Peak Forums
Review by Teg
Review by Teg
When the browser first loads your site, I am welcomed with a wonderful dark gray and blue theme. Though I am a bit biased about dark themes, I love the colors and easy to read fonts and texts. The logo, however, barely grabs my attention and that is always a no-no for any website or forum.
Good
Personally, I love the overall design of your forum. The dark colors make--almost--everything easy on the eyes. For the most part, the font family, colors, and styles work well with the overall look of the site.
I especially like the icons and the fact that they are different for each board. That said, I feel as though it would look better if you used multiple colored images to make the forum more "colorful." Doing so would also allow your site to stand out from other's who use the same types of icons.
Regarding the menu icons, I like how you are utilizing the "font-awesome" icons--or, at least I think that you are--to indicate what each menu item is. I am typically a fan of those icons, and I use them on a ton of projects myself.
Touching base on the header, I love the scrolling blues and white header area. It is different and unique in a way. The main issue that I have is with the logo on top of it. For starters, I am not a huge fan of the logo's font. It is too similar to Forum Promotion's and on that background it makes the text a little hard to read. This is especially true given the fact that the font is white. When the scrolling header is moving, and the white from the background meets the logo's text, the forum's name can be especially hard to read. My suggestion there would be to add a shadow or something to the font and maybe even change the font family for the logo.
Another suggestion that I have is for you to come up with an actual "logo" or "mascot" for your forum. On my site, PromoForum, our mascot is an Owl as they are wise creatures. Since our site discusses everything tech, promotion, webmaster, etc., a wise owl was a good choice for a mascot. FP has a stat bar. Other sites have little mascots, or logos, too. Just an idea for you if you would like to try that.
Overall, I am happy with the design of your forum.
Good
While the design is unique and cool, I feel as though your forum is lacking originality. For a general discussion forum, you include boards that every other general discussion forum already has. Additionally, you have not added anything "new" or "original" as far as discussion areas for your forum.
That being said, while taking a look at your contests, you do seem to stray away from the norm and host original contests. I like the idea of giving away premium memberships, shop items, currency, etc. However, that is something many forums do. The originality comes in with the "Betting Contest." I've never seen that before. It is an interesting concept, and I applaud you for trying something different.
As a means of attempting to help, I suggest that you create a board for discussion that is original. Something that is not on every other general discussion forum; but, at the same time, welcomes and entices your members and visitors to post. Another suggestion would be for you to rename some of your boards. Giving them unique names, though they would still be the same type of board, would give your forum a bit more originality in the long run.
Average
Final Remarks
Overall, I think you are doing an excellent job with your forum. Take my suggestions to heart as they were made to help your forum and not tear you down. Your forum is doing great and can use an increase in activity. Peak Forums has much potential.
I also want to say that I am honored that you "requested" me to do your review. It makes me feel good that someone cares to do that.
I also want to say that I am honored that you "requested" me to do your review. It makes me feel good that someone cares to do that.
Your Score
