Tots-n-Tums

Forum URL: www.tots-n-tums.net/forums/

Forum Name: Tots-n-Tums

Launch Date: 15th September 08

Posts/Threads/Members: Threads: 1,752. Posts: 27,010. Members: 131

Forum Software: VBulletin 3.8.x

Description: Tots-n-Tums is a fun and friendly forum for teen and young parents. We offer a range of information and support for topics such as conception, pregnancy, labour and birth, parenting and beyond.

 

The first thing that struck me was the forums for different states or parts of Australia, are they really necessary?

 

I love your theme, but think you have too many forums.

 

Really nice theme you have there! I like the banner, it immediately gives guests an idea of what your forum is about.

Some suggestions:
Add a favicon - it allows users who bookmark your site to easily find it within their favorites.
Condense your forums, try merging some. One forum I see that can be condensed and merged is Messages from Mods and Admins and Messages from Members... Instead, you can create one forum - Announcements, and a subforum, User Announcements. All the forums under Conception can be merged with General Conception Discussion. Ideally, you can use pre-fix's. Same for the forums under Pregnancy. In fact, I think Labor and Birth can be merged with Pregnancy - or do the subjects differ too much? Chat with other parents can also be condensed to something like country chat. You can then use pre-fix's as well.

Honestly, to have some decent organization, tabs may be excellent for you.

 

Thank you!
How do i add a fave icon?
I have merged forums, made some sub forums, and deleted some too, what do you think?

 

I think "Forum Help" can be added as a sub-forum within "Announcements".
The "conception" forums don't seem to be very active, so it doesn't even need its own category. Instead of having a conception category, two conception forums, and four conception sub-forums, you really need just one conception forum. The same thing can be said of the Pregnancy sections.
You have too many feeding forums (you don't need the sub-forums).
There are so many sub-forums of The Lounge... which, I don't think are necessary. Just one "General Chat" or "The Lounge" forum should house all off-topic discussion.

You definitely do have too many forums. I can envision the need for really specific sub-forums like you have, but not anytime soon. You will need them when your site grows and has much more discussion.

 

Short answer: create a 16x16 icon, name it favicon.ico, and upload it to your site's root directory.

favicon.ico Generator

 

Looks much better!

The lounge does not need sub-forums, in my opinion, instead you can use a sub-forum for forum games. Support Centre is the same thing as forum help, correct? If so, you can import all the threads and posts from there, to the Forum Help forum. The Chat with Parents category's great! However, you're missing America in "By Location." If you have potential members from America that may join, they may seem unwelcome, because there's not a forum for them. Ideally, I think you could do it by continent - North America, South America, Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia, etc etc. This way, you're not missing any country. The Faith forum can be merged with "Your Home" seeing as it's not posted in regularly. You're missing a huge forum for parents - Finance!

Looking good.

 

I love it! The design, the concept, and the name.
GREAT job!

 

Thank you every one
I did my favicon, its looking good

 

Nice favicon, Meg... It definitely sets your site from the rest.

What exactly does Tots-n-Tums mean?

 

Tots = babies, toddlers, children
Tums = pregnant bellies

I just added more continents and put all the Australian states in their own Australia section, my members prefer to have Australia divided up into states
Going to go work on a few of the general chat areas

 

Aha, I understand.

It's coming along great, Meg - I love the organization.

 

Im a bit ocd i think when it comes to the organisation of my forum. I feel a bit confused when i view forums that aren't organised nicely.

 

You're not the only one, trust me.

 

Hey there sorry if I am late to the party - to be honest i don't really check this area as i hate advertising and normally there is nothing in here that interests me.

I just wanted to let you know i love the layout, the set up, and the fact it is an australian site about parenting.

Being an Australian and a first time dad I am making mistakes with my son, and the only advice I get is people telling me I am doing things wrong yet not saying or giving advice on how i can fix it - I am definately signing up to the forum - and have mentioned it to my wife.

I love it - it looks great and is a great concept!