Social talk & gaming (console games)

[Sawa Dee SohL]

Been open since September 11 - Got a lil over 100 members

We haven't advertised, or done anything with SEO or banners (why we have so little members)

Tell me what ya think (constructive please)

www.TheSocialRev.com

There are quite a few boards that have 0 posts, but that's because we haven't advertised yet, and when we do, we want 'em there so they don't want to talk about *said board* - and have it not there, and lose someone for such a small reason.

[KTBleeding]

First Impression:
Confusing! Three different navigation areas (four if you count the footer).
No logo = No personal impression. I have no idea what site I am on, or what its purpose is.
Is there really a reason for vBadvanced here? You are simply throwing three nav areas, and a text blox that says three different ways to get to the forums.

My suggestions:
Think of a visitor who has never seen a vBulletin forum before. Will they know how to use your site at all?

Study the patterns that people follow when reading and viewing a website. Most people follow an "F pattern". Set your theme and style up to accomodate that. There's a reason why so many sites have the logo / navigation in the top / header of their site. It's effective!

If there's no use for vBadvanced, dump it. You're throwing your members off by having the very first page of your site be as dull as it is..

I don't think you necessarily need a new theme.. it's pretty dark and boring for my personal taste, but I think if you put the other issues at hand first, you'll see a major improvement.

[iNRoC]

Hey, I've tried owning gaming forums in the past and there is just way too much competition and it seems that GameSpot and other forums like that just steal the competiton away. Theres no point in owning a gaming forum if your looking for cash especially without investment in SEO or Ad campaigns.. Can you review my website too?

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=195801

[Sawa Dee SohL]

Ya, we're currently working on a new Style/Theme - I don't like how dark it is.

Where is vbAdvanced being used? I had a coder set up the dark Theme.

Here's the lighter theme I'm working on Light Theme (http://thesocialrev.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644&styleid=4)

It has our Logo there.

ya, we havent removed the front page Nav box yet - cause at the time, the Tabs didn't work, and was for show only - so we kept it there. Thanks for reminding me to remove it :P

What do you mean by an "F" pattern? This is the first website/forum i've ever created.

inroc: We're not gaming specific. If you ever go to GameSpot, or GamefAQs - they are gaming specific.

We're the social side of the people who play games (sure it's probably "not needed") - but when you're on a gaming Forum, and you're there for a few days and wanna talk about something other then games, with the people you've been around - You can't. (Atleast not at GamefAQs or GameSpot) - You HAVE to stay on/about the game, or you get modded.

We offer the social side, so you can talk about anything, to anyone, about anything - and have the Game Discussion at your finger tips all the same.

I don't know anything about SEO (which is why we haven't done anything) - a Rival forum got our Google Adsense taken away, so we're using Adbrite atm.

I literally, know nothing of how to do Ad campaigning, or SEO - so that's why we haven't done it yet..

And I'm working on $0 for the Forum - so all the things that are done, are by those who are willing to help with no pay, and not many are. I have one friend helping me, but he's not as familiar with Coding as most are - so it's still a work in progress

[KTBleeding]

Here's the lighter theme I'm working on Light Theme (http://thesocialrev.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644&styleid=4)

What do you mean by an "F" pattern? This is the first website/forum i've ever created.
vBadvanced is your main "portal" page. Personally, I see no use for it. It just displays a quick "how to access the forums" message, and a poll.. Kind of pointless, IMO.

Here is a good article on the F pattern.
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

[Sawa Dee SohL]

tyvm KTB much appreciated for that link