What makes a forum feel unwelcoming to new members?

[Katrina]

What makes a forum feel unwelcoming to new members?

 

[zappaDPJ]

Having no reply to your first post or being told not to bump old threads.

 

[Cory]

Hard to find login/registration links, lack of a description of what the board is about, repulsive (staff) members, lack of response to their topics, a theme that turns them away, etc.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Getting scolded for posting too much.

If anyone knows me, you know I try to post quality content. But some forums don't like newbies posting 10+ posts a day. I've been scolded for it, warned, suspended, and even banned.

Nonetheless, I'll never go back to a forum that does that to me.

 

[Katrina]

Getting scolded for posting too much.

If anyone knows me, you know I try to post quality content. But some forums don't like newbies posting 10+ posts a day. I've been scolded for it, warned, suspended, and even banned.

Nonetheless, I'll never go back to a forum that does that to me.

You're always welcome to come span my forum with 10+ posts a day 😀

 

[Shawn Gossman]

You're always welcome to come span my forum with 10+ posts a day 😀

I mean that's what a forum is for after all right? lol Some admins seems to forget that...

 

[Allenafaith]

I'd say people not interacting with them when they join and first start to post and having too many sections for different topics. That can make the forum extremely hard to use and make people just want to leave in fear they'd get scolded for posting something in the wrong sections.

 

[Gizmo]

Admins and other staff not replying to introduction threads. Why have an introduction area but no one replying? I've been on a few forums where I've left because my introduction thread just sat there collecting dust.

 

[Uncrowned Guard]

Dead intro threads are certainly a common thing here. It is essentially walking into a party and saying "hello," and then everyone just turns away and keeps doing their thing.

 

[Page]

I say that they feel unwelcoming when new members are ignored, talked down to, or criticised for asking questions. It also happens when cliques dominate conversations and beginners don’t feel included or supported.

 

[Katrina]

I say that they feel unwelcoming when new members are ignored, talked down to, or criticised for asking questions. It also happens when cliques dominate conversations and beginners don’t feel included or supported.

I agree!! Sometimes members on a site can feel so connected with one another that it's difficult to remember to let others in on their jokes.

 

[Naza]

Reading a bunch of threads on a forum where members spoke harshly to one another is all I need to arrive at a conclusion that the forum is not welcoming of others.

 

[The Cat Lady]

• When you make an introduction topic and no one replies to it to welcome you to the community.
• When the owner or the staff doesn't participate in the discussions of the forum.

 

[TechWiz18]

• When you make an introduction topic and no one replies to it to welcome you to the community.
• When the owner or the staff doesn't participate in the discussions of the forum.

Have you had it where you never got a reply to your intro thread?
That second bullet point is also wild to me >_>

 

[Blazing]

Not being welcome by old members or the forum admin. The site admin just interested in shooting out unnecessary rules and no introduction thread for new comers to announce their presence.

 

[The Cat Lady]

Have you had it where you never got a reply to your intro thread?
That second bullet point is also wild to me >_>

I don't recall ever joining a forum and someone not responding to my introduction topic.

 

[TechWiz18]

I don't recall ever joining a forum and someone not responding to my introduction topic.

That's good! I was concerned 😮‍💨

 

[The Cat Lady]

That's good! I was concerned 😮‍💨

I've never had it happen to me, that I recall. I can see where it would be off putting if it did.