General Discussions

**Fredto** · 06-29-2006, 09:09 AM

I was curious about one thing. I have an idea for a community and I'm wondering if I should start with a simple page (a kind of a portal page) and make a link to the forums or if I should just direct my domain on the forum.

I know the portal might be useful someday, but I'm not sure what to put on it for starters... Should I just put a link / image "Go to the forums" or should I design a template and stuff?

On the other hand, the forum directly is less troublesome in a way...

And, as I write this, I was thinking... I know phpBB pretty well but I'm curious about SMF. Anyone uses it? Or can comment?

Thanks for answering

**Guaner** · 06-29-2006, 09:58 AM

This issue is addressed in Podcast #1 of the Won Li Do Sho. I would encourage you to listen to it, especially the "Forum Critiques" and see what you think.

**Fredto** · 06-29-2006, 10:05 AM

Really? Well, thanks, gonna do that right away.

Didn't know, sorry for asking

**Guaner** · 06-29-2006, 12:00 PM

Not a problem! It's usually a good idea to get lots of feedback anyway

**Frito Pie** · 06-29-2006, 02:41 PM

I use a portal because my site has plenty of content in addition to a community. A portal page helps me pull it all together and create an index page for the visitor.

**Lpspider** · 06-30-2006, 02:02 PM

Personally, I don't think portals are good. Sure, under some sutuations they are, but unless there is a very good reason for your users to visit your portal as opposed to your forum, then it's good. If there's no reason, you'll only turn away visitors.

They key with adding a portal is adding relevant content.

**Hoang** · 06-30-2006, 04:44 PM

I prefer going straight to the forum rather than a portal page. Most of the time, I find that portals are confusing and the forum link itself is hard to find.

**Andreas Bard** · 06-30-2006, 07:40 PM

The portal is excellent if you are going to fill your site with other pages and content than the forum itself. It makes it more community like.

//Andreas

**imported_Anthony** · 06-30-2006, 07:42 PM

I wouldn't recommend a portal unless you have plenty of content to populate it.

At the cutting off point, if you have too much content to showcase correctly on a portal page, it's time to expand into a fully fledged content site with a community on the side.

**insane** · 06-30-2006, 08:02 PM

Well if you can always update then go with portal ...
And if you cant then make it redirect to forum

**Dr. Domaining** · 07-01-2006, 10:30 PM

You could always create a portal of RSS feeds that would keep your site updated on a daily basis with absolutely no matience. This is one alternative if you don't have time to update it often. Some RSS portals are quite successful.