Sorry about the HUGE post ... i just like to be as thoroughas possible
Wii Experience ...
You have to understand, i have to be non-biased on these, and being a new forum in the works, you want me to be as critical as possible, but at the same time, i do give suggestions on what i believe would be best to turn things around for the better!
Plus, judging from the size of this review post, you at least know i did take my time, and tried to cover almost every angle, possible, for you.
Appearance (First Impressions): 15 / 20
Ok... the banner is rather large, but fixable! You could use the same banner, but line up your text, either center all of it, or indent them lined-up to the left ... that way you could get the Wii image right above the "T" in Today! of your banner text. This will allow you to trim off the bottoms, as well thesides, and keep it poportioned. the average banner size usually clocks in aroun 250 X 700 ... just an average guess?
I LOVED the category banners. It does remind me of the WiiConnect24 glow light from the Wii's console. But .... they don't stand out in any way, because they feel almost camoflauged with the rest of the blue on the forum.
One reccomendation, and i'm not the one to be giving skin advice 😛 , but try a gray background ... not in the forum, but the background, maybe even white. Make your skin theme reflect that of the Wii's console. Might show "guests" an extra level of creativity if it did represent the Wii more so.
Layout: 12 / 20
The first issue i have, is the (first) announcement Board ... this Board isn't necessarily needed if you had organized your categories accordingly the first go-around
The announcement about the Zelda 20th anniversary category is completely unecessary, and seems to be inactive, anyways. Your VERY FIRST category, under any circumstances on ANY forum, should be your Forum's Announcements ( news, rules, even the new members board). Why waste time redirecting members to the news and announcements, when that should be the very first thing they see in the boards. Therefore doing away with your firste two categories ( redirecting, and the Zellda tribute video ... which, for one thing, has NOTHING to do with the Wii's system, itself.
[[What follows, is ways to downsize the forum's structure, while keeping everything intact. you don't want TOO much, with no activity. Just take my advice, then, when those boards have become more active, then place them on the main page, if need be.]]
Why give the N DS so much attention? It's a Wii Forum. Plus, you have a "Nintendo Systems" Category, why not add the DS there, and put all those boards in sub-boards in one Board titled for the DS. And, i'm not understanding the 2 Boards dedicated to 2 different Pokemon games. You really should consider making Sub-Boards for these. Make one category "Pokemon (something) " and your members will know there is Pokemon discussions, then they click, and see there's more to talk about inside.
This also goes with Entertainment ... tv's, movies, music, books, anime .. it's all entertainment, though, they may not need their own Board. make one Entertainment Board .. in off-topic, since it has NOTHING to do with nintendo or the wii.
And, one more thing, sorry, i can't help it. When my fingers start typing, i can't stop them ...
making a Board titled "SPAM" is just asking for it. If you do get involved with post exchanges, about 80% of people will see that Board, and pitch a tent in there. Limit access, for now, make it a reward to spam, fo rmembers who have been there, without spamming.
Number Of Members: 6 / 10
Your member number is solid for a newer forum. Though, i haven't seen a new member join in almost one week. There are options... try the post packages/member exchanges here at FP. Even just a 5/5 deal, will help boost your member count, as well as show activity to returning members, in which sace, they'll be more active in repsonding to new post/topics made from these exchanges.
And, remember, as Admin, and (only staff member?) , it's up to you to reply to almost EVERY single post made, it shows you're involved with members/ new members, and they'll keep coming back once they feel welcomed from staff.
Number Of Posts (Spam or Otherwise): 5 / 10
This also goes back to doing post exchanges. In The Beginning, it's SO hard getting your forum started and taking notice from "guests" ; so, wouldn't you rather go through the trouble of doing some post exchanges, and build up that count rapidly ... instead of having your next 100 guests see the same statistics as the 100 before them. believe it or not, you get 100's of guests per week; you have to step outside the box, and put yourself in the shoes of your guests, or how you feel about visiting a new site ... and what attracts YOU?
Get more involved, you're a Wii fan, no doubt about it ... so you should be able to come up with a bunch of Wii Discussion topics. Not just the generic discussions "favorite wii game", etc ... make members think, and not copy and paste a post they've made 1,000 times on another forum. (that's why they came to a Wii Discussion Forum ... to discuss all angles on the system) 😉
and, i generously gave a "5" because it is usually a shock for me, to see that th emost active board is in fact, the Wii Discussion Baord. Most forums, it's the off-topic/spam/forum games Board. Good job keeping that part active
Moderation: 2 / 10
Just 1 Admin on Staff!?!?!?!?
Seeing as you're kind of a new forum, you still need to be considering staff positions. You have some members i see on a daily basis; and would seem like good choices. It's not always best to "Ask for applications!" Just monitor your members, and analyze their actions on the forum. Are they Active? Do they reply and welcome new members? Do they show they have good character to be a successful MOD of your forum?
It's always hard, cause you don't want anything to happen to "your work" ... but you'll suprised that the number of people who do take moderating sriously, and show their appreciation when you ask them to be on staff, personally. Not manu will ask to be on staff, and those are the one you WANT on staff.
Activity: 3 / 10
This falls under what i said in posts. You have a fair amount of members ... yet, the member/posts ratio is significantly low. It averages around 2.2 posts per member. One probelm, which i dealt with when i arrived, is you're gona have to deal with new members wanting to advertise, and post their Sig banner/links in their profile ... it's just commonly known, and respected.
I understand you are posting and foruming using your Wii console, and cannotcopy/paste ... but you can't put that on anyone else. They won't bother staying; believe it or not, some will join to discuss the Wii, a slim fraction. But, a majority amount will join to discuss the Wii, and general topics, with the intentions of advertising as well.
I allow free advertising, alas, it adds one new member, and one new post ... and most of my active members NEVER step foot in the advertising Board.
You have to sacrifice, in order to gain 😉
Spelling and Grammar 9 / 10
I'm impressed. I know how difficult it is to typoe and post using the Wiimote, unless you use a keyboard, nonethless; the forum has good grammar and puctuation al around. Of course there's typos, but m0stly my posts 😛
Suggestions
I'm not sure what to add? Just work on getting a HUGE amount of Wii Topics open for discussion, find your TARGET audience, and boosts your member/post count, either through post packages provided here , at FP ... and through member post exchanges.
Almost 90% of the forum's member base here are Forum admins just as you, looking for help, and almost anyone would be happy to do an exchange, just be professional about, without so many rules behind the exchange.
I joined your forum because i wanted to a little over a week ago, and i'm still a member. You HAVE to advertsie. I've had my forum opened since 4-14-08 , and i have NOT skipped one single day, of getting out and advertising. I'm on ProBoards .. the laughing stock of forum providers, but, i advertise woith heart, and believe in my forum when i tell others, and that goes a long way.
Find a catchy "hook", what appeals to someone, such as yoursefl, to even consider a new forum, YOUR forum.
It's alot of hardwork .. but, believe me, it pays off. And, i'll promise you, don't expect to get 100 members and think you're done. Even 100 members, conversating day after day, can get tiresome of the same members, and topics ... you have to treat everyday as if it's "Opening Day"! There's never a rest in advertising, if you truly want a successful, and active forum.
Overall Mark (Out Of 100): 52 / 100
Do NOT take this review as bad. There's just alot of work needing to be done. Advertise, and find those members that you deserve. A little organizing tweaks here and there... You have the right intentions, and i know you're dedicated. You'll do fine, but advertising is the KEY to your forums success or downfall
~hcfwesker~
I'll accept any repsonse, good or bad. Just don't forget to pay the piper 😉
