New forum - Suggestions and Help needed

[globefrog]

Hi Guys,

Over the past few months Ive been planning a new forum which I will launch in the next month. I have got the foundations complete and it can be viewed at www.DubaiCareerNews.com

I am after suggestions for this forum, any feedback would be great. Also any hurdles you think I may face etc. I would also love to here any ideas whether it be creative or technical.

I plan on advertising the forum organically in non internet media and also via adwords and banner ads.

I will add rep for everyone who contributes to this thread and will donate some $NP50 blocks to anyone who contributes a great suggestions.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to your replies.

Cheers!
Aaron

 

[Mike]

For starters, you want to add "featured jobs" categories pertaining to upcoming projects in Dubai. It seems that there's a lot of construction going on, try to tap into this market and present news with updates.
I'm certain that there's an Unemployment Office somewhere in Dubai or headhunters/staffing agencies, introduce your board to them and offer them the opportunity to list their jobs for FREE inside the categories but if they'd like to feature any job or their company outside the categories or have a category "brought to you by" then you charge them your banner/sponsor fee.
There are options for run of site banners, special banners pertaining to categories, etc. You just need to figure out how you want to charge the advertiser. If it's an agency supported company, then you may need to resort to CPM - cost per 1k impressions.

In regards to the forum, are your banner images Dubai specific or just some stock shots? If they aren't Dubai specific i'd suggest you try to find some. From what i understand the "Dubaians or Dubai-ies" (?) have pretty well set pride in regards to their city, thus they may like the site better it it doesn't just verbally but also visually represent them. Granted, it's not the major difference, but correct representation is key.

I found a SMF board recently that had mini banners in each category on the index page. I'm not sure how its done and/or if this is even an option in PHPBB, but it would be something to look into.

That's it for the beginning, just some food for thought.

 

[globefrog]

Thanks Intel!

50NP$ on your way to you for your contribution.

I have one more prize of $50NP for another useful lengthy contribution, Rep will be added to all who contribute.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[ApeXX]

The forum and banner designs look great! Both mesh well together but don't visually overpower. The only little thing I can think of that would look good is if you got rid of the stock paper image next to each seperate forum and create miniature images that are specific to that forum. I'm not sure if that's possible in phpBB, but I've seen it done in other forums.

Looking great though, good luck with marketing.

 

[angisson]

nice forum a bit of a blan template. you have WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too many forums on there, its new its empty it looks dead. cut them down and add them back if you wish AFTER you get it going


one thing people do not like is dead forums or at least they look that way.

make it your own phpBB is blan by its self but you can make it look good (oh and secure! :P)


Make it your own, the forum and forum titles are so generic, pay someone (if you have too) too come up with forum titles and dec's.


and the header, no offence but it looks sooooo bad get something that fits with the template or make it so the image goes with it some how


as of now thats all I can think of

 

[Sameh]

Your forums looks good , but i have some edits that might be good.

- set border for your Google ads
- replace your "log in" table to be the first table not last , ppl always like it easy as possible
- Change " Want to Advertise on our site? Click Here " to " Advertise on DubaiCareerNews.com " ... easy , eye-catchable , sounds pro
- Try to change your current "sections title" font face , make it stand out of your other content to increase your website conversion
- You can lower your forums width and use the free space for any related contect , live news , ads , forums stats , etc ..

Good Luck

 

[globefrog]

Great thanks for the input guys, Im plotting it all on my whiteboard in my office. Keep 'em coming.

Will add rep and give another $NP50 prize shortly.

Cheers,
Az