What to know? That’s a very broad question to ask. There’s quite clearly many things that every Webmaster should know when starting a forum, but for everything, you must work your way up and gain experience. Webmasters should know these tips when constructing and managing a forum, yet, a large majority of the Webmasters creating a forum do not actually know this, that’s nothing wrong, we all learn from experience. These are some tips which most Webmasters and forum owners learn after managing a forum for some time.
Tip 1
Forum selection
Never, ever, start with a large and in depth selection of forums. Members don’t want to have an Xbox section if they are on a fishing forum. Keep your sections to a minimum, stay to the topic. Make your forum choices through multiple moments of thought. Think:
These factors should influence your choices quite immensely
Tip 2
Keep your forum attractive.
You don’t want some ugly forum with a colourful background, when your actual forum colour is black. A theme can be the deciding point on if a member wants to choose your forum as a forum that they want to stay on. A theme which looks complex although smooth is something that a member wants. You don’t want them to strain their eyes to read a word, although you don’t want them to zoom out of the page to read massive writing.
Tip 3
Be active
Many Administrators construct their forum and just leave it to grow. No, continuously update. This allows for regular feedback, suggestions and even extra knowledge of what your members expect and or want to see on your forum, which is always great to know. Updating your forum will also allow your members to realise that you’re dedicated in managing your forum.
Tip 4
A professional manner
A forum member loves to see an Administrator who cares for their member base, although while still maintaining a reasonable distance, and clear representation of who’s the dominant person in that relationship. This means, create relationships with members, be nice, friendly, although assertive. By doing so, you keep your members in line, you don’t want your members to think they have power to intimidate the owner and or expect special treatment from you. This doesn’t only keep them in line, it allows them to rely on you, which members of a forum must have. Members relying on you allows efficient growth of the member base.
Tip 5
Keep your members notified
If you’re moving hosts, adding a new forum and or have added a new forum. Keep your members notified. By doing so:
These three occurrences are necessary for a forum to grow into a successful one.
As described above, these are some tips on how to create the base structure to a successful forum.
Tip 1
Forum selection
Never, ever, start with a large and in depth selection of forums. Members don’t want to have an Xbox section if they are on a fishing forum. Keep your sections to a minimum, stay to the topic. Make your forum choices through multiple moments of thought. Think:
- Is this necessary?
Will members actually post in here?
Is this suitable to my main aim?
These factors should influence your choices quite immensely
Tip 2
Keep your forum attractive.
You don’t want some ugly forum with a colourful background, when your actual forum colour is black. A theme can be the deciding point on if a member wants to choose your forum as a forum that they want to stay on. A theme which looks complex although smooth is something that a member wants. You don’t want them to strain their eyes to read a word, although you don’t want them to zoom out of the page to read massive writing.
Tip 3
Be active
Many Administrators construct their forum and just leave it to grow. No, continuously update. This allows for regular feedback, suggestions and even extra knowledge of what your members expect and or want to see on your forum, which is always great to know. Updating your forum will also allow your members to realise that you’re dedicated in managing your forum.
Tip 4
A professional manner
A forum member loves to see an Administrator who cares for their member base, although while still maintaining a reasonable distance, and clear representation of who’s the dominant person in that relationship. This means, create relationships with members, be nice, friendly, although assertive. By doing so, you keep your members in line, you don’t want your members to think they have power to intimidate the owner and or expect special treatment from you. This doesn’t only keep them in line, it allows them to rely on you, which members of a forum must have. Members relying on you allows efficient growth of the member base.
Tip 5
Keep your members notified
If you’re moving hosts, adding a new forum and or have added a new forum. Keep your members notified. By doing so:
- You create discussion
You can receive feedback
Members can thank you / argue against the announcement (still a good outcome)
These three occurrences are necessary for a forum to grow into a successful one.
As described above, these are some tips on how to create the base structure to a successful forum.
