Social Network vs. Forum

[Guardian]

So, I bought a social networking site, and have found it hard to get people to stick around and hang out. What would it take for an online-life oriented social network to catch your eye and to keep you there?

Any help would be appreciated. Also, it is here: http://socialforever.net (For critique)

Also, do you think it would be better/easier to have a forum instead of a social network, especially one just starting out?

Just trying to find my way...

 

[Nuke]

Keep it as-is, a social network, blog, and forum. But you'll have a hard time administrating this...especially on the marketing front.

 

[Deleted member 4320]

It's a social network so you can't exactly advertise it. Just let people join and over time it might become active. Forcing people to 'join and chat' isn't the best way. If people like it and it's made easier for them to socialise with friends then they will do so.

 

[Ilya]

People started to register and update their statuses and etc on social networks is because their friends are on it. If most of my friends would be on it, then I would join.

otherwise whats the point of joining if I dont know anyone on it? I will be looking at my own status updates.

Unless you specialize lik deviantart.com did in graphics.

 

[SeanFace101]

I signed up to it to see what it was like, it says i need to activate my account by email, but it has sent me an email to confirm my account 😛

 

[Luke]

Well, there's Facebook and twitter out there so you need something unique, like a unique script most likely, people aren't going to go crazy about a jCow script (for example).

 

[Guardian]

I signed up to it to see what it was like, it says i need to activate my account by email, but it has sent me an email to confirm my account 😛

I've had a few people say this. Have you checked SPAM folders? Also, what email provider are you using?

 

[SeanFace101]

Im using Hotmail.
Yes i check the junk folder just as much as the inbox, so i would have seen it 😛

 

[Guardian]

Thats odd... What username did you sign up with? I'll remove it so you can try again.

 

[SeanFace101]

Would have used SeanFace101

 

[Guardian]

Would have used SeanFace101

No members with that name. May not have went through for some reason.

 

[SeanFace101]

Strange.
Ill try again just now 😛

 

[SeanFace101]

I just tryed again there.
When tried to sign up it said "Username Already Exist"
So i tried to just Log-In... It Said "Need To Confirm Email"

 

[SaintSinner]

I have registered at the site, confirmed registration through email; but it says the username does not exist...

 

[Guardian]

Very strange... Doesn't show up in my member listing, so I had to check the database, sure enough, you were there. I did delete it though. Can you re-register and let me know if you have more issues.

@saintsinner: What name did you register as? I do not have a saintsinner registered.

 

[SeanFace101]

Very strange... Doesn't show up in my member listing, so I had to check the database, sure enough, you were there. I did delete it though. Can you re-register and let me know if you have more issues.

@saintsinner: What name did you register as? I do not have a saintsinner registered.

OK, ill try again in a few mins and let you know if it all goes correct 😛

 

[ObeyRay]

The problem with social networking is you're in a market with big hitters such as Facebook/Twitter and even Google+. Honestly if you have no backing like everyone else said and no reason for people to join. Mainly the fact that non of their friends are on it, then why would they join? I think that forums are better market for smaller people, whom don't have funding and or backing with major marketing fronts.


Just my 2cents though.