GoDaddy, Word Press, X-Press, & XenForo

[Hills2020]

Total novice here and don't want to be a digital guru, but know what I want the forum to do and how it should look.

Have Word Press hosting on Go Daddy and want to use XenForo.
I also have read and have been told I need X-Press to make it user/admin/mod friendly.
Have not picked a theme and don't know where to start.

I need help on a small budget.
Only know what I want for the end result.
This is a serious quest, so lay off the smart a** responses, please.
Thank you.

 

[Paul B]

If you have already decided to go with XF and the add-on, then once you purchase a license, you can post in the relevant customer support forums and the resource thread for help with setting everything up.

 

[Hills2020]

If you have already decided to go with XF and the add-on, then once you purchase a license, you can post in the relevant customer support forums and the resource thread for help with setting everything up.

Thanks, Brogan.
I understand Xenforo includes technical support.
Is XF a theme and does tech support include installation?

 

[Paul B]

XF ships with a single style, which is the one used on this site.

You can purchase the installation service should you need it, but it only covers the XF software and official add-ons.

It wouldn't include installing any third party add-ons or styles.

 

[Hills2020]

XF ships with a single style, which is the one used on this site.

You can purchase the installation service should you need it, but it only covers the XF software and official add-ons.
It wouldn't include installing any third party add-ons or styles.

So what does tech support include?

 

[Paul B]

Any questions, issues, or problems with the core software.

Styling and customisation questions can be posted in the forum.

 

[Hills2020]

If possible, I want:
1. Stationary left side panel with for main topics and pop-ups for sub- topics under the left panel.
2. Horizontal mast head with pull down menus.
3. Discussions in the center panel.
4. Right hand side panel for ads.
5. Bottom horizontal panel for miscellaneous

Where do I go to find a theme to support this presentation using XenForo?

 

[RallyFan]

If possible, I want:
1. Stationary left side panel with for main topics and pop-ups for sub- topics under the left panel.
2. Horizontal mast head with pull down menus.
3. Discussions in the center panel.
4. Right hand side panel for ads.
5. Bottom horizontal panel for miscellaneous

Where do I go to find a theme to support this presentation using XenForo?

Have a look at https://www.Pixelexit.com and see if something takes your fancy.

Russ and Steve from Pixelexit are highly respected on here, offer support for their themes, and are incredibly approachable and friendly, offering advice and ways to get the best out of their themes.

X-Press is really only required if you want to bridge usernames and passwords between a Wordpress frontend and Xenforo forum, as well as share articles/posts from Xenforo to a Wordpress frontend.

If you don't intend to have/use that functionality, then you don't need it.

For example I run a setup which has Wordpress and specialised addons on the frontend, but don't require user input. So I don't run X-Press or any forum bridge. I do however display recent threads on the frontpage, using the forums RSS Feed link and an RSS Widget on the Wordpress frontend. Works a treat too

Hope this helps

EDIT: Forgot to say, make sure any design ideas are mobile and tablet friendly, as more users these days are moving to mobile devices.
PixelExit do Canvas layouts which might be worth looking into for your project too.