Keep or Sell my Forum?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by bstunt, Apr 20, 2008.

  1. #1
    I really don't know what to do. I have a forum that I started last month, and it seems like no one is interested in joining. I've posted my links on craigslist, made some stickers and stuck them everywhere... anyway its a Honda CRX forum in Southern California, and my target is honda crx owners.. the reason why I started this forum is because whenever I search for parts for my car, I'd find the parts I want, but the seller is located on the other side of the world... I hate dealing with shipping... lol.. sooo, do you guys think my site has potential? if not should I just sell it?

    B.
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  2. The Stealthy One

    The Stealthy One Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #2
    If it has hardly any members, you will have no luck selling it. Anyway, what are you doing in terms of SEO? I can see you don't even have the site listed in your signature here at DP - that would be a good start. :)
     
    The Stealthy One, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  3. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #3
    it is actually, its just not linked... hehe... its socalcrx.com
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  4. The Stealthy One

    The Stealthy One Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #4
    Ah, I see it now. Why not link it with anchor text of Honda CRX Forum? That would be a great start. Additionally, the design of the forum is horrendous - I am pretty sure that is why no one registers or sticks around.
     
    The Stealthy One, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  5. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #5
    lol, thanks for the honest feedback.
    maybe I'll change the theme once I find a nice layout... I really have no time to customize it. Since you gave such an honest feedback on socalcrx.com, would you mind telling me what you think about my other site, zDonuts.com, it's an arcade site I opened up last month..

    thanks!
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  6. The Stealthy One

    The Stealthy One Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #6
    The design of the arcade site is pretty good (much better than the forum). :) In fact, I like the blue color scheme.
     
    The Stealthy One, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  7. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #7
    I guess when you really put time on something, it really pays off... lol... I've spent hours customizing the arcade site tweakign it, adding mods and everything... but socalcrx, maybe 30 mins? lol... I'll defintely change the layout on the crx site... thanks!
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  8. zinruss

    zinruss Notable Member

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    #8
    No offence taken please. You have to change the forum skin. The font is too small and the text is hard to read. I don't recommend google ads for new site exspecially discussion board. Why not setup additional sub category for image gallery and let your members share the photos of their car?

    Another recommendation. Hire good writer for unique content/tutorial.
    Example:
    How to disable alarm manually?
    Paint work for Exterior Black colours guard
    etc etc

    Hope this help.
     
    zinruss, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  9. silveraden

    silveraden Banned

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    #9
    pay some fake posters to start-up so that people will be interested to join when there are already some discussions... To start a forum, you need to make some prior posts and discussions..
     
    silveraden, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  10. nofullstop

    nofullstop Peon

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    #10
    you are just a month old dear

    wait and do some more continuous publicity

    I am sure it will work out if you work hard...
     
    nofullstop, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  11. superpump

    superpump Peon

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    #11
    no point selling the forum after a month - for a start, no-one on webmaster sites would be interested in a poorly designed forum with no income/members. like the arcade site though, GameSiteScript is awesome!
     
    superpump, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  12. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #12
    that's why I'm here, I'm looking for honest opinions... :) I just grabbed that forum theme on some websiet and changed the width... but I'll keep those recommendations in mind... thanks!
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  13. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #13
    yea GSS is probably the best out there (with great tech support), I've tried getmyownarcade and my God... I've paid for the software and I didn't get the script 2 weeks later... got my money back though...
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  14. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #14
    lol, well, if I was to sell the forum/domain name, I'd probably sell it for $10.... LOL
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  15. superpump

    superpump Peon

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    #15
    paid posting could be a good idea... usually pretty cheap and people are more likely to join an "active" forum. give it a go!
     
    superpump, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  16. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #16
    how much does it usually cost to pay some 'fake poster' to post some article on my site? maybe $10 per 100 post?
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  17. nofullstop

    nofullstop Peon

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    #17
    that will be fine..

    and you can go for some advertising...

    check my blogs if you find something good..
     
    nofullstop, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  18. tinner666

    tinner666 Peon

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    #18
    Keep tweqking that width. Waayyyy to narrow to do any good. Look at DP width for starters. It allows decent font sizes.

    Some of us open a page and see the skinny width and just move on looking for something readable and easy on the eyes..
     
    tinner666, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  19. PlateFish

    PlateFish Banned

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    #19
    Well your site is dead. Noone has posted for the last day at least which always is going to turn viewers away. The design is horrible as the text is too small and the banner looks crappy. You can't have a forum for a month and expect it to passively grow you into a millionaire. You have a niche that definately has potential but you just need to do some things and KEEP AT IT. Don't give up on your site, you need motivation - find motivation because it looks like you don't have much and just pray for a quick fix.

    Here's some help:

    - Keywords. I notice your anchor text for the link in your sig is not a phrase anyone would search in a search engine. Change it to crx forum or something similar and work on that. The phrase is uncompetetive so you'll rise through the ranks fast!

    - Make multi fake accounts and post with them on a daily basis.

    - Ask questions that will bait members into signing up so they can answer them or discuss them.

    - Think about a contest when you start getting off the ground. Perhaps give away something that CRX owners will love.

    - Make the community friendly. If a member asks any question be quick to answer it with any of your fake characters to make them stay interested.

    - Add unique content. Don't copy articles from other car sites and foums.

    - Market your forums well, do all the standard SEO stuff like submitting to directories and other link building methods.

    - Use stumble upon and digg. SU will bring untargetted traffic but it will help alexa ranking and may give you some sign ups.
     
    PlateFish, Apr 20, 2008 IP
  20. bstunt

    bstunt Well-Known Member

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    #20
    ahhh! There you go! Exactly the advice I'm looking for! Thanks!
     
    bstunt, Apr 20, 2008 IP