OtakuTalk.com - Another Anime Forum :-)

[DaPro]

Hello Everyone,

I like styling forums and putting on plugins and what not, so I have an anime forum that is currently trying to get a little more active. I would like to get some feedback from the vBulletin.org community on possible improvements I can make on my presentation (graphics and styling) or in what ways I can get more users to become interested in my forums. I am also looking for techniques I can use to make my forums popular among users and if you know of any (that would not cost me money haha) then I would greatly appreciate it. I am eagerly awaiting feedback! Thank you.

http://www.otakutalk.com (Forgot the link, lol)

[FleaBag]

Dude your styles are outstanding! Is it possible I could buy them?

[DaPro]

Dude your styles are outstanding! Is it possible I could buy them?

Thanks for the comments, wow. Um, I can style a design for anyone who needs one. Just PM me with what you need and I will be sure to give a fair priced quote. Thanks.

[FleaBag]

That would be amazing. I've wanted something clear cut and unique for so long, nothing ever really captures my imagination like those two did. I think it's very difficult to styke vB well, and you seem to have pulled it off rather well! PM coming your way... :D

EDIT: Make that MSN; hope that's OK!

[PennylessZ28]

Some header image, cool colors though, looks good.

[DaPro]

Thanks for the comments, appreciated. Anymore would be great!

[GamerzWorld]

Love the header and colours (then again I love anime images :)). Not so sure on the icons and postbit though

[DaPro]

What do you think I should change about them? Also, anymore comments would be helpful!

[Tony G]

Wow, the setup of your style looks awesome. :) A few things I would change though:

-Move shoutbox and statistics to the bottom of the forumlist. Shoutbox deters posting if its above the forum list, and the statistics isn't very important. Both create a scroll just to get to the start of your forum list which isn't something you want.
-For your amount of members, I think you're starting off with a few too many forums. I'd aim for at least under 12-13 forums.

Otherwise, awesome style. :)

[DaPro]

Thanks Tony! I made of some of the changes you suggested, let me know what you think and anyone else with any recommendations is MORE than welcome to post them!

[Roms]

Looks great!!!

[DaPro]

Thanks, I am trying to reorganize everything and make it as straight forward as possible. If people have any suggestions for better forum arrangements, let me know :-D

[Freesteyelz]

Consolidate or remove some of the forums and expand when needed. Other than that I don't have any constructive criticism, just praise on a fine design. :)

As for increasing membership, keep in mind that there are tons of Anime forums out there. Being from Hawaii, with a strong connection with Japan culture, we've known Anime long before it exploded elsewhere. Finding the answer to "What does your site offer that the others do not?" is the challenge.

[Rahstyles.net]

Nic fore.. please message me on msn messanger

[DaPro]

Consolidate or remove some of the forums and expand when needed. Other than that I don't have any constructive criticism, just praise on a fine design. :)

As for increasing membership, keep in mind that there are tons of Anime forums out there. Being from Hawaii, with a strong connection with Japan culture, we've known Anime long before it exploded elsewhere. Finding the answer to "What does your site offer that the others do not?" is the challenge.

Thanks, I am trying to tone down on the forums we have, I made some changes and see if that is pretty good.

Also, yes that goes for any other forum that has been created, and we have a few things that we offer that only a couple other anime sites have. A good design for one (lol), a nice RPG system setup and ready to use, also we will be adding anime reviews and the ability to various other things. My question I guess, is how to go about advertising my forum to the public without spamming or paying money. Is there a way?

[aramik]

otaku talk eh? This is the 4th time ive seen this link somewhere and decided to click it =) very nice. I myself have run 4-5 popular anime sites and can say with the right attitude your's can grow.. the design is sweet and simple, and it look's like you know what you are doing. The name is nice, any chance you remember otakulive.com? well that was my forums =P got pretty big eventually, then I sold it.. anyway that's another story. What can I say, so far it's looking good, the best way to spread is word of mouth.. it doesn't look like you offer much media so it will be hard expanding quickly.

www.oz-anime.com (is mine) weve reached around 650-1100 unique a day, with only being online for a month and a half now.. and pretty much word of mouth is what did that.

