Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
I don't typically like the look of SMF forums, but yours wasn't half bad. I like your banner, it matches your color scheme and purpose of your forum very well. I also like how a Final Fantasy image is embedded into the side of your forum. I also like how you have custom icons on the forum. The color scheme of your forum is good, but it's a bit plain on the background. Make it more exciting, you know, add some pizazz. As far as the posting page, I appreciate the simplicity and like that it is very uncluttered, but it lacks color. I don't like seeing just plain gray everywhere. I think that's a thing with SMF though, the skins don't seem very modern or Web 2.0-ish. Overall, it's good but could be more exciting.
(Scored 17/20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
Your layout is pretty nice. You don't seem to have too many off-topic forums, which a lot of forums seem to. It's good that you don't have too many. All your forums are categorized correctly. However, some of your forums have little-to-no posts so I'd consider eliminating unneeded boards. The navigation links on your forum are easy and nice, although the font is a bit small. I think it's kind of weird though on your layout, nothing happens on mouseover on a gray post, but white posts turn gray, that seems weird. Overall, your layout is fine, but could use a tuneup.
(Scored 17/20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
Unfortunately, your forum pretty much bombed here. For being open over a year, you should have WAY more than 1,000 posts and 64 members. Most forums reach that in a matter of weeks. You seriously need to do a lot of post exchanges or just really start promoting, because your forum is essentially dead. Some forums have just 1 post in them. The forum with the most posts only has around 200 or so posts, which is not good. What's even worse is that you have nearly all the posts, about 90%. That is really not good at all. That means members have contributed almost nothing, really, you're gonna have to work on the activity levels. There's no reason for a forum your age should be like that.
(Scored 7/20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
It's perfectly fine for you to be the only staff member, you can handle it. It's good you're not overstaffed. I know you need activity, but keep in mind hiring a ton of staff in hopes they will be active is NOT the way to go, just keep that in mind. You do a good job, although you have a ton of posts. There's really not much else for me to say here. I really can't complain about anything, the staff situation is fine as it is.
(Scored 20/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
I only noticed a few minor errors,
"Here at the Garden, we want to know what you think! Give feedback about the forum here ^_^" should be, "Here at the Garden, we want to know what you think! Give feedback about the forum here. ^_^"
"Here you can discuss anything from FFI to FFIX, to FFTactics! From NES to PSX!" should be, "Here you can discuss anything from FFI, to FFIX, to FFTactics! From NES to PSX!"
"Wanna talk about something to do with FF games that fit in more than one of the catergories? This is the place!" should be, "Wanna talk about something to do with FF games that fit in more than one of the categories? This is the place!"
"Post, discuss and review fan fiction, fan art or other fan creations of anything here." should be, "Post, discuss, and review fan fiction, fan art, or other fan creations of anything here."
"Got a video or movie you are making/want to show us? Seen a cool TV show, anime or movie recently? Post about it in here." should be, "Got a video or movie you are making/want to show us? Seen a cool TV show, anime, or movie recently? Post about it in here."
These were minor though.
(Scored 18/20)
Total Score - 79 (Out of 100)
Final Remarks: Your activity is what killed you here.
What was most liked about the website/forums: The layout, staff.
What was disliked most about the website/forums: Some skin elements, activity.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website? I'm not much of a FF player, but I would take into account some of the suggestions given.
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