Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
I pretty liked your theme, it was interesting and it felt like a one of a kind. I think the graphics mended in with the font and really gave that touch to the heart. Your banner was outstanding, the image looked and gave me that feeling of school which I thought was great. Two things I would change about the banner, the border and the slogan ''Let The Drama Begin'' should be a lighter colour as I cannot read it to be honest. Perhaps try a gray colour which you used for your category headers, also try mending the main text onto the actual picture as your picture takes more advantage of the text. I am no fan of sidebars although this one done it for me, it was creative detailed and wasn't filled up with un-related things like most sidebars do, also the forum icons - the eagle/bird didn't look right. I wasn't sure if it was the respresentive of the forum but perhaps making it transparent would look better or getting new icons.
(Scored 18/20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
I thought the site was laid out quite well what was an odd one for me was where the navigation bar was placed, perhaps placing it below the ad or finding some money to remove the ad and then placing it there. It would look less cluttered if the ad was removed too. Perhaps having a feature for us to be able to disable and enable the sidebar due to the fixed width as some people like a fluid width on forums. One thing that came to my attention was the chat box, the colour scheme of the chatbox didn't match the forum and overall I think it was lagging. My page took about two seconds longers to load with the chatbox than as usual, perhaps try to find a new one by Invision Free Modification board or place it in a new page. I thought the forum was laid out quite well but viewing your sister site I thought you would have been a lot more like them with the school layout and the out of school forums. I still think the layout is good but I thought you would have expanded a bit more. One thing that I thought was a bit tacky was the centered text, as it made the forum feel weird I personally think.
(Scored 16/20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
Your statistic levels are good as most forums find it hard to pass more than 70 members in two weeks, so very good. I expected a better post count on the forum, but I understood that you are a no post count forum but it is always good to have a stable amount of posts. When I viewed your site I noticed that three people were waiting approval to join the school, I didn't think the wrong of the site but perhaps getting staff from different time zones on at different times would work. I personally think if you get a proper domain, promote everywhere possible and offer a lot of good features for the school/site you will be on your way to success with statistics booming.
(Scored 17/20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
Your staff are great, they get on with the users/pupils very well although there was one concern in the chatbox. I don't know what you think is an arguement but I noticed one of your staff members started stirring it up with a member and she was giving sweet talk back to him. I personally thought that his moderation skills were bad as he continued to carry on and cause trouble instead of controlling it in a friendly manner, I think you should talk to your members about their moderation skills for future reference. I really loved your staff profiles as the interviews were fantastics and to be honest it made me feel like the forum was one of a kind. You and your staff deserve a clap on the back and a shoutout on the next school assembly you have.
(Scored 17/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
I will do this in a mixed order. I told you about how your staff member stirred up trouble, personally it effects your forums reputation and professionalism levels and yet you should speak it out with your staff and don't be afraid to tell them what they done wrong as your the boss. I never noticed any spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes but one thing I would change is your forum names and descriptions as they are all capatalised. It may have looked clean and cool but personally I think it looked horrible as some people hate reading capatalised letters as it can drag away members. It didn't bother me much but it may bother guests who want to join but that drives them away but it is nothing major.
(Scored 18/20)
Total Score - 86(Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
Interesting site with a good forum genre, can do wel for the future.
What was most liked about the website/forums: Your sidebar as it was designed so beautifully.
What was disliked most about the website/forums: The chatbox and the concern witht the staff member.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website?I ain't much of a role player but I may join later on if I find time.
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