First Impressions - (Out of 20)
Ok, first off, the skin is very nice. Almost feels like it's alive. The skin kind of through me off for a bit, it almost reminds me of a college football team logo, with all the bright and vivid colors. But then i noticed the Repulican and Democratic mascots to the sides ... those are a very nice touch in the banner.
Scrolling down the forum, i really like the design and color choices. Everything matches so well, from the banner, to the icons, and category boarders. Heck, i even like the board highlight, with the checkerboard design.
I do think your Board icons are a little too big. The big bright red dots just seem to be too much, and might look better if they were just a bit smaller. And, i don't understand why they are clickable, and just change colors, and that's it?
One thing, too, i would suggest slimming down your forum's width, maybe just test it. Try about 850 pixels width, amybe. It'll bring out more red from the sides, and bring everything in the forum body together and make it more organized looking. Just don't foget to work on those icons, especially if you go this route.
(16 /20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
First, i think you may have went a little overboard with how many boards and categpories you got up. It's good to cover as much material as possible, but you don't want to overwhelm members with too much, some may not know where to start, with too much to look at first.
It would be wise to combine you suggestions, and help board. One board can cover all these, and as admin, would be easier on you, to keep all these togther in one board.
I would not bother with the Political cartoons board, doesn't seem to be getting much attention, and may do better in a diferent section, like Other Issues section, or the Lounge. I would even add the Polls there, as well, and get rid of the Debate Place Extras.
The International Issues section, all by itself, i believe would fit in the Other Issues section. Moving that, would get rid of the unecessary category, and downsize the forum's length even more. That's two major sections gone, but placed in other like sections, and i believe would work out well.
Now, i always have a pet peeve on Introductions. They should laways be located somewhere close to the top of the forum. For two reasons: 1) Gives new members a fresh start, and esily found at the top; and 2) You want your existing members to see all new members who have joined, as soon as they log on. A welcoming commmunity, is an ative community. The best place, for me, is to find them at the bottom of the first category. And, the About Us Section, would actually be better placed as a "sub-board" in the Introductions Board, once you move intros up to the top. They pretty much sevre the same purpose, getting to know members, and staff.
(13 /20)
Forum Statistics - (Out of 20)
Your forum's growth is quite impressive in just a little over 2 months. Almost 100 members , and over 3,000 posts is a nice start for a forum, of any genre. I just think it's some of the excessive space, and over use of like forums, that's splitting activity across the forum. Combining the like forums, and categories, as i suggested, would make those boards look more active. 1 board with 16 topics, looks better and more active, than 2 boards with 8 topics apiece.
😉
But, still, your forum has achieved alot in it's little timespan, and that's worth recognizing.
(18 /20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
I'm actually very suprised you only have 4 current staff at the moment. Which is good, since i already see two on at the moment. I was expecting your forum to have about 12 moderators, just because some admins like to hire alot of staff, and plus this is a debate forum, so you never know when a heated argument could break out that needs moderating.
From what i see, the staff is very friendly and supportive of the community. Each getting involved across the forum. Seems like you've got a great team on your forum, and ready to help out when duty calls.
(20 /20)
Spelling and Grammar - (Out of 20)
I would hope to not find many mistakes on a polically correct forum. And everything looks good throughout the forum, and no errors on the main page.
My one complaint, is how some of your board description were really intereting to read, then alot of others just fell flat, and were boring compared to the better ones. Plus, some descriptions don't fully decribe what to expect in that section, and others only give a vague description. Like the very first line of the feedback board, I would change that, cause it says "any general DP topic" at the beginning, and may mislead some members in mistaking it for the off-topic section.
(17 /20)
84 - (Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
It's really a good board, and i can tell you've put alot into it. I'm not a big political debater, so i'm not sure what needs to done to get more involved. But, wih ALL the debate sections going on, maybe you should offer some breathing room. Add a few more off-topic Boards ... and give members a chance to get to know one another through their hobbies, and what they like to do outiside of debating.
What was most liked about the website/forums:
The way the forum was presented, the look, even though i feel it is TOO bright in color, it still works. Maybe try a soffter red. Cause as i said, it kinda looks to me, at first glance, that it's a sports forum.
What was disliked most about the website/forums:
I really wasn't thrilled with the excess amount of boards. Maybe they work for the active members, but as a guests, I'm not wanting to have awhole lot thrown at me in the beginning when joining a new forum.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website?
I'm solost in politics, I couldn't even tell you who were the last 3 vice-presidents. But, I'm not the member you're looking for cause of that. But, if you can get more activity, and more members involved, it wouldn't be hard to convince the next "joe" who stumbles across the site, and dive right into all the discussion and debates going on, forum wide.
(84 /100)
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