Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance
When I first visit you site I see an inviting introduction for new users. The logo is brilliant and the whole site feels amazingly inviting. Scrolling down, I see an active forum with a very nice design. The little extras, such as the mario images as forum markers, really show what this forum is all about.
However, when I log in I am no longer seeing the green theme that I was seeing as a guest. Instead, I see a yellow theme and the only similarity with this one is the mario images, well nearly. This slightly disappoints me, even the logo has changed. I would suggest swapping the mario images with the white backgrounds for the ones with no background that you are using on the guest version of the forum as it blends in more.
I really like both logos you are using, but I really prefer the one on the guest view, it is smaller, but not too small. It is informative and doesn't get in the way of what your users really are there for, to post. I wouldn't completely get rid of the other logo though, it is a good logo and I am sure you can find good use for it somewhere else.
Returning to the earlier discussion of the theme, I personally Love the green and black theme, I would like to suggest using it as a standard theme for logged in users too. Or maybe work on a theme that symbolises mario even more, images on the section bars, bring in some reds maybe. These are just small suggestions, your theme is brilliant as it is.
There is only one more thing I could suggest here, at the bottom you have a donation box, I would suggest centring it so it places itself above the Powered By Zetaboards Premium text. This would bring it into the forum more and make more users notice it, meaning hopefully you would get more donations.
Another thing I really like about your forum is that there aren't really any ads. The ads that you have are for Zetaboards and I am sure that you are able to replace these with your own ads if you want to. Considering the size of your forum I would suggest looking into this if you are interested in gaining some revenue from your site.
(Score: 18/20)
Site Layout
You have 3 sections with 4 categories in each. In the Mario Forums section you have one category that catches my eye, the Personal Announcements category. I haven't seen this implemented on any other forums I have viewed and I like the concept of it, as it seems to really work. This shows me that you have a strong, stable community.
The next Section, Nintendo, I have nothing to comment on, it contains 4 thriving categories that are well balanced and suiting for the section.
The same goes for the last section, Community.
Overall, you have an amazing community that works really well.
(Scored 20/20)
Statistics and Activity
Total Forum Posts: 17,268
Total Members: 114
The posts to member ratio here is 150 and considering your forum has been open since the middle of January this isn't bad at all, however I would like to see a higher member count on your forum. I can also understand that this is a difficult thing to request due to the niche of your forum. Your activity is brilliant, viewing the forum at morning time there are many posts that have already been made today.
I would really like to see your forum continue growing, which I imagine must be a tough market. If you aren't already I would suggest advertising on other nintendo forums but also it may be an idea for you to contact companies that produced nintendo related projects. Due to your forums size you may be able to get contracts with smaller companies that will grow with time as your forum grows. These contracts could concern them using your forum as the official forum for their merchandise, or suggesting it as a fan forum. Contact nintendo fan clubs with the links too, that may bring you a few active members.
(Scored 18/20)
Staff Moderation
You currently have 1 admin and 2 moderators. You seem to be keeping on top of things but I would suggest looking into hiring a third moderator soon.
Both your moderators seem reasonably active and your forums seem well moderated. I don't see any problems or flaming anywhere.
There is one moderator who seems to have an activity drop, as it is holidays times, I am assuming it is because he is away. This does however give me an extra reason to urge you to hire another moderator.
(Scored 19/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism
"This is also the
pace to report problems and ask for help." place (Descriptive text of the Help and Suggestions Category)
"Let us get to know you and you
____ get to know us." can (Descriptive text of Introduce Yourself Category)
"customizing your profile
, sending personal messages
, and voting in polls" Moved commas (Guest introduction text)
"
You want something added or changed"
Would you like Changed wording (Descriptive text of Feedback and Suggestions Category)
(Scored 14/20)
Total Score - 89/100
Final Remarks
A strong, healthy community that, if you continue to work with it, will continue to grow and thrive.
Strong Points
Forum Layout
Things to Improve
Choose a theme for guests and members to use
After reading your review, please click here to rate our service.
The Team Leader will deduct the cash from your account shortly.
