Looking for reviews for a debate site

[Shmily]

We just opened up this debate board less than two weeks ago and would like to get some ideas for improvements, ways to promote the site, possibly get some mild advertising that will help out with the costs of operating.

We are open to suggestions. Our ideal board is to have an inviting community where people can get to know each other and interact and also debate hot topics.



Here is our site:

www.debateandrelate.com


Thanks.

[Shmily]

Anyone? I'd really love to see what we can do to make improvements.

[siddal]

The header image needs fixing: perhaps extending across the width of the forum but frankly I think it´s awful and needs a whole new makeover. I also think the browns and greens need bleeding into each other a little, far too much contrast.
Your buttons should be updated to reflect the overall style.
The sponsor logos in the footer should be spaced and centred.

Please bare in mind that these are my own opinions reflecting personal taste and meant only as constructive comment.
Good luck

[Shmily]

I can handle constructive judgement. We are working on moving the header over to align with the forums. The ads are not across from the header and look better. We had people asking for them so we stuck them down at the bottom so that they could at least link to them while we were figuring out how to place them properly.

We have buttons, but no idea how to install them. LOL They will eventually be replaced.

What do you mean by this?

I also think the browns and greens need bleeding into each other a little, far too much contrast.


I am just not sure what you mean by that. What would you suggest? We are looking for a homey and cozy feel. Definately not looking for flashy and bright or anything. The more dubdued tones seemed to reflect the feel of the forums. There are mostly women there and we were looking at "decorating schemes" and colors. LOL

I do appreiate the imput. I know that we will try to improve on things as we go. We have a lot of learning to do regarding coding and stuff like that. My head is spinning from all of it.

[siddal]

Sorry it?s taken time to get back.
I?m not sure "bleeding" was the right word and I apologise. However, those two colours you?ve chosen are "earthy" to say the least and I?ve been out in the woods looking at all the greens and browns at this time of year. They work well out there because they?re interspersed with around a million other colours and of course it works.

I can?t help thinking that you?d need to tone one or both down a little. Maybe use a gradient in your category strips. I think the green/beige or brown/beige might work without the addition of a third colour and of course it?s difficult this, since it all comes down to personal taste but an honest opinion is surely better than mindless flattery. :)

I?d go for two predominant colours instead of the three.

[MPDesignZ]

Personally the colors do no reflect a debate site to me. that is just me though I would change the colors to something different for a debate & discussion site. When making a skin or just changing the colors you should always try to get something that "looks" like what the site content is. For instance, let's say you have a hunting site, those colors brown, beige & green would be awesome for a hunting site. Or if you had a Harley Davidson site black & orange would be good colors. See where I'm going? You need to use colors that others automatically get the gist of your site.