Request review for my Firearms related Forum

[TankerHC]

Im requesting a review for my Forum. It has only been up 3 weeks, a few things I know and will be doing. Ill be changing the skin/style. Ill also be adding my own icons. Other than that, how can it be improved?

Thanks
J

www.usgunowners.org

[John Lester]

Keep in mind this is only one opinion and it shouldn't be the sole factor in any decision making.

Your background image is hideous and rather pointless, at no point can you see the full image, and the colors clash too much with the rest of the site.

Your logo is a bit plain, I suggest adding a couple of rounds of unspent ammo, or perhaps a gun or two. Get rid of the red, white, and blue scheme ... it just doesn't work.

Legally I don't think you can have classified sections for the buying or selling of firearms. You really should look into that before launching your site. I think you need a dealers permit, ask the guys at the two forums you listed in the classified rules sticky if they have any special permits, or if they sought legal counsel before placing their classifieds online.

Drop the sports forum, that's what the general off topic forum could be used for. Not sure having a ladies only forum will go over well, but it won't hurt to try.

Drop the general videos and photos section, rename firearms related video and photos forums to video and photos and use the built in prefix option in vB to require a prefix for those forums. One prefix would be related to firearms, the other to none firearms (like OT or NGT or NFT).

Look in the styles area here at vb.org for a non default style. I know that's a bit ironic coming from me who's site shows guests the default style, but I"m still working on my own custom style to replace it with

[TankerHC]

Hey, thanks for the review. Since were not selling and buying firearms, having a firearms classifieds where trades and sales can be made between private individuals is perfectly legal.

I agree 100% on the background. Problem is I dont want it to be plain, so Im trying to find something to replace it.

On the header logo, funny you should mention that. It was made using a free online logo builder and was only temporary, we held a contest with a gift card as a prize and now have our official logo, it does incorporate firearms as well as the colors changed to Red/White/Blue and its well laid out.

Other than the comment on the sports forum (Take a look at nearly any gun forum, all have Sports), I agree with everything else and will be making those changes.

One question I have. You said use the prefix option do designate firearms/non firearms. Will this separate them within the subforum or will it just be a bunch of threads all jumbled together but with prefixes? I have run numerous forums but always used php, this is my first experience with vbulletin, the learning curve isnt too bad since I have 32 years working on/with computers.

Thanks
Jeff

[John Lester]

Thread prefix info .... http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html?m...rsion=40112602

It was easier to link to it in the manual then to explain it

I checked out your site again and still see the old logo and background image

UGH can't link directly to it in the manual ??? Click the link above and search for prefix then click the fourth link down (why it isn't the first link I have no idea). That will give you the basic information on prefixes, then you can click the related links below to get specifics.

[Lazorbeam]

Alright, I haven't really read any of the other replies, but here's my input:

- Get rid of the tiled background image immediately. Replace it with something subtle.
- Reduce the number of forums. You're bloating your forums and making them look desolate.
- Get a new logo (although I see you've got a contest going for that).
- Install a new skin.