Advice: SEO or New Skin?

[Contra Fates]

I'm currently stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have about $200 that I wish to use on my forum, but I'm not sure what to use it on. I realize that the discussion of 'should I buy VBSEO' or not is well overdone, but my question is which would be the best investment for myself, VBSEO or a new professionally designed skin?

The Situation:
1.) I realize that VB4 is around the corner, but my forum is a smaller one with slowly building traffic. Some of the biggest forums I've visited have VBSEO, and have incredible activity. The problem is that my forum is currently hosted on a shared server, and I'm afraid that VBSEO might be too hard on my server. That, and I keep hearing that VB4 will have vbseo functions built into it. If it's true, will it have the friendly url rewrites in it?

2.) My forum skin was just a free one that I customized to start off with, but I believe it's time for a fresh new skin. My fear is that once VB4 is out, that the coding for it will be entirely different, and any of the money I've invested in the new skin, will be for nothing in a few months or whenever VB4 finally comes out. Then again, this is also my fear with regards to purchasing VBSEO, especially if it's main features are built into VB4.

3.) I realize that different forums have need for different things, so I should let you all know that my forum is a Japanese Entertainment one, with a demographic of teenage-mid 20's. The main focus is video games and Anime. My audience is part of the reason why a new stylish skin is even thought to be important, and also why VBSEO may or may not be helpful to a forum like mine, considering the subject matter.

I'm in real need of advice. =( The link to my forum is below, and I'd be grateful to anyone who could give me some input!

http://www.risingstarforums.net/

[LilPimp]

I like the skin on it right now. I would wait for vb 4 to come out for both options.

[Contra Fates]

Originally Posted by LilPimp

I like the skin on it right now. I would wait for vb 4 to come out for both options.

Thank you!

I'm just worried with playing the waiting game for VB4, I feel like I'll just be waiting, and waiting even longer.

VB4 was originally slated for August to be fully released, and here we are in late September and it's just in Alpha testing, not even Beta. I just wish they were giving us more information about what's going on with it, and offering more previews. I feel almost irresponsible in a way by just going: "Well, we have to hold off on these plans because VB4 might change everything!" It just doesn't seem right.

[BSMedia]

Originally Posted by Contra Fates

I'm currently stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have about $200 that I wish to use on my forum, but I'm not sure what to use it on. I realize that the discussion of 'should I buy VBSEO' or not is well overdone, but my question is which would be the best investment for myself, VBSEO or a new professionally designed skin?

The Situation:
1.) I realize that VB4 is around the corner, but my forum is a smaller one with slowly building traffic. Some of the biggest forums I've visited have VBSEO, and have incredible activity. The problem is that my forum is currently hosted on a shared server, and I'm afraid that VBSEO might be too hard on my server. That, and I keep hearing that VB4 will have vbseo functions built into it. If it's true, will it have the friendly url rewrites in it?

vBSEO doesn't add members, activity, posts, or threads to your forum. Its ability to enhance your "SEO" is some what questionable now as well as it seems that search engines have passed their strategies and major selling points up.

2.) My forum skin was just a free one that I customized to start off with, but I believe it's time for a fresh new skin. My fear is that once VB4 is out, that the coding for it will be entirely different, and any of the money I've invested in the new skin, will be for nothing in a few months or whenever VB4 finally comes out. Then again, this is also my fear with regards to purchasing VBSEO, especially if it's main features are built into VB4.

if your budget is tight and you don't have spare cash, wait for vB4 before dropping money on a skin. vB3.x skins won't work on vB4 and will have to be rewritten.

3.) I realize that different forums have need for different things, so I should let you all know that my forum is a Japanese Entertainment one, with a demographic of teenage-mid 20's. The main focus is video games and Anime. My audience is part of the reason why a new stylish skin is even thought to be important, and also why VBSEO may or may not be helpful to a forum like mine, considering the subject matter.

I'm in real need of advice. =( The link to my forum is below, and I'd be grateful to anyone who could give me some input!

http://www.risingstarforums.net/

Again, vBSEO doesn't add to your forum activity, don't beleive their sensationalistic marketing that makes you think get vBSEO and you'll earn $1400 a day and 600% increase in traffic, it doesn't happen like that.

For the record, more of the largest vBulletin sites on the internet don't run vBSEO that do. Out of the top 25 vBulletin sites, only 4 use vBSEO. source

[Contra Fates]

Originally Posted by BSMedia

vBSEO doesn't add members, activity, posts, or threads to your forum. Its ability to enhance your "SEO" is some what questionable now as well as it seems that search engines have passed their strategies and major selling points up.

if your budget is tight and you don't have spare cash, wait for vB4 before dropping money on a skin. vB3.x skins won't work on vB4 and will have to be rewritten.

Again, vBSEO doesn't add to your forum activity, don't beleive their sensationalistic marketing that makes you think get vBSEO and you'll earn $1400 a day and 600% increase in traffic, it doesn't happen like that.

For the record, more of the largest vBulletin sites on the internet don't run vBSEO that do. Out of the top 25 vBulletin sites, only 4 use vBSEO. source

Oh, no, I know that VBSEO won't turn me forum into some ridiculous activity center, but even if it doubled my traffic I'd be more than content, as my traffic now is not that high. But, you're right, waiting for VB4 is probably the best idea, but I'm just so annoyed with the lack of news and updates on it. I really wish they had gotten us more excited with more previews and 'exciting changes' for VB4.

The other issue, too, is from what I hear, the first version of VB4 won't be much different, looks wise. So, again, I'll have to wait even longer until they -do- release the major upgrade version of VB4.

I just wish I knew how long everything will take, because I hate hanging onto the 'VB4' excuse when it comes to trying to make major changes to my forum.

Thank you for the input!

[VonDoom]

I agree the waiting game totally blows. I really don't expect vB4 until February or March. then probably April-June for it to have any legitimate amount of modules to look at. While im completely sure it will be worth the wait. That doesn't mean its not like being stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to a few important administrative decisions. vBSEO in my opinion is a waste of money. and with vB4 even a bigger waste. my.02 pennys

ETA: if you are really interested in an SEO solution i would recommend Zoints. witch can be found in the Mods sections here on the org. I use it on one of my forums with no complaints. I cant say if its really helped or not as its been installed from day one.