What attracts people to a forum?

[Bryn]

Is it the activity, the appearance or both? For me, I would say both but I think the activity and dedication between the members matters more. I believe it makes any visitor more likely to join in when they see this though.

 

[Moro]

Is it the activity, the appearance or both? For me, I would say both but I think the activity and dedication between the members matters more. I believe it makes any visitor more likely to join in when they see this though.

I typically join a forum if I see that it has active members. If I join a forum and see that nobody has posted in 3 days, then I probably will never go back to that website.

 

[Bryn]

Yes, I think everybody else would have the same mindset as you. I totally agree.

 

[Foster]

Members, posts, and a really modern theme.

 

[TDK]

The first thing I look at on any forum is the theme(s). If a forum has an extremely ugly theme, no amount of activity is going to keep me around if I can't stand the look of the place.

If the forum has a theme or themes I do like, the next thing I look into is the activity. One of the main things I look for in activity is that of the admin(s), followed by the rest of the staff. If staff - admins in particular - aren't around and it appears as though they really don't give a flying you-know-what, why should I?

 

[Page]

My experience in the pass regards attracting members hasn't been easy! But as an owner I always listen to my members and suggestions on what they like, and I implement it to the site. end of the day it's your site and even if you own it you can not always have what you want since you have to be your members.

Theme! for any first time traffic, me I always look at the theme and if the theme is made bad or just not good then it can out me right off. Same as for content. No content no new members.

Here are some tips on ways to attract your members:

1. Content (Number one reason why visitors will use your site, visitors will turn into members to post or ask questions and search engines will have more to index.)
2. Forum Signatures. This is the oldest but easiest way to attract new visitors to my forum. By adding text or image with link to the site.. Usually I’m not the only one doing this so take a look around at other signatures and see how aggressive other members are being.
3. Be active and helpful, As the owner and admin of the forum, you are in a position of authority. You’re a big part of the reason people have come to the forum. Communities these days tend to gain respect because of the people in them.
4. Referral programs are one of the oldest and most effective ways to get new users to a community. By giving people incentives to get new users in, you get a larger community and a more engaged community.
   

 

[Jason76]

A forum with a sort of predictable cast could be a turn-on. I mean, why do people enjoy TV sitcoms?

What makes the best sitcom (or forum)?

 

[IntoxNitram]

Design is important. Activity also. I’m not bothered about actual size as long as a member or two have had recent postings that can be built on. I also care about focus. If I want to discuss a topic I want to see most discussions around that. I hate going to a gaming forum for example and seeing most of the recent posts in offtopic areas.

 

[Page]

I hate going to a gaming forum for example and seeing most of the recent posts in offtopic areas.

hmmmm, I agree but can't force members to do something that they don't want to do. I feel that members needs to feel welcome and feel so free and comfort.

 

[IntoxNitram]

I hate going to a gaming forum for example and seeing most of the recent posts in offtopic areas.

hmmmm, I agree but can't force members to do something that they don't want to do. I feel that members needs to feel welcome and feel so free and comfort.

I agree but think an admin can attract towards it. Don’t have many off topic sections (in my case none) and make loads of threads on topic yourself and not make many off topic ones.

 

[Corzhens]

I join forum when the niche is inside the perimeter of my interest. I had been invited to a couple of forums that I gave me a hard time in posting so i did not go back anymore. Of course, the design has a factor when it comes to attraction because for me, the dark theme is a turn off due to my poor eyesight. But with the dynamism of the forum, it doesn't matter much if there are many or few active members as long as there are 2 others who are posting aside from me then that would be fine. Another thing, I am turned off when the navigation gives me a hard time.

 

[Azareal]

I don't look for forums, I simply use them. There is a big difference here.
I do not go looking for random forums to join out of the scrap pile, 90% of the time, I'll have already heard of the site from somewhere else.

The thing to remember is that people are not going to sign up for the hell of signing up, they're just going to feel like that is a waste of their time. And I don't necessarily look for sites, if it has a reputation, then it'll reach me naturally.

Word of mouth is a very powerful thing. But it can be very slow sometimes.

Forum Signatures. This is the oldest but easiest way to attract new visitors to my forum. By adding text or image with link to the site.. Usually I’m not the only one doing this so take a look around at other signatures and see how aggressive other members are being.

As far as signatures are concerned, I think signatures are honestly starting to die out, especially in newer software as they tend to distract from the actual purpose of the forum which is discussion.

 

[Page]

As far as signatures are concerned, I think signatures are honestly starting to die out, especially in newer software as they tend to distract from the actual purpose of the forum which is discussion.

yeah but if you join allot of sites and add your signature and just post around, the old way!

 

[Jay]

The question you ask has no definite answer, but rather a combination of various elements. Personally, I believe that first impressions are everything. If you want to attract people to your website it must be visually appealing and clean . But it doesn't stop there, you must have decent quality activity (even if you are a newer forum) to appeal to people who will put forth the effort to contribute to your forums discussions. In short, you must be willing to invest (both time and money) in your forum to make that happen. 🙂