What you want from a forum?

paaaaaaaaaa · 12-06-2005, 03:30 PM

Im the owner of a new web design forum. Which I'm looking to make popular. So ofcourse Ive started like most people. With some SEO stuff.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/145926-what-you-want-from-a-forum.html

Im in the process of adding it too directories etc. Ive also modded the code to rewrite the URL of threads to static pages, though it still needs improving.

The main thing what I will be working on soon though will be to write an in depth article on what a community wants out of a forum. First I need to do some research to find out the answers. So this question goes to all you reading. What do you want from a forum?

Hopefully then I will have a great understanding of what people want from their forums and I can incorporate it into my forum.

Key subjects to discuss would be:

look
Does the forum you visit need to be pretty to look at?

speed
Is it important to have a fast loading forum?

community
Ofcourse the forum needs a good friendly community but do people prefer a large community or a close and tight community? City or village?

content
Does the content have to be focused on the a main small subject matter or a wider more open subject.

features
finally do you want extra features on your forum site? Things like points systems, virtual money systems, easy accessible relevent tools etc

Rowan W · 12-06-2005, 04:11 PM

Look - Does the forum you visit need to be pretty to look at?
no

Speed - Is it important to have a fast loading forum?
No, i don't mind waiting 5 minutes for a page to load. 

Community
As long as there's a balance between experienced designers and newbies willing to learn. Threads such as, "frontpage vs dreamweaver" should be locked and burned.

Content
As long as it covers everything related to webdesign.

Features
Less is more.

mch · 12-06-2005, 04:34 PM

look
Make it simple, easy on the eyes. Not too much colors, no animation.

speed
YES.

community
A community that is too close might interfere with the effectiveness of the forum. Posts would go offtopic easily because people would start including personal stuff. And it's not too good for the new members either, they might feel outcasted. So a city is better.

content
Make enough groups for the topics. I think with time you'll see what belongs to the forum and what doesn't.

features
Not important to me.

sjaguar13 · 12-06-2005, 05:10 PM

look
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=145926
I don't care what it looks like as long as it's easy to read...and find the post button. I hate it when I can't find that button!

speed
Yes. Sacrafice look for speed (at least a little).

community
I don't care how big it is as long as there is someone there that knows what he's doing. It could actually be a community of me and that guy. I post questions, he answers them. I wouldn't join a web design forum to make friends.

content
I would have categories for main topics. I wouldn't want to ask a CSS question and get lost in a sea of Photoshop topics.

features
The only thing good about the virtual money thing is if you actually have some worth buying. Things like the username color changing and whatnot is kinda stupid.

peter phillips · 12-07-2005, 05:02 AM

Look
Not really. User interface should be simple and friendly and the text should be easily readable.

Speed
Yes I prefer a fast loading forum

Community
Good, friendly and large community

Content
Should be wide open subject and not just restricted to a particular subject. This will get more more members interested in various subjects.

Features
If they are useful enough then why not?

LeetPCUser · 12-07-2005, 05:55 AM

look
It needs to be attractive somewhat. Just make sure it isn't a color clash. People can stand an okay looking forum, but they HATE ugly forums.

speed
Definately.

community
Well it all depends. Even when you have big communities like here at NamePros you have smaller knit communities within. I would say shoot for large.

content
Have a wide subject area like cars or computers and then have different subsets specifiying certain areas.

features
Extra features are initially what kept me around at NamePros. I would say this is a definate.

Niek · 12-07-2005, 09:11 AM

look: YES , if it's not , then i still go there do.

speed: ofcourse!!!

community: I prefer a community not too big not too small.

content: I prefer ONE , which would be internet business.

features: not needed , but is allways fun

Laughs Galore · 12-07-2005, 02:26 PM

look
If the forum is informative to me, then I don't care what it looks like.
speed
Yes it is because if it's slow I'll just go somewhere else.

community
It matters how good the content is.

content
It doesn't matter as long as the content interests me.

features
Only if it is needed.

paaaaaaaaaa · 12-11-2005, 10:15 AM

Thanks thats some really useful info already. I have some more questions now.

1. What would make you register to a new forum?
2. How many forums are you registered to. If yes then do you focus more on one forum? If so why?
3. When you view a brand new forum whats the first thing you look at?

asgsoft · 12-11-2005, 02:26 PM

look
Yes

speed
Yes

community
A big community with alot of varity of people

content
I prefer a wider range

features
A virtual shopping system with the ability to buy things like domains etc

1. Any special offers eg domain names quality support for free
2. About 6, i focuse on one becuase it is very lively and useful with a very good archives.
3. Annoncements and what its like (friendly, helpful polite etc..)

JustNewbie · 12-11-2005, 05:33 PM

Look
Make sure the layout is not too ugly.

Speed
Speed comes first.

Community
Community comes second. Nobody would want to go to a forum which consists of only 10 members.

Content
Don't put too much subdirectories.

Features
Well, you need a convenient user control panel.

peter phillips · 12-12-2005, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by paaaaaaaaaa

Thanks thats some really useful info already. I have some more questions now.

