Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
I have to admit; this forum is very nice, and very professionally set up. At first i notice the easy links to navigate recently added news for eash Sony systems. Very well set up. The skin is well done, as well. What really impresses me; is the PS3 console icons used for new/old board icons; and how well they match the skin.
The banner is very nice; but I'm really not digging the right side, underneath the forum nav buttons. I do like the hover portion of the banner; but the first image, dealing with facebook, just makes that part of the banner look like a facebook advertisement.
The one thing I am against, is the Top 10 stats at the bottom, personally. I don't find it necessary to showcase the top 10 posters of the forum, or members with the top 10 rep. It just makes the is feel more like a posting/rep competition on the forum. I do like the 10 most recent topics; but this can be easily found in the "Today's Posts" button, as well. Like i said, though, that's probably just bugs only me.
(17 /20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
Just skimming down the Board, I'm quite shocked to see how well you got it right; and I really like the names of your categories' sections. Only a few minor change ups I would suggest, as far as the organizing of your boards.
The first, PSBeyond HQ, Nothing seriously wrong, but I would just swap up Introductions and the suggestions board. It keeps your forum crelated content right next to each other; and, makes your introductions board more noticeable placed at the bottom of the first category.
Second section, PlayStation Gaming, Only one change to recommend. PlayStation Network board would be best placed at the bottom of this section. Even though PSN goes along with PS3 & PSP; I still think it would be better to keep all Sony system discussions close by; and have online discussions after the systems. Plus, PSN section is the least active, so couldn't hurt placing it out of the way of the consoles.
To be honest, that was hit, those 2 minor changes was all I could suggests. The next 2 categories were set up perfectly; and notice you give all the consoles a chance for discussions, as well as, plenty of off-topic discussions.
(19 /20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
I noticed you have been up for over 18 months; but somewhere someone gave up on the forum, and it's being revived. This does explain alot. I've been so curious as to how you have so many members, but not a post count to match up. I'm almsot gonna bet you've had probably 1,000 members join since the forum stopped being ran, but left open; and when members joined, realized there was noone around, especially administration. That hurt so much activity; and I hope you're sending out a mass-email to those potential members that were lost during the forum's absense.
According to these statistics; which is a VERY impressive member count; each member made 8 posts. Yes, an 1/8 member/post ratio. And that's very hard to believe, seeing as some members have over 1,000, and 100 posts. So, you've gotten 1,000's of members, who never even posted during the forum's off-season. Even when i clicked a random letter in the Member's List, I'm getting full pages of 0 posters. So, lets' hope you can get the forum back and going, and try and get some of those members from long ago back interested.
Less than 30,000, for 20 months, on a vB software; with a forum this good, driving in so much traffic; is not the greatest stat I've seen. I'm sure you guys are wishing someone woulda stayed on to manage the forum.
(10 /20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
It's very hard to judge the amount of staff you have; cause i see no listing for them. Would be something good to have, so your members, and guests can have a peek at who all his staff. So far, though, i see 2 admins, 2 global mods, and i see you're looking for a site manager. This should be plenty. but, since i don't know for sure, I'm just guessing there's probably more on the staff team than i can see.
(17 /20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
Your Board descriptions are very clever, and i like the detail you put into most of them. But,, for the off-topic sections, it felt like they were rushed, and quickly put up when the forum was first made; and noone's went back to freshen them up. Their descriptions just seem too plain.
Spelling and Grammar are up to par. But, i did notice the repition of the word "rumours" ; when it should be spelt "rumors". At first i thought it was a simple typo mistake, but noticed it used throughout the boatrd's descriptions.
(18 /20)
80 - (Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
After viewing the Introductions Board, I can see the gaps in activity for the forum. Hope the revision goes well, and good luck with it. Though, you had so much potential, and some old members may have moved on. But, it's never too late. Just try and get anything going, keep the content fresh, and don't rely on just the members on posting. Make sure staff provides their fair share as well.
What was most liked about the website/forums:
The design, and overall setup. From the custom icons, to the matching skin and banner. Really looked clean and professional.
What was disliked most about the website/forums:
It's going to be an eyesore for anyone who sees the member count, and compare it to the total forum post count. It seems there's something pulling in plenty of new memebrs, but, that seems to be where it stops for most who join, and never get active at all.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website?
No offense, lol, but i am kinda anti-Sony.
😀 I respect the company, and the console, but I'm more focused on my Wii, at th emoment. But, work hard on the revise of the forum. It is a great PS forum for any fan of Sony and their systems. You shouldn't have any problem getting guests to the site with all the updated content ... just have to keep the forum content updated as well. Be sure to make a topic, in a section related to a game/system update on the side, and link to that topic from the website, so guests will have a place to discuss that particluar content; and maybe entice them to join, and stay active.
After you have read your review, please click the following link and rate our service to help us make it better for you.... [
Click Here]
