Pre-Launch Review
Site Name: PC Help and Advice Forum
Site Type: Technology Forum
Age: ~2 days
Appearance
From the top, you haven't prepared a favicon yet to replace .tk's usual favicon. The banner itself is very plain, just to show the name of your forum. There is a lot of room to improve, especially in term of colors. I would say to stretch the name of your forum into one line since you still have empty space to the right of the banner, and probably inserting one short line of your forum's description of slogan. The body of the forum is okay, although not very strong. The forum markers, topic icons, buttons, and related pictures match the theme, but don't give the vibe of a technology forum related to computers. Nothing much up with the footer. If you can save some space by pushing the language selector further up to almost in line with the theme and forum software credit.
One general advice I want to give to you is try to play more with colors. I mean, the basic layout of this theme is good, but the color is boring. You can try to at least change the colors of the texts or some icons/markers, or even give icons in front of forum names and descriptions. That should probably liven things up a bit until you can find a brighter theme.
Layout
For layout, I think the number of sections you have at the moment is enough given your niche. What I think you need to improve on most is content and appearance. However, please pay attention to the names of your forum. You use the words "General Discussion" twice in different categories. One, those words have been used a lot. Two, using the same name in two categories can be confusing for members. There are many words out there you can use to symbolize a general discussion section. If possible, probably, try to brainstorm more unique names to represent your sections to raise interests, and give descriptions as clear as you can as the compensation.
First Impressions and Interest
Upon my first visit, the overall impression wasn't very strong. I think this is because the forum is still very new, barely any interesting content going on. The theme gives the impression that you lack colors. It feels kind of bland and boring, not sure where the connection to the technology side. The name is also slightly different from the address. I think before a grand opening, you definitely need to bring more colors to it.
Content
From the forum's threads and posts, it is much understandable for a forum which has just gone for two days. I believe you already know what to do with this part so I won't say much.
Grammar wise, one thing that tickles me the most is how you seem to like to use exclamation mark ("!") in various things. I don't mind when it comes to categories' and sections' names and descriptions, but I find it strange that you use the sign for your forum name and the navigation menu. "PC Help And Advice Forum!"; "Forum!"; "PM The Owner!"; "Forum Rules!"; it feels as if someone is shouting to me all the time. Please be careful in using those marks because they give tone to sentences. If you want to emphasize something, you can try to make the text stronger with bold text or different colors or effects (blinking, for example). I noticed you also use this a lot on your posts. It seems to be your style of writing, so maybe it's hard to change immediately. Please remember that exclamation marks give impression that you are shouting, and some who read it may feel uncomfortable with it.
Next to address is you using capital letters in the beginning of each words. Again, in categories and sections names this is okay. But when it comes to posts, it is not very appropriate. For the sake of professionalism, it would be best if you can fix this. I see some of your forum descriptions mix capital letters inside while other words are in normal letters. Please be consistent in using grammar, especially when it is related to forum names/descriptions or other important threads like forum rules.
I'm not sure where to write this in but let me just say it here. You are using a .tk domain. I have just realized it that when I clicked on one of your sub-forums or your threads, at my address bar all I see is just "www.pcadviceforum.tk", exactly with what I see when I was at the index page. You will really need to fix this part.
Words from the Reviewer
A very, very young forum. I don't have much to say but to keep in improving. The niche you choose is probably quite challenging so you need to be as unique as you can to gain attention from visitors. Do not forget small details because all of those build up to an overall impression of the forum.
After reading your review, please click here to rate your review.