1. What would make you register to a new forum?
2. How many forums are you registered to. If yes then do you focus more on one forum? If so why?
3. When you view a brand new forum whats the first thing you look at?

1. Good community, good topics and the activity.
2. Don't have a count. I don't focus more on a particular forum. I do visit all forums when I get time.
3. First thing I look at is the no. of members, no. of active members, and topics discussed in the forum.

paaaaaaaaaa · 12-13-2005, 06:16 AM

Cheers for all your replies. Im starting to put a lot of work into my forum now to help make it more unique and fill it with hot content. I am writing a lot of articles and news posts. I will be looking for some help with that though.

I also try to be quick to welcome new users and answer questions in a friendly manner. Though I will need a forum leader and mods to help out here when it fills up.

Once again cheers for your replys and if anyone else has suggestions please do post them.

asgsoft · 12-13-2005, 10:37 AM

what is the site and what will it be about?

Epic · 12-13-2005, 01:38 PM

look
yeah

speed
Yeah, it's more annoying to have a slow loading forum than an ugly one

community
Large

content
Wide, so there's always something to post about

features
They're cool but not necessay

GFX^^ · 12-13-2005, 07:24 PM

it must give free stuff

JustNewbie · 12-14-2005, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by paaaaaaaaaa

Thanks thats some really useful info already. I have some more questions now.

1. What would make you register to a new forum?
2. How many forums are you registered to. If yes then do you focus more on one forum? If so why?
3. When you view a brand new forum whats the first thing you look at?

1. I'll look at how many members and how active the forum is. If I'm interested in one of the directory/thread, I'll then register.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=145926

2.Around 15. Yes, because my present works are related to the forum.

3.As usual, I'll look at the directories/threads present.

Premiumsigs · 12-18-2005, 02:35 AM

look
the looks has to be attractive (nice banner) or you will leave at once

speed
speed is very important you dont wanna wait do you

community
the community of a forum has to get along only then will u be successful

content
i like to have many content of forums. a sale forum. discussion and gfx forum

features
credit(np) and reputation mods are the most famous in GFX

thomaslgates · 12-22-2005, 07:46 PM

All that people will look for in a forum is a good layout and an enjoyable forum (like this one). More information and more brainstorming in a forum would always help!

Pakistani · 12-25-2005, 09:20 AM

look?
Absolutely NO.

speed?
A bit.

content?
wider more open subject.

special features?
Does not matter.

Fkrule · 12-25-2005, 09:22 AM

look?
yessish

speed?
very important

content?
something that i know

special features?
not really

alanpaladka · 12-26-2005, 12:02 AM

Look is very important. The content should be helpful to others. Overall, it sholud be simple and helpful.

12-06-2005, 03:30 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
paaaaaaaaaa NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 442	What you want from a forum? Im the owner of a new web design forum. Which I'm looking to make popular. So ofcourse Ive started like most people. With some SEO stuff. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/145926-what-you-want-from-a-forum.html Im in the process of adding it too directories etc. Ive also modded the code to rewrite the URL of threads to static pages, though it still needs improving. The main thing what I will be working on soon though will be to write an in depth article on what a community wants out of a forum. First I need to do some research to find out the answers. So this question goes to all you reading. What do you want from a forum? Hopefully then I will have a great understanding of what people want from their forums and I can incorporate it into my forum. Key subjects to discuss would be: look Does the forum you visit need to be pretty to look at? speed Is it important to have a fast loading forum? community Ofcourse the forum needs a good friendly community but do people prefer a large community or a close and tight community? City or village? content Does the content have to be focused on the a main small subject matter or a wider more open subject. features finally do you want extra features on your forum site? Things like points systems, virtual money systems, easy accessible relevent tools etc __________________ Please add to my rep points if i was helpful. Thanks. Content management system and online shop software

12-06-2005, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rowan W NamePros Regular Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: QLD, Australia Posts: 713	Look - Does the forum you visit need to be pretty to look at? no Speed - Is it important to have a fast loading forum? No, i don't mind waiting 5 minutes for a page to load. <!-- end sarcasm --> Community As long as there's a balance between experienced designers and newbies willing to learn. Threads such as, "frontpage vs dreamweaver" should be locked and burned. Content As long as it covers everything related to webdesign. Features Less is more. __________________ Flash is bad for websites Why tables for layout is stupid IE IS BAD

12-06-2005, 05:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
sjaguar13 NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 383	look ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=145926 I don't care what it looks like as long as it's easy to read...and find the post button. I hate it when I can't find that button! speed Yes. Sacrafice look for speed (at least a little). community I don't care how big it is as long as there is someone there that knows what he's doing. It could actually be a community of me and that guy. I post questions, he answers them. I wouldn't join a web design forum to make friends. content I would have categories for main topics. I wouldn't want to ask a CSS question and get lost in a sea of Photoshop topics. features The only thing good about the virtual money thing is if you actually have some worth buying. Things like the username color changing and whatnot is kinda stupid. __________________ Theme Mine \| LA Criminal Lawers \|

