Design Is Done...Now How Do I Attract Users?

LeetPCUser · 06-12-2006, 08:47 AM

The design and sub sites are finally done for my forum, www.pcwebadvice.com, and now I am wondering exactly how I market the site. All of the people on there are people I know pretty well threw forums or other sites. We have no budget for advertising and I have put my link in every sig and even got some other sites to advertise mine.

The question now is how can I get more people to the site? It is extremely unique in color and design. We also have a directory and a tutorial site binded with the forum. I thought this would make the forum extremely unique.

Please help me find ways to advertise my site. It is already listed on Google. I will donate NP$ and rep to anyone who can help me think of good ways to get more people.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/206515-design-done-now-how-do-i.html

Thanks,

LeetPCUser · 06-12-2006, 10:52 AM

I donated 10NP$ for your idea about tutorial submission. Thanks for the great idea.

david.amherst · 06-12-2006, 10:56 AM

I have a few suggestions, in addition to Bill's good advice above:

- Submit to directories. You won't get much traffic from them, but the links will increase your PR, and consequently your search engines rankings.
- Generate RSS feeds for each of the forums. People will be able to see new threads and interesting topics, and then they will want to go to your site to post.
- I noticed that your forum is using URLs with IDs instead of the topic name, there's a mod for SMF that gives you SE-friendly URLs, and some other SE optimizations, you can download it here: http://mods.simplemachines.org/index.php?mod=353
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515

Good luck with your forums, they look really good!

DomainDomain · 06-12-2006, 11:01 AM

I dont know much bout advertising a site yet, but your site does look good, and I will post there as often as I can. Hope that helps.

LeetPCUser · 06-12-2006, 11:02 AM

Wow, thanks! Would anyone else be that nice? I am giving away what NP$ I have for more suggestions too. I posted my first tutorial to Pixel2Life hoping that could get some hits. We'll see.

cyberoptik · 06-12-2006, 11:22 AM

Nice looking forum. As far as marketing the previous posters have done a pretty good job of simply outlining what to do.

One thing I would recommend though after viewing your site is to keep the same template/layout as your forum on your directory/tutorial pages. Because once you go to one of those pages; the links to the other features are lost plus you go from 100% width to just about 500 or 600. I think if you used the same 100% width template with the border, etc. on those pages that it would bring your site together more and make navigation a little easier

.

RJ

LeetPCUser · 06-12-2006, 11:26 AM

The one thing I hated about that is 100% sites. It looks good on forums, but I really hate it for other sites. I prefer to have it set 700px instead of 100%. It looks less empty. It looks especially bad when you don't have a lot of info to cover it. I at least made the other 2 sites identical.

I wanted people to have 1 look for the forum and 1 look for the sub pages. I want all sub pages to be identical in nature but still not the same. This is because the forum is the primary focus of my website, not the sub sites.

Thanks for the review. Still trying to get people to join.

I tried paying to post, but then members never come back and it is a false representation...which kind of sucks. Anymore ideas?

sedgewickj · 06-12-2006, 01:09 PM

Hi Bryan,

I hear articles are a good way to go. Write an article and get it posted in relevent newsletters - including a link to your site. Once the newsletters are distributed, your web address will go out to lots of people in one go.

I also found some good promotion advice at http:/bestwebsite.50webs.com

Jim

LeetPCUser · 06-12-2006, 01:13 PM

I missed the thing about the mod before. The problem with the mods are they are all geared for the basic skin. This is the one thing I HATE about SMF. You can't upgrade or mod it if you are using a different skin.

As for articles...what kind of articles? How do I write articles? Where do I publish them or send them out? I have never done articles before.

StudioWorks · 06-15-2006, 02:16 PM

Place a link to your web site in your signature on forums, submit to directories ( you can find a huge number of directories here http://forum.digitalpoint.com ), write articles and submit them to articles web sites ( you are allowed to post links in a article ) and so on..

SW

Jonny · 06-15-2006, 03:32 PM

The best way to market your website is to start at your website. What I mean by this is content.

Writing articles and tutorials as already mentioned is a great way to get visitors to your website. Being able to write an informative article is not an easy task, you have to be able to include research (facts and figures) and focus on what you are trying to say.

The hardest decision you will have to make when writing an article will be what to write it on, it has to be something unique, or alternatively an article can be on something plenty people have wrote about but with a unique point of view.
Once you have finished your articles, submit them to article websites and if you article is unique and catches the users attention, they will most likely visit your website.

Another way to promote your website is through a partnership, share an interest with an admin of another forum, or several other forums.

Try to find a common link which in your case is pretty obvious; computers. If you can find another forum that wants to expand on what they offer their members, without actually creating any more forums, then they might well advertise your forum free of charge; in exchange they will probably ask you to do the same. A good example of this would be a forum about coding partnering up with a forum full of web designers.

