Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
Well my first impression of the forum didn't get the wow factor as I have visited the site for several months now along with many other graphic sites and one thing every graphic site has is a dark theme. I don't know if it is a trend or somewhat to graphic forums but why not go ahead and try a light theme with different variations of darker colours mixed into the theme. I really like the animated fans and the things that look like a bolt/screw they bring a real pulse to the forum but they may or will look ten times better on a light theme using a different colour scheme. One thing that I noticed that wasn't very appealing was the Favicon, I know you have to work with very small pixels but the ''G'' looks like a ''C'' and I don't know why the X is on a different line although it does look better than having the ''R'' on its own. Try doing something animation related. The two ads didn't impress me much at all, it drives me away from joining and I am sure many other users that have wanted to considered to join your forum but walked away.
(Scored 12/20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
I have reviewed about 6 graphics sites in the last few months and one thing you all have in common is a recruitment section for staff. I don't know why most graphic forums have a section dedicated to staff but why not make a global thread throughout the forum when you require a certain amount of staff. I think you should expand a bit more by adding either Twitter, Facebook and many other social networks, a blog - you could earn a bit of money if you add a few advertisement spaces and add Google Adsense to every posts but just don't plaster it with ads. A blog also gives users a chance to get their work seen a bit more if you add Sig of the Week, Avatar of the Week, & any other competitions. You should also add more sections such as graphic discussion, graphic battles with a set of teams, software discussion, tutorials for web-developement/coding tutorials for graphics. You should also consider expanding the tutorial section splitting it into C4D, photo effects, animation, typography, video tutorials and much more all subbed under the tutorial section. Overall the 3 official categories are all working pretty well.
(Scored 16/20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
Your forums statistics seem pretty well although you could have had a couple thousand more if yourself(Comkid) had posted, didn't come to impress as you are the official owner. Considering you have 4000 members and more and 1/10 off them are active didn't impress as at least 6/10 off them have not posted. Although every forum on the planet has those members who don't post on the forums but I understand that some members possibly just view on a daily basis. I have to give you a round of applause where you have gotten to at this moment of time as many graphic forum owners tend to give in after the 100th member mark.
(Scored 17/20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
Looking at the other two admin's who have more than a thousand posts each and you can dearly trust them if you only have four posts. They have most likely have done an exceptionally well job controlling the forum and keeping it in shape. Your staff seem very active as 4 - 6 off them have all logged in recently and seem to moderate the forums/section they have to moderate pretty well. Some of the staffs length in posts isn't great and could be worked upon.
(Scored 15/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
As said staffs length in some posts ain't great, perhaps talk through with them. Guidelines for most sections are good although add a touch of graphics to them to make them feel like they are at a real graphics forum. Some members posts seem to be more descriptive and make sense more than staff seem to do. It is members that have kept the forum up and have kept staff on track and that is what makes the forum a great community.
(Scored 17/20)
Total Score - 77(Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
A great community with some potential to it but can be improved in spots.
What was most liked about the website/forums: The competitions that you hold as all the members who submit have great entries.
What was disliked most about the website/forums: The main admin/founder has hardly posted on the forum.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website? Theme change and the guest ads.
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