Pre-Launch Review
Site Name: ForumPeak
Site Type: Forum. Tips & Tricks, Support.
Age: 18 days, 01-25-2013
Appearance
The banner on your forum is lovely. Although, I was the one who created it--yet, now I noticed that the text, "Forum Peak," is somewhat difficult to read. Otherwise, the banner itself looks fantastic, due to the fact that it lets members know what the forum is really all about. Which is the main goal to do with a banner. Try centering the image though. By evening out both side will make the banner stand out more, unevenly looks messy and unprofessional. Leaving that aside, the Logo isn't a problem. Moving on, the Navigation Bar is easy to spot, which is often the second most important thing needed on a forum. This helps on guiding new members around the forum. I love the little icons you have next to each of the Navigation button. Hmm finally, your color scheme seems to be decent, it catches the attention of the human eye, but I think the gray background needs to be changed to an HD background. That will initially help the forum's scheme to stand out way more. Completing this, your appearance isn't in a bad start, small changes and your forum will be stunning. :great:
Layout
The way you have you Categories and Forums setup like quite organized, but I strongly believe that you should have
all of the important forums above at the top. Mainly that's a place were everyone expects to see, The Rules, Announcements, Suggestions, and maybe a Support Forum, (can be placed together). The amount of Categories & Forums you have are okay, but I expect to say more like a section that gives Tips & Tricks, isn't that what you're mainly all about? There's actual more discussion forums than actual Tutorials to help out webs. If you're intending to let the members help out one another, then I suggest to make a section for them to submit tutorials or so. Regardless, your forum seems to be organized and has a good amount of Categories and Forum, just try adding a bit more to, "Forum Tech & Design." Oh yeah, the icons next to the Forums makes the setup stand out.
First Impressions and Interest
The first thing that I noticed was your favicon, it's pretty nice! You have good taste in choosing favicons! In the other hand, once I registered, I noticed the pop-out chat-box! Which is an awesome chat-box, I guarantee you that it will get member's attention. By viewing the Forum's Theme, it did catch my attention. Its very well designed and professionally done, but I think the background needs to be change to stand out way more. It's impressive that Forums nowadays don't often to use icons next to the forums, which is really unique of you using them. One con though, 18 days should be enough for the forum to be out on the public. The environmental seems to be calmed and relaxing, though the theme really helps it out! In overall, good job on impressing your members & guests.
Content
Ah, the grammar is wonderful! I bet you're all NAZI-GRAMMARs, hah. Well, keeping your grammar this way lets members know that the forum is professionally, experienced, and you can say smart? Although, maybe goofing around inside the Forum Discussion forum wouldn't really affect the forum. So, have fun once in a while. Some members will find the forum boring, since a lot of people intend to write as the, "Texting Slag." Although, in this case you're a forum that is willing to help out webs, so grammar does happen to be taken seriously. Meaningless, most of your Posts are understandable! For example, your Rules are unique! They simply just thrown the message out there, you do not have to be rereading it. I don't really see any posts that have paragraphs or so, but remember paragraphs have 6 sentences or so. Refrain from creating short paragraphs in the future, looks messy.
😉
(Not saying that you have short paragraphs, just informing you for later in the future, maybe inside Updates or on Announcements).
Words from the Reviewer
Well good luck with your forum, intend to work hard on it and release it to the public, mate. Just finish getting guidelines and staff, and you'll be all good. Oh, and add some Categories & Forums related to Support, Tips, and Tricks! Enough said, see ya!
Regards,
Sir Chivas.
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