One thing all forums should have.

Discussion in 'Managing Your Online Community' started by Grumpy, Dec 9, 2010.

  1. Grumpy

    Grumpy Regular Member

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    If a new admin asked you what is the one thing all forums must have before opening, what would it be and why?
     
  2. Trealix

    Trealix Gamer

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    forums should have members
    Because without them forums would mean nothing..
     
  3. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    They should have a nice theme/layout. That will determine alot for its future.
     
  4. Trealix

    Trealix Gamer

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    Not always, forums that we're from 2004, has its same design (eeerrr crap design) and yet they end up with 60k members.
     
  5. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Well yea because most of their members have been with them from the begining, and dont mind the theme. But communities starting around the past 2 years they have to attract people.
     
    Mr Joker likes this.
  6. Trealix

    Trealix Gamer

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    You have a point tbh,
     
  7. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Yea because im the man :P
     
  8. BlazingBlue

    BlazingBlue Regular Member

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    The Man you are. I would say its themes as well and activity from the admin. That's also important.
     
    Terrorz likes this.
  9. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Yea, thats the main reason a site stays alive.
     
  10. Elizabeth

    Elizabeth Regular Member

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    Themes are nice but some of my favorite forums either have none except the basic one adding a logo or is a mild variation of the default. A niche, activity and caring from the admin/owner, and members make a forum.
     
  11. Grumpy

    Grumpy Regular Member

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    A forum needs a admin, that knows how the software works, be able to listen to feedback good or bad and have the ability to market their site to new members.
     
  12. BlazingBlue

    BlazingBlue Regular Member

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    Bravo Bravo! Post of the day right here. Taking advice as well.
     
  13. timestandstill

    timestandstill Regular Member

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    Content. A forum full of "yes i agree" is useless.
     
  14. Nitro

    Nitro Regular Member

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    A crazy guy. It makes everything interesting.

    And content is key too. Why join a forum with nothing on it?
     
    timestandstill and Kaiser like this.
  15. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Haha A crazy guy :P
     
  16. SpacewardAsh

    SpacewardAsh Lurking From Space

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    Content is the most key aspect in my opinion, so if you, as an admin are not active, then you may not attract new members because your forum may look dead.

    Design/Style also has a small aspect in this, but as long as it's readable, who cares? We all have different tastes in styles, including the forum admin. After all, you go to a forum for it's contents, not it's looks!

    Fair moderation might also play a part in this, as tough/unfair moderation, e.g. going OCD over some small spelling mistake, and replying and yelling at the member in the thread about it might just put potential new members off. But again this I say comes under content.

    In short, content is key and is by far the most important aspect when running your forum, as without it, there will be nothing to reply to, nor to attract new members to your forum.
     
    XuanZhongda and Kaiser like this.
  17. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Well explained. I agree with all of it.
     
  18. cpvr

    cpvr Regular Member

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    Isn't content what matters though? Design isn't everything
     
  19. Ashley

    Ashley Regular Member

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    I agree with all of that as well! As long as the style's not hard on the eyes, and everything's easy to read, then I could care less what style a forum is using.
     
  20. Kaiser

    Kaiser Regular Member

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    Well yea, I guess you right, but having a nice looking theme is must or members might not be attracted to your site.
     

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