12-07-2005, 05:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
peter phillips Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,318	Look Not really. User interface should be simple and friendly and the text should be easily readable. Speed Yes I prefer a fast loading forum Community Good, friendly and large community Content Should be wide open subject and not just restricted to a particular subject. This will get more more members interested in various subjects. Features If they are useful enough then why not? __________________ Outsourced Hosting Support \|\| Server Management \|\| Web Development Portfolio ICQ : 487-845-393 \|\| AIM : EtecDesigns \|\| MSN : sales@etechdesigns.net

12-07-2005, 09:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Niek NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 511	look: YES , if it's not , then i still go there do. speed: ofcourse!!! community: I prefer a community not too big not too small. content: I prefer ONE , which would be internet business. features: not needed , but is allways fun __________________ http://niek.carbonmade.com

12-06-2005, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
mch NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: EU Posts: 248	look Make it simple, easy on the eyes. Not too much colors, no animation. speed YES. community A community that is too close might interfere with the effectiveness of the forum. Posts would go offtopic easily because people would start including personal stuff. And it's not too good for the new members either, they might feel outcasted. So a city is better. content Make enough groups for the topics. I think with time you'll see what belongs to the forum and what doesn't. features Not important to me.

12-07-2005, 05:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	look It needs to be attractive somewhat. Just make sure it isn't a color clash. People can stand an okay looking forum, but they HATE ugly forums. speed Definately. community Well it all depends. Even when you have big communities like here at NamePros you have smaller knit communities within. I would say shoot for large. content Have a wide subject area like cars or computers and then have different subsets specifiying certain areas. features Extra features are initially what kept me around at NamePros. I would say this is a definate.

12-07-2005, 02:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
Laughs Galore NamePros Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Your Advert Here Posts: 273	look If the forum is informative to me, then I don't care what it looks like. speed Yes it is because if it's slow I'll just go somewhere else. community It matters how good the content is. content It doesn't matter as long as the content interests me. features Only if it is needed. __________________ CSSThemesClub.com

12-11-2005, 10:15 AM	THREAD STARTER #9 (permalink)
paaaaaaaaaa NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 442	Thanks thats some really useful info already. I have some more questions now. 1. What would make you register to a new forum? 2. How many forums are you registered to. If yes then do you focus more on one forum? If so why? 3. When you view a brand new forum whats the first thing you look at? __________________ Please add to my rep points if i was helpful. Thanks. Content management system and online shop software

12-11-2005, 02:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
asgsoft NamePros Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: At Home Posts: 881	look Yes speed Yes community A big community with alot of varity of people content I prefer a wider range features A virtual shopping system with the ability to buy things like domains etc 1. Any special offers eg domain names quality support for free 2. About 6, i focuse on one becuase it is very lively and useful with a very good archives. 3. Annoncements and what its like (friendly, helpful polite etc..) __________________ Free SEO and Domain tools \|HTML ENT\| Your Source to expired domains with PageRank & tips Last edited by asgsoft; 12-11-2005 at 02:31 PM.

12-11-2005, 05:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
JustNewbie NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 420	Look Make sure the layout is not too ugly. Speed Speed comes first. Community Community comes second. Nobody would want to go to a forum which consists of only 10 members. Content Don't put too much subdirectories. Features Well, you need a convenient user control panel. __________________ Free subdomains URL redirection and more at XLUrl.net █ Humor⁵.com iFast Hosting Affordable Shared, Reseller & VPS Hosting! :) IMGHoster simple, fast & free image hosting.

12-13-2005, 06:16 AM	THREAD STARTER #13 (permalink)
paaaaaaaaaa NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 442	Cheers for all your replies. Im starting to put a lot of work into my forum now to help make it more unique and fill it with hot content. I am writing a lot of articles and news posts. I will be looking for some help with that though. I also try to be quick to welcome new users and answer questions in a friendly manner. Though I will need a forum leader and mods to help out here when it fills up. Once again cheers for your replys and if anyone else has suggestions please do post them. __________________ Please add to my rep points if i was helpful. Thanks. Content management system and online shop software

12-13-2005, 10:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
asgsoft NamePros Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: At Home Posts: 881	what is the site and what will it be about? __________________ Free SEO and Domain tools \|HTML ENT\| Your Source to expired domains with PageRank & tips

12-13-2005, 01:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Epic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,779	look yeah speed Yeah, it's more annoying to have a slow loading forum than an ugly one community Large content Wide, so there's always something to post about features They're cool but not necessay __________________ Attractive, Compelling, Efficient Web Design & Development

12-13-2005, 07:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
GFX^^ Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,676	it must give free stuff __________________ PHPLD Templates - Precharge Projectnet - Submit your Directory! Clarib Web Directory Quality manual directory submission ,article submission,link building service allrelevantsites web directory

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12-26-2005, 12:02 AM	#22 (permalink)
alanpaladka Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: India Posts: 299	Look is very important. The content should be helpful to others. Overall, it sholud be simple and helpful.