New vBulleting forum online

Discussion in 'Websites' started by zuk, Feb 20, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hello

    Feel free to review (and if you want join) my new vBulletin forum.

    http://www.travel-talk.info/

    Category: Travel related 100%. I'm a travel addict.

    I've hosted it on a dedicated server, it should respond fast. I also kept the original theme because it's very easy to navigate through the forums. I'll change some of the icons in the future.

    Any other recommendations ?

    I've started an AdWords campaign too, and I will start more in future.
     
    zuk, Feb 20, 2007 IP
  2. HostingCoupons

    HostingCoupons Guest

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    #2
    Joined.... Good luck, it needs to be more active, I also love to travel!
     
    HostingCoupons, Feb 20, 2007 IP
  3. M&M's are ok

    M&M's are ok Guest

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    #3
    Man, how the hell do people get banned so fast?
     
    M&M's are ok, Feb 21, 2007 IP
  4. krishna77

    krishna77 Peon

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    #4
    ya man site i like it. and you choose that color is my favorite color.
    if you want to earn more money then register you site in any ad network and start earning.
     
    krishna77, Feb 22, 2007 IP
  5. 8everything

    8everything Peon

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    #5
    For the header area of the site, I would make the white area touch the end of the screen instead of cutting off there.
     
    8everything, Feb 22, 2007 IP
  6. Dominicc2003

    Dominicc2003 Peon

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    #6
    I was thinking that too! :)

    For SEO puposes I would make the text at the top of the page real text instead of a picture.
     
    Dominicc2003, Feb 22, 2007 IP
  7. Bombaywala

    Bombaywala Peon

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    #7
    I think the site is boring. Add few images of world landmarks, monuments, etc.. to make the site interesting.
     
    Bombaywala, Feb 22, 2007 IP
  8. SouthernTn

    SouthernTn Peon

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    #8
    ^ I agree.. its just sitting there, looking like alot of other forums.
     
    SouthernTn, Feb 22, 2007 IP
  9. DeViAnThans3

    DeViAnThans3 Peon

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    #9
    The site rather responded slowly for me, but maybe that's due to the distance between me and the server :)

    Ok, about the design ;)
    The design definitely could be something else than the default vBulletin forum view ;) I'ld also recommend to at least add a logo (or banner) to the top ... a sample could be to have some country flags at random a bit blurred, or some very well-known monuments ... choice enough! Further I recommend to get another (free eventually) template for vBulletin, or maybe develop a custom one?

    Ok, enough about that hehe. At the homepage I see you added a welcome text. This welcome text is very useful, and I'm happy you made a welcome text, however something is wrong with it: you used an image for it (this one). I'ld definitely recommend you to use just text, as images usually use more bandwidth of your server.

    The activity of your site at this moment isn't yet what it probably will be over some time. It is clear to me you're busy very intensively with your site, and that can only influence your site positively :)
     
    DeViAnThans3, Feb 23, 2007 IP
  10. stocknsurf

    stocknsurf Peon

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    #10
    - Nice to understand objective for the site - you have put it clearly at the very top - good job
    - Yes, site is really fast - nice
    - One observation - you have all sub forums expanded - it is really nice because can directly reach those sub forums. On the other hand, it makes your page size longer in the vertical scrolling. It might not be a problem in itself. But if you could provide expandable sub forums then it will make all topics visible without much scrolling. I know it is easier said than done.
    - I really like the fact you have explained each category with good description - that definitely helps increase a user's interest in the site
    - OVerall it is a professionally looking website that will serve its purpose well.

    Good luck.
     
    stocknsurf, Feb 23, 2007 IP
  11. zuk

    zuk Peon

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    #11
    I left the default vBulletin theme deliberated. It's very simple and easy to navigate through the forum. I've tested over 20 vBulletin styles and all of them look so complicated.

    The server is hosted on a 8 MBps dedicated server located in Texas. It should respond fast to multiple requests in the same time.

    I've added a small add-on to list the subforums in colums. It's much easier to follow them this way.

    I'll try also to add a couple representative pictures for each category , but I must be carefull with that because I don't want to ruin the template.

    to Dominicc2003: the top of the page area where is the image, it is a seo trick recommended for vBulletin instead of normal text.

    to Bombaywala: the site is not boring. it's a forum and it shouldn't be boring as look people are looking for traveling tips. I know enough about worldwide travelling and I can advise them and if the forum will have more members in the next months it will be pretty interactive. On a travel board you shouldn't get bored so quick.

    to DeViAnThans3: the site should respond fast now, I've re-imaged the server with a new clean Red Hat Enterprise 4 instalation. I have PLENTY of bandwidth to use :)

    I'm also running some AdWords campaigns to promote it. Hopefully they will show some results in the next months.

    If you have any other advices I'll try to follow them
     
    zuk, Feb 24, 2007 IP
  12. tokyoice

    tokyoice Well-Known Member

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    #12
    Nice forum and it is fast, I'm going to register.
     
    tokyoice, Feb 24, 2007 IP
  13. zuk

    zuk Peon

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    #13
    It will be much useful in the next couple of months. I'm adding the pictures to the forum right now
     
    zuk, Feb 24, 2007 IP
  14. zuk

    zuk Peon

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    #14
    Ok I've finished adding the pictures. How does it look now ?
     
    zuk, Feb 24, 2007 IP
  15. DeViAnThans3

    DeViAnThans3 Peon

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    #15
    It looks great; however myself I'ld remove the country flags, and if you really want the country flags, add a border="0" attribute to the image tag ;)
    Further, after the country flags add a space ;)

    Further, I really like those 5 images under each forum .. they describe the continent very well, and give a good general idea of it. Really nice done!
    I'm still missing a header/logo, but okay ... it already is looking better now :)
     
    DeViAnThans3, Feb 25, 2007 IP
  16. keith212

    keith212 Peon

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    #16
    Nice site
    Very well laid out and seems informative

    Just Joined!!

    See you in the mile high Club!
     
    keith212, Feb 25, 2007 IP
  17. zuk

    zuk Peon

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    #17
    Ok I'll do my best to design a logo these days.

    Originally I had the border="0" tag but I've removed it because I can't add to much html in the sub-forum title , and with border="0" it wouldn't fit there. I'll try to find a solution for this.
     
    zuk, Feb 25, 2007 IP
  18. zuk

    zuk Peon

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    #18
    ok so far I've managed to fix the missing border="0" tag and ad a space between the flag and sub-forum name. I'll try to create a logo
     
    zuk, Feb 25, 2007 IP
  19. swiftmed

    swiftmed Peon

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    #19
    I like the site, nice images and colors!
     
    swiftmed, Feb 25, 2007 IP