One possible partnership with your forum could be a gamers forum, gamers are notoriously fond of modding and hardware so they would probably take an interest in your forum.

Depending on how much knowledge you have of the subjects on your forum; you could submit a few news pieces to several computer magazines. Now it is unlikely the magazines you find in your local store will accept and print your article, however, hardware e-zines might well take what you've said on board and quote you in an upcomming newsletter.
Or alternatively you could start an e-zine yourself, post around on forums such as NP and WHT looking for writers and let members of your forum contribute to what goes in them. Once they are complete post them around, show people what you have come up with!

Public speaking is always an option, I was once asked to talk to my class in college about web design. Ok, yes, it's only one class how far can the information go? Well you'd be suprised. There are often lots of positions open on computer courses where they want speakers to come in and talk about their experiences, which could again generate more traffic.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515

Links in your signature has already been mentioned, but why stop with links just on forums? Put them on the end of your emails to and email people in your address book. However, do not go over the top and email people who you don't know and probably don't want your email address. Unwanted emails will look bad for you and your website.

Finally, one thing your site seems to be lacking is Reviews!!! Reviews are a sure way to gather visitors to your website. You won't like what I have to say next but I'll say it anyway, change your website. By this I don't mean change the design (I love the design) but have a frontpage with collected information such as reviews and your newsletter but make it clear that you have a forum as well.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515
Websites which have front pages listing reviews, special offers and articles (cnet.com) for example, tend to be more popular than forums where the visitor has to search around to find what she/he is looking for.
Getting back on track to what I was previously talking about; think about how many times you look something up on the internet e.g. "Razer Copperhead Review".

If you post a good review at your website, and it is easy to find then it might well popup in Google and give you more visitors. One good review and a visitor could be hooked.

There's a few ideas on how to market your website, most were already mentioned but I felt I had something to add.

Good luck with your site in the future, I will try my best to post as much as possible

.

Regards,
Jonny.

06-12-2006, 08:47 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	Design Is Done...Now How Do I Attract Users? The design and sub sites are finally done for my forum, www.pcwebadvice.com, and now I am wondering exactly how I market the site. All of the people on there are people I know pretty well threw forums or other sites. We have no budget for advertising and I have put my link in every sig and even got some other sites to advertise mine. The question now is how can I get more people to the site? It is extremely unique in color and design. We also have a directory and a tutorial site binded with the forum. I thought this would make the forum extremely unique. Please help me find ways to advertise my site. It is already listed on Google. I will donate NP$ and rep to anyone who can help me think of good ways to get more people. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/206515-design-done-now-how-do-i.html Thanks,

06-12-2006, 10:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
david.amherst Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,335	I have a few suggestions, in addition to Bill's good advice above: - Submit to directories. You won't get much traffic from them, but the links will increase your PR, and consequently your search engines rankings. - Generate RSS feeds for each of the forums. People will be able to see new threads and interesting topics, and then they will want to go to your site to post. - I noticed that your forum is using URLs with IDs instead of the topic name, there's a mod for SMF that gives you SE-friendly URLs, and some other SE optimizations, you can download it here: http://mods.simplemachines.org/index.php?mod=353 ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515 Good luck with your forums, they look really good! __________________ Donate to the NP Emergency Fund Today!

06-12-2006, 11:02 AM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	Wow, thanks! Would anyone else be that nice? I am giving away what NP$ I have for more suggestions too. I posted my first tutorial to Pixel2Life hoping that could get some hits. We'll see. Last edited by PCWebAdvice; 06-12-2006 at 11:13 AM.

06-12-2006, 11:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
cyberoptik Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,111	Nice looking forum. As far as marketing the previous posters have done a pretty good job of simply outlining what to do. One thing I would recommend though after viewing your site is to keep the same template/layout as your forum on your directory/tutorial pages. Because once you go to one of those pages; the links to the other features are lost plus you go from 100% width to just about 500 or 600. I think if you used the same 100% width template with the border, etc. on those pages that it would bring your site together more and make navigation a little easier . RJ __________________ Website Scripts - The Best Scripts on the Web Follow Scripteen on Facebook! Join the Scripteen Mailing List for exclusive script discounts & updates!

