Your Forum Review
First Impressions & Appearance - (Out of 20)
When I viewed your forum for the first time I noticed that it's a great place and overall appealing to me. I noticed that you have your google ads near the banner this doesn't look very professional I think this should either be between posts or by the footer. This way it doesn't ruin your logo and banner.
I also noticed once someone logs in they get an security token error. Doesn't really make people warm and fuzzy when viewing your site when something says
security error at the same time. Now from being an experienced vBulletin user this is an easy fix and many topics are available on vbulletin.com. I
strongly suggest looking into fixing this ASAP.
Having the shoutbox viewable for a new registered user isn't really great because then users just start talking in your shoutbox as if it was aim and or msn ect.. Making it so they need
x amount of posts to view it encourages users to post and become active to get rewards like shoutbox from your website.
(Scored 13/20)
Site Layout - (Out of 20)
The actual design is unique, Like I said before the google ads should be placed somewhere other than the banner area. You didn't over crowd the area with forum sections which is always good never want a long forum home. The arcade is probably one of my favorite areas to any vBulletin forum.
And is always great to have for members to enjoy by like I said before you should make it so people need
x amount of posts to be able to see just makes your community look a bit more active and makes the person get something out of posting on your forums. I really didn't understand this
"This has been temporarily disabled." What is disabled if something is disabled no need to display it as for me being a new member I have no idea what "this" is. Might want to get rid of the message if your not using it.
I really didn't like the idea of the crowns besides usernames of staff. Why? Because if you chose different icons than crowns maybe but it just reminded me a lot of
Runescape. Usually I don't like showing whos moderators in a forum unless it shows it within the actual forum home at that section like vBulletin does but I liked your idea with using them on the actual forum home.
However one fault I see in this is when you have a ton of moderators making the forum home longer and wider than the actual forum home needs to be. On another note of the shoutbox I really suggest making it so it's only viewable on the forum home. As down the road when you have more members and higher activity, The site starts to slow down it's bandwidth this is coming from an experienced vBulletin license user.
(Scored 10/20)
Statistics and Activity - (Out of 20)
Your statistics and activity seem very steady, I mean for a some what new community you are doing great job bringing your members back. However it could use some improving as you've been open for some time now. I really like how the "active" members are posting and enjoying your site to the best they can, Which means your site does mean something to some of your members, However some examples of bringing in more activity is making people earn things and just have have them..
Some examples are.
- Arcade (could make it so users need 25 posts (
could include introduction)
- Shoutbox (could make it so users need 10 legit posts (
Not including introduction)
I think that your forum could have a bit more posts but this all depends on having a more active community, Maybe look into asking for package services from FP and or other ForumPromotion websites on the web. This will bring not only in new posts but guests viewing would also prefer to see more interesting posts. I mean you don't need this just giving a suggestion to make people want to join.
(Scored 12/20)
Staff Moderation - (Out of 20)
When viewing your forum leaders I noticed that all admins are also submitted into the moderators group this isn't needed at all, As obviously admins can be moderators and don't need to be displayed as one. Plus doing this would make your forum leaders area a bit more organized and understandable.
It also seems as if you have admins moderating a certain section this isn't really needed as this is the job of the forum
"moderators". I mean it's not bad but really this is the job of moderators a normal admins job is to maintain the feel and look of a forum and help with feedback and adding more addons ect.. So I would look into making it so only
"moderators" show up under the moderators for who moderates a forum section.
(Scored 13/20)
Spelling/Grammar & Professionalism - (Out of 20)
All forum sections seem to be spelled right and when viewing announcements I noticed that you guys have a lot of sticky threads, Which really isn't needed. Topics like
Recent Downtime isn't really needed as it's just telling your users why you had downtime. Things like
Welcome to TTF is something that needs sticky.
Some of your announcements don't really seem like an owner of the website and or admin made it. I suggest writing detailed announcements I mean quick announcements here and there are alright but the main big ones are usually needed to be more professional.
(Scored 8/20)
Total Score - 56 (Out of 100)
Final Remarks:
Some addons I
strongly suggest purchasing and using are vbplaza & vbseo
vbPlaza is a points system (best in vBulletin) this costs $50USD and vbseo best SEO addon for vBulletin costs roughly $149.USD
What was most liked about the website/forums:
The style made me feel calm and and just relaxed.
What was disliked most about the website/forums:
the view forum leaders having admins show up in a moderators group isn't needed.
How could I get you (The Reviewer) to join my website?
I would join by fixing that security token that shows up now and then.
After you have read your review, please click the following link and rate our service to help us make it better for you.... [
Click Here]
http://forumpromotion.net/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=16937
