordpress
Sync user data
No, it’s $100/month to get a fully managed Discourse hosting from discourse.org. alternatively, you can self-host Discourse yourself on a VPS. Shared hosting won’t work.
Here is a very informative install guide:
You’ll need a working Discourse instance and a working WordPress instance before you can use the plugin.
The plugin will work with a wordpress instance on shared hosting but Discourse can not be hosted on a shared hosting.
The plugin is a free, open source one, there is no subscription associated with it but You need both, Discourse and WordPress before you can use the plugin.