Hello. I have a computer forum at www.computalk.net with just over 100 members and almost 5000 posts. It is a small community but it is friendly and since I upgraded to vBulletin registrations and posting has increased rapidly. However I always read that forums need to offer something that other forums don't. Right now I have been working on some webmaster tools for the forum. I will be adding tools such as a PR/Alexa Checker and other webmaster tools. When I also get enough money I plan to buy a phpLD license and use the vBulletin integration mod to integrate a directory into the forum for registered members with over 10 posts. I will be developing these ideas over the next few months but I am also looking for more ideas. What do you think would be good for my forum. If you are not a member, then what single feature would make you want to register and post? Thanks. Calum
A skin/theme that does not make my eyes bleed, and content worthy of commenting on. Thats it, nothing more... While I tend to hit the back button on IPB forums, the only thing I actually care for is content, followed by the look and feel of the board (including navigation). Go ahead and add in some fifty things, but keep in mind that content is king, and in many cases too much filler can distract from content.
Yeah, I have to agree. See, there were only a selected number of discussion forums many many years ago. So, setting up a BBS itself could attract users. Then, the number of forums increased dramatically, you could still start ones in different niches. And then, there came a time when you had to start offering something new, new features, add-ons, etc. Nowadays, even this is so easy. Sure, you need to do a bit research, testing, etc., but it’s no rocket science to set up a forum that has … - Article directory … - Blog … - Photo gallery … - Revenue sharing … etc. etc. etc.
Actually 99% of the people love the skin and also most of the posts on my forum aren't one words, or even one lines, members often post articles and long posts. EDIT: 1. http://www.qryztufre.com/superstitions/ doesn't even have a design... 2. http://www.qryztufre.com/superstitions/ has a design very similar to mine, so why are you a member/admin there, seriously don't contradict yourself. Thanks for the ideas
Ask your members what they would like to see added to the site if you have them. As it is the community that you want and need to make the forum successful. Plus, giving them a say in the progression of the site will add unequaled loyalty. Content is king... how am I contradicting myself? I don't need members on my non-forums pages. I really think you took my post to mean more then it was. I was saying that bells and whistles are not needed to make a successful site, but rather good content that people can find useful. I didn't check the forum you talking about so I did not mean that your skin makes my eyes bleed...only that eye bleeding skins are a turn off. Sorry for the confusion.
Ok thanks for the ideas, I did take it a little hard because I tought you were talking about the forum specifically. Anyway thanks for the advice then