Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
The skin is a very nice look for your forum. Not too light, and i actually think it seems to resemble the original ninetndo DS system. Which seems to be the preferred system for playing pokemon on a videogame system. I think it's just too plain, though. Ppokemon's are full of color, don't over do it, but there needs to be something added to give it a pokemon feel when guests first arrive.
The Banner fits well, and i like the text for the title. But, it just seems very empty. With only 2 pokemon charcters. You should try and get some kind of background added. And maybe some random character to get some life into the banner.
The Board Icons don't really stand out, well. Woulda expected some different colored pokeballs or something. That would had some needed color to the skin; as well as give the forum a little more personalized look otward the theme of the forum.
I'm not very fond of the chat box, but it works for some forums; and at least you do have it located at the bottom of the forum
(16 /20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
Well, your first category is well organized; but I don't understand for the redirecting board to the PokeNews blog. I just honestly think it would be better if you made a sub-board link under Announcements desciption, that link to the Blog. The blog it suppose to bring traffic to the forum, not away.
I like how you have the pokemon series split up between system generations. Nicely done. Now, what i think is really done wrong here, is the sectipon that follow; Miscellaneous. You should always save your off-topic sections as one of the last sections for your forum. I honestly don't understand why you have the Pokemon Games section; then 8 Boards down the list, the wifi area for playing against other?
You need to keep ALL related sections close bu one another. From the way i see it. Miscellaneous should be the last category on your forum. And, while we're on that section. I think it's time for an Entertainment board. Where you can place tv, movies, sport, music, anime/manga and such into sub-boards. I can tell you're an anime fan, cause it's the one form of entertainment that gets the main page spotlight. But, be sure to give each genre an equal amount. And, if you decide to do this, move your Forum Games into the Off-Topic section. It doesn't look good for a boatrd saying "come spam here" on the main page ... it's an open invitation.
And with only 6 topics, one actually active, in the Games in Development, might be an okay idea to add those to the Other Games section, either just move the topics, or add on a sub-board. I'm guessing that section was added as a requests or something to a friend. Those sections hardly get any activity.
Lastly, advertisements should always be the last thing members usually see in an off-topic section. I'd recommend moving that section to the bottom.
(14 /20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
For going on half a year; your forum is doing better than most. You're average is over 1 member a day, and that's good considering the amount of competition on the pokemon forums. Post count, not so good. But, I commend you on the success you have had so far.
Need to get some good competitions going, and get members wanting to talk more, across all section. I just find it kinda hard to believe that there are only 20 topics made for other game discussions, in 7 months?
(18 /20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
So far i see 2 admins, 3 global mods, and 1 mod. Which; I hope they are working out for you, seeing as one glovbal mod has only been registered to the forum for one month; and hasn't been active for almost 3 weeks. Another hasn't been active for almost 2 weeks. And another one, going on 3 weeks of inactivity. I don't know if some may be on vacation ... but, it's time to hand out some pink slips.
6 staff members is way too much as it is. I think letting go of the 3 inactive staff members, and maybe adding 1 to take their place, would be in your best interests.
And, what really kills me to see is staff members; and them not welcoming each and every single new member who introduces themself. That's your forum's growth right there. How a new member feels, when joining, will be the basis of their longevity of their forum activity with you.
Zenith, the admin, does do an outstanding job at this. As you would expect the admin/owner to do. But, it's time to crack some whips out, and start getting the rest of the staff involved with welcoming new members.
As i mentioned up above, Moderators are to help with all sections. Not just the ones they like. I'm sure everyone on your site is a gamer, and doesn't just play pokemon. There's literally 100's of general gaming topics staff could make, that any gamer can't get into.
(10 /20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
Everything seems in order. Nothing that stands out as bad spelling or grammar. Though, you should add something more inviting to your Other Games section. Just doesn'tseem to be drawing in a crowd. Make sure it's understood as any game, any system discussion.
And, may want to modify the description for the off-topic board. "Talk about anything here" will lead to some new members being confused. Be sure that it's anything that doesn't bwlong in other sections.
😉
(19 /20)
77 - (Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
What was most liked about the website/forums:
The wide range of pokemon discussions available for any fan of the series.
What was disliked most about the website/forums:
The inactive staff. Really makes the forum weak in the eyes of members. And there are more deserving, active members who should be filling those positions.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website?
I'm registered, but pokemon just isn't my thing. I grew up in a different generation. Though, keep promoting, wear your sig on other pokemon forums; make alot of friends, and you'll be getting more members once they check out your forum, and like what they see.
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