Around 1 month ago I started a webmaster forum (check here for previous thread). Starting a forum is an investment. In the beginning it will only cost money, but I hope I can earn some of this back in the future, once it's active. After 1 month the forum is at 4,900 posts from 100 members. It is beginning to look like a real forum. I added a link directory and the links are viewed quite well compared with a normal web directory. If I could achieve 5,000 posts every month, than it will be a success I think. The big post count also is here because of the contest I had on the forum. Soon I will start another contest and 1 of the prizes will be free hosting for 6 months (good hosting). I think contest will help grow your forum a lot. Do you have any tips or suggestions I could do on my forum (www.9mb.com) Tips or questions are always appreciated!
Maybe it's just me, but when I came to the page I couldnt figure out where the forum was at first. Maybe just put the fourm on the mainpage, instead of recent threads? Or change the link 'front page' to 'forum'?
It looks good so far. The one problem with contests is that people may post just for the sake of it, although a quick look around indicates you don't seem to have too much of a problem with that - post quality looks OK. Have you considered offering some form of revenue sharing to encourage participation, on top of the contests?
fablex: That is a great suggestion, I will make that button "Forum" etali: Yeah, I was thinking to start with an adsense share mod. If any one knows other cool ones, I would check them to.
Wow, nice forums! I can't believe how active they are! Good on you. Although I think you should try and get more members, 100 just isn't enough. Good luck in the future!
Just wanted to let you know that there is something wrong with your signature. Otherwise, you have a nice forum .
Nice theme. Also, 100 members in the first month it's a good achievement. But I agree with fables, I'd put your forum on your main page instead of recent threads. Good luck with it By the way, check your sig link, it doesn't work
I am planning to put custom content on the frontpage and also have webmaster tools on that.. That is why it is not at the frontpage. I think custom quality content will help the forum and traffic grow! Thanks for all the good reactions
I think the forum needs more members and you can always put up a contest for refferals or something of that sort. . . .its an idea. But active members is what makes a forum success
I like the template design, I still have a doubt people will go for glassy look on forums, rather than one's like DPs, simple and great for the eye.
Nice looking site. I didn't know about VBAdvanced. I will take a look at it for possible use on my site. Who did your work for you? If you would like to recommend them, you can PM me, or they can get in touch with me so I can keep them on file for future reference. Good luck! Rich
good job! nice forum.. I also started forum 1 month ago, good pretty good traffic for a month forum, but not as active.. for some reason...
may be you can grow your forum bit more with paid posting ....after some time you can place some ads so that your income starts a bit ..
I don't see forum posting is really good to grow a forum, at all :-/ like seriously.. my friend tried it for his forum and didn't work at all ... and i see there are more problems, since posters are only posting, get money, and then bye.. most of them also are not knowledgeable about what they're talking about.. basically just wow, hey... bla... what's this, what's that.. I'm more with tutorials thanx though for the suggestion
Thanks guys. Yeah I agree that with paid posting the quality of the posts will go down a lot. I sure tried it a bit. To get more activity... I already have a sponsor for the next contest. Prize is 6 months of free hosting (quality hosting) + a free domain The traffic is around 150 visitors a day, so I don't put ads on it yet.
Nice Forum, you have been very successful well done. You could use some other traffic building techniques such as posting articles on maketing etc to directories such as ezine articles etc with links back to your forum, this can work very well, especially long term. You could also have a section for free ads to attract traffic and bring your members back each day. Hope this helps Gerry