If you need any help, just add me to msn... anytime.

Once in a while you see something decent online these days :/

[Freesteyelz]

My question I guess, is how to go about advertising my forum to the public without spamming or paying money. Is there a way?

Hmm...Good question. I'd probably register on community sites and start or reply to discussions about Anime. Approach the idea with a take it or leave it attitude. Every now and then slip in a link to your site with a brief explanation of what you're planning to do. Generally, people will click the link just out of curiosity if they are not pushed into it. They may make a comment. If they do and it's negative in tone, let it go graciously. It is those people you don't need in your community anyway. Add the link in your signature, also with a brief explanation of your site's theme.

Promoting and maintaining a site is not easy. It will take time and effort. Find moderators who can hold their own, are active and friendly. Ask them to help you find members. Target people who are up-beat and enjoys interacting with others. If they are satisfied they'll spread word of your site.

:)

[Sean S]

it looks great, good job. However I don't know if you have noticed, but you have 2 login boxes for guests, one vertical and one horizontal. Also above the login or below the welcome message, you have not closed a comment properly, therefore a "-->" is showing.

Other than that, it looks great, thumbs up.

edit: lol I just noticed a funny thing in your site "Welcome to the bottom. How does it feel?" :D

[DaPro]

Haha, thanks Sean. I fixed just about everything you informed me about and hopefully it is all working well now. Thanks again!

[Sean S]

hehe no problem bud ;) keep up the good work.

[Freesteyelz]

Good eye, Sean S. :)

[eva01_]

Here is what the shoutbox looks like under Safari, don't know if this is a documented problem with the shoutbox or not

however i do like the colors and is the header image from the ROD manga?

Also the RPG link on the navbar does not work under safari

[DaPro]

Ok, I fixed the Shoutbox (Hopefully) and the RPG Link will ONLY work if your registered. If you try clicking on it when your not registered it won't do anything. Also, yea the image is from Read or Die, good series. Well, thanks for the comments and suggestions :D

[eva01_]

Yep shoutbox is fixed ^_^

[DaPro]

Well thats good to hear, I found a fix from someone in one of the threads if anyone is looking for it also. Anymore comments would be lovely!

[Sean S]

Good eye, Sean S. :)
hehe thanks buddy ;)

[DaPro]

Did anyone else have any feedback for my forums? I would really appreciate new ideas, good ways to promote my anime site, something that would help me out and keep my place bumpin & active! Anyone?

[Princeton]

Overall it looks great. :up:
However, the site is lacking "excitement".

I'm an Anime fan and the best thing about Anime is the "animation". You are lacking in this area. Give us some images ... images with vibrant colors can draw people in.

[DaPro]

Overall it looks great. :up:
However, the site is lacking "excitement".

I'm an Anime fan and the best thing about Anime is the "animation". You are lacking in this area. Give us some images ... images with vibrant colors can draw people in.

Hey Princeton, thanks for the compliments, are you saying like a change in the banner or like an image gallery with anime images? Sorry sometimes I can be a little slow :-D

[Princeton]

you shouldn't limit yourself to where you "place" these images ... these images will draw people in--it's the beauty of ANIME

[DaPro]

Hey everyone, I made a new style for the forums and would love any comments you have. All feedback is appreciated!

[peterska2]

Your site loads really fast which is great news for anyone on a slow connection.

Your style is extremely smooth and clean. I love the layout of the forums on the forumhome.

You have guest viewing disabled on your site. This will affect your SE Rankings as your content cannot get listed. It can also deter people from registering and joing in as they don't know what is going on.

On the whole, considering what guests can view only, a good looking site.

[DaPro]

Hey peterska2,

I am took off that problem so things should be working fine now for guests. I was seeing if that might actually make people want to register more to see what is up on the forums, but the project didn't work right. Thanks again for the info.