Site URL: http://forum.languavel.net
Date Opened: 10/11/14
Review Type: Advanced
Extra Notes: Complimentary per Kino 🙂
Date Opened: 10/11/14
Review Type: Advanced
Extra Notes: Complimentary per Kino 🙂
Languavel - Advanced Review Request
- Thread starter Sharon
- Start date
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Advanced Review of (Languavel)
Review by (Teg)
Review by (Teg)
When I first look at the Languavel forum, I immediately think to myself, "Wow!" The site's subject and design are unique overall. Moreover, I am impressed with the boldness of the genre of the forum as people do not usually stray from, what most consider, "the norm."
Taking into consideration that Languavel has been open since October of 2014, I feel like 16,151 posts is a significant amount for the site to have. As I calculated the amount of posts per day, manually, by dividing the total posts by 441 days (a rough estimate of days since Languavel opened), 36 posts per day seemed like an excellent number. However, that said, I am almost positive that Languavel does not receive 36 posts in a twenty-four hour period.
Languavel's member count is currently sitting at 304 users. Personally, I think 304 members is a high number for a forum that has only been open for a little over a year.It is almost equal to one new member per day. All of that said, I think you and your staff should focus on ways to increase your member count and ensure that new members continue joining in the future.
Languavel's activity seems to be doing all right. The problem is that most of the activity is coming from staff and not the members. Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing, and it is not an "all the time" issue. It is merely something I have noticed as of late and would like to draw your attention to it. It is equally important for the staff to post as it is for the members to post. However, you want your users actively contributing to your community as well.
Another thing that I've noticed is that the only users who are active on a daily basis are the staff and a few select members. I can count them all on one hand, sometimes two. Moreover, for 304 members on your forum, that is not a good thing.
A few of the boards on Languavel have had no activity since August of 2015. That is another thing that needs your attention. Specifically, Language and Travel Interviews and the Member Spotlight Area needs to be updated and posted in regularly. Otherwise, what's the point in having those two boards?
Here are a few suggestions to help Languavel increase in activity:
Posting Contest: Host a posting contents on Languavel. Yes, this may seem a bit cliche, but it will entice and encourage your users to post on the forums. Thus, a posting contest will help increase the forum's overall activity.
Make it so that staff are unable to participate in the posting contest. We already know that the staff is doing their job and contributing with posts and threads. So, make the contest available for members only. Additionally, set up specific rules and guidelines for the contest so only a certain quality of post can count towards the competition. Doing so eliminates spammy posts and people posting just for the sake of winning a prize.
Create Unique Content: Create some unique and original content each day. Maybe you can assign members of your staff team to specific forums and have them create one new topic each day on that board. The topics should be intriguing, possibly include pictures, and should give the users something that they can discuss. They should not be one or two sentences, especially not with the subject of this forum. The posts should give the users something to think about so that their responses will enhance the discussion instead of ending it.
Monthly Newsletter: Sending out a monthly newsletter can significantly increase the activity of any blog, forum, or website. You can include things like the user of the month; the staff member of the month; announcements for new contests, and an announcement of winners from the previous month's contest(s). You could also include the top five most popular topics, top five most recent topics, welcome new members in the newsletter, and so much more. The options of things you can include in a newsletter are almost limitless.
If you choose to implement a newsletter, be creative with them. Make sure the design is fitting for the time of year and matches the month's upcoming holiday. You could even host special "holiday" events and announce them in a "special" newsletter.
Languavel's site structure is sound. The navigation located at the top of the forum is easy to follow. The categories and boards are in the appropriate order and organized well for the genre of the forum. I also think you guys are doing a great job keeping the community focused on the topic of the site throughout. I have no suggestions for the site's structure. Excellent job!
Languavel has a unique and fitting design for the forum's overall genre. The design relates to the forum's main topics: languages and travel. I am quite impressed that the design is so consistent.
There are two problems, or flaws, that I have with the design of the forum. Keep in mind that my issues with the design are due to what I see and my personal preferences.
The first problem that I have involves the logo. While the overall design of the logo is both professional and unique, the text sort of "annoys me." The main logo text font is perfectly fine, "Languavel." However, the plain white font with a slightly noticeable drop-shadow is not all that creative. That said, for this forum, I think that the simplicity of the main text fits well. The issue I have concerns the sub-text or slogan. The font is tiny and blurred making it hard to read. While I do not think the size of the slogan's text is an issue, the blurriness of the text is what makes it hard to read. I think the font needs to be clearer.
The second problem I have with the design is accessing my profile and settings. I feel like the drop-down arrow next to my $balance is too subtle and not very noticeable. For potential new members, it can be confusing. It will be confusing to users who have never used the forum software that Languavel uses.
Other than the two issues discussed above, I love the forum's design. I especially enjoy the different new/old icons and how they relate to the boards for which they are assigned. Great job!
Languavel is amongst my top five favorite forums because of its originality. Content and subject wise, there are not many language and travel forums out there. Additionally, I am impressed with how well the theme matches the genre of the forum. The forum's overall design is original to the content as well, and that is amazing. Keep it up!
The staff on Languavel remain professional at all times when dealing with members directly. I noticed only a few minor errors in grammar and spelling amongst all of the team members. However, for the most part, everyone is spot on.
Thing you liked best about forum: The overall design and originality of the genre of the forum.
Thing you liked least about forum: Confusing access point for profile and settings.
Overall Mark: (87 out of 100)
As I stated, I love Languavel. It's original and one of a kind. I think you guys should work on the activity and member count of the forum and I wish you the best of luck.
As I stated, I love Languavel. It's original and one of a kind. I think you guys should work on the activity and member count of the forum and I wish you the best of luck.
Your forum looks great. A few things that I would like to point out:
1. I think you should work on your activity as it seems to be quite low at the moment.
2. There is definitely competition in your niche so I think you will standard out a lot more if you offered something unique. Maybe something related to language courses?
3. I think you should try to bring foreign language speakers in. They will be very useful for the development of your forum because they can teach other the languages they know and share ideas.
1. I think you should work on your activity as it seems to be quite low at the moment.
2. There is definitely competition in your niche so I think you will standard out a lot more if you offered something unique. Maybe something related to language courses?
3. I think you should try to bring foreign language speakers in. They will be very useful for the development of your forum because they can teach other the languages they know and share ideas.
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