Small Forum Review
First Impressions
Upon my first visit to your site, I do feel that whilst the colour scheme of your site is nice, there is a lot that could be done to improve it. Your logo for one thing does not do what logos should do, be remembered. A logo should be easy to remember, and tell you about the site. Whilst it does that to a degree, not in the way I would like as a visitor.
I realise you are a new forum but even so, I expect to see content in all sections as a newcomer. A new visitor should not have to see empty sections as it just gives off a bad impression. You theme though, does draw me in although the fact that the header/log-in area box cuts off half way just looks annoying.
Overall, a good first impression though, could be improved slightly though.
Appearance
Your logo essentially is just a stencil type font which tells me nothing about your sites niche in a visual way and it certainly isn’t a logo that I would remember. To make a pure text logo work you have to get it just right. I feel that just sticking one font in one colour really doesn’t do anything justice in a logo. Surely you could have an American football flying over the text? Mix up the colours and get two distinct colours that contrast nicely, make it memorable.
Onto your main theme, it looks nice and it is a nice bright colour which is easy on the eyes but I couldn’t help but think that a nice dark colour (maybe on the section name areas) could just help bring it out a lot more. If you get the colours right then the world really is your oyster in my view in terms of visual effects. Maybe a darker blue/black with a bit of a light texture over it.
Overall though, I can clearly distinguish were one post ends and another begins which is always nice and I can easily see the separate sections. Good job but a few changes are needed.
Ratios and Statistics
You have three sections and fourteen boards which is a nice amount for a new forum. I am glad to see that you did not fall into the trap of adding absolutely everything all at once. For your opening date though you do have a nice amount of content but as always, I will say that it could be improved. Despite making 400 posts in around 7 days, I would have like to see more because I am pretty sure that your subject is not an area where it is hard to talk about. Seeing that empty section though is troubling as you could easily make a ton of topics about other sports yet you haven’t! An empty board always looks bad on a forum; I’d sort that one out. The majority of your posts though seem to be in your non-niche area which is always a sad thing to see. Whilst it is easier to post in these sections, when you are starting out you should always try and get as much content as possible in the niche areas as that is what people will come for. I understand that due to the nature of your forum you probably cannot comment on what other colleges do as you do not know but there is no problem in lurking around on their sites, seeing what they are up too and then writing about it yourself. That’s what many people do for content and so should you. Fill up those sections but you have made a very good start so far in terms of activity.
Content
Whilst you have a rules post I feel that it could be a tad more professionally laid out. Rules need to capture the eyes as be honest, most people do not read the rules but you need them to stand out and be prominent should people break those rules. I feel maybe a bit of extra formatting would bring your rules into the eyes of people.
Your announcements also leave something to be changed as they do not portray the care an Admin should show within a community. In one post, you said ‘Sorry for all the change but I am leaving in 10min’ which is just making me go ‘What the..’ If you have to apologise for changes, explain why, explain the changes for one thing and definitely put more thought into your post. As an Admin you have to set an example and by posting short posts you do tend to encourage members to do the same which is what you don’t want. You want high quality content on your forum and you need to lead the way.
Final Remarks
A good, active forum considering your age but it could be improved by the addition of content in sections other than your non-niche areas to perk up the content of what people actually come for. You also need to look at the precedent you are setting to your members, if you post short, low quality messages, so will they. You want high quality messages as they encourage discussion within a board. You have done good so far but with a bit of TLC and changes you could make that little bit better. Good job so far though.
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