Technology Chat Forum - Review wanted 2 > users

[nams]

Can you review our forum and any obvious tips on how to increase our users/participation. We get plenty of spammers. Maybe changing the subject type of forum?? Any advice

http://www.lionblade.com/forums/

[DPS Computing]

Looks like you have made a good start of it.

I have had problems with spam on forums before. I reduced it a lot by disabling guest access at using CAPTCHA verification at registration time and also e-mail activation. I think whatever subject the forum is, if the spammers are going to target you, they are going to target you! .

Do you advertise the forum anywhere? - that would be a great first step, even if it was only free advertising to begin with. Word of mouth is also good - tell all your friends, family, people passing you on the street . Competitions can increase user participation, incentives for registering and posting - the possibilities are endless!

[borninblood]

The first thing I have noticed is that there are far too many sections for such an unused forum.

Start of small - with a couple of sub-forums, when they start getting filled up and used more, then you can make more.

I did the exact same thing with my first forum - made loads and loads of sections, but then users go to the website hosting and see there is maybe like 2 or 3 topics per section, and if those topics don't have any replies, then it is pointless signing up to a dead forum!

The best advice I could give to increase forum traffic, is to get your friends / family to join, even if you are only making small talk in the chatty part of the forum, it will make it look a bit more active and this will make people feel more comfortable about joining up.

[nams]

Can you give any good places I can advertise it for free. Haven't really found any yet.

I have a CAPTCHA verify at registration but the spammers do register. Most of my friends and team is on there.

I like the idea of making it smaller. I'm not sure which one's to delete but think i will leave a section for New Forum Suggestions at the bottom.

[eukrobert]

cutting the amount of categories would certaintly seem like the best option to start with you dont want to overload new members.

Once your forum builds up expanding the categories will be essential and create more posts.

I would also suggest maybe getting a good theme for your forum this always ads to the attraction and should give more of an incentive to sign up.

I think you've made a good start and it isnt easy making a succesful forum just promote it across as many blogs and other forums as possible this should build your database up. Be careful with this though as you may breech website hosting rules and be classed as spammer.

Good luck with your forum

[Ben]

You have a very good forum here. However there are many other forums that have the same subject and they don't get active. There is still chance to get activity. Firstly Search Engine Optimization does help, such as directory submitting, unique content, etc. There are many methods of advertising such as on your signature at forums. You can go to places like NamePros because it is quite a technical forum and you could possibly hire some paid posters in cash or the virtual currency NamePros uses. There are many ways of advertising just use the ones that really help the forum kick off. Good luck.

[nams]

Thanks. I have cut down the Forum categories and also tried to style it in line with a few other designs i have seen. I don't know what to put across the top. Should I design a technology type background or something? Or leave it plain.

This is just a side thing next to our e-commerce store but we would like more participation. We know we get decent hits.

[paul]

I think you can do graphics and better layout and make over them in sequence. Also refer few similar technology forums to get some idea about design features. webopedia.com/quick_ref/forums.asp

[chaliciouss]

it has nice layout, but many other website hosting does look the same.
i think you should post or fill your forum with more articles or good information about stuff.

a forum is a place to ask or to respond of something,...
if it was nothing on it, why do people should come and register on your forum.

just my opinion.