06-15-2006, 02:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
StudioWorks no one lives forever Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NamePros Posts: 8,075	Place a link to your web site in your signature on forums, submit to directories ( you can find a huge number of directories here http://forum.digitalpoint.com ), write articles and submit them to articles web sites ( you are allowed to post links in a article ) and so on.. SW __________________ epagini.com mexicorealty.net softwarepit.com yadasoftware.com

	NamePros Design Contests	Forum Sponsorship
	Join in on the FUN! You can start an affordable design contest and pick from entries talented members submit or you can enter a design contest for a chance to win CASH PRIZES! What are you waiting for? Get started in the fun TODAY! - Banners, Logos, Mascots, and MORE! (Please READ the design Contest section rules Prior to starting or entering a contest)

06-12-2006, 10:52 AM	THREAD STARTER #2 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	I donated 10NP$ for your idea about tutorial submission. Thanks for the great idea.

06-12-2006, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
DomainDomain NamePros Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Posts: 172	I dont know much bout advertising a site yet, but your site does look good, and I will post there as often as I can. Hope that helps.

06-12-2006, 11:26 AM	THREAD STARTER #7 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	The one thing I hated about that is 100% sites. It looks good on forums, but I really hate it for other sites. I prefer to have it set 700px instead of 100%. It looks less empty. It looks especially bad when you don't have a lot of info to cover it. I at least made the other 2 sites identical. I wanted people to have 1 look for the forum and 1 look for the sub pages. I want all sub pages to be identical in nature but still not the same. This is because the forum is the primary focus of my website, not the sub sites. Thanks for the review. Still trying to get people to join. I tried paying to post, but then members never come back and it is a false representation...which kind of sucks. Anymore ideas?

06-12-2006, 01:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
sedgewickj New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2	Hi Bryan, I hear articles are a good way to go. Write an article and get it posted in relevent newsletters - including a link to your site. Once the newsletters are distributed, your web address will go out to lots of people in one go. I also found some good promotion advice at http:/bestwebsite.50webs.com Jim

06-12-2006, 01:13 PM	THREAD STARTER #9 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	I missed the thing about the mod before. The problem with the mods are they are all geared for the basic skin. This is the one thing I HATE about SMF. You can't upgrade or mod it if you are using a different skin. As for articles...what kind of articles? How do I write articles? Where do I publish them or send them out? I have never done articles before.

06-15-2006, 03:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jonny NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	The best way to market your website is to start at your website. What I mean by this is content. Writing articles and tutorials as already mentioned is a great way to get visitors to your website. Being able to write an informative article is not an easy task, you have to be able to include research (facts and figures) and focus on what you are trying to say. The hardest decision you will have to make when writing an article will be what to write it on, it has to be something unique, or alternatively an article can be on something plenty people have wrote about but with a unique point of view. Once you have finished your articles, submit them to article websites and if you article is unique and catches the users attention, they will most likely visit your website. Another way to promote your website is through a partnership, share an interest with an admin of another forum, or several other forums. Try to find a common link which in your case is pretty obvious; computers. If you can find another forum that wants to expand on what they offer their members, without actually creating any more forums, then they might well advertise your forum free of charge; in exchange they will probably ask you to do the same. A good example of this would be a forum about coding partnering up with a forum full of web designers. One possible partnership with your forum could be a gamers forum, gamers are notoriously fond of modding and hardware so they would probably take an interest in your forum. Depending on how much knowledge you have of the subjects on your forum; you could submit a few news pieces to several computer magazines. Now it is unlikely the magazines you find in your local store will accept and print your article, however, hardware e-zines might well take what you've said on board and quote you in an upcomming newsletter. Or alternatively you could start an e-zine yourself, post around on forums such as NP and WHT looking for writers and let members of your forum contribute to what goes in them. Once they are complete post them around, show people what you have come up with! Public speaking is always an option, I was once asked to talk to my class in college about web design. Ok, yes, it's only one class how far can the information go? Well you'd be suprised. There are often lots of positions open on computer courses where they want speakers to come in and talk about their experiences, which could again generate more traffic. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515 Links in your signature has already been mentioned, but why stop with links just on forums? Put them on the end of your emails to and email people in your address book. However, do not go over the top and email people who you don't know and probably don't want your email address. Unwanted emails will look bad for you and your website. Finally, one thing your site seems to be lacking is Reviews!!! Reviews are a sure way to gather visitors to your website. You won't like what I have to say next but I'll say it anyway, change your website. By this I don't mean change the design (I love the design) but have a frontpage with collected information such as reviews and your newsletter but make it clear that you have a forum as well. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=206515 Websites which have front pages listing reviews, special offers and articles (cnet.com) for example, tend to be more popular than forums where the visitor has to search around to find what she/he is looking for. Getting back on track to what I was previously talking about; think about how many times you look something up on the internet e.g. "Razer Copperhead Review". If you post a good review at your website, and it is easy to find then it might well popup in Google and give you more visitors. One good review and a visitor could be hooked. There's a few ideas on how to market your website, most were already mentioned but I felt I had something to add. Good luck with your site in the future, I will try my best to post as much as possible . Regards, Jonny.

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