Would like help.

[David]

Hi FPers,

My forum: http://www.graphicscode.net has been up for 2 active months, but things seem just too slow. Everyone can say "send newsletters out" or "join social networks", but it just won't cut it.

So right now, I need help in something that will make my forum shine. or at least appear to be active.

Anyone have any ideas? Or is there something that makes it appear "bad"?

Thanks.

 

[Brute]

I think your forum looks great as it is...

And have you tried joining some Graphics forum topsites? Thats what my forum does...

Or you could join other forums and subtly talk about it on there.
Or play some games that are multiplayer and tell people there...

There are many ways to get your forum more active you just have to look

EDIT: Also to make it appear more active.. make sure that your not the last post on every topic..
Else people with think its just you posted actively

 

[David]

Thanks for that. I've joined Graphic Topsites and basically done all the basics. Just something unique and special would make it perfect.

 

[Brack]

I was going to say try Twitter but I see you are already there.

How long has the forum been going?

 

[David]

Well, I originally set it up in July this year, but have only really been in action since mid-August.

 

[Brack]

Time.

That is what it needs.

Give it time to get noticed.

 

[Brute]

Yes time is probaly what it needs most.

But Goodluck to you..

 

[Rick Ace]

Well, I originally set it up in July this year, but have only really been in action since mid-August.

ONLY July? 🙂 Don't worry 😀 I belive depending on how you advertise, it'll take atleast a year.

 

[David]

OK, thanks guys. Seems like time is all I need. 😀

 

[Acorn]

Yeah...over 2000 posts in only the first 2 months really is not bad at all. Do you have a tracker on your forum to see where your hits are coming in from, and when you get the most traffic? Also whether your forum's pageloads are climbing, falling, or stagnating?

 

[David]

Yeah, if Google Analytics is counted.

 

[Shiny Star]

Your site is nice, but the forum icons look a bit default looking, maybe replace them and also, putting forum games, if you lack posts, all I can say is now.

Best of luck!

 

[David]

Those icons only show like that because you aren't logged in.

BTW, I do have forum games, but generally, it doesn't look too good, if you know what I mean.

Thanks.

 

[Acorn]

The forum should look just as good to a guest as it does to a member...if you have to log in to make it look good that's some potential member loss right there. People DO judge forums based on what they first see.

I don't use Google Analytics actually, but I have a stat counter. If you have access to stats of your forum, you can see whether your activity is increasing or not. Look over those last two months and analyse the graph curves. They going up, down, what? I would think up since you have over 3000 posts now. Are they going up exponentially, lineally, or are they levelling off? Etc.

 

[David]

Thanks Acorn.

My graph shows that it has been fluctuating quite a lot. However, in the most recent times, it has been increasing rapidly.

I'm on around 3 000 unique views and 25 000 page views. How does that sound for 4 months?

 

[Ashish92]

basically your forums needs more time
however one thing i wud like to point out is that the theme of your forums lacks the certain look of a graphics related theme

a custom theme with flashy and cool graphics will take the visitors into a tempting desire to join the forums 🙂

 

[David]

however one thing i wud like to point out is that the theme of your forums lacks the certain look of a graphics related theme

Thats very stereotypical. These are the top 3 graphics forums:
1. http://www.estetica-design-forum.com/
2. http://www.yourdesignforums.com/
3. http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/
4. http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/phpBB2/
5. http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/

Now, do you see any which fit your description? None of them have flashy and cool graphics, you I must ask, where did you get that idea from?

 

[Ashish92]

the last link isn't working

and i think you got me wrong

from cool and flashy colors i meant that designing and coloring in such a way that it looks like a graphics related forum and catches the eye of visitors and looks clearly distinct

and in the case of first three forums they have quite what i am saying 🙂

however the fourth one i can say doesn't suit my eyes and clearly lacks in attracting visitors by looks