A forum site can be big or small, but what is the first thing that you look into a forum site when you first land on its home page? Thanks for sharing your first impressions.
From a forum owner's point of view: -- which forum software they are using, -- how many active users -- how many online users -- how many threads/posts -- distribution of posting among members From a potential participant's point of view: -- the level of participation of the admins/mods, -- how many active users -- how many online users -- the level of background noise (are there lots of half-page avatars and user graphics etc., and reams of moronic flaming) -- level of useful, thoughtful and considered opinion/input given by members -- general level of openness and friendliness of community
The first thing i take a look at in a forum is the level of useractivity. When was the last post in a sub-category? Today? Yesterday? or ten weeks ago? I don't like to wait for responses on my posts. That's why i love this forum. You post something and get an answer in a few minutes instead of days or weeks.
Activity and layout...I have seen some very active forums with terrible layouts and I just leave. If it's too graphic intense I normally don't like the forum. Things should be easy to navigate. Also ads...any forum site with too many ads I instantly dislike.
Indeed, layout is a major turn-off to me, too. Even if the content is good but the layout hurts my eyes, I won't sign up.
Content first... Most of the time I am looking for something, so if I find it on a forum, then that's what I wanted. Once that is done, then I mostly agree with ThreeGuineaWatch.
First : Forum Software (i love vB forums) Then : A big-board or not No. of online/active users The skin/theme it has (i prefer usually light skins [dark text on light background]) No. of ad units