A “wiki” is a type of online system where each member can contribute, edit, and improve the content. The most well-known example is Wikipedia, a popular online encyclopedia which uses this system. A wiki can sometimes generate more content at lower cost than a traditional website with designated editors and contributors, although it is more susceptible to inaccuracies. Starting a wiki is not very difficult, although getting people to use it (and keep using it) can take more effort.

First, you will need a service to host the wiki, unless you already own a website. Services such as Wikispaces.com and Wikihost.org are specifically designed to host them, and provide the advantage of having the necessary software already built in, so starting a wiki is possible within minutes. Starting one in this manner usually doesn’t involve any set-up fee. Wikispaces offers public wiki hosting accounts for free, and advertising-free or private accounts for $5/month (or $50/year; more expensive accounts with additional features are also available). Another option is to sign up for a regular website hosting account (basic accounts are available for under $6/month) and install wiki software on it. Wikipedia’s website indicates that they use software called MediaWiki, which is available for free download. However, this option for starting it requires somewhat more effort and technical knowledge.

After the wiki has been set up and you have posted some initial messages on it, you will want to make some effort to promote it. Consider posting links to it on related message boards and forums (remember to check their policies beforehand), and suggest it to link pages on websites involvingthe same subject. Regardless of where the wiki is hosted, registering a domain name for it should make it easier for users to remember the address; some domain name registration services (such as namecheap.com) offer “.com” registration for under $10, and “.info” domain names are even less expensive. If it is part of an existing website, adding a subdomain for it (like wiki.example.com) will make it easier to access. You might also consider starting an e-mail mailing list for registered members, so as to remind them of it and provide updates on any major changes.

Finally, be sure to monitor the pages for inaccuracies and consider setting up an e-mail address for complaints regarding false or offensive information. While wiki-based content is often of good quality, it has occasionally received negative publicity because of people who manipulated it to disseminate false information.

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