Website Review and Suggestions

**audiomad** · 02-14-2008, 11:29 AM

Ok over last last year I have redesigned my forum over and over again trying to make it more appealing to people so they will join but with not much luck can anyone suggest or give ideas how to make the site more appealing to people? www.websiteforumz.com

**Midgard** · 02-14-2008, 02:48 PM

The idea is in attracting users. So the first they should see is actual information, not some greetings, ads etc. remove them completely or move to the left column.
Now almost everything depends on content. So you can just buy IPB, install IP.pro skin and get a large number of visitors, if content on your forum is unique...

**mchael** · 02-14-2008, 08:05 PM

remove the ads on the side- they are way to distracting.

You could also try posting some articles in your forums and resource lists related to your topics to get people started.

michael
http://www.m6.net

**jamestl2** · 02-19-2008, 12:40 AM

Here's my critical review:

The first question I asked myself is: Why is it titled websiteforumz.com? It looks primarily entertainment based, so the domain name confused me.

The huge banner with nothing there is a waste of space, I'd say get rid of the smaller banner containing your site's logo and move it below with the button

There is a horizontal scrollbar in my browser (FF) on the homepage, very annoying

I concur with Michael, remove those distracting ads

There are probably too many forums ATM, maybe reduce the amount by 1/3 (or move some of the forums to sub-boards), but then again you do have a fair amount of activity IMO, so it's your call

Also, I'd say 100 threads per page by default is too high, reduce it to 50 or so.

Good luck with your forums, I know how difficult they can be

**mntbikeracer1** · 02-19-2008, 01:41 AM

The main problem I see is that header. I'm on a 1600x1200 monitor and it took half of my screen height to get to any real text or info. Cut that down to begin with and get rid of the distracting ad.

**timothynblake** · 02-19-2008, 04:19 AM

its got a nice look to it but the graphics are really poor they look really dull and boring i think it would pay for you to get a company to do graphical work i.e. the banner, logo

p.s.
check my portfolio out i might be able to help you out with your graphics if you interested contact me via my portfolio site
http://www.timothyblake.com/index.html

**ceuyan** · 02-19-2008, 06:41 PM

looks like a one stop shop for forums.. layout looks ok but the header seems so big

**bpool_lee** · 02-19-2008, 07:57 PM

The first thing i see on loading the page is these big adverts just above the forum and down the side, you dont need big adverts like that, they take the users away from the content you actually want them to see.

The second thing is the banner, a banner to me should say wow aka stand out or it should say sweet aka slick and simple, your's doesn't do you much justice at the minute, maybe you could work on a new one that screams wow.

The other thing i will pick up on is the amount of catagorys, for me to make a post in the right area its going to take me half an hour to check i have the right section, by that time i am bored and i have gone.

Bear in mind these are the few major things i have picked on, you should take note on what others have said as everything the users say is important

Hope it helps,
